Greetings and Welcome to Dec 15th’s Town Hall Happenings:
First Selectwoman’s Opening Note
This week’s THH is an abbreviated newsletter and our opening note features the poem, The Snow Man, by Wallace Stevens:
One must have a mind of winter
To regard the frost and the boughs
Of the pine-trees crusted with snow;
And have been cold a long time
To behold the junipers shagged with ice,
The spruces rough in the distant glitter
Of the January sun; and not to think
Of any misery in the sound of the wind,
In the sound of a few leaves,
Which is the sound of the land
Full of the same wind
That is blowing in the same bare place
For the listener, who listens in the snow,
And, nothing himself, beholds
Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is.
Weston – Siversk, Ukraine Sister City Update
Launched this past June, the Town of Weston adopted our sister city Siversk through a relationship with Ukraine Aid International, Inc, which has laid the groundwork to provide support for those severely impacted by the ongoing war in Ukraine. Hearts for Ukraine Available at Weston Pharmacy and Community Events Not sure about how you can help? The Sister City partnership Steering committee has launched “Hearts for Ukraine.” These beautiful handmade bracelets may be purchased completed or as kits, with instructions, for those wishing to make them at home. To learn more about the new hearts for Ukraine campaign and how you can help Ukraine please email the Chair of the Steering Committee Iryna Akolzina at akolzina29@gmail.com.
Recycling Guide
Recycling facilities are always free and available for all Town residents. We encourage you to reduce, reuse and recycle! Click here to see a printable recycling guide: Recycling Guide
HRRA Sustainable Tips for the Holidays:
As we move into the holiday season, we want to remind you of a few tips to have a more sustainable holiday!
- Holiday Lights and Electronics: Remember that broken holiday lights and unwanted electronics can go to our Electronic Waste Collection at the Town of Weston Transfer Station for recycling. REMEMBER: LITHIUM BATTERIES are DANGEROUS. They cause significant fires on waste collection trucks and at recycling facilities. NEVER place these items in your trash or recycling. Bring these items to the E-Waste Collection at the Transfer Station.
-- Choose to Reuse: If you are hosting a gathering with friends and family, opt to use reusable dishes, cups, and utensils. Reusable items make for a nicer presentation, and they don’t add to your overall trash. Single-use paper plates, cups and plastic utensils are NOT acceptable in the recycling stream, they must go in the trash.
-- Recycle Right: Gift giving is wonderful, but many of our traditional gift wrapping and gift bags are NOT acceptable in our recycling. Wrapping paper, tissue paper, decorative wraps/ribbons and gift bags belong in the trash. Consider using newspaper or brown packing paper as an alternative. Contact us: info@hrra.org - www.hrra.org 203-775-4539
Renovation of Davis Hill Bridge
Construction is taking place on Davis Hill Bridge. The bridge will remain open to traffic, with occasional short closures during this renovation & resurfacing project. The construction of this infrastructure project is funded with grants from the State and Federal government.
Police Department Locker Room Renovations
The renovations in the basement of Town Hall continues. This renovation provides improved locker room space, new heating and air conditioning and updates 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.
Access Health Open Enrollment Began November 1
Access Health CT announced the schedule for its enrollment fairs this month to help Connecticut residents shop, compare and enroll or renew their health coverage during the open enrollment period including one in Stamford. These fairs are one-day events providing free, in-person help to residents from enrollment specialists. Open enrollment began on November 1 and Access Health CT has deadlines of December 15 to register for coverage beginning New Year’s Day 2024 and January 15 for coverage beginning February 1, 2024. Residents can book appointments ahead of time at www.AccessHealthCT.com/enrollment-events but walk-ins will also be welcome. A local enrollment fair will take place at the UConn Stamford campus at 1 University Place on Wednesday, November 8 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Human Services
Weston Human & Social Services is currently taking applications for the 2023-2024 CT Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)
If you think you may qualify or are having difficulty paying your heating bills please call 203-222-2556 or 203-222-2585 to schedule an appointment.
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 rmiller@westonct.gov for more information.
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 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 our latest newsletter
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: Commission for the Arts, Board of Assessment Appeals Alternate, Beautification Committee, Building Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee, Board of Ethics, Historic District Commission Alternate, Marketing and Communications Committee, Parks and Recreation Commission, Sustainable Weston Committee, Veterans Affairs Committee. The following elected board has a position available: Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate. Please click here for more information and/or to submit your information for consideration for a position.
Weston Senior Center
$5 Exercise Classes!
- Yoga
- Balance
- Strength & Stretch
- Chair aerobics
Pickleball Clinics Intermediate Players Only
Fridays, Class limit is 8 players. Join our Pickleball Instructor Alice Addicks to take your skills to the next level! She has been teaching for Westport Continuing Education since 2016.
Our classes have excellent instructors who work with all fitness levels.
Wednesday Lunches!
Dec 20—Holiday celebration lunch @ Norfield Church with Chicken piccata + salad from Calise, followed by Christmas concert with Chris Coogan
Dec 27—no lunch
Please RSVP by noon on Monday. All lunches served at the Senior Center unless noted. Cost is $5 per person.
Games
Trivia and Lunch with Mary (free)
Tuesday, Nov 14 and Fridays Dec 8 & 22, 12pm Sign up for lunch followed by Trivia. Sponsored By Wilton Meadows
Activities
Holiday Greens Centerpiece Workshop Tuesday, December 19, 11am
Join Betty as she leads the group through creating homemade centerpieces just in time for the holiday season. Fresh greens guarantee it will last until the New Year!
Cost $10 per person, 10 people max, so register early.
Caregivers Support Group With Allison Lisbon, LCSW, MSW, Director of Social Services
Monthly meetings are held every third Tuesday, 1-2pm at the Weston Senior Center. For questions or to be added to the Caregiver Support Group email list, contact Allison Lisbon at alisbon@westonct.gov
Call or email or email the Senior Center to register: 203-222-2608/ lgilmore@westonct.gov
Click Here for more information.
