4/10/2026 A Message from First Selectman Lent

Greetings from Town Hall!

As always thematically, the main theme of my administration is environmental and land use issues. Let’s save Easton!

WILDLIFE IN EASTON! (Please send me pictures of your wildlife in town to treynolds@eastonct.gov.)

Bald Eagle Sighting! I recently spotted a bald eagle soaring above Aspetuck Park. I wish I could have snapped a photo in time! Has anyone else seen one around town and managed to capture a shot? We’d love to see your photos!

CONSERVATION, LAND USE, WATERSHED, & ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION ISSUES

AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION: I met with our Agricultural Commission to discuss preserving Easton’s farms and planning for future uses, including connecting new farmers with available farmland through Farmlink https://ctfarmlink.org/

Additionally, Governor Lamont announced on February 19, 2026, that the Connecticut Department of Agriculture is offering $1.55 million in grants to expand access to locally grown food while supporting farmers. Through the Local Food Purchase Assistance Grant Program, organizations such as food pantries, municipalities, and nonprofits can receive funding to purchase Connecticut Grown products—creating new markets and sales opportunities for local farms. The program helps connect farmers with community partners who distribute fresh, healthy food to residents in need, strengthening both food access and the state’s agricultural economy.

PRESERVING FARMLAND AND WORKING FARMS WITH ASPETUCK LAND TRUST: I also met with ASPETUCK LAND TRUST (ALT) to discuss farms they can help preserve in Easton and how the Town can continue to partner with them. For example, Gilbertie’s Farm in Easton was preserved with their assistance, and Benedict’s Agway Farm in Monroe was recently preserved through similar efforts. Easton has a rich farming heritage, and preserving farms remains a top priority. When I was a child here in Easton, we had more farmers, and we had 4-H farm programs in our town, and after school, for example. Farming is a critical part of Easton’s identity and is also needed more than ever.

HEY THERE HONEY! The Assessor's office in the Town Hall sells local honey! If you have already purchased their honey, you can bring back your jar to receive a $0.50 credit on your next purchase! $8.50/lb., $17.00/2lbs. Two (2) beeswax candles/$7.00.

GET READY TO GO WILD, EASTON! We are exploring several exciting nature-focused opportunities for residents. The Beardsley Zoo’s popular ZooMobile and Wild Assembly programs are currently fully booked through summer, but may be available beginning in September—we’ll continue to assess interest in a potential weekday program. We are also looking into hosting an “Easton Day” at the Zoo on Saturday, May 16^th, with potential complimentary admission for a limited number of residents on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, conversations are underway with Earthplace in Westport about a similar opportunity for Easton residents on Sunday, June 7^th. Finally, a member of the Conservation Commission has ordered copies of Sibley’s Foldable Guide to Backyard Birds of the Northeast, which will be distributed at upcoming meetings and community events while supplies last.

KEEP EASTON GREEN AND CLEAN!! Long-time residents know it is that time of year when our long-standing Easton Garden Club, founded in 1938, invites you to roll up your sleeves and join them for their incredibly helpful " Keep Easton Green and Clean” day on Saturday, April 18^th. This town-wide effort is a great way to show pride in both our local community and to help the environment. Residents, Scout Troops, families, and anyone who values Easton’s pristine environment are encouraged to take part. Stop by the Easton Library vestibule between April 8 and 18 to pick up trash/recycling bags, choose a roadside to clean of trash, and help keep Easton beautiful! Collected bags can be dropped off behind the Library on April 18th between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm. Join your neighbors - every bag of trash cleaned up from our roads makes a difference! Thank you, Easton Garden Club. Please support this great organization https://www.eastongardenclubofct.org/about

