Greetings and welcome to today’s Town Hall Happenings!

Opening Note
"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other as is though everything is a miracle." Albert Einstein

With Thanksgiving on the horizon next week, I am reminded of the importance of practicing gratitude. I am so appreciative of the Town of Weston staff and volunteers, the Weston Public School teams, and our dedicated public safety officials who run this amazing town smoothly and selflessly. To Weston’s wonderful residents, I am in awe of your charitable spirit and good nature, I am so fortunate to serve such a special community. I would also be remiss if I didn’t thank my family, whose patience and understanding enables me to focus on being your First Selectwoman. 

I hope you and your family have a meaningful and very happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Holiday Closures
All Town offices including the Town Hall, Library, Senior Center and Transfer Station will be closed on Thursday, November 24^th and Friday, November 25^th in honor of Thanksgiving.  The Transfer Station will then re-open on Saturday, November 26^th.

What’s Next in Weston?
The Y’s Men of Westport/Weston recently launched a podcast with Westport First Selectwoman Jen Tooker called Westport What’s Happening.  This past week, “Y’s Man” Dick Kalt included Weston in the mix. This effort is 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. Check out the first episode here:  https://vimeo.com/770479116

Weston Welcomes Two New Employees
We are thrilled to welcome Lavinia Hurd and Diana Medina to the Weston Town Hall family. Lavinia, who has previously worked as a per-diem Dial-A-Ride Driver at the Weston Senior Center and also for First Student as a school bus driver, will be our new part-time Administrative Floater, an essential administrative support position for the town. Diana will assume the role of the newly created part-time position of Family & Youth Social Worker, a job developed as a result of the Board of Selectmen having reorganized the Youth Services and Social Services Departments. Please join me in wishing them success.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Installed
As part of the American Recovery Plan Act Funding, the town allocated money for two new electric vehicle charging stations at the Town Hall. The chargers and associated electrical wires have been installed in the ground.  Final electrical connectivity and software registration are on pace to be finished by the end of this month. We will let you know more details in our next THH.

Weston Holiday Tree Lighting & Music Festival: December 1^st at 5:30pm 
Join Weston’s Commission for the Arts, the Beautification Committee, and the Marketing Committee, for the first ever Holiday Tree Lighting & Music Festival on Weston’s Town Green. Click here: https://pp.events/a84ArPnR for more details on this event filled with Weston spirit! A huge thank you to the committee volunteers as well as the Crown Family for their generous donation to make this event possible. 

Free Wifi Hotspot now available on the municipal campus!
Altice has finished installing free Wi-Fi hotspots on the Town Hall and Library buildings.  That means that you should be able to get free internet near those buildings.  To access the service from your device, select the network entitled “optimumwifi-Emergency.” Optimum will then ask you to accept its access terms of use.  After that, you will be connected to the internet for 60 minutes.   Repeat the process as needed.  The Town has paid for this service to be installed using federal ARPA grant dollars. Going forward, there will be no charge to users or the Town.

Lachat Town Farm

Candy Cane Farm
Welcome to Candy Cane Land, the premiere farm that grows the world-supply of peppermint candy. However, it looks like the Peppermint Patch’s harvest for the year has disappeared. Guests must set out into the sugar coated wilderness and unlock the magic within to find the missing minted treasure. We are so excited to bring Lachat's popular Candy Cane Hunt back for its 5th year. Again this year, we will be collecting unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots and the Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC).
Dates: December 9 - December 11
Times: Time slots beginning at 5 and ending at 8:00pm
Suggested Ages: 4-11
Cost: $20 per child (Adults Free)
www.lachattownfarm.org

Winter Market 
December 3, 2022 - 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
The Lachat Winter Market provides a chance to shop locally for gifts in preparation for the winter holidays-or just for fun! Featuring local vendors selling art, clothing, jewelry, housewares, baked goods and other locally produced foods, the market offers a wide range of products-there's something for everyone!   Warm your hands with hot beverages sold at the Lachat Barn Bar (drinks for kids and adults- with proceeds going directly to the farm). Warm your soul with friends and neighbors catching up around the roaring fire pit. Please come dressed for the weather and ready for holiday merriment!  No parking reservations required for this event. Please park on our lower field at our main entrance at 106 Godfrey Road West (based on availability).  www.lachattownfarm.org

