Greetings and welcome to today's Town Hall Happenings

Opening Note:
This week’s opening note is about new beginnings. The beginning of September marks the beginning of the school year, the unofficial beginning of fall, and honoring our laborers. It’s an awesome time for reflection as well. I would like to thank all of you for what we have accomplished together and express my hope that we will continue to rebuild our community and embrace the future full of possibilities.

Questions for Constituent Corner may be emailed to [email protected] and I will either answer you myself or forward you on to the right people!

Labor Day Closures
All municipal buildings normally open to the public, including the Town Hall, Library, and Senior Center will be closed on Monday, September 5^th. The Transfer Station will be closed Saturday, September 3^rd thru Tuesday, September 6^th, and will re-open on Wednesday, September 7^th.

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://member.everbridge.net/431700047822927/login. 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

September 10^th Hazardous Waste Collection in Weston!
Weston residents have multiple opportunities in 2022 to get rid of household hazardous waste. Below is a schedule of regional collection events that Westonites can participate in:
- September 10th from 9 am to 1 pm in Weston at Hurlbutt School  (Click here for info)
- October 8th from 9 am to 3 pm in New Milford at John Pettibone School
- November 12th from 9 am to 2 pm in Brookfield at Brookfield High School
No need to bring money. Each town gets billed for the waste that their own residents drop off.  For details about what to bring and location addresses, please visit the website of the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority here: https://hrra.org/household-hazardous-waste/

Community Conversations about Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The Town has created two opportunities for Weston residents to participate in a virtual Community Conversation about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).  The first opportunity is on Saturday, October 1^st from 2 – 4 pm.  The second is on Saturday, October 22^nd from 2 – 4 pm.  Click here to register

Below is description of the event…
The Town of Weston desires to become a welcoming community where everyone will want to live and return to. With DEI serving as a crucial component in fostering a welcoming atmosphere, consultant KJR will facilitate a conversation that guides the community through understanding the key concepts of DEI. Together we will align on a common language for diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will explore the science of bias and the impact of default thinking in community interactions, and provide participants with the tools, strategies, and techniques to decode and disrupt bias in real time. Finally, KJR will provide a high-level introduction to race and racism and lead a brief discussion on the systemic effect on achieving the goals and outcomes of inclusion and equity.

2022 Road Repaving
Weston has completed its 2022 road repaving work! Work was performed on the following roads: Farrell Road, Tannery Lane South, Trails End, Merry Lane, Davis Hill Road and Lords Highway.  Over the next few months, the Town will work with an engineering firm to produce a list of roads to be repaved in 2023.

Land Mobile Radio Project
With the approval of the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance, the Town hired a consultant to evaluate our aged Land Mobile Radio System and recommend next steps.  This system currently supports communications between and among Weston’s 911 Communications Center, Police, Fire, EMS, Public Works, Animal Control, and the School District.  On August 4, 2022, the consultant met with the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance for the purpose of presenting his findings and discussing next steps.  This multi-million dollar project has been on the Board of Finance’s “radar screen” for many years.   The Town has saved up enough money over the years to hopefully be able to cover all the project costs without having to bond (borrow money) or raise revenue from new taxes.  The next step in the process is for the project consultant to secure rough order of magnitude estimates from a vendor. 

PFAS Remediation Efforts Complete
As previously communicated, the Town of Weston detected PFAS in the School/Town Drinking Water System.  A permanent PFAS remediation system approved by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health was installed over the summer.  As a result, the PFAS has been reduced to non-detectable levels in the drinking water.  School staff, town staff, and the town's system operator flushed out the system so that everyone could drink the water on the first day of school. 

Pedestrian Safety Projects
The Town accepted a state-funded project for pedestrian improvements on Weston Road.  Two Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons have been installed that alert vehicles when pedestrians are crossing Weston Road.  This project was paid for entirely by the state.

The Community Connectivity Sidewalk Project continues to move forward after the State of Connecticut approved adjusted plans. We recorded a critical easement, tree work has commenced, and we are coordinating with utility companies for the relocation of poles and other communication infrastructure that need to be moved. Once the utility companies provide a timeline for completion, we will be able to estimate a completion date. The State has allocated approximately $400,000 in grant funding for this construction project.