PRELIMINARY HOUSING GROWTH PLAN GUIDELINES: To help meet state mandates, our representative, Anne Hughes, kindly shared with our affordable housing committee that the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) has issued Preliminary Housing Growth Plan Guidelines. The 2025 Act Concerning Housing Growth enables the Secretary of OPM to revise these guidelines from time to time. The Secretary has chosen to seek public review and comment on the Preliminary Guidelines to promote transparency around their development. Written comments will be accepted through April 30, 2026, and should be sent to OPM.ORG@ct.gov. Special Session Public Act 25-1 directs OPM to perform certain functions regarding housing growth planning. OPM's Office of Responsible Growth will provide updates and information on this website for several of the initiatives related to the Act. OPM's Geographic Information System Office is in the process of developing a new Housing Hub site that, in conjunction with this site, will provide local and regional policymakers with tools, guidance, and resources related to the program initiatives created by the Act. OPM Website

AQUARION SALE UPDATE: The Connecticut Attorney General and Consumer Counsel requested reconsideration of PURA’s March 25, 2026, decision approving the Aquarion sale to the REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITY (RWA), citing major factual and legal errors. Most significantly, they allege that PURA underestimated rate increases by approximately $474 million due to reliance on incomplete and hypothetical data. Correct data show continuous annual rate increases after 2035, not periodic increases, substantially increasing costs to ratepayers and undermining the finding that the deal serves the public interest. The petition also argues PURA made legal errors. Given these issues, the State asserts the decision is flawed and requests PURA reconsider and reject the transaction. For more details, click HERE.

AQUARION WATER OUTAGE ALERTS: Aquarion Water Company has launched a new and improved Alerts & Outages page on its website (www.aquarionwater.com), effective April 6, 2026. The updated page features an interactive map showing the exact location of outages and alerts across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, providing customers with better visibility into events in their area. Please note that outage notification emails will now come from noreply@everbridge.net, rather than an Aquarion email address. Alerts will be posted in chronological order and will remain on the site for 24 hours unless the event is ongoing. While the Alerts & Outages page and email notifications will have an updated look, they will continue to provide the same important information to customers and public officials.

PUBLIC SAFETY AND SUPPORTING OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT AND EMS

Please remember to “slow down in town” and not speed.

I met with the Easton Fire Department to support their operations and coordinate the EMS building project (See fire engine picture). Our Town Department of Public Works (DPW) has been at the EMS building site daily, digging and doing the site work to save money compared to contracting out the work. Thanks, DPW!

NO OPEN BURN: There will be no open burning allowed in Easton until Saturday, April 18^th at the earliest. The spring conditions are very dry, and the Fire Risk is Very High. Thank you for your understanding. Schuyler Sherwood, Fire Marshal/ Emergency Management Director

REMINDER - PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MEETINGS

1. The next P&Z meeting regarding Saddle Ridge will be held on Tuesday, April 28th, at 7:00 pm at SSES.
2. The Annual Town Meeting will be held on Monday, April 27^th, at 7:00 pm at SSES. The budget will be voted on May 5 by machine vote. This budget represents a 5.28% percent increase in spending. Thank you to our long-time Board of Finance Chair Art Laske and our Board of Finance members for leading this process, including managing to reduce the initial budget proposals substantially in an equitable fashion.
3. There will be a Valley Road Bridge public information session on Thursday, April 30^th, at 7:00 pm in the Library Community Room. Click HERE for the rehabilitation study report link.
4. If you wish to receive updates regarding these meetings, please subscribe HERE!
5. As always, thank you for your continued engagement at these hearings and support as we work together for the future of Easton.

OTHER NEWS:

Please email your friends to sign up for the First Selectman's newsletter HERE.

I toured the Easton Senior Center with Director Val Buckley and previewed the beautiful SENIOR CENTER SILENT AUCTION items. Please check out the Easton Senior Center’s Silent Auction, running April 14 through May 5, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm! Browse a unique and ever-changing collection of vintage finds, antiques, and decorative treasures. Whether you’re a collector, a bargain hunter, or just looking for a special piece, you can place a bid starting at just $7.00. Every bid supports a great cause, with proceeds helping to fund classes, activities, and new programs at the Senior Center. Stop by, take a look, and join in the fun—you might just find your next favorite treasure while giving back to the community.

