Opening Note
With the Weston Arts Festival on the horizon, I am grateful for how much our community supports creativity.  Whether performing or visual arts, our town has a thirst for culture and often the talent on display is astounding. As you enjoy the festival, please be sure to thank those hard working volunteers who made this program happen.  See you this weekend!

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!

Voter Registration Session For Upcoming Primaries
In preparation for the August 9th Democratic and Republican party primaries, the Weston Registrars of Voters will hold a special voter registration session on Tuesday, July 26th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at Weston Town Hall.  The Registrars will be available to hear requests by persons previously removed from the rolls to add their names back to the registry list and to register new voters. In order to be eligible to vote in the respective primaries, voters must be registered in the party by the deadlines listed below.  Unaffiliated voters are not eligible to vote in primaries in Connecticut.  If you are already registered to vote and are a member of either the Democratic or Republican party you are eligible to vote in your party primary.  To check your voter registration status on-line, visit https://portaldir.ct.gov/sots/LookUp.aspx.   If you are not registered to vote or would like to enroll in a political party and you have a valid CT Driver’s License you can register on-line at https://voterregistration.ct.gov.  The deadline to switch parties and to be eligible to vote in the primary was May 9th.  However, if you are a new voter or not enrolled in a political party you can register or enroll in a party through August 4th either on-line or by mail.  You may register to vote or enroll in a party in person at Weston Town Hall until noon on August 8th.  For questions regarding voter registration, please visit the Registrars of Voters website at https://www.westonct.gov/government/municipal-departments/registrar-of-voters

From the Town Clerk
Dog License Reminder -  Dog licenses were due by June 30.  All dogs living in Weston six months or older must be licensed annually at the Town Clerk’s office. A current rabies vaccination certificate and spay/neuter confirmation must be presented at the time of licensing. All paperwork is returned to the dog owner. Any blind, deaf or mobility impaired person who is an owner or keeper of a dog trained to guide and assist him shall receive a license and dog tag at no cost.  You can register your dog in person or through the mail. The cost is $8.00 for a spayed or neutered dog and $19.00 if the dog is not. The license is valid from July 1st through June 30th. New residents who move to Weston and had a dog previously licensed in another Connecticut town may transfer the registration for $1.00. A replacement tag for lost tags is .50  You can find the dog license form here: https://www.westonct.gov/government/municipal-departments/town-clerk    Remember – a license can help get your lost pet returned to you.

Weston Fine Arts Festival
July 16 and 17, 10:00 – 5:00
Hurlbutt Elementary School Fields
The Weston Fine Arts Festival returns on Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17 on the fields at Hurlbutt Elementary School.  The rain or shine event runs from 10:00 to 5:00.  Artists and vendors can register for the juried art show, artist booths, outdoor exhibit spaces, and market tables, visit the WestonArts website at: www.westonfineart.artcall.org

News From Planning & Zoning: ADU Regulations
New zoning regulations adopted by P&Z went into effect on June 20, allowing detached apartments to be built on residential properties. There are limits on size and other factors, but the regulations offer options and flexibility, especially for residents who would like a separate unit for family members. The new regulations can be found on the Town website and at the P&Z office in the Town Hall annex  https://www.westonct.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/8253/637908905579300000

Road repaving:
-Farrell Rd, Tannery Rd South, Trails End and Merry Lane are done.  Repaving work is scheduled to take place Monday on Davis Hill Rd 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 Road also includes the entrance apron to Martin Rd. The other road to be repaved is Lords Highway from the intersection of Newtown Turnpike to the intersection of Birch Hill Rd.  Driveway aprons to be repaired area at house numbers 42 and 58.

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.  A speed monitoring sign has also been placed near the bridge by Westport Police. The next step in the process is for the project team to investigate whether or not any modifications could be made, and if so, determine how much they would cost and if they would be eligible for a federal grant reimbursement.  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 30th 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.

Lachat Town Farm Offutt Education Center
Construction on the new Offutt Education Center at Lachat Town Farm has begun! We are excited how this new space will enhance the programs and services of Weston's own community farm and we are so grateful to all those who have contributed and especially to the Daniel E. Offutt III Charitable Trust.  If you have any questions or concerns that come up during construction, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Friends of Lachat President, Carol Baldwin by email at [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.

