Jan. 16 Update From Easton First Selectman Lent

**News Release Submitted by Easton First Selectman Lent**

Jan. 16, 2025

Greetings from Town Hall,

As an environmentalist, my most important personal theme of my administration is protecting the natural environment of Easton, including protecting our endangered and threatened species, wetlands, drinking water supplies, reservoirs, and all wildlife in accordance with the applicable laws.

I am happy to report that several residents have recounted to me this week their personal sightings of the endangered sharp-shinned hawk in Easton, as noted in the Natural Diversity Database (NDDB) from DEEP.

The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection's (DEEP) Natural Diversity Database (NDDB) is a program that protects the state's native biodiversity, especially vulnerable species and ecosystems. The NDDB compiles data from the scientific community, conservation groups, landowners, DEEP units, and the Connecticut Natural History Survey. This data is used to rank and determine which species qualify for protection under the State Endangered Species Act.

The state-protected wood turtle is also present in the wetlands of Easton and is listed to become "endangered" at the federal level as well.

To report wildlife sightings to the CT DEEP, use their online portal or email deep.wildlife@ct.gov, providing details like location, time, number of animals, and ear tag info if present for species like bears, bobcats, and moose, which helps their research.

Also, pet owners must be extremely careful now that it is coyote mating season. My large dog was attacked by a pack of coyotes in my front yard. Some of these coyotes are very large - almost the size of a German Shepherd, and although rare, it has happened that residents in town have been bitten and attacked by several coyotes at once (a pack) while trying to save their pets from being killed by the coyotes. It is especially important to keep smaller pets inside. Please keep safe.

GOINGS ON AT TOWN HALL
I am happy to report that this was an extremely productive week at Town Hall. Some highlights are below:

On Saturday, I attended the fabulous EASTON Arts Council Winter Art Show. The calendar they offer for $20 is amazing and has incredible photos of Easton's scenery. I encourage everyone to buy one of these calendars and to support the Arts. They are available for sale at the Library, Greiser’s, and the Senior Center. They are also available for purchase ONLINE. They have a number of fantastic events coming up. Please see their calendar HERE.

Also, on Saturday, I attended a seed-planting session for the Easton Garden Club, and it brought up the issue of pollination locations in town. In Bridgeport, I helped establish a monarch butterfly waystation, and we will seek to make these sites around Easton. If you have never seen the documentary about the monarch butterfly migration, it is truly fascinating. See Flight of the Butterflies (2012).

The Plum Tree Lane 60 apartment and 9 Town House proposal (now modified to 29 townhouses) wetlands public hearing on Monday was handled very fairly and professionally under our new wetland’s litigator, Keith Ainsworth, and long-time Chair, Dori Wollen. Please read my "Only in Easton" summary and see the video HERE.

Live turtles were shown by long-time resident Dwight Senior. Dwight's grandfather built the reservoir system in Easton. See this article from Bruce Nelson of the historical society here https://historicalsocietyofeastonct.org/2019/01/08/serendipitous-planning/. This memorable meeting will go down in Easton history for sure!

The long saga of zoning and building code violations at the indoor riding ring on Sport Hill Road near Gourmet United made a lot of progress towards resolving these issues and hopefully avoiding another lawsuit regarding this riding operation. I want to thank our Interim Zoning Enforcement Officer, Jeff Borofsky; our long-time Building Department official, Peter Howard; our Fire Marshall, Schulyer Sherwood; and our new Attorney, Steve Stafstrom from Pullman and Comley; as well as our new Planning and Zoning chair, Attorney Ray Ganim, for working diligently on making progress. I also want to thank neighbor Steve Montgomery for not suing the Town again (not thus far, at least).

Update on Strong on Center Yoga – they have withdrawn their zone change applications to operate in the Apple Barn.

I participated in the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) policy meetings, and I met with their representative who traveled to Easton. This group has lobbyists who can help Easton with land preservation and many other issues in Hartford. Valuing Public Act 490 (PA 490) - Farm/Forest/Open Space valuation rules is also a recent topic that will affect Easton's farms. And in EASTON, obviously, we try to preserve farmland.

I recently appointed Elizabeth Boyce from the Historical Society to the land acquisition committee to help identify potential properties.

I also attended the very important Board of Education, budget, and curriculum meetings. I emphasized my strong support for our school system. I attended the schools here myself, and so did my three children. I encourage residents to look at the initial School budget posted online HERE. One point to consider is that the necessary special education requirements require a significant percentage of budget resources. Gifted and advanced programs were also discussed. I also emphasize my support for student athletes and athletic programs. Barlow football, baseball, lacrosse, and ski teams are of particular interest to me. Another important topic was ensuring that funds allocated for school maintenance are used for school maintenance, and what is the best accounting method to accomplish that.

I am forming an Easton parent support group focused on college admissions and am looking for volunteers who are interested in helping other families navigate the process. This includes parents who have recently been through college admissions, as well as professionals with experience in counseling, testing, applications, or related areas. The goal is to create a supportive, community-based resource where families can share knowledge, ask questions, and help one another through what can be an overwhelming and frankly terrible process. If you are interested in getting involved, I would love to hear from you. Please contact Tina Reynolds at treynolds@eastonct.gov in the First Selectman's Office.

We continue to make progress in finding volunteers to work on restarting the required Affordable Housing Planning Committee.

