Welcome to Dec 2nd’s Town Hall Happenings!

Opening Note
Oh what a night! Weston, you constantly amaze me and I am so grateful to serve such a vibrant, caring community. Thank you for making our first annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Music Festival a roaring success. It warmed my heart to meet so many new families and see so much Holiday cheer. The student performers were amazing, the activities rocked, and the décor was outstanding. They say it takes a village, so would be remiss if I didn’t shout out my appreciation to Darcy Barrera-Hawes, Ellen & Dan Crown, Ewa Ojarovska, Wayne Wyatt, Claudia Hahn, Sal Gianitti, Kristen Overton Kreuger, Sally Eiler, Marc Fontaine, Jim Cypress Landscaping, and John Ojarovsky.  Also, thanks to the Marketing Committee, Beautification Committee and Commission for the Arts. We could not have done this without you!

What’s Next in Weston?
The Y’s Men of Westport/Weston recently launched a podcast with Westport First Selectwoman Jen Tooker called Westport What’s Happening.  This past week, “Y’s Man” Dick Kalt included Weston in the mix. This effort is part of a public service program that offers perspectives from each town every Monday. “What’s Next in Weston” features First Selectwoman Sam Nestor and special guests. Every 2 weeks, we will discuss projects, programs and activities in our town in a brief five minute interview. Check out the first episode here:  https://vimeo.com/770479116 and the second Episode here: https://vimeo.com/775379172

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Installed
As part of the American Recovery Act Funding, the town allocated money for two new electric vehicle charging stations at the Town Hall. The chargers and associated electrical wires have been installed in the ground and hooked up to the Town’s electrical system. Software registration will be finalized soon.

New Weston Police Officer Hired
This week, Officer Carlos DeJesus became the newest member of the Weston Police Department.  First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor administered the oath of office in a Town Hall ceremony held Monday afternoon. In keeping with Weston tradition, Officer DeJesus’s family attended and his wife pinned the badge on his uniform.  Officer DeJesus comes to Weston from the Bridgeport Police Department, and is fully certified and ready to begin his duties right away.

Senior Center Bathroom Renovations
As part of the American Recovery Act Funding, the town allocated money for three bathrooms to be renovated at the Senior Center.  Two bathrooms have been renovated and are being used.  Renovation of the third bathroom will begin soon.

Free Wifi Hotspot now available on the municipal campus!
Altice has finished installing free Wi-Fi hotspots on the Town Hall and Library buildings.  That means that you should be able to get free internet near those buildings.  To access the service from your device, select the network entitled “optimumwifi-Emergency.” Optimum will then ask you to accept its access terms of use.  After that, you will be connected to the internet for 60 minutes.   Repeat the process as needed.  The Town has paid for this service to be installed using federal ARPA grant dollars. Going forward, there will be no charge to users or the Town.

Menorah Lighting
The Weston Community Menorah Lighting is December 20, 2022 at the Weston Shopping Center. This annual event is sponsored by the Schneerson Center. Live Music, gelt and dreidels for all!

Tree Lighting at Emmanuel Church
Emmanuel Church is holding its 7th annual tree lighting Dec 3 from 4-7. Come by for a s’more or hot chocolate and make an ornament for the tree and a card for our neighbors who use the town pantry newly housed at Emmanuel. Donations to the pantry are welcomed but not required.

Lachat Town Farm Candy Cane Farm
Welcome to Candy Cane Land, the premiere farm that grows the world-supply of peppermint candy. However, it looks like the Peppermint Patch’s harvest for the year has disappeared. Guests must set out into the sugar coated wilderness and unlock the magic within to find the missing minted treasure. We are so excited to bring Lachat's popular Candy Cane Hunt back for its 5th year. Again this year, we will be collecting unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots and the Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC).

Dates: December 9 - December 11
Times: Time slots beginning at 5 and ending at 8:00pm
Suggested Ages: 4-11
Cost: $20 per child (Adults Free)
www.lachattownfarm.org

Lachat Town Farm Winter Market 
December 3, 2022 - 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
The Lachat Winter Market provides a chance to shop locally for gifts in preparation for the winter holidays-or just for fun! Featuring local vendors selling art, clothing, jewelry, housewares, baked goods and other locally produced foods, the market offers a wide range of products-there's something for everyone!   Warm your hands with hot beverages sold at the Lachat Barn Bar (drinks for kids and adults- with proceeds going directly to the farm). Warm your soul with friends and neighbors catching up around the roaring fire pit. Please come dressed for the weather and ready for holiday merriment!  No parking reservations required for this event. Please park on our lower field at our main entrance at 106 Godfrey Road West (based on availability).  www.lachattownfarm.org

