Weston Town Hall Happenings For August 30

Press release from the Town of Weston:

08/30/2024 3:10 PM

First Selectwoman’s Opening Note
For today’s opening note, I wanted to thank all of the WPS students, staff, administrators and parents for a wonderful first week of school! BTS week is such an exciting time and I am grateful to the entire team at the district and town who have worked tirelessly to prepare for our children to return to the classroom.

Holiday Closures for the Labor Day Holiday
Municipal Offices will be closed Monday, September 2
Transfer Station will be Closed Saturday, August 31 through Tuesday, September 3
Reopening on Wednesday, September 4

Flood Update from Weston’s Office of Emergency Management
Significant progress is being made in the reconstruction of Rte 53. We expect it to reopen in the coming days and will update the community as soon as it opens. Our town officials and emergency management continue to work with our state and federal partners towards obtaining the federal disaster declaration. Unfortunately, due to the extreme amount of damage in Oxford and the surrounding areas, the damage assessment team did not make it to Weston on Thursday as scheduled. They will be coming to Weston following the completion of the assessments in Oxford/Monroe. We urge all homeowners who suffered damage from the flooding to thoroughly document the damage, estimates and repairs. It is also imperative that claims to homeowners insurance be made in a timely fashion. In the event FEMA offers individual assistance, insurance claim submissions are still required. We will inform the Town when the damage assessment team will be coming to Weston.

Fall 2024 Road Paving Plan
The bids for the Fall 2024 Road Paving Program have been returned. We are finalizing contracts and will be setting the paving schedule in the coming weeks. A list of roads to be paved in the Fall of 2024 can be found here: Fall 2024 Street Listing. Weston Department of Public Works appreciates everyone’s patience as we prepare our streets for paving. DPW is completing the replacement of 77 catch basins and performing other drainage repairs. Motorists should use caution around these repair areas.

Emergency Alerts
Please make sure that you and your family are registered to receive emergency alerts from the Weston Office of Emergency Management. Registration can be done online by visiting https://www.westonct.gov/our-community/community-alert-system-and-e-notifications. The Weston public safety team will continue to expertly guide us through storms by sending out texts, emails and automated phone calls via our Everbridge system. With all the new residents in town, please make sure to mention Everbridge to your new friends, acquaintances and neighbors. Please also see this link, which provides details on how to prepare for weather events: https://www.westonct.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/5929/637650804379770000

Weston Road Work – Construction Projects Fully Paid for with Grants from CT DOT and Federal Agencies

Parks and Recreation
Our Parks and Recreation Afterschool/WOW program flyer is up on our website and registration has begun! You’ll notice the WOW programs are now all included in this brochure and the booklet is sorted by each school. ALL programs are under the AFTER SCHOOL box on our registration portal- here Please let us know if you have any questions.

Aquatics/Swim Classes: Swim classes will be offered on Saturdays/Sundays starting 9/28. We are currently adding the programs to the website, we will send an update when registration will be open.

Labor Day Weekend Festivities

Weston Movie Under the Stars 2024 - The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Saturday August 31 - 5:30 pm
Coming to Middle School tomorrow (Saturday) starting at 5:30 with The Bar Car Band, Tony’s pizza truck and Frank n’ furters and burgers. We will be monitoring the weather which so far looks dry but if we need to postpone to Sunday at 5:30, check the Weston Commission for the Arts Facebook page tomorrow by 2pm. This feature is rated R and is sponsored by the Weston Commission for the Arts. Bring props, costumes and your neighbors!

A Celebration of the Arts Weekend
August 31 - 10 am to 5 pm
The new "Weston Invitational Arts Festival" is taking place this weekend, August 31st and Sept 1st from 10:00am - 5:00pm at the Hurlbutt School field in Weston, CT. Come get inspired and celebrate the arts, at what is sure to become one of Weston's favorite Labor Day traditions. This event is a juried arts fair that features over 75 artists and crafters from throughout New England and the East Coast. The two-day event features original fine art - paintings, sculpture, and photography, as well as contemporary hand-made crafts - jewelry, wearable and decorative fiber, glass, furniture, housewares, pottery and much more - all available for purchase and in every price range. Live Musical performances will take place on both days, featuring local artist's including A Band Called Moss, and Justin Stenger on Guitar and Cello at the arts stage. There will be free hands-on children’s arts activities and a variety of food temptations including kettle korn, pizza, Mexican-fare and a colorful opportunity to flavor your own drink through Water Colors, a unique interactive beverage vendor. It all happens rain or shine, under tents. Admission is free to the "Annual Weston Invitational Arts Festival". Bring your family and friends to this unique celebration this Labor Day weekend. Parking is easy and free, the location is right off of Route 57.

Lachat Town Farm 2nd Annual Pancake Breakfast
September 1, 2024 - 8:45 AM - 10:45 AM
Join us as we celebrate the first anniversary of the Daniel E. Offutt III Education Center at Lachat Town Farm! To mark this milestone, we are hosting the 2nd Annual Pancake Breakfast. This special event will showcase how Brian’s Kitchen is fulfilling its mission of bringing people together to “Love, Laugh, and Create”. We are grateful to the Gordon family for sponsoring this event in memory of their son. A delightful old-fashioned pancake breakfast, including pancakes, sausage, fruit, coffee, and orange juice, will be served from 8:45am - 10:45am. In addition to pancakes, this fun event will include hayrides, music, animal encounters, and more surprises.

