Welcome to June 30th’s Town Hall Happenings

Opening Note
This 4^th of July I am grateful for living in this peaceful and generous town. We are reminded of the fight for and price of freedom, especially through our Sister City Partnership. I hope you have a fun and meaningful holiday and for those attending the fireworks at the middle school, I’ll see you at there!

Weston – Siversk, Ukraine Sister City
Weston’s sister city project with Ukrainian city Siversk is up and running. 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.  See the information table at the July 4^th festivities and be a part of this private / public partnership. Visit our webpage for more information: https://www.westonct.gov/our-community/organizations-services/ukraine-sister-city-siversk

Municipal Offices and Transfer Station Closed on Tuesday 7/4
The Transfer Station and Municipal offices will be closed on Tuesday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

Summer Road Repaving
Summer Paving has started and paving has taken place on Covenant Lane, Hillside Road North, White Oak Ln, Joanne Ln, Briar Oak Ln, Graylock Rd, Heritage Ln, and Kettle Creek Road. 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

The Weston Town Green
Pardon our appearance while demolition commences for the new Weston Town Green. Check here for updates and progress on the construction. Thank you to the Beautification Committee for your hard work on this project.

New Grant Received
Governor Ned Lamont this week announced that his administration is releasing more than $6 million from the legal settlement in the Volkswagen Corporation (VW) emissions cheating scandal to fund 54 electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) projects across Connecticut. Administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the state is making these funds available for the installation of EVSE to encourage the use of electric vehicles. Approximately $1.8 million is being awarded for EVSE deployment at state government sites to advance the sustainability goals of Governor Lamont’s Executive Order No. 1, with an additional $3.3 million awarded for municipal projects, ten of which are located in environmental justice communities. Additionally, nearly $1 million is being dedicated to support non-government, public EVSE.  

Weston is one of the fifty-five projects selected for funding under this funding cycle, which over their lifetime will cost-effectively reduce 2,760 tons of NOx emissions and almost 126,000 tons of GHGs from environmental justice communities and other areas of Connecticut that bear a disproportionate share of air pollution. The details of Weston’s  funding through DEEP’s VW Diesel Emissions Mitigation Program include:

• Install 2 Dual-Port, Level 2 Chargers on Outdoor Pedestals
• Award: $20,171.45
• Location: Public Works, 78 Old Hyde Road, Weston 

The Community Connectivity Sidewalk Project Construction UPDATE
On Monday, May 15 the Community Connectivity Sidewalk Project began.  This project creates approximately 5,500 linear feet of new sidewalk, within the Town Center and along School Road. Completion of the project will improve walkability on both the school and municipal campuses. The project will provide students with a safer pathway to and from the Weston Shopping Center via the newly completed Flashing Beacon Crosswalk across Weston Road. The project is funded from the State’s Community Connectivity Program Grant Program and will cover 100% of the construction cost.  The Town was responsible for engineering of the project, including all costs associated with design. All work on School Road will start after the end of the school year to prevent any disruption. 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

We are Hiring!
The Town of Weston is currently hiring for the following positions: an Administrative Support Specialist, and Town Administrator. Visit our website for more information:  https://www.westonct.gov/about-us/town-hall/municipal-job-openings

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

EV Charger Update
The Town, using American Rescue Plan Act funding, installed a new Electric Vehicle charger in the parking lot at Town Hall. As you enter the firehouse side of the lot the charger is conveniently located in the first two parking spots. The charger went online in January 2023 but recently the charging rate has been adjusted to better align with Weston’s sustainability efforts. With lower charging rates (.30 kWh) and no idle time fees we encourage everyone with an EV to come by and charge up! While you wait, use our newly installed sidewalks to walk to Weston Center and do a little shopping. Charging rates will be evaluated on a quarterly basis, our goal is to promote the use of EV’s and make it as easy as possible for your use.

Human Services

Are you caring for a loved one?
Join our monthly Caregiver Support Group. We meet every third Tuesday from 1-2:15 pm at the Weston Senior Center. For questions or to be added to the support group email list, please get in touch with Allison Lisbon, LCSW at [email protected]. Our next meeting is scheduled for June 20th.

Youth and Family Newsletter
Click here for the June Newsletter

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 Weston 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, visit Silver Hill's website at https://silverhillhospital.org/NCUA or 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

What’s Next in Weston?
The most recent podcasts from the Y’s Men of Westport/Weston features an interview regarding the at Weston Urgent Assessment Program at Silver Hill Hospital.

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/837210170

Parks and Recreation
4th of July fireworks premier parking passes are on sale now. We have sold 1/4 of our parking spaces. The Family 4th of July Fireworks Celebration & Picnic will be on July 4th with 4 food trucks, live music and of course our wonderful fireworks experience. One of Weston's preeminent events, don't miss out. Parking Passes sold at 47 Norfield Road and on the 4th of July are CASH ONLY. 

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.

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

Weston Public Library 

Encanto Sing-a-long Screening
Friday, July 7th @ 12:15pm. Registration required.
Join us for a moving and grooving screening of Encanto! Kick back and enjoy some popcorn, sing and dance along, or color while you watch. Popcorn and coloring supplies will be provided. Feel free to bring along extra snacks and / or blankets. Wear your comfiest clothes or come dressed up in your Encanto finest! Costumes encouraged. We can't wait to see you there.

Click Here for more information.