2023 Household Hazardous Waste Regional Events
The 2023 Household Hazardous Waste Regional Event schedule is set, so mark your calendars:

• April 15, 2023, from 9 am to 2 pm at the Danbury Public Works Facility located at 53 Newtown Road in Danbury
• May 13, 2023 from 9 am to 2 pm at the Newtown Public Works Facility at 4 Turkey Hill Road in Newtown
• June 3, 2023 from 9 am to 1 pm at the Bethel High School at 300 Whittiesey Drive in Bethel
• September 9, 2023 from 9 am to 1 pm in Wilton. Exact location to be determined. 
• October 14, 2023 from 9 am to 2 pm at John Pettibone School on Pickett District Road in New Milford
• November 4, 2023 Brookfield from 9 am to 2 pm at Brookfield High School at 45 Long Meadow Hill Road in Brookfield

For more details, please visit https://hrra.org/household-hazardous-waste/

Weston Parks and Recreation
Weston Parks and Recreation's Winter Session 1 programs have begun. There is still space in several after school activities. Basketball will begin in December, please check our website for availability. Boys Grades 2 & 3 have gone beyond capacity, but other age groups still have room- no experience necessary, it's the perfect program to learn to play! Our Winter swim lesson registration will begin on Tuesday December, 6th 12:01 A.M.  on the on-line registration portal and at 9 A.M. at the Jarvis recreation office, 47 Norfield Road. Many swim lessons will fill at night- please ensure you can log into your accounts and your child's age is correct before registration begins- this is the most common reason people do not get into their programs successfully.  

What’s Up in the Weston Public Schools?
Listen to the latest podcast where Superintendent Lisa Barbiero shares highlights about the Weston Public School District. https://anchor.fm/lisa-wolak

Road Work 2022
The road work for 2022 is complete. If you see a pot hole, please report it by taking a photo and sending to John Conte at the email address [email protected]

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.

Volunteers Needed for Town Boards
The following appointed boards have positions available: Assessment Appeals, Beautification, Historic District Commission, and the Veterans Affairs Committee. Elected position openings are 2 open alternate seats on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Weston Senior Center (203) 222-2608
www.westonseniorcenter.info

We are collecting for the Open Doors Shelter in Norwalk
Open Doors Shelter in Norwalk is seeking donations of NEW board games, journals or diaries with nice pens, and cozy slippers of all sizes for adults and kids. Wrapped (and labeled) if possible. Drop off to the Senior Center.

Pilates with Glenda
Mondays, 12:30pm
First class is free, open to 55+

Strength and Fitness with Sonya
Tuesdays, 10:45am-11:45am
no class 12/6
First class is free, open to 55+

Yoga with Melania
Wednesdays, 10am-11am
First class is free, open to 55+

Balance Class with Sonya
Thursdays, 1pm-1:45pm
First class if free, open to 55+
To register, email Wendy: [email protected]

Dial-a-Ride
(203) 222-2576
https://westonseniorcenter.info/dial-a-ride.html

Weston Public Library

Virtual Gallery and Art Tour - Sophie Taeuber-Arp
Thursday, December 8 @7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Please join Riva this month as she discusses the work of Sophie Taeuber-Arp, one of the most multi-talented modern artists, creating profoundly innovative work across many disciplines. This talk traces her trajectory from Dadaist to an early champion of geometric abstraction. Register to receive the Zoom link.

Sip and Stitch + Wrap and Yap
Thursday, December 8 @7:00 p.m. in the Community Room.
Join us for our usual evening of stitching. Bring the project you are working on to share with the group. Or, bring your holiday presents to wrap--we will supply seasonal wrapping paper!! Registration required.

Children's Programs

Make a Cake Pop
Monday, December 5 @ 2:30 PM. Ages 1-5. Registration required.
Join us in learning an easy way to make cake pops at home. You will even be able to make your own to bring home as a treat. Please register.

Craft and Create - Dancing Sculptures
Tuesday, December 6 @ 4:30 PM. Ages 3+. Registration required.
Join Miss Laura on Wednesday nights for a themed craft. Let's see what you create!

Science Club - Chromatography
Wednesday, December 7 @ 5:30-6:30 PM. Ages 5+. Registration required.
Join us at our weekly Science Club with Miss Laura. Each week we will have new science activities for you to take part in.

Introduction to Abstract Art presented by Counsel Academy
Friday, December 9 @ 4:00 PM via ZOOM. Ages 10-18. Registration required.
An introduction of a unique form of art, which uses shapes, colors, gestures and forms to depict something that looks different from its visual reality. You must pick up materials prior to the time of the program at the Weston Library.

Click Here for more information.