Weston Town Hall Happenings For March 8

Press release from the Town of Weston:

03/08/2024 5:11 PM

We are Hiring!
The Town of Weston is currently looking for members of our municipal team. Please click here: https://www.westonct.gov/about-us/town-hall/municipal-job-openings for more information.

Transfer Station News!
Please note the Transfer Station now accepts credit cards.

From the Office of the Tax Collector: Applications for Elderly Tax Relief
The Tax Collector is currently accepting applications for the Abatement, Deferment and Freeze programs through May 15, 2024 for the upcoming Grand List year. You must apply every year for all programs. You can request an application from the Tax Collector’s office. Please call 203-222-2696 or 2697 or email cneblett@westonct.gov or jmorse@westonct.gov.

You will be required to attach a copy of your completed 1040 and all back up material showing all income sources including your 1099s with your application. You also need to provide documentation about your net worth. Examples are: any mortgage or loans on your home and any checking, savings and retirement accounts. After completing your application, you can mail or bring it to: Tax Collector’s Office, 56 Norfield Road Weston, CT 06883. You may put your application in the drop box located on the library side entrance to the Town Hall. You can also email your application. Please be sure you have included copies of all supporting documents. You can call us anytime with questions. To qualify, you must be age 65 by the end of December 2023. You must not be delinquent on your taxes by the closing date of May 15, 2024. Income cannot exceed $49,000 for Abatement; $125,000 for Deferment and $100,000 for Freeze. Net worth cannot exceed $1,000,000 for Abatement. There is no net worth ceiling for Deferment or Freeze programs. Benefit will apply to only the first $400,000 of your assessment for Abatement and Deferment and for the first $800,000 of assessment for the Freeze. Click here for an application: https://www.westonct.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/11934/638442056817970000

Town of Weston Warning of Special Town Meeting, Tuesday March 19, 2024 at 6:00 PM
The voters of the Town of Weston, Connecticut are hereby warned and notified that a Special Town Meeting will be held at the Town Hall Meeting Room, 56 Norfield Rd, Weston CT 06883 on Tuesday March 19th, 2024 at 6:00 PM, for the following purpose: To vote on the following question: “Shall the Town of Weston transfer Town-owned property located at Weston Road/CT Route 53/57 to the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation, State Project L157-001 Town Center Intersection and Pedestrian safety improvements? “ The Board of Selectmen have nominated Susan Moch to serve as Moderator of the Meeting. Dated this 21st day of February 2024 Donna M. Anastasia, Town Clerk

Road Paving Plan Underway
At the past two BOS meetings, DPW Director, Larry Roberts has been meeting with the members to discuss the state of deterioration and rehabilitation planning for our roads, in collaboration with the engineering firm, Beta Group. We are in the early stages of planning and anticipate more robust conversations with the BOF and the greater community. At the most recent BOS & BOF meetings, the team approved a plan to collect more data with Beta. The next meeting to discuss the road paving plan will be on 3/11. Please check the website to simulcast the meeting. To see the most recent presentation click here: https://www.westonct.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/11698

Solar Array Moves Forward
A plan for a new solar farm at the Transfer Station has received positive 8-24 report from P&Z. Greenskies will be building and maintaining the array at no cost to the Town, but will be paying an annual fee based on a lease agreement that will eventually need to be approved by the Town at a Special Town Meeting. Please see this link https://www.westonct.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/11696/638423864730197304 for more information on the proposed project. This project is now poised for a public hearing and a Special Town Meeting to be scheduled soon.

Pickleball Update
The Parks & Rec Commission and Parks & Recreation Department has completed a comprehensive plan for Pickleball Courts at Bisceglie Park. This designated area, spanning approximately 0.20 acres, is situated conveniently near the walking path leading to the pond and adjacent to the parking lot, enclosed by a charming split rail fence. During the 1/18 BOS meeting, the team presented their well-thought-out proposal to the Board of Selectmen, who have subsequently referred the project to the Planning & Zoning Commission for positive 8-24 report. On 2/5 the P&Z Commission issued a positive 8-24 report. The Conservation Commission received the application, parks and recreation commission met with neighbors. We will continue the conversation. The expectation is that we will have three fully operational courts by the upcoming summer season. This project is being funded through the ARPA grant, as well as the Parks & Recreation Enterprise Fund at no cost to Weston taxpayers.

It’s Budget Season!
The public is highly encouraged to participate in this year’s budget process. Below is the tentative meeting schedule. The Town budget is posted here: westonct.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/11824/638435193132830000 and the First Selectwoman’s Presentation is here: https://www.westonct.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/11862/638435892539730000 Watch videos of previous meetings here: Weston Government TV’s Videos on Vimeo.

A Message from the School Superintendent
The Weston Public School proposed operating and capital budgets, along with supplemental documentation can be found on the district website under Board of Education/Budget. Below is a list of WPS budget meetings that have already taken place with links to the meetings. The meetings can also be found on the WPS website under Board of Education/Previously Recorded Meetings.

• 01/04/2024 - Budget Presentation
• 01/05/2024 - BOE Budget Workshop
• 01/10/2024 - BOE Public Forum #1 with Administration on FY 2024 Budget Request
• 01/11/2024 - BOE Budget Workshop
• 01/18/2024 - BOE Public Forum #2 with Administration on FY 2024 Budget Request
• 01/22/2024 - BOE Budget Workshop
• 01/23/2024 - BOE Special Meeting: Approval and Adoption of Recommended Operating & Capital Budgets

Links to meeting details can be found on the WPS district calendar. In addition, Board of Education meeting details can also be found on the Town of Weston Community Events Calendar.