We are in the preliminary design phase of the Transportation Alternatives Sidewalk Improvement Project, which calls for sidewalks to be designed and constructed from the Norfield Congregational Church to Old Hyde Road, and from Old Hyde Road to the intersection near Lords Highway.  The project would also include 1,200 linear feet of a 12' wide multi-use trail which would provide additional pedestrian, bicycle and emergency access on a strip of Town land that exists between Old Hyde Road and the high school. An additional pedestrian recreational amenity would be the creation of 850 linear feet of 5' wide bituminous concrete sidewalk connecting School Road and the rear of the Norfield Church property providing access to a higher elevation and overlook area with scenic views of the Town Center. The Connecticut DOT has approved Weston’s selection of an engineering firm that has begun performing preliminary design on this project. Surveying of Old Hyde Road and the land next to the Road began on Monday, August 15 and will continue for several weeks.  

Last year, we received a commitment to fund letter from the State of Connecticut for a Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LOTCIP) grant for Intersection and Pedestrian Safety Improvements. This project includes a dedicated turning lane from Weston Road to School Road, more sidewalks on Norfield Road, and sidewalks connecting School Road next to Revson Field to Lords Highway and to Old Hyde Road. We are now working on the project design.

Weston Town Green Project
The town has been working on the discovery and documentation of underground utilities located in front of the Town Hall.  As part of that process, there are currently markings and small flags in the ground in front of the Town Hall.  The surveys of the area are complete.  As soon as the drawings are finished, the survey will be turned over to a landscape architect charged with producing construction documents.

Wi-Fi Hotspot
Altice is in the process of creating a wi-fi hotspot around the Town campus.  It is anticipated that the hotspot will be active before November 1^st.

Cavalry Road Bridge Project Update
The new bridge is open to traffic!  We understand that Westport and Weston residents have concerns about the bridge. Staff from both Weston and Westport have collated the concerns that were communicated to us in person, via email, by phone and via a Zoom meeting. At the advice of the Weston Police Chief and the Westport Police Chief, the Weston Public Works staff has performed stop sign related work near the bridge.  Specifically, they have reset stop signs, repainted white stop bars on the ground and cut back vegetation near a particular stop sign. This week, Public Works staff has cleaned up the area where the construction trailer was for several months and cut back more roadside vegetation on the south side of the bridge.  A speed monitoring sign has also been placed near the bridge by Westport Police.  The project team is designing the removal of some guiderail and investigating options to paint the metal fencing, guiderail and bridge rail. Stay tuned for more information.

Bayberry Lane Bridge Replacement Project
The Town of Westport has begun replacing the Bayberry Lane Bridge over the Aspetuck River. The roadway will remain closed through November 30, 2022.  Local traffic has been directed through the designated detour route - Easton Road to Coleytown Road to North Avenue to Lyons Plain Road to White Birch Road, or the reverse, as necessary. Residents adjacent to the bridge have been notified of the road closure and detour. Motorists are advised to drive with additional caution, allow extra travel time, and obey all detour and safety signals.  Please direct questions about the project to Westport Town Engineer Keith Wilberg at 203-341-1128.

Drought Conditions in Connecticut
All of Connecticut is currently experiencing drought conditions.   Connecticut has identified 5 stages of a drought, and Weston is currently in Stage 2.  In Stages 2 & 3, people are asked to voluntarily conserve water.  As almost all of Weston is dependent on wells, and we all share a common aquifer, we are asking for you to practice water conservation by doing the following:

-Reducing lawn watering, gardens, and other landscaped areas. If watering is essential, late evening hours are best;
-Avoiding burning in or near woodlands or brush-lands;
-Taking shorter showers;
-Running dishwashers and clothes washing machines with full loads;
-Shutting off water while washing dishes, shaving, brushing teeth, and lathering up to wash hands, rather than running the water continuously;
-Avoiding washing vehicles or power-washing homes and other buildings;
-Refraining from using water to clean sidewalks, driveways, and roads;
-Postponing the planting of new lawns or vegetation; and
-Minimizing overall water use by fixing leaky plumbing and fixtures

Voluntary participation now can help prevent more serious drought conditions.

Board of Selectmen Meetings
Please feel free to Zoom into the virtual BOS 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

Covid 19
Covid-19 updates and information are posted regularly on the town website. Please see here https://www.westonct.gov/government/municipal-departments/emergency-management/covid-19  for more information.

A Message from EMS - EMT Class Starts 10/6/22
Become a certified EMT and join the Weston EMS. Anyone interested is encouraged to get in touch at [email protected]. Registration for our Fall EMS class is now open! Here is the link to register and become a certified EMT: https://westonems.com/programs.html

Volunteers Needed for Town Boards
The following appointed boards have positions available: Assessment Appeals, Beautification, Conservation Commission, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, Historic District Commission, Marketing & Communications Advisory Committee, and the Veterans Affairs Committee.