STAPLES ACADEMY MARKER: Elizabeth Boyce is delighted to announce that a Pomeroy Foundation Historic Marker was awarded for the Staples Academy. This recognition represents an important milestone for one of Easton’s earliest and most meaningful educational institutions. This marker formally acknowledges Staples Academy as a significant site in early American educational history. Founded in 1781, the Academy stands as a pioneering example of a “free school,” created to provide educational opportunities to children who otherwise would not have had access. The designation highlights both its local importance to Easton and its broader historical relevance. Receiving this marker is a true honor and distinction. It represents the culmination of more than two years of dedicated research, documentation, and application writing to secure formal recognition for this important early Easton building. The effort underscores a deep commitment to preserving and elevating the town’s historical legacy. It is hoped that the installation can occur in May, and there will be a press release, ceremony, and photo opportunity as part of our town’s America 250 celebrations. BRAVO Elizabeth!

NEW 9/11 Memorial AMERICAN FLAG and remembering Pete Hansen and family, 25 years since that tragic day: The Town recently received a new American flag for the 9/11 Memorial, obtained from the State Representative Anne Hughes. The 6-by-4-foot flag will be proudly displayed as a symbol of remembrance and respect, honoring those who lost their lives. We thank Representative Hughes for this thoughtful contribution to our community. We especially remember my good Easton friend, Pete Hansen, and his family, who were on the second plane flown into the towers on 9/11. Thank you to June Logie for organizing.

NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH: First Selectman, Dan Lent, proudly raised the National Donate Life flag with Adam Goldstein, our EMS Vice Chief, at Town Hall in recognition of National Donate Life Month this April. The ceremony served as a meaningful reminder of the lifesaving impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation, while honoring the generosity of donors and their families. Thank you to all who attended, including Selectman Nick D’Addario, and helped bring awareness to this important cause. Connecticut, unfortunately, has a comparatively low organ donor participation rate. Meanwhile, 13 people die each day waiting for an organ transplant. Every donor can save 8 lives and enhance over 75 more. Every 8 minutes, another person is added to the transplant waiting list. YOU can help! Signing up to be an organ donor is simple and only takes a few minutes:

• Online: Visit www.RegisterMe.org to sign up for your state’s donor registry.
• At the DMV: You can register when you apply for or renew your driver’s license or state ID.
• iPhone Users: Use the Health app to register through Donate Life America.

It’s also important to share your decision with your family, so they understand and can support your wishes.

GRANT APPLICATION: The Town has submitted a Fiscal Year 2027 Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) grant application to the offices of U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Senator Chris Murphy for consideration. The request seeks federal funding to support the replacement of the historic Town Hall roof, an important project aimed at preserving the building’s structural integrity and historic character. This investment will help ensure that Town Hall continues to serve the community for years to come while maintaining its significance as a local landmark. Thank you to Tina Reynolds at Town Hall for her hard work preparing the grant.

SENIOR TAX RELIEF PROGRAM: Click HERE for information. Deadline May 15, 2026.

VALLEY ROAD BRIDGE: Town Engineer Ed Nagy and First Selectman Dan Lent hosted a meeting this week with several CT DOT and bridge engineers to expedite the Valley Road Bridge renovation. A public information session is scheduled for Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 7:00 pm at the Library Community Room. The bridge construction will likely begin in 2028. Click HERE for the rehabilitation study report link.

REQUIRED 2026 REVALUATION UNDERWAY: Homeowners are asked to review, complete, and return the mailers at their earliest convenience. If anyone has received a damaged Data Verification Letter, they should contact Municipal Valuation Services directly at (203) 292-5500 to request a replacement.