REMINDER: Easton Town Offices will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 19, 2026. Normal hours will resume on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

We made a large number of appointments to Boards and Commissions, and I made a concerted effort to meet with each candidate personally to interview, research, background check, and hear why they believe they are the best candidate to "issue spot" and be part of solutions in a diplomatic manner. I did not feel comfortable appointing someone I had never met or spoken with about the issues to important positions, so I met with almost all of them personally, and everyone received an unbiased and fair chance to advocate for their appointment without regard to party affiliation.

A new town website is also being tested to be rolled out soon.

Our Tax Collector, Krista Kot, would like to remind residents that the second installment real estate and personal property taxes (e.g., business equipment, unregistered/out-of-state vehicles, horses…), and supplemental motor vehicle taxes for vehicles (acquired October 2, 2024-July 31, 2025 on the Grand List of October 1, 2024), are payable without interest until February 2, 2026. Payments made in person must be received in the office by the end of the business day, or mailed payments, postmarked by February 2, 2026, in order to avoid interest. Alternatively, taxpayers may pay online HERE. Vendor fees apply.

If you believe you owe taxes but do not have a bill or did not receive one, please contact our office at 203-268-6291, Ext. 140, or you may look up your bill online via the link above. We are bound by CT State Statutes, so, unfortunately, failure to receive a tax bill does not relieve the taxpayer of his/her responsibility for the payment of taxes or delinquent charges, SS 12-130. Please be reminded that payments made online through your own bank are not always mailed the same day, and the envelopes are often not postmarked. Mail that is not postmarked and arrives after the due date is considered late, no exceptions.

REMINDER - PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MEETINGS
1. The Conservation Committee Public Hearing is scheduled for Monday, January 26th, at 7:00 pm at the SSES Cafetorium to discuss the Saddle Ridge cluster housing proposal.
2. The next Planning and Zoning Public Hearing meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 3rd, at 7:00 pm at SSES Cafetorium to discuss the Saddle Ridge cluster housing proposal.
3. The next ZBA regular meeting (open to the public) will be held on Tuesday, February 3rd, at 5:30 pm at the Town Hall Conference Room A to hear the appeal application for the Strong on Center’s zoning permit.
4. If you wish to receive updates regarding these meetings, please subscribe here! https://www.eastonct.gov/subscribe

As always, thank you for your continued engagement and support as we work together for the future of Easton.

Aquarion Water Company has notified the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) that it plans to file a rate increase request by March 13, 2026, for rates that would take effect November 1, 2026. Aquarion is seeking an overall increase of approximately $88 million, which would equal an average increase of about 42% across all customer bills. The company says the increase is needed because base water rates have not changed since 2013, PURA denied a requested increase in 2022, and Aquarion has invested more than $448 million in water system upgrades not reflected in current rates. Aquarion also notes that PURA’s recent denial of its proposed sale to a nonprofit water authority eliminated an option that could have resulted in smaller increases. The company states it will maintain tiered rates and assistance programs for vulnerable customers. PURA will review the request before any rate changes are approved.

There are three beautiful and endearing pups looking for ‘furever’ homes! If interested, please contact the Easton Animal Control at 203-268-9172.

Have a great weekend and be safe!

Dan

AROUND TOWN

Christ Church is hosting an Annual Zoom Reading of the Letter from Birmingham Jail by The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 19th, at 11 am. The community is invited to join in taking turns reading from the letter written in 1963 to fellow clergymen who did not support Dr. King's struggle for Civil Rights. Participants may choose to just listen or to read aloud in turns. Anyone interested should email Vicki (vickimarkanthony@gmail.com) for the Zoom link.

January is National Radon Action Month. This important event sheds light on the dangers of radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the United States after cigarette smoking. Radon is an odorless, invisible gas that can build up in homes and buildings. It can be found in groundwater, bedrock, and soil, and can creep into your home. Testing your home is a way to know if radon levels are high. Reducing radon levels in the home can help lower the risk of lung cancer. The Aspetuck Health District and CT Department of Public Health will be at the Easton Library, 691 Morehouse Road, to raise awareness and distribute free radon home test kits to residents on Wednesday, January 21st, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Photo ID required.

Truck-A-Palooza (Ages 2-5), Thursday, January 22, 4:30-5:30 PM, Trucks, trucks, trucks! Bring your toy trucks and come and play. We will have roads to drive on, books about trucks, a truck craft, and a fun truck video to watch. Great for all little truck fans. Registration is recommended.
Knitting Without Needles on Saturday, January 24, at 2:00 pm at the Easton Public Library. Certified knitting instructor Dawn (The Stitching Coach) will lead a class on arm knitting. You will be able to cast on, knit, and bind off an infinity scarf. This program is open to adults and teens. Registration is recommended.

Yoga for Children Ages 2-5 with a Caregiver, Monday, January 26, 10:30 AM. It’s Winter! Come inside and warm up with some gentle yoga. Join us for a fun and engaging child and caregiver yoga class designed to create a bonding experience through playful poses and mindful practices. Led by Diana Fonicello, Easton resident and yoga and dance professional. No equipment required. Registration is required

Join us at the Easton Public Library on Wednesday, January 28, at 7:00 pm for a screening of the 1934 film Twentieth Century, starring John Barrymore and Carole Lombard, and directed by Howard Hawks.

The Easton Arts Council is having its Winter Arts Celebration from January 6 to February 28 in the Library Community Room. All art is for sale.