Greetings Weston and welcome to May 27th’s Town Hall Happenings (THH)

Opening Note:

Memorial Day festivities are back in full swing in Weston. As such, on May 27th’s opening note is an expression of deep gratitude to those Veterans that gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our county.  My thoughts are with them and their families, who also have sacrificed greatly.

Town Hall and Transfer Station Hours

Town Hall will be closed Monday, May 30, 2022 for Memorial Day.  The Transfer Station will be closed Monday, May 30 and Tuesday, May 31, 2022.

Road repaving

Farrell Road has been milled and paved from the intersection of Steep Hill Rd to House # 30. 
On Tuesday, work will occur on Tannery Road South from the intersection of Steep Hill Road to the intersection of Tannery Lane North. The driveway apron at house # 42 will be repaired. The Town plans to mill and pave the following roads over the next few months:

Davis Hill Road from the intersection of Steep Hill Road to the intersection of Valley Forge Road. Driveway aprons to be repaired are associated with house numbers 66, 89, 95 and 111. This Road also includes the entrance apron to Martin Road

Merry Lane from the intersection of Georgetown Road to the complete circle of Merry Lane back to Georgetown Road. Driveway aprons to be repaired are at house numbers 12, 45, 42, and 30

Trails End Road from the intersection of Georgetown Road to the intersection of Langer Lane. Driveway aprons to be repaired are at house numbers 81, 71, 37, 22, 29, and 17

Lords Highway from the intersection of Newtown Turnpike to the intersection of Birch Hill Road.  Driveway aprons to be repaired area at house numbers 42 and 58

Crosswalk News!

This week, the State of Connecticut began 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 performed this week.  The installation of the beacons themselves should be completed by NyConn in July.

Discussion and Deliberation about appropriating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds

The Weston Board of Selectmen will have a discussion about proposed ARPA projects on June 1st at 7:00 pm. On June 2^nd, at 5:00 pm, the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance will meet jointly for the purpose of discussing and hopefully deciding on particular ARPA projects and specific dollar amounts.  The website https://www.westonct.gov/our-community/meeting-calendar contains info about how you can watch the meetings or listen to them by phone.  To see the latest list of recommended ARPA projects, visit the Town Clerk’s office or go online to https://www.westonct.gov/government/municipal-departments/finance 

Your comments about the proposed ARPA spend are most welcome. Please email them to [email protected] and [email protected].  They will be circulated to the entire membership of the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance.

The Weston Memorial Day Fair is back!

The Fair will be held May 27-30. Hours are Friday 6-10 pm, Saturday 2-10 pm, Sunday 2-10 pm, and Monday 12-4 pm.  Sensory Friendly activities are scheduled on Saturday and Sunday from 1pm - 2pm.  Tickets Are On Sale Now!

Schedule for Weston Memorial Day Parade (Produced by the Fire Department)

10:15 am Parade line up

10:45 am Parade Start.  Bill Brady will be the 2022 Grand Marshall.

11:30 am (approx.).  Memorial Ceremony at Town Hall Gazebo

Weston Veterans Invited to Participate in Monday’s Memorial Day Festivities

The Town’s Veterans Affairs Committee has arranged a continental breakfast for veterans and their immediate family on Monday morning before the parade and a grab-and-go lunch after the Memorial Ceremony. Breakfast is at 9:00 am in the Weston Library Community Room. At 9:45 am, transport has been arranged to take you to the parade. All you need to do is RSVP so enough of everything is ordered.  Following the late morning ceremony at the Town hall Gazebo, Veterans and their families are invited to a lunch at the Weston Library Community Room.  For breakfast and lunch, please RSVP here.  Have a question? Email Hutch at [email protected]

BOS Meetings Access

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

Questions for Constituent Corner may be emailed to sne[email protected] and I will either answer you myself or forward you on to the right people! 

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.

Common sense rules for pedestrians, drivers & cyclists from Cycling & Pedestrian Committee

For Drivers: Expect cyclists, walkers, runners and others on the road • Signal your turns and look both ways before changing lanes, turning, and at driveways • Yield to pedestrians at or in crosswalks • “Yield” means slow down or stop • Expect cyclists in the travel lane • Cyclists may ride in the travel lane when it’s not safe to ride on the far right of the road • Cyclists ride in the travel lane to avoid hazards and when the road is too narrow • Give cyclists at least 3 feet • Mind the door zone.

For Cyclists: Bicycles are vehicles and must obey traffic laws • Always ride on the right in the direction of traffic • Ride in the travel lane when necessary for your safety • Always ride with lights at night • Use proper lights • Be predictable • Scan ahead for problems • Use proper hand signals to tell others where you are going • Common courtesy, and the law, requires riding single file in traffic, except with passing others • Alert others that you are approaching or passing • Don’t ride distracted • Riding with headphones is unsafe.

For Pedestrians: Watch for cars, always • Walk facing traffic • Be careful at the crest of hills and at curves where visibility is limited • Cross the road at a safe distance from the curve, walk through the outer curve and cross back at a safe distance •Cross streets at crosswalks at intersections whenever possible • No crosswalk? Yield to traffic • Be Alert • Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking • Wear bright clothes during the day and reflective materials at night and when visibility is low • Runners should always wear bright reflective colors so drivers can see you.

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:

- June 4th from 9 am to 1 pm in Bethel at Bethel High School
- 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 (exact date to be determined) from 9 am to 2 pm in Danbury at the Public Works Facility
- May (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!

The following appointed boards have positions available: Commission for the Arts, Assessment Appeals, Beautification, DEI Advisory Committee, Historic District Commission, Insurance Advisory Committee, Parks and Recreation, Sustainable Weston and the Veterans Affairs Committee.

Social Services

Governor Ned Lamont announced the launch of MyHomeCT – a new State of Connecticut program that is providing mortgage relief to homeowners who have experienced financial hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. CT homeowners who have experienced a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for assistance with both mortgage and non-mortgage expenses. For more information about eligibility and to apply, please visit: http://www.chfa.org/MyHomeCT or call 877-894-4111

Update on PFAS Remediation Efforts

As previously detailed in my previous THH’s, the Town of Weston has detected PFAS in the School/Town Drinking Water System.  This week, I was informed that the prototype remediation system installed a few weeks ago has been able to dramatically reduce PFAS levels in the drinking water. The next step in the process is for the Town’s Certified Operator to submit a final remediation design to the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health for review and approval.  An approval would then trigger the purchase and installation of a permanent remediation system.

Cavalry Road Bridge Project Update

Paving work was recently completed. The next significant step in the process is the installation of the bridge rail and roadway approach rail.  We are hoping that is finished next week. Once the rail work is complete, a final inspection takes place and then the bridge can be opened up to traffic.

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 30^th 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.

Valley Forge Road Work

The Valley Forge Roadside Erosion Remediation Project is finished. The road is open.

Newtown Turnpike Road Work

The Newtown Turnpike Roadside Erosion Remediation Project is still ongoing.  Depending on the weather, it should be finished in 1-2 weeks.

Weston Senior Center

Summer Lunch Kick Off

Wednesday, June 1st:  Norfield Church Grounds Outside

Entertainment by Suzanne Sheridan

Bring a chair, listen to music while you eat.  There is no charge, but sign up is required by Monday at noon. Call the Senior Center for details and to register (203) 222-2608.

The Weston Flea

Saturday, September 10^th (Rain date September 11^th)

Reserve your spots. Call us for details! (203) 222-2608.