Support for Ukraine
-Big Dreams Children Foundation Inc. is raising funds to support Ukrainian civilians during the war. Consider supporting its mission to address specific needs of Ukrainian people at the right time during this humanitarian catastrophe. Email Weston resident Iryna Akolzina for more information: [email protected]
-Big Dreams website: http://www.bigdreamscf.org/ukraine-humanitarian-aid   
-Link to donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=82BBTYF39YEK4 Please visit the Town of Weston Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/westonct.gov to see the results of the efforts to date.

A Message from EMS - EMS 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, Parks and Recreation, and the Veterans Affairs Committee.

Social Services
2022 Child Tax Rebate: You may be eligible for a child tax rebate of up to a maximum of $750 ($250 per child up to three children). To be eligible for this rebate you must meet all of the following requirements: 1) You must be a resident of Connecticut; 2) You must have claimed at least one child as a dependent on your 2021 federal income tax return who was 18 years of age or younger; and 3) You must meet certain income thresholds. For more information visit: https://portal.ct.gov/DRS/Credit-Programs/Child-Tax-Rebate/Overview#:~:text=The%20child%20tax%20rebate%2C%20which,child%20up%20to%20three%20children  You must apply between June 1 and July 31, 2022

Parks & Recreation
Bisceglie-Scribner Pond is now open for swimming and recreational fun- passes available online and in-house. Family, individual and senior passes available.

Notice Taxes Due
The first installment of Real Estate and Personal Property and Motor Vehicle Taxes on the Grand List of October 1, 2021 is due and payable on July 1, 2022. Failure to pay by August 1, 2022 will result in a late payment with interest of 1-1/2% per month starting with the July 1st due date per State Statute 12-145. Minimum interest charge is $2.00.

If you no longer have the vehicle, you must present proof to the Assessor at [email protected] or (203)222-2606.

You can mail or make payments at the Tax Collector window in Town Hall through August 1, 2022. Alternatively, taxpayers can place their payments in the drop box outside the side entrance to the Town Hall. Other payment options include paying online at www.westonct.gov or pay by phone at 855-844-0237. Service fees will apply.  If you have any questions, please email us or call our office at 203-222-2697. 

Please use the correct stub when making your payment. If you did not receive a tax bill, please contact the Tax Collector. You can also check online for payment amounts at the town website noted above. Failure to receive a tax bill does not excuse the taxpayer from tax and delinquent interest (C.G.S.12-130).

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
Modern Calligraphy
Tuesday, July 19 @ 7:00 pm
Come learn the popular and playful Modern Calligraphy taught by calligrapher Debby Reelitz. Registration required to receive the materials and Zoom link for this online program.

Weston Reads Book Discussion - Better To Trust by Heather Frimmer
Wednesday, July 27 @ 7:00 pm
Author Heather Frimmer joins our discussion this month! Registration required to receive the Zoom link for this online program.

Children's Programs:
Cooks and Books
Monday, July 18 @ 4:00 pm via Zoom.
All ages with parent assistance. Registration required.
Join us for a cooking lesson inspired by the book Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. You will learn how to make "Charm Your Own" Cauliflower Chive Mac n Cheese and Mrs. Weasley's Apple Sodas. Ingredients are not provided by the library.  Ingredient list will be provided before the program.

Mad Science
Wednesday, July 20 @ 4:30 pm.
Ages 5-12. Registration required.
Join Mad Science of Fairfield County to explore the sounds of science! Kids get tuned into learning with exciting demonstrations and experiments, including the surprisingly loud dinosaur-in-a-can, the glowing electric pickle, and a kid-created thunderstorm!

Beyond the Beaten Path with White Memorial Conservation Center: The Sound of (Nature's) Music
Thursday, July 21 @ 11:00 am.
All ages. Registration required.
Join us for a program about the “music” of animals. Identifying animals by sound is a great way to get to know the creatures that call CT home. Audiences will learn just “who-who-whoooo” is making those common noises we hear in nature. A live barred owl will make an appearance too!

With gratitude,
Sam

PS: Check out my previous THH by visiting the following link!  Town of Weston News