Weston Town Hall Happenings For Dec. 22

Press release from the Town of Weston:

12/22/2023 1:25 PM

First Selectwoman’s Opening Note
I would like to wish you all the happiest of holidays. This newsletter is our last for 2023. I look forward to sharing more news with you all after the New Year. I am grateful to serve this amazing community as your First Selectwoman and look forward to an exciting 2024 with my colleagues on the Board of Selectmen and our new Town Administrator. I am also so thankful for the terrific team of municipal employees who keep this town running and have accomplished so much in 2023. Enjoy this special time with your friends and family.

Board of Selectmen Hire a New Town Administrator
I am absolutely thrilled to announce that last night the Board of Selectmen authorized me to sign an employment agreement between the Town of Weston and Karl Kilduff, who will be our new Town Administrator. Karl is currently the Town Manager of the Town of Clinton, CT where he served as the first Town Manager for three years. Before that he served as Executive Director of the CT Housing Finance Authority, Town Administrator in Darien, CT, Town Manager of North Branford, CT and City Manager of the City of Johnstown, PA. He has over 23 years of experience in Town Management and four years working at the State level in Connecticut. (Click here for Press Release for more information) Karl brings a wealth of experience and dedication to this crucial role, and I am confident that his leadership will contribute significantly to the continued growth and sustainability of our community. I believe that with Karl in place, we are poised for a bright and successful future. Please join me in welcoming Karl Kilduff to our team, and let us look forward to achieving great things together.

Karl will start on February 21, 2024, after providing his 60 days’ notice to the Town of Clinton. I will let you know when we will be having an event to welcome him aboard. I appreciate the entire municipal staff’s efforts this year that pulled together to keep the town running beautifully during this transition.

Town of Weston Holiday Closures

Human Services/Senior Center Department Reorganization
We are happy to announce that the Weston Senior Center is now under the auspices of the Weston Human Services department. This transition aims to streamline administrative tasks and provide additional support to the senior residents of the Town, with no alterations to senior center programming or staffing. Under the umbrella of Human Services, the Senior Center now has access to added resources, promoting a unified and collaborative environment for both seniors and all residents. We welcome you to reach out to the Human Services Director, Allison Lisbon, MSW, LCSW, with any questions, comments, or concerns. Her email is alisbon@westonct.gov and her phone number is 203-222-2663.

From the Weston Fire Marshall: Fireplace and Wood Stove Safety
Ensure your home is equipped with working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and that the batteries are changed at least once a year. If you have a fire alarm system in your house, ensure and that it is serviced annually. Before the heating season begins, have your chimney, flue vents and stove inspected and cleaned by a certified chimney sweep. Make sure your fireplace has a sturdy screen to prevent sparks from flying around the room. Store wood safely in a dry place protected from the elements. Only burn wood that is dry and seasoned. A standard-sized fireplace can typically burn about four 16-inch logs at a time. Do not overload your fireplace. Never use gasoline, charcoal starter fluid or other flammable liquids to start your fire. When removing ashes from your stove or fireplace – it is important to dispose of them safely:

• Let ashes cool for at least 24 hours before placing them in a non-combustible metal container with a metal lid.
• DO NOT discard your ashes in a paper bag, plastic bag, cardboard box, or plastic trash can.
• Place the metal container at least 10 feet away from your house while the ashes are cooling.
• Ashes can stay hot for up to 4 days after your last fire in the fireplace/stove. Make sure they are cold before discarding them.

Storm Clean-up Update
The week began with public works crews cleaning up after the weekends storm. The large amount of rain fall has caused some roadways to have icy surfaces. We will continue to apply salt and sand and urge motorists to urge caution. Thanks so much to the team who worked tirelessly to remove trees and keep us safe.

Volunteer Fire and EMS Awards
Last week an awards ceremony was held to recognize and celebrate Fire Rescue and EMS division’s personnel. While the following members were recognized for their outstanding contributions to our department, we also recognize and appreciate the efforts and contributions of each and every one of their members. Below are the 2023 award recipients.