National Public Health Week: Join us in celebrating National Public Health Week, April 6 - 12, 2026. Ready. Set. Action! is this year’s theme. As we celebrate, take a moment to recognize how public health has improved our daily lives, safeguarded our families, expanded our life spans, and strengthened our communities. This week is also a chance to honor the public health workers who show up for us every day — and to advocate for policies and practices that promote good health for all. About NPHW

SHELTER UPDATE: There is a new pup, “Snoopy,” available for adoption! What a little cutie! Parker and Applejack are still available, too! If interested, please reach out to the Easton Animal Control at 203-268-9172.

Please contact me for any reason if I can help.

Thanks!
Dan Lent
First Selectman

EVENTS AROUND TOWN

Stop into the Library to pick up your Passport to CT Libraries, April 1-30, and get it stamped. Then, try to visit as many CT libraries as possible. Visit at least five libraries and be entered into a raffle to win a Visa gift card!

The Easton Arts Council is presenting The Shapes of Color – Photography & Painting Art Exhibition by Paula McDonagh on exhibit March 2 – April 11 in the Community Room Gallery, Easton Public Library.

Senior Education Seminar--Learn How to Stay Independent at Home on Saturday, April 11, at 3:30 p.m. at the Library. Presented by Assisted Living Home Care Services, this program is for seniors and their family members. Registered Nurse and Certified Senior Advisor Julie Cruz will present a one-hour discussion on practical, real-world guidance, covering a range of topics relating to in-home care for seniors. Registration is recommended.

Senior Center Silent Auction APRIL 14 - MAY 5 (9 am- 3 pm)!! Something for Everyone – a unique collection of vintage, antique, and decorative treasures! Bids starting as low as $7.00. All proceeds help fund classes and new programs. Easton Senior Center – 650 Morehouse Road.

SO MANY GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING AT THE LIBRARY!

The Library is hosting SCORE Workshop: Start Your Business Here – An Action Series to Take Your Idea to Business Launch on Wednesday, April 15, 6:00-8:30 pm, Session 4 of 5 - Testing Your Ideas and Lessons from Launching a Business. Click HERE for details and registration.

The Library is hosting Craft Crew Earth Day Craft (Grades K-5) on Thursday, April 16, from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. Celebrate Earth Day with your very own Flower Box! We’ll supply all the materials you’ll need to make this fun springtime craft! These programs are designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child(ren).

The Staples Academy Foundation is hosting Dr. Nicholas Brown, a Yale Egyptologist, who returns to discuss his latest excavations at Deir el-Ballas: a Palatial-City from Ancient Egypt at the Congregational Church Hall, 336 Westport Road, on Thursday, April 16, at 7:00 pm! Don’t miss this journey into one of history’s most iconic tombs and its spiritual significance. Nicholas (Nick) Brown is an American Egyptologist who has worked as an archaeologist in Egypt since 2011. He received his MA degree in Egyptology from the American University.

Spring Ephemerals Wildflower Walk at Trout Brook Valley. Join Anthony Zemba of Fitzgerald and Halliday, Inc., for a wildflower walk at Trout Brook Valley Preserve on Saturday, April 18th, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am. Anthony, a Certified Ecologist, will be searching for “spring ephemerals” – a group of wildflowers that only bloom early in the growing season before the overhead canopy of trees and shrubs leaf out. In addition to wildflower identification, Anthony will talk about the ecological role that these curious plants play in forest ecology. Register HERE

The Library is sponsoring “HeartMath” on Saturday, April 18, at 1:30 p.m. HeartMath is a science-based system that combines techniques and technology to help individuals reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and enhance resilience. It focuses on connecting with the heart’s intelligence and using simple breathing practices to create coherence between the heart, mind, and emotions. Register here.

Please join us at the Easton Public Library for “Words from the Front,” a staged reading that bears witness to the war in Ukraine through the actual voices of Americans, Russians, and Ukrainians in correspondence. Sunday, April 19, at 2:30 pm.

The Library is hosting the following helpful event: Creating a Compelling College Application this Spring (Gr. 11 & Families) on Tuesday, April 21st, 7:30 pm via Zoom. Registration is required.