Social Services
Weston Social Services is now accepting applications for the CT Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)  This program provides assistance to income-eligible households with home heating costs over the winter months.   Income eligibility is as follows:

Household of 1: $ 39,761 or less
Household of 2: $ 51,996 or less
Household of 3: $ 64,230 or less
Household of 4: $ 76,465 or less
Household of 5: $ 88,699 or less
Household of 6: $ 103,227 or less

Schedule an appointment or pose questions by calling Weston Social Services at 203-222-2556.

Weston Commission for the Arts Presents Movie Under the Stars
September 3, 5:30 pm
Weston Middle School Field
Enjoy music and food trucks starting at 5:30, then at sunset, “Ghostbusters Afterlife” (PG-13) brought to you by the Weston Commission for the Arts. Callie inherits a farmhouse that turns out to be haunted. Who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters. Cast members from the original, including Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Sigourney Weaver, return for this sequel. Rain date is the 4th.

Weston Youth Services
We wanted to let you know that our Fall WOW! After School Program Catalogs for Children in Grades K- 8, are now online for preview!  www.westonyouthservices.org. Registration begins August 31st at 10:01 a.m. 

Parks and Recreation
Weston Parks and Recreation's Fall registration began on Monday- many of our programs are getting full- don't miss a chance to get into fun and exciting after school activities. We are offering programs for Pre-K through 8th grade. Programs take place directly after school, on campus and are a fun and safe way to spend an afternoon. We're excited to announce that Mountain Biking clinics will be offered for Beginners and Intermediate/Advanced riders, this popular program was just announced! Please see our website & flyer for more information about Fall programing and Mountain Biking!  https://www.westonct.gov/home/showdocument?id=8631 . 

Weston Senior Center
September/October Newsletter:  https://westonseniorcenter.info/content/newsletters/2022SepOct.pdf
If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please email Wendy:  [email protected].

Dial-a-Ride Update
We are currently on a modified schedule for Dial-a-Ride services.  Transportation services are available between 8:30am-2pm.  Please continue to call (203) 222-2576 to make an appointment.  If you have any questions about Dial-a-Ride, call (203) 222-2608.

Beyond Van Gogh an Immersive Experience – 1 ticket remaining!
Thursday, September 8th, 9:00am—4:00pm
At the Hartford Convention Center
$70.00 for Tickets, Bus and Box Lunch.  A $35 non-refundable deposit is due when you sign up.
Beyond Van Gogh is a new truly immersive experience. While other shows use virtual reality or still images, our show breaks barriers by incorporating both still and moving art. Masterpieces, now freed from frames, come alive, appear, and disappear, flow across multi-surfaces, the minutia of details titillating our heightened senses. The show is projected on every surface around you, this makes you feel as though you have stepped directly into a Van Gogh painting. We accompany the show with a beautiful score and include many other surprises!  To register, email Wendy:  [email protected]

The Weston Flea
Saturday, September 10^th (Rain date September 11^th)
Reserve your spots.  (203) 222-2608
This is a great event for crafts, art, tag sale, student sales, information and new membership for organizations and clubs, and more.  We hope to see you at the Flea.

Pickleball Lessons (Beginner and Intermediate Level)
Fridays in September at the Senior Center
Call the Senior Center for details on dates and times.  $5.00 per lesson
(203) 222-2608

Weston Public Library

Sunday Makers! - Digitizing Slides
Sunday, September 11th @ 1:00-2:00PM in the community room. Registration required.
Learn to use our equipment to digitize your 35mm slides.

Succulent Planter 2.0
Wednesday, September 14 @ 6:30PM. Registration required for this adult activity.
Did you miss this fun program the first time? We had some leftover supplies so we're offering it again! We will set up outside, but move into the cafe area in case of rain.

Children's Programs

Craft and Create- Beaded Keychains
Wednesday, September 7 @ 6:30 PM. Ages 5-12. Registration required.
Join Miss Laura on Wednesday nights for a themed craft. Let's see what you create!

Cooks and Books with Sticky FIngers Cooking
Monday, September 12 @ 6:00 PM via ZOOM. All ages with parent assistance. Registration Required
Join us for a cooking lesson inspired by the book Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. Hosted by Sticky Fingers Cooking, you will learn how to make Mischievous Red Pepper Goulash, Wild Rumpus Buttered Noodles and Ice Cream in a Bag. Ingredients are not provided by the library.  Ingredient list will be provided before the program.

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