Greetings and welcome to July 21’st Town Hall Happenings

Opening Note
I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and is able to spend time with friends and family. I am pleased at the progress the town is making on completing state and federally funded projects as well as the capital initiatives voted on by the public last spring. Thank you for reading Town Hall Happenings every week, this installment represents more than 100 outreach newsletters that we have sent since August of 2021. I continue to be in awe of the municipal team of dedicated employees and public safety personnel.

The Weston Town Green 
Pardon our appearance while installation of the new Weston Town Green continues. Thank you to the Beautification Committee for your hard work on this project. The boulders for the Veterans memorial are in place and the infrastructure is completed for the complex. In addition, the sidewalks and the elliptical path will be poured in a few weeks. Check here for updates and progress on the construction.

Wood Hill Emergency Access Road
On Friday, July 21 the Department of Public Works will begin tree removal for the Wood Hill Emergency Road that will allow access for Public Safety in the event of an emergency on the school campus. The road cut that will connect the end of Wood Hill Road to School Road will be completed prior to the beginning of the school year. The access will be secured by a gate and will not be accessible to the public. This project is funded with an ARPA allocation.

Community Connectivity Sidewalk Project
Our new sidewalks that extend all the way from the Weston Library parking lot to the High School and Intermediate School are well underway. This week the stretch of sidewalk from the Senior Center to the Intermediate School will be paved. This project will provide a greater level of safety for students and the public, and will connect our schools and Town Hall complex to Weston Town Center. This phase of the sidewalks will be completed prior to the start of the new school year. This project is funded with a nearly $900,000 grant from the state. See here for more information about our pedestrian safety projects. https://www.westonct.gov/government/municipal-departments/public-works/infrastructure-projects/pedestrian-safety-projects and here for the most recent podcast on the project: https://vimeo.com/820579482

Police Department Locker Room Renovations
We will have a construction kick-off meeting next week for this project. These renovations in the basement of Town Hall will provide improved locker room space, new heating and air conditioning, and will renovate this existing space. A reconfiguration of the footprint will allow for a more efficient use of the space and is a much anticipated improvement for our Police Department staff. The locker rooms will include dedicated space for women officers and enable us to be more competitive in the recruitment of female police officers.

Weston Commission for the Arts – Movie Under the Stars
Saturday, September 2 (rain date Sept 3) at 5:30 pm E.T.  The Extraterrestrial, with Music and Food Trucks at Weston Middle School Field

Weston History and Culture Center – CT Summer at the Museum
The Weston History & Culture Center in Weston, CT is taking parking the CT Summer at the Museum Initiative. WHCC was recently awarded a $1,000.00 grant from CT Humanities to participate in offering free admission to all Connecticut children ages 18 and under plus one accompanying adult every Thursday and Sunday, July 9 - August 31 from 1pm - 4pm.  Children and their families can explore history and art at the Weston History & Culture Center.  Funding for the initiative is provided by the CT General Assembly, with the support of Connecticut Humanities and the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of the Arts, which also receives support from the federal ARPA.

Weston – Siversk, Ukraine Sister City Update
Weston’s sister city project with Ukrainian city Siversk is up and running and we are moving towards our goals. The sister city project is done in conjunction with Ukraine Aid International (UAI), who has also worked on sister city projects with Westport, Stamford, and Easton. Make a difference and help secure the target amount of $150,000, which is earmarked for water filtration systems, armored vehicles, and needed medical and food supplies.  Visit our webpage for more information:  https://www.westonct.gov/our-community/organizations-services/ukraine-sister-city-siversk.  Listen to our podcast here: https://vimeo.com/828794138

Summer Road Repaving
Summer Paving has started and has taken place on Covenant Lane, Hillside Road North, White Oak Ln, Joanne Ln, Briar Oak Ln, Graylock Rd, Heritage Ln, Broad Street, Kettle Creek Road and Tubbs Spring Court.  Paving will begin on Laurel Lake West on Monday.  To see the full list of roads that the Town plans to pave over the next few months please click here: https://www.westonct.gov/government/municipal-departments/public-works

Town of Weston Sustainable Weston Action Plan
We are pleased to share an interim update on the Sustainable Weston Action Plan (“SWAP”), a cooperative project between the Town of Weston, Sustainable Weston Town Committee and Live Green CT, which has been in progress since January 2023. The Sustainable Weston Action Plan and the Action Team effort is a vital first step in a collaborative 5-year process that will support the vision of a sustainable Weston.  Thank you to those who participated in the community wide survey earlier this year and to those who indicated an interest in volunteering to make Weston more resilient and sustainable. Thank you also to the Municipal staff and leaders who participated in the Municipal “clarity sessions” to help set goals.

There were 374 responses to the town-wide survey. The 5 projects that were prioritized are as follows:

1. Renewable Energy
2. Zero Waste Schools
3. Recycling & Organics
4. Land Stewardship
5. Water Stewardship
   

In addition, Live Green CT conducted thorough interviews with town staff and community leaders and identified a further 2 priorities:

1. Aging in Place
2. Electric Fleets

Based on the above, SWAP will focus on the 7 projects. We are currently building the Action Team which comprises a Task Force for each of the 7 projects. Each Task Force will be led by a dedicated municipal representative, with support from a Sustainable Weston representative, an industry expert and community champions (volunteers). The first Task Force meetings will be moderated by Live Green CT starting in September and will set the 5-year vision, annual goals and quarterly milestones for each project.

BE PART OF THE SOLUTION
If you did not have an opportunity to participate in the survey earlier this year, you can still get on board! Please email: [email protected]  All those who have indicated an interest in volunteering will be sent a questionnaire in July to determine which SWAP projects they are interested in supporting.  Sustainable Weston is also looking for community members to join its volunteer data-base to support our Community Outreach Efforts. This could include sharing your own sustainability initiatives or volunteering your time at events and programs. Events we are currently recruiting for include Lachat Farmers Markets and our Living in the Country Speaker series starting in September.