From the Registrars of Voters: Presidential Preference Primary
The Presidential Preference Primary is when voters in a political party vote for the candidate of that party that they would like to be their presidential candidate in the upcoming general election. You must be enrolled in a political party to vote in the CT presidential preference primary.

Important Dates

Important Links

WHS Green Team & Tree-Plenish Team Up!
Wondering how to celebrate Earth Day this year? How about planting a tree!
For its 3rd year, WHS Green Team is partnering with Tree-Plenish to improve Weston’s sustainability. From February 1 to March 20, WHS Green Team is selling saplings for $5 that can be delivered and planted by high school volunteers on April 27th. The three available saplings are: Eastern Redbud, Red Maple, and River Birch. After calculating WHS's carbon emissions, The Green Team has set a goal to sell 380 saplings to offset these emissions. All proceeds go to the National Tree-Plenish organization. Please visit tpevents.org/school/4134 to make a purchase.

Paint Party @ Norfield Grange
Monday, March 11th @ 7 - 9 pm @ 12 Good Hill Road, Weston.
Come join in the fun!! All are welcome. This event is open to teens and adults.
Come paint a "Welcome Board" or create your own masterpiece. Ticket includes: Guided Instruction by Agata Tria, all supplies, appetizers & drinks for $35/person. Please pre-pay via Venmo: @LynKimberly Proceeds go towards the Norfield Grange Scholarship Fund.

Ukraine Sister City Fundraiser
Our little town of Weston continues to raise money for our Sister City, Siversk, in Ukraine.

Please join us in our focused mission of giving children from Siversk a break from war!
Together, we can reunite children via a camp retreat where they can be kids again, and receive social-emotional healing

The cost of sending one child to sleep away camp here in the states, covers the cost of sending 40 Siversk children on a ten-day camp retreat! $9,000 will send our third round of campers! Watching Weston Middle students on Zoom calls with Siversk kids at camp, and witnessing the connection, good will and shared humanity from our efforts, moves us all to work to do much more.

Additionally, our supply/evacuation van, which was recently bombed by an enemy kamikaze drone, will need repair or replacement. Your support ensures we can continue this aid into the future!

Click to RSVP https://www.ukraineaidinternational.org/blog/weston-siversk to attend our March 21st event, or make a donation if you cannot attend and are willing to help. Every contribution helps us continue to make a difference!

Weston Food Scrap Recycling Program – New!
Weston Department of Public Works, Sustainable Weston and Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority (HRRA) are delighted to announce the launch of Weston’s Food Scraps Recycling Program, following in many of our neighboring town’s footsteps. Food Scraps diversion from the waste stream is a very important step in managing Connecticut’s waste crisis. We have identified a hauler to collect residential food scraps from the transfer station. We have allocated a designated spot for the collection bins next to the redeemables and glass containers at the Transfer Station. Residents will be able to tip their food scraps and organic material in these bins during regular transfer station hours (Tuesday to Saturday 8:00AM to 2:30PM).The bins will be emptied weekly (bi-weekly in the Summer) and hauled to New Milford Farms. New Milford Farms operates a commercial composting facility that is an indoor turned windrow with forced aeration. The food scraps are turned into high-quality compost certified by US Composting Council's Seal of Testing Assurance Program (USCC STA). Click here for more information

Household Hazardous Waste Dates
Residents have six opportunities to participate in Household Hazardous Waste events in our HRRA region. The first will be on April 6 at Danbury Public Works. Please visit www.HRRA.org for more details.

Message from HRRA: GEARING UP FOR SPRING CLEANING?
HRRA is here to remind you of some important tips as you plan to clean out your garage, basement, or attic.

ONCE!! @ Lachat Town Farm
A show like this only comes along ONCE!! Friends of Lachat together with Weston’s own local theatre production team is proud to announce that the much loved Broadway musical ONCE is coming to Weston this March. The same team that brought Adventures in Oz and Village of the DamNed haunted immersive theater to our town is producing its first licensed Broadway production with performances at the new Offutt Center on St. Patrick’s day weekend March 15, 16, 17 and on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th. Set in Dublin, and featuring a wonderful cast of both off-Broadway and community actors, ONCE is a complicated love story of a struggling musician who is just about to walk away from music and love when a Czech immigrant challenges him to not let go. Tickets can be purchased on Lachat’s website and are going fast. Come by early and see your friends and neighbors an hour before showtime for a drink at our authentic Irish pub!

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

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

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, Marketing and Communications 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
Call or email the Senior Center to register: 203-222-2608/lgilmore@westonct.gov

Weston Public Library
The Weston Public Library is proud to announce the unveiling of our newest adult collection: Libros en Espanol! We have a great selection of fiction and nonfiction from classic authors and titles to new bestsellers. Check them out and stay tuned as we will soon unveil an expanded Libros en Espanol collection for youth!

Click this link to see what’s happening at the Library: https://www.westonpubliclibrary.org/

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

Women Leaders at the ribbon cutting for sidewalks: Lt Governor Bysiewicz,
State Senator Ceci Maher, State Rep Anne Hughes, WPS Superintendent
Lisa Barbiero, DOT Deputy Commissioner Laoise King, and First Selectwoman Sam Nestor

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