Weston Parks and Recreation
Weston Parks and Recreation's Winter Session 1 programs have begun. There is still space in several after school activities. Basketball will begin in December, please check our website for availability. Boys Grades 2 & 3 have gone beyond capacity, but other age groups still have room- no experience necessary, it's the perfect program to learn to play! Our Winter swim lesson registration will begin on Tuesday December, 6th 12:01 A.M.  on the on-line registration portal and at 9 A.M. at the Jarvis recreation office, 47 Norfield Road. Many swim lessons will fill at night- please ensure you can log into your accounts and your child's age is correct before registration begins- this is the most common reason people do not get into their programs successfully. 

Weston Youth Services
Winter 2023 WOW! After School program catalogs for children in Grades K-8 are now online.  For those of you who are new to town or have a young child who hasn’t taken one of our fabulous classes, Weston Youth Services provides a variety of after school enrichment programs, at school, immediately following school dismissal. Programs range from art, theatre, and science classes, to baking, Legos, yoga, chess, business, and a whole lot more!  We're very excited about the selection of programs this winter and hope that you take the time to visit our website at www.westonyouthservices.org   Registration began on Wednesday, November 16^th at 10:01 a.m.  If you have any questions, please contact Charlene Monn, Program Coordinator, at 203-222-2586 or [email protected]

What’s Up in the Weston Public Schools?
Listen to the latest podcast where Superintendent Lisa Barbiero shares highlights about the Weston Public School District. https://anchor.fm/lisa-wolak

Road Work 2022
The road work for 2022 is complete. If you see a pot hole, please report it by taking a photo and sending to John Conte at the email address [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.

Volunteers Needed for Town Boards
The following appointed boards have positions available: Assessment Appeals, Beautification, Historic District Commission, and the Veterans Affairs Committee. Elected position openings are 2 open alternate seats on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Weston Senior Center (203) 222-2608
The Annual Holiday Jewelry and Re-Gift Sale is November 28^th through December 2^nd. 

Thanksgiving Luncheon at Norfield Church with Chris Coogan
Wednesday, November 23rd, 11:30am-1:30pm 
Join us for a Thanksgiving meal catered by Lily's Market. We are excited to have Chris Coogan join us for some fun with great holiday songs.  Sign up by Monday, the 21st at noon.  Space is limited. $5 per person. Sponsored by The Friends of the Weston Senior Activities Center.

Pilates with Glenda
Mondays, 12:30pm
First class is free, open to 55+
To register, email:  [email protected].

Strength and Fitness with Sonya
Tuesdays, 10:45am
First class is free, open to 55+
To register, email:  [email protected]

Yoga with Melania
Wednesdays, 10am
First class is free, open to 55+
To register, email: [email protected]

Better Balance with Sonya
Thursdays, 1pm
Starting December 8^th
To register, email:  [email protected] 

Weston Public Library

Eeyore's Eensie Weensie's Storytime
Tuesday November 22: 9:45-10:15 AM in Community Room.
Ages birth-23 months. Registration required.
Our littlest patrons and their caregivers are invited to join us for lap rhymes, songs, and board books!

Craft and Create - Disney Day- Slinky Dog and Tie-Dye Mickey
Tuesday, November 22 @ 4:30 PM. Ages 3+. Registration required.
Join Miss Laura on Wednesday nights for a themed craft. Let's see what you create!

Movie and Munchies
Wednesday November 23 @ 2:00-3:30 PM. All Ages. Registration required.
Join us for an afternoon movie and some snacks. We will be showing the film Rumble (PG).

Build Your Own U.S. History Sticker Book!
Wednesday, November 23 @ 4:00 PM. Ages 5+. Registration required.
Join us for a special event with Sticker Books! At this session, you will learn about U.S. History by building your own U.S. History Sticker Book that you can then bring home to keep!