Earth Day Biodegradable Potted Plants (Grades 6-8) will be held at the Easton Library on Wednesday, April 22nd, at 3:30 pm. Join us on Earth Day, along with the JBHS Eco Club and the Easton Garden Club, to make your own earth-friendly planter, plant some seeds, and bring it home to watch it grow! Registration Required

Enjoy an evening of live jazz with the Old School Jazz All Stars on Thursday, April 23rd at 7 pm (doors open at 6:30) at the Congregational Church of Easton. Featuring Chris Coogan, Tim DeHuff, Tyger MacNeal, John Mobilio, and the Saugatuck Horns, this intimate concert promises classic jazz and swing in a welcoming setting. Hosted by the Staples Academy Foundation and the Historical Society of Easton, tickets are $20, with proceeds supporting restoration of the historic 1795 Staples Academy building.

A Taste of Ukraine – Ukrainian Cultural Exchange at the Masonic Lodge, 200 Center Road, on Sunday, April 26, from 4-6:00 pm. Limited to 50 seats. All money goes directly to the cause. A presentation will be made by Mark Yurkiw about the crisis in Ukraine. A suggested donation of $30/person may be made at the event. Please make a reservation.

In celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary, the Easton Cemetery Committee will host Rhode Island Historian Laureate Keith Stokes for a talk titled “Creative Survival: African Heritage Enslavement & Freedom in Early New England.” The event will take place on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 7:00 pm at the Helen Keller Middle School Cafetorium, 360 Sport Hill Road, Easton. A nationally recognized historian and public speaker, Mr. Stokes has appeared on programs including PBS, C-SPAN, and TED Talk. A $15 suggested donation is appreciated. The venue is wheelchair accessible.

15^TH ANNUAL EASTON MEMORIAL DAY MILE RACE will be held on Monday, May 25th, 2026!

1. Walk or run in the Memorial Day Mile before the Parade! Go HERE to enter $25.00
2. Be a Sponsor! $200 to support the Senior Center and add your LOGO on the Race Shirt!
3. Be a Friend of the Senior Center Memorial Milers - $25-$50 to offset race costs (timers, awards, snacks, etc.)
4. Volunteer for the race committee or for 1 hour on race day, May 25^th, 8:00 – 9:00 am.
5. RACE INFO: Sign-in begins at 7:30 am, race starts at 8:30 am. Easton Fire House, 1 Center Road, Easton, CT. Net proceeds to benefit Easton Senior Center. Race starts in front of the Easton Fire House @ 8:30 am. Finishes at the same spot to accommodate Parade goers. **RAIN or SHINE ** Post Race Water and Food. Award Ceremony & Prizes at the end of the race. Commemorative shirt guaranteed to all pre-registered participants. Entry Fee: $25.00 - Race day: $30.00 Registration ends May 24, 2026, at 8:00 pm EDT. Sign Up

ENJOY THE WESTPORT LEVITT PAVILION CONCERTS THIS SUMMER!

THE DISCO BISCUITS NIGHT ONE: FRIDAY, JUNE 12 | Doors: 5:30 PM | Show: 6:30 PM, NIGHT TWO: SATURDAY, JUNE 13 | Doors: 5:30 PM | Show: 6:30 PM. Member Pre-Sale begins Wednesday, March 25, at 10 AM ET. Get your 2026 Membership now: Enjoy pre-sale access and exclusive member discounts to this and upcoming shows! Already a member? Log in here. Public on Sale: Friday, March 27 at 10 AM ET. 2-DAY PASSES - FRIDAY, JUNE 12 + SATURDAY, JUNE 13 LAWN Section GA: Ticket holders in this section will be able to enjoy the bar located on the terrace. Advance GA 2-DAY PASS: $100 / LP Member Advance GA 2-DAY PASS $100 (FF waived on Member passes) DAY OF SHOW: $110.