Opening Note:
I hope you are enjoying your summer. The recent high temperatures have reminded me that we often encounter extreme weather events this time of year.   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.  

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!

A message from Police Chief Henion
In previous THHs the EMS chief put out an important notice regarding the dangers of speeding. Today the Police Chief reminds residents that during the summer months speeding is especially dangerous because pedestrians and bicyclists are sharing the road. Police are being vigilant and will enforce violations when they are found.  Four speed-trailers are in the process of being deployed throughout town. The Police Commission and the Police Chief have also sent a letter to the State Traffic Commission to review state roads within Weston to make sure signage and markings are proper.  

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.

2023 Road repaving
Weston has completed repaving work on Farrell Road, Tannery Lane South, Trails End, Merry Lane, and Lords Highway.  We hope to have the remaining repaving work on Davis Hill Road completed before school starts. We will repave Davis Hill from the intersection of Steep Hill Rd to the intersection of Valley Forge Rd. Driveway aprons to be repaired are associated with house numbers 66, 89, 95 and 111. This repaving work also includes the entrance apron to Martin Rd.

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.

The estimated $2.2 million dollar Transportation Alternatives Sidewalk Improvement Project, which would be 80% funded with federal grant money, 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 survey work on this project. Surveying of Old Hyde Road and the land next to the Road will start on Monday, August 15 and 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.

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 investigating whether it would be possible to remove some guiderail and 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
Connecticut was recently placed under stage 2 drought conditions. Governor Lamont has asked that residents be mindful of their water consumption and take sensible steps to reduce impacts on other water uses and on the environment. To learn more, please visit the Connecticut Drought Information Center at  https://portal.ct.gov/Water/Drought/Drought-Home

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
The United States transitioned the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to 988 – an easy-to-remember three-digit number for 24/7 crisis care. The lifeline, which also links to the Veterans Crisis Line, follows a three-year joint effort by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to put crisis care more in reach for people in need. You should call 988 when anyone:

- Talking about or is at risk of suicide

- Threatens or is at risk for violence

- Has been victimized/traumatized

- Is in harm’s way without immediate assistance

- Is behaviorally “acting out” or out of control

- Is in emotional or mental distress

- and/or uncommunicative

- Is depressed and you are worried

- Is having any other behavioral health crisis

- Needs mobile crisis

Spending Plan for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds Update
As you know, the June 18th machine ballot vote was the final step in the process of determining how Weston will use its federal ARPA funds. The spending plan that had been proposed by both the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance passed with 72% voter approval. As promised here is a brief update on select projects:

- The Fire Department is beginning the procurement process for a new Fire Rescue 5 replacement truck.

- The Project Management for the Town Green project has begun.

- The Town has been sued (again) by a handful of people that opposed the construction of the Dog Park. The claim resides in Superior Court. I am confident that the Town will prevail once again.

- The ARPA contribution has been delivered to the Friends of Lachat to qualify for matching by the Daniel Offutt III Charitable Trust – the Lachat Offutt Center construction is in full swing.

- The Parks & Recreation department continues to investigate possible locations for the new Pickleball Courts, we hope to have clarity soon and be able to move the project forward.

- Engineers, town officials, and Friends of Lachat have met at Lachat Farm to begin the process of remediating wetland issues at the location.

- The Town has been meeting with representatives from the Wood Hill Road neighborhood with the objective of reaching a consensus on the emergency access to be used for catastrophic events. An engineer has begun drafting project documents that would ultimately be reviewed by the Board of Selectmen and be referred to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a report.

- With the help of the Building Committee, the Town has issued a purchase order to a company that will renovate three bathrooms at the Senior Center.

- Next week, the Town will cut a check to the Weston Food Pantry in the amount of $20,000.

- The Sustainable Weston Committee leadership and I have discussed the process for the composting pilot and the development of an achievable sustainability plan.

- We have engaged with Altice to install WIFI hotspots around the municipal campus. Altice began installation this week!

- Finally, we are looking forward to new charging stations at Town Hall this year and have engaged with Titan Energy to begin the project.

To see the list of approved projects and the associated dollar amounts, visit:  https://www.westonct.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/8165/637898351754930000

Weston Youth Services
While we're not trying to rush your Summer Vacation...
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.

Weston Senior Center - The Weston Flea
Saturday, September 10th (Rain date September 11th)
Reserve your spots by calling (203) 222-2608 or email Wendy: [email protected]

Weston Public Library - Children's Programs:

Bubble Party
Tuesday, August 16 @ 4:00 PM. All Ages. Registration required.
Join us as we show you how to make your own homemade bubble solution and bubble wands. If the weather is nice, we will then test out our solution and wands outside for a bubble party!

Storytime with Miss Laura
Saturday August 20  12:30-1:15 PM. All ages. Registration required.
We invite children of all ages and their caregivers to join us for stories, songs and a small activity.

Where's Waldo
Tuesday, August 23 @ 4:00 PM. All Ages. Registration required.
Join us and help to find Waldo! This event is a scavenger hunt in which you are trying to find images in and around the library of the popular character Waldo from the Where's Waldo series.

Click here for More Information