Greetings and welcome to June 17th’s Town Hall Happenings!

Opening Note:
On June 17th’s opening note is a reminder of the power of your vote. I encourage you to go vote on Saturday, June 18 between Noon and 8:00 pm at the Weston Town Hall Meeting Room at 56 Norfield Road  concerning the allocation of the $3 million in federal ARPA funds that have been awarded to Weston.

Spending Plan for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds
As referenced in the opening note, the next step in the process is a machine ballot vote of yes or no on the following question: “Shall the American Rescue Plan Act spending plan, as determined by both the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance, be approved?” Tabulators will be used.  Absentee Ballots will not be accepted. To see the ARPA spending Plan that people will vote on, visit the Town Clerk’s office or  https://www.westonct.gov/government/municipal-departments/finance

The June 18th vote is the final step in the process of determining how Weston will use its ARPA funds. The spending plan that is up for voter approval has been approved of by both the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance. The boards voted on the plan following a public hearing where members of the public expressed their likes, dislikes, suggestions, and asked questions. Board members also received emails from the public on the subject of ARPA. 

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!  

Town Offices and Transfer Station Closures
In observation of Juneteenth, the Town Hall, Library, Senior Center, Parks and Recreation, and Annex will be closed on Monday, 20^th. The Transfer Station will be closed Monday, June 20^th and Tuesday, June 21^st.

New Executive Administrative Assistant
Please join me in welcoming Darcy Barrera-Hawes as the Executive Administrative Assistant in the Selectmen’s and Town Administrator’s Office. Darcy has extensive municipal experience both in Weston and in other towns. A long time Weston resident, Darcy holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration and has been a volunteer for Weston charities for years. We are thrilled she has accepted the position.

Road repaving:
Work on Farrell Road, Tannery Road South is done.  Trails End and Merry Lane have been milled and are in the process of paving. The Town plans to mill and pave the following roads over the next few months:
- 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.
- 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! Thank you neighbors for your patience and understanding. 

Newtown Turnpike Road Work

Newtown Turnpike is fully open to traffic. Erosion remediation work has been completed.   

Valley Forge Road Work
Valley Forge Road is fully open to traffic. Erosion remediation work has been completed.      

Crosswalk News
The State of Connecticut continues an exciting pedestrian safety project on Weston Road. The State hired the NyConn Corporation to install two Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons - one near the Weston Shopping Center signage and the other directly across the road from that signage. The underground construction portion of the work was completed last week. The installation of the beacons themselves has been installed and the final phase of completion by NyConn will be in July.

Update on PFAS Remediation Efforts
As detailed in my previous THH’s, the Town of Weston has detected PFAS in the School/Town Drinking Water System. As I stated previously, the prototype remediation system installed dramatically reduces PFAS levels to non-detectable levels in the drinking water. The Town’s Certified Operator has submitted a final remediation design to the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health for review and approval. Once we receive that approval it will trigger the purchase and installation of the permanent remediation system.

Juneteenth Celebration
The Weston DEI Committee invites you to join us to celebrate Juneteenth on June 19th from 2 pm to 5 pm at the Weston Town Green. Enjoy speakers, music, food, drinks and local vendors. DEI's mission is to foster a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion to ensure all community members are accepted, respected, and empowered to participate in the shaping of Weston. As part of our efforts, we will host an event to honor what is now considered America’s second Independence Day.  A Federal Holiday as of 2021, Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the rebel Confederate states on June 19th, 1865.

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.

Get Rid of Your Hazardous Waste
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 Elementary School
- 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
- April 2023 (exact date to be determined) from 9 am to 2 pm in Danbury at the Public Works Facility
- May 2023 (exact date to be determined) from 9 am to 2 pm in Newtown at a Public Works Facility

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/

Volunteers Needed for Town Boards
The following appointed boards have positions available: Assessment Appeals, Beautification, Conservation Commission, DEI Advisory Committee, Historic District Commission, Insurance Advisory Committee, 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%20childrenYou must apply between June 1 and July 31, 2022

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.

Parks & Recreation
With summer closing in on us and the weather heating up- we thought it might be nice to get a quick update on our happenings. 

