Weston Town Hall Happenings For Oct. 4, 2024

Press release from the Town of Weston:

10/04/2024 3:22 PM

First Selectwoman’s Opening Note
Weston's 237th birthday is just around the corner! Marc Fontaine, a Weston resident and member of Weston Commission for The Arts, shared some lyrics with us at Founder's Day in 2022. Marc provided this background on the lyrics: "They are about growing up in a small town. And maybe for the time we live here, the author does not fully appreciate how wonderful life is here. As the author comes of age, she/he will head out into the world, the bigger cities, etc. But as the years pass and they become a bit wiser, they will come to the realization that it was our small town and the family, friends and neighbors here, that first inspired them to love and live so well. And because of that Weston, (geographically or symbolically), is a place they will always call home and want to return to.” Here are the lyrics:

"FOR ALL THE PLACES I’VE BEEN
AND ALL THE WONDER I HAVE SEEN
I WILL ALWAYS PINE FOR THIS, AND THESE FRIENDS,
HERE ON WESTON’S GREEN.

AND SHOULD I FORGET
AT THE END OF MY TRAVELS
HOW TO LIVE AND LOVE
IT WILL BE MY EVERGREEN MEMORIES
OF WESTON’S GREEN,
THAT WILL BRING ME HOME AGAIN.

-Marc Fontaine

Fall 2024 Road Paving Plan
The following is an update on the Weston Road Paving Program. This schedule is subject to change based on weather or unforeseen circumstances. The installation of select curbing and driveway apron repairs will start where paving is completed.

Paving has been completed on the following roads:

Daily work schedule (subject to change):

• Friday (10/4)
  • Paving Pilgrim Lane
  • Paving Grays Farm Road
• Saturday (10/5)
  • Paving Fanton Hill (subject to detour)
• Monday (10/7)
  • Paving River Road (subject to detour)
  • Begin Paving Good Hill Road
• Tuesday (10/8)
  • Paving Good Hill Road
• Wednesday (10/9)
  • Finish Paving Good Hill Road

Weston DPW will advise on project progression and any issues that may arise. 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.

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

Sign Policy on Town Hall Campus Approved
The BOS approved 3-0 at their September 18 meeting a new sign policy on Town Hall Campus. This policy went into effect October 1. Please see the link to the sign policy here: Town Hall Campus Sign Policy | Town of Weston, Connecticut (westonct.gov)

FEMA Disaster Assistance Programs
FEMA has declared a major disaster in Connecticut and Fairfield County due to the extreme flooding on August 18th and 19th, 2024, as authorized by President Biden. Per FEMA's announcement: "Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster." There are presently two separate federal opportunities for assistance: directly through FEMA Disaster Assistance or through the Small Business Administration (SBA). You can apply for both. Please click here https://www.westonct.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1093/15 for complete information, how to apply and contact information for questions.

Veterans Day Events for Veterans
Nov 11th, 2024 Monday

For more information, please email the Weston Veterans Affairs Group, Ed Hutchins. Veterans who are residents of Weston are encouraged to contact Hutchandyou@gmail.com

Message from the Town Clerk and Registrars: November 5, 2024 Election, Absentee Ballots, and Early Voting
Absentee Ballots are available from the Town Clerk in person during business hours or apply online here: https://oabr-sots.ct.gov/OABR/absenteeBallotReqPortalHome.do

Early Voting
October 21 - November 3
10 am to 6 pm *with extended hours 8 am to 8 pm on October 29 and 31
Weston Town Hall

Election Day Voting
November 5, 2024
6:00 am to 8:00 pm
Weston Middle School, Rear Entrance

Register to vote online at https://voterregistration.ct.gov/OLVR/welcome.do.

Upcoming Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off events
This is an opportunity to safely dispose of gasoline, lawn and pool products, paint thinners, lithium-ion batteries, 1lb propane tanks and more! For more info: www.HRRA.org

Oct. 4, 2024 9am – 2pm New Milford
Nov. 2, 2024 9am – 2pm Brookfield

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.

Pickleball Courts Open Saturday
Starting this Saturday, Pickleball Courts at Bisceglie-Scribner Park will be open daily 8 am to dusk.

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 required. The next session is on 10/8: executiveassistant@westonct.gov

Human Services

Weston Human Services is now taking applications for the State Energy Assistance Program. (CEAP) Your household may be eligible for CEAP if you can answer YES to the following questions:

Please call 203-222-2556 or email alisbon@westonct.gov to receive more information and/or make 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 Human 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 read our most recent newsletter and to subscribe to the mailing list

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 visit the Senior Center website: https://westonseniorcenter.info/
--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 on Aging, Commission for the Arts, Board of Assessment Appeals Alternate, Beautification Committee, Building Board of Appeals, Building Committee, 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.

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

Message regarding safety and security across school campus facilities from the School Superintendent
Please note that campus facilities must be closed to the public during school hours, between 7 AM to 4 PM. This includes school playgrounds and outdoor recess areas, track, tennis courts and fields must be closed to the public when schools are in session. To read the entire update please click https://files.gabbart.com/2789/wps_district_update_-_september_2024.pdf

Follow us on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westonct.gov
Instagram: Town of Weston, CT (@townofwestonct)

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.