Note that this is a sit-down family breakfast, and all ADULTS AND CHILDREN who will be at the table must purchase tickets. Space is limited and registration is required. Nominal cost of $15/adults and $10/children includes breakfast plus all activities. A huge thank you goes out to all of the volunteers, and especially our friends at Kiwanis, for helping us to continue the old-fashioned pancake breakfast tradition. To register click here: https://www.lachattownfarm.org/register.php?eventid=1930

Pickleball Update
The Town went out for bid this summer for construction of three pickleball courts at Bisceglie Park. Bids were opened on June 20 and the contract was awarded to Hinding Tennis, who have constructed many other pickleball courts. The bid came within the budgeted amount for the project. The project is being paid for with a combination of funding from the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) which is federal funding awarded to the Town as well as Park & Recreation Department fee revenue. Construction is nearly complete with post tension cables installed and the concrete was poured last Thursday! We are getting closer!

Weston History & Culture Center in Weston Fundraiser
A House Tour & Cocktail Party at the Peter Thorp House in Weston, CT will take place on Sunday, September 29, 2024 from 4pm - 7pm, all to benefit the Weston History & Culture Center in Weston, CT. Explore one of Weston’s oldest homes on this exclusive house & garden tour. Enjoy a cocktail party and musical performance in the home's rose garden. The Peter Thorp House is featured on Instagram: @peterthorphouse with over 30,000 followers! The home is also the focus of the exhibit, "Weston...What Lies Beneath" at the Weston History & Culture Center and has recently been featured in Domino Magazine and in photographer Shana Novak’s latest book, The Heirloomist: 100 Treasures and the Stories They Tell. Now is your chance to explore this exciting home and property! Tickets: early bird tickets are $125 and receive 5 complimentary raffle tickets. Purchase at: https://westoncthistory.org

Town Hall Talks
As an enhancement of the weekly Town Hall Happenings newsletter, please join First Selectwoman Sam Nestor for "Town Hall Talks," on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Come with your questions and we will be there with updates on Town activities.
Town Hall talks Fall schedule:
2nd Tuesday of the Month - 1pm at the Town Hall
4th Tuesday of the Month - 6pm at the Town Hall
RSVP to the next session on 9/10: executiveassistant@westonct.gov

Human Services
Applications are now being taken for the CT Elderly and Disabled Renters' Rebate Program. Please get in touch with Weston Human Services at 203-222-2556 to schedule an appointment. More information and eligibility requirements can be found here: CT Renters' Rebate Program.

Would you like to be added to the Reassurance Program?
The Reassurance Program is a list of Weston residents who would like to be called by an employee of the Weston Social Services Dept in times of Town emergencies or inclement weather. We encourage those who live alone, don't drive, or have medical needs to register as this list is also shared with Emergency Responders in times of Town emergencies. Please email Rashida Miller, MSW at rmiller@westonct.gov for more information.

Youth and Family Services
Please register for the Social Services monthly newsletter! Our goal is to provide our families and youth with resources that help promote physical and mental well-being through programming, events, referrals, and advocacy. Click here sign up to receive our newsletter each month

Caregivers Support Group with Allison Lisbon, LCSW, MSW, Director of Human Services
Monthly meetings are held every third Tuesday, 1:30-2:30pm at the Weston Senior Center. For questions or to be added to the Caregiver Support Group email list, contact Allison Lisbon at alisbon@westonct.gov

Bereavement Support Group with Rashida Miller, MSW
Monthly meetings are held every fourth Tuesday, 1:30-2 :30 pm, at the Weston Senior Center. For questions or to be added to the Bereavement Support Group email list, contact Rashida Miller at rmiller@westonct.gov

Weston Senior Center
--Click this link to view the Senior Center Newsletter: Weston Senior Center Weekly Bulletin
--Call or email the Senior Center to register: 203-222-2608/ jbraden@westonct.gov

Board of Selectmen Meetings
Please feel free to attend BOS meetings where you can watch in person at the Town Hall Meeting Room or you can stream into the meetings, which are always posted on the Town website. Documents, recordings, and minutes are available at: https://www.westonct.gov/government/boards-commissions/elected/board-of-selectmen

Volunteers Needed for Town Boards
The following appointed boards have positions available: Commission for the Arts, Board of Assessment Appeals Alternate, Beautification Committee, Building Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee, Board of Ethics, Historic District Commission Alternate, Veterans Affairs Committee. The following elected board has a position available: Zoning Board of Appeals. The Town of Weston Board of Selectmen will conduct interviews of candidates for appointed boards, commissions and committees in private, unless the candidate requests that the interview occur in public. Through the CT Freedom of Information Act, the state legislature expressly allows the Town Board of Selectmen to hold non-public executive sessions to discuss “the appointment, employment, performance, evaluation, health or dismissal of a public officer or employee." C.G.S. § 1-200 (6)(a). Like Weston, several nearby municipalities have also implemented similar policies to protect residents interested in volunteering their service from the abuse of modern technology such as artificial intelligence, social media, and personal identity theft. Please click here for more information and/or to submit your information for consideration for a position.

With gratitude,
Sam

PS: Check out my previous THH by visiting the following link! https://www.westonct.gov/about-us/advanced-components/list-detail-pages/news-list

This press release was produced by the Town of Weston. The views expressed here are the author’s own.