Bisceglie Scribner Pond: The Pond at Bisceglie Scribner Park will open this Saturday, 6/18 at 11:30-6 daily. Passes can be purchased in the Jarvis office at 47 Norfield Road or online at https://web1.myvscloud.com/wbwsc/ctwestonwt.wsc/splash.html?interfaceparameter=webtracnew

Summer Camps begin 6/27 with space left in select weeks & camps. We are also offering week long sports camps like field hockey, football, volleyball, lacrosse, tennis and more! Please find all of these on our website:  https://www.westonct.gov/government/municipal-departments/parks-recreation

Family 4th of July Celebration: Weston's Family 4th of July Celebration will take place on Monday, July 4th! Preferred Parking Passes are on sale now at the Jarvis building at 47 Norfield Road for $30 - the office accepts cash/check. These parking passes cannot be purchased online. https://www.westonct.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/8054/637889187830170000 Summer should be fun! We hope everyone enjoys their last week of school and we hope to see you soon!

A Message from Weston Public Schools
Weston/Westport Y aftercare: Let them have some fun and grow in a program that puts your child’s health & wellness first. For Weston Public School children in grades K-5, our School Age Child Care program offers engaging activities to round out their day. Snack, homework help, arts & crafts, STEM activities, themed projects, outdoor & physical activities and more, ensure they get the support they need and have a great time in a safe environment.  Click here for flyer:  Westport Weston YMCA 2022-2023 Aftercare Flyer

SCHEDULE: We follow the Westport Public Schools calendar and run on normal school days and scheduled early dismissals.

TRANSPORTATION: Students will be picked up at Hurlbutt and WIS utilizing YMCA and district buses.
Contact Kathy Giglio at the Y. She is the Childcare & Youth Services Director, call with any questions. 203.571.6040 or [email protected]

Weston Senior Center
Curbside Summer Lunch Series: Wednesday, June 22nd, 11:30am Norfield Church (Outside). Sign up is required by Monday at noon (203) 222-2608

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
This week, our exceptional Library Director, Karen Tatarka, let us know that she will be leaving to take a new job in July. We are thrilled for her new opportunity and sad to see her go. If you have a chance, please stop by the Library and thank her for all she had done for our community.

This Sunday (June 19) starts the Library's summer schedule and the Library will be closed Sundays through Labor Day. 

Summer Library Adventures and Summer Reading Kick-Off! - Wednesday, June 22 from 12:00-5:00 PM. No registration required.
Join us to kick-off our Summer Library Adventures program! We will have games, crafts, snacks and prizes. You can also register for our Summer Reading program.  At 5:00 PM we will have a special event with Magician Ed Popielarczyk (must register for that event). Drop in for some fun and get ready for a summer you won't forget with the Weston Public Library!

Magic Show with Ed Popielarczyk - Wednesday, June 22 @ 5:00 PM. Ages 3+. Registration required. 
Join us for our summer kick-off party and then join us as we watch the magic of Ed Popielarczyk. This magic show is a comedy show that uses a lot of audience participation. The kids are the stars because they make the magic happen as Ed usually has lots of trouble! He doesn’t just “do a trick,” he tells a story that revolves around each trick. It may be a short story or a longer one, but each story helps to bring the trick together. Every child who comes on “stage” to be a helper receives a souvenir! Register at www.westonpubliclibrary.org.

Rhonda Denet and the Silver Fox Trio: From Jazz to Soul - Saturday, June 25, 6PM Hybrid
Sponsored by the Friends of the Weston Public Library in recognition of African-American Music Appreciation Month. 

Featuring songs from the 30s thru the 70s... A musical journey from the era when the “First Lady Of Song,” Ella Fitzgerald graced the stage to when the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin ruled the airways. In addition to Ella and Aretha, this showcase pays tribute to Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Nancy Wilson, Etta James, Martha & The Vandellas, Mary Wells, and Gladys Knight.

Please register at www.westonpubliclibrary.org. This event will be hybrid. Guests are welcome in the Community Room or can join via Zoom. 

Family Playgroup: Fridays, June 17 & 24, July 8, 15 & 22 and August 5 @ 10:00 AM-12:30 PM. Ages birth-6. Registration required per family separately for each session. We have brought back our playgroup and extended the hours during summer! Parents/Caregivers and children are invited to join us for open play in the community room. Meet new neighbors and friends and try out some of our early learning toys. Register at  www.westonpubliclibrary.org.