Message from the Weston Assessor's Office
The 2023 Revaluation is upon us and inspections have been happening since March 2023.  The areas of Town being inspected will be posted and updated throughout the entire collection process.  Data Collectors will have badges for identification as well as their cars being registered with the Weston Police Department.  They will be taking photos as well as requesting an interior inspection be done at the time of their visit.  If a virtual inspection is preferred, a data mailer will follow when an inspection is not granted and the virtual option can be arranged at that time.  Please click here for more information.  Listen to the podcast about the 2023 revaluation here: https://vimeo.com/807322949

Human Services

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 [email protected] for more information.

ARPA Mental Health Partnership
WESTON URGENT ASSESSMENT PROGRAM AT SILVER HILL
The Town of Weston has partnered with Silver Hill Hospital to provide Weston residents in urgent need of mental health treatment with a timely psychiatric assessment and tailored referral for ongoing care.  The Weston Urgent Assessment Program serves children, adolescents, and adults who are Weston residents at no out-of-pocket cost.  The Assessment Program is available by advance appointment only and every effort will be made to offer an assessment appointment within 48 hours of an intake call.  To schedule an intake, please complete the form found at https://silverhillhospital.org/new-canaan-urgent-assessment-program/ or call Silver Hill Hospital admissions at 1-866-542-4455 and indicate that you are inquiring about the Weston Urgent Assessment Program. For additional information, call the Town of Weston's Human Services Department at 203-222-2663. Click here for a podcast describing the program: https://vimeo.com/837210170

Youth and Family Services
Please register for the Social 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.  Be sure to sign up at the bottom of the page to receive our newsletter each month!  Click here for this month's Youth & Family Social Services Newsletter

What’s Next in Weston?
The most recent podcasts from the Y’s Men of Westport/Weston features an interview regarding the new grant for EV charging stations and other sustainability initiatives. Listen here: https://vimeo.com/user115184272

The podcast alternates between Westport First Selectwoman Jen Tooker (called Westport What’s Happening) and Weston First Selectwoman Sam Nestor as 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. Click here for the Vimeo for the podcast and search for the episodes. https://vimeo.com/user115184272

Board of Selectmen Meetings
Please feel free to attend BOS hybrid meetings where you can watch in person at the Town Hall Meeting Room or you can still Zoom 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: Assessment Appeals, Beautification, Board of Ethics, Weston Public Library, Marketing & Communications Advisory Group, Commission on Aging, Conservation Commission, Historic District Commission, Parks & Recreation Commission, Water Study Committee, and Veterans Affairs Committee. Elected position openings are 2 alternate seats on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Please email [email protected] if you are interested.

Weston Senior Center

Lectures (free) Renoir Lecture by Lisa Arnold, Art Historian
Wednesday, August 23rd, 2pm
Pierre August Renoir was one of the most loved in the school of Impressionist painters in France during the mid-late 1800’s. It is no small wonder as his famous portraits were painted in a glowing style showing extraordinary skin tones. His color palette was fresh and light. He strove to create “real life” and attention should be given to his feathery and active brush strokes. Famous for portraits of beautiful women and children, he also delighted the viewer with scenes of parties and gatherings.

Wild Birds Unlimited Lecture with Chris Petherick
Wednesday, August 16th, 1pm
“Attracting Birds to your Summer Garden and Fall Migration”
Chris will be discussing what we can do to attract birds to our yards in late summer as well as what to watch for during the Fall Migration.

Sensory Plant Experience & Tea Making Program from Bartlett Arboretum
Thursday, July 27th, 1pm at the Senior Center
Enjoy the beauty of Bartlett without having to travel! Wake up your senses as you interact with the specific plants we have on our grounds and learn about some of their special characteristics.  Then make and enjoy your own tea using dried or fresh herbs!

Exercise Classes
The Senior Center offers the following exercise classes: yoga, chair aerobics, pilates, cardio drumming, balance, strength & stretch. Drop in ($5.00 per class) or pay for the series. Classes have excellent instructors who work with all fitness levels.

Trips
Coastal Connecticut
Wednesday, August 30th (bus leaves at 9:30am from the Senior Center and returns at 3pm)
Let’s enjoy our beautiful coastline! The first stop is The Book Barn in Niantic. This is more than a book store, it’s a unique CT experience for the book-lover. Next stop, Skippers Seafood, a mom & pop counter service offering casual seafood with lovely, water views. Last stop is Walnut Beach Creamery - Milford’s only handcrafted gourmet ice cream on the beach! I highly recommend a scoop of carrot cake! Bring money for all food and shopping.

Lunches
July 26th at Norfield Church and Roy’s retirement party!! 11:30 am ($5/pp): Meat & Veggie Lasagna Salad from Calise’s and ice cream social! Please come and celebrate Roy’s well-deserved retirement with us!

August 2nd at Norfield Church and Angela’s party, 11:30 am ($5/pp): Chicken Kale w/ Bowtie Pasta, Apples, Cranberries with Shaved Parmesan or Chicken Caesar Salad from Village Market.

To Register Call the Senior Center: 203-222-2608

Beeyonder Travel Programs (Zoom)
A Walking Tour of Luxor Temple
Thursday, August 3^rd, 11:30am-12:30pm
We will start on the Avenue of Sphinxes before making our way to the open court that will lead us to the entrance of the temple. You will walk through the processional avenue that leads to Luxor Temple. We will talk about who built this amazing temple and what it was for, and the great Pharaohs that built it. We will walk through the temple ending the tour in the back shrines to the open air museum.

Click Here for more information.