Fire Division
President and Chiefs Award: Jim McGuire
Firefighter of the Year: John Dembishack
50 Years of Service Award: John Pokorny
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EMS Division
Dave & Mirjam Geismar Community Service Award: Adria Belport
EMT of the Year: Waldo van Riemsdjik
Student of the Year: Charlotte Carter
Cardiac Arrest Save Unit Citation: Henry McElligott, Tom Janson, Waldo van Riemsdjik, Sharon Jaffe, Elena Moffly, Mark Norman, Ryan Blake
EMS Years Of Recognition:
20 Years: Chief Michael Schlechter, Jt Solazzo
10 Years: Deputy Chief: Ben Frimmer, Captain Chris Bradbury, Don Kendall, Joanne Fazarri
5 Years: Jon Loeser

Weston – Siversk, Ukraine Sister City Update
Launched this past June, the Town of Weston adopted our sister city Siversk through a relationship with Ukraine Aid International, Inc, which has laid the groundwork to provide support for those severely impacted by the ongoing war in Ukraine. Hearts for Ukraine Available at Weston Pharmacy and Community Events Not sure about how you can help? The Sister City partnership Steering committee has launched “Hearts for Ukraine.” These beautiful handmade bracelets may be purchased completed or as kits, with instructions, for those wishing to make them at home. To learn more about the new hearts for Ukraine campaign and how you can help Ukraine please email the Chair of the Steering Committee Iryna Akolzina at akolzina29@gmail.com.

Recycling Guide
Recycling facilities are always free and available for all Town residents. We encourage you to reduce, reuse and recycle! Click here to see a printable recycling guide: Recycling Guide

HRRA Sustainable Tips for the Holidays
As we move into the holiday season, we want to remind you of a few tips to have a more sustainable holiday!

Renovation of Davis Hill Bridge
Construction is taking place on Davis Hill Bridge. The bridge will remain open to traffic, with occasional short closures during this renovation & resurfacing project. The construction of this infrastructure project is funded with grants from the State and Federal government.

Police Department Locker Room Renovations
The renovations of the locker room in the basement of Town Hall is near completion. Officers are expected to occupy the space in the next 10 days. This renovation provides improved locker room space, new heating and air conditioning and updates this existing space. A reconfiguration of the footprint will allow for a more efficient use of the space and is a much anticipated improvement for our Police Department staff. The locker rooms will include dedicated space for women officers and enable us to be more competitive in the recruitment of female police officers.

Human Services

Weston Human & Social Services is currently taking applications for the 2023-2024 CT Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)
If you think you may qualify or are having difficulty paying your heating bills please call 203-222-2556 or 203-222-2585 to schedule an appointment.

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 Human 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.

Weston Urgent Assessment Program at Silver Hill
The Town of Weston has partnered with Silver Hill Hospital to provide Weston residents in urgent need of mental health treatment with a timely psychiatric assessment and tailored referral for ongoing care. The Weston Urgent Assessment Program serves children, adolescents, and adults who are Weston residents at no out-of-pocket cost. The Assessment Program is available by advance appointment only and every effort will be made to offer an assessment appointment within 48 hours of an intake call. To schedule an intake, please complete the form found at https://silverhillhospital.org/new-canaan-urgent-assessment-program/ or call Silver Hill Hospital admissions at 866-542-4455 and indicate that you are inquiring about the Weston Urgent Assessment Program. For additional information, call the Town of Weston's Human Services Department at 203-222-2663. Click here for a podcast describing the program: https://vimeo.com/837210170

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. Be sure to sign up at the bottom of the page to receive our newsletter each month! Click here for our latest newsletter

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 still 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, Marketing and Communications Committee, Parks and Recreation Commission, Sustainable Weston Committee, Veterans Affairs Committee. The following elected board has a position available: Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate. Please click here for more information and/or to submit your information for consideration for a position.

Weston Senior Center
Click this link to view the Senior Center Newsletter: https://westonseniorcenter.info/newsletters.php

Caregivers Support Group With Allison Lisbon, LCSW, MSW, Director of Human Services
Monthly meetings are held every third Tuesday, 1-2pm 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

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-lis

Weston Town Green

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