Weston Town Hall Happenings for January 20, 2023

From: Town of Weston
January 23, 2023

Welcome to Jan 20th’s Town Hall Happenings!

Opening Note
Municipal sustainability plans are important because they enable municipalities to attain long-term goals that create environmental, community and financial stability. We are currently engaged in developing the Weston Sustainability Plan. Why are we doing this? Well, with the help all of you, I have a few answers for you. We are striving to raise awareness within the local community on key challenges and opportunities affecting long-term development and quality of life. We hope to develop common goals and build support within the local government and the community for the desired future development of the jurisdiction. We want to increase transparency through a long-term dialogue using public outreach, and demonstrate accountability by openly monitoring and evaluating progress. Also, we want to use resources more efficiently by identifying opportunities to conserve energy and save money through smart sustainable decisions with identifiable payback. We can Improve the environment by monitoring and improving local air quality, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cleaning up waterways, reducing auto dependency by increasing transportation options, decreasing waste, and reducing urban sprawl. And lastly we can lay the groundwork for major investments that can have a dramatic impact on the overall sustainability of the jurisdiction. Please see below an important survey for you all to express your priorities.

ARPA Update: Sustainability Plan
The Town of Weston is committed to becoming more sustainable.
Thanks to an ARPA grant we have engaged Live Green CT to professionally guide us towards a robust set of goals that will make Weston more resilient and sustainable. This survey is for you to let us know what projects you think will have the greatest positive impact on our town. The survey will be live through Friday February 10th.  These goals will be finalized by the end of March 2023 and will identify 5-7 projects to implement within our community.  Click this link for the Weston Sustainability Action Plan – Community Feedback survey

What’s Next in Weston?
The most recent podcasts from the Y’s Men of Westport/Weston features an episode about the PFAS remediation of the school and town water system. 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. Check out the first 6 episodes here: https://vimeo.com/785619484https://vimeo.com/784035613https://vimeo.com/779024309https://vimeo.com/775379172https://vimeo.com/770479116https://vimeo.com/789529593.

The LWV of Weston's Speak Up 2023
Saturday, February 4, 2023, 10:30 a.m. - noon
Speak Up will again be bringing together elected town officials, chairs of appointed boards, committees and commissions, and other key town and school officials to answer questions from the public about community and government issues. Speak Up has been an annual event since 1991. The event will be presented live at the Library Community Room as well as virtually via Zoom. A link to register for the Zoom webinar will be available here soon.

Norfield Grange 8th Annual Barn Dance!
Sat., Jan. 28th @ 6:30 - 9:30 pm.
Our 8th Annual Barn Dance, Dinner & Bonfire.  A great evening for ALL Ages and ALL are Welcome!
The tickets are $25/person and that includes dinner, drinks, a caller and live music (violin & mandolin) + a bonfire w/marshmallows.
12 GOOD HILL ROAD, WESTON
SPACE IS LIMITED, RESERVE TICKETS IN ADVANCE!
VENMO @LYNKIMBERLY ? FMI: NORFIELDGRANGE@GMAIL.COM
The proceeds are going to the Weston Food Pantry.

Parks & Recreation
Parks and Recreation's Winter Session 2 registration began on Monday, 1/9 at 12:01 A.M. on the registration portal:  WebTrac Splash  and at 9 A.M. at the Parks and Recreation office, 47 Norfield Road. All after school programs will begin after session 1 ends and session 2 will wrap up before April break. Swim lessons begin this weekend at the Middle School pool, limited space still available. Please see our website for more information about swim lessons and open swim pool times. A swim pass must be purchased to attend open swim. Continue to follow us on facebook and instagram for updates and happenings around town! 

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 jconte@westonct.gov

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

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

Weston Social Services
We are excited to announce our new 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 the Family & Youth Newsletter - January

Weston Senior Center (203) 222-2608
www.westonseniorcenter.info

Farewell Open House for Wendy Petty
All are welcome to join us for an Open House Farewell to Wendy Petty, our beloved Senior Center Director on:
Thursday, January 26th 10am to 12pm at the Norfield Parish Hall
Coffee and pastries will be served. RSVP to Linda at lgilmore@westonct.gov, 203-222-2508

The Bronze Age Collapse and the Birth of Ancient Greece
History Lecture Series, Joshua Hoffman, Historian *
Thursdays, 1-2pm (In-House)
February 9th, The Bronze Age Collapse and the Birth of Ancient Greece:
Ancient Greece has its origins in an arguably greater civilization: The Bronze Age. This class will give a brief overview of the Bronze Age, its sudden and mysterious collapse, and how the Greek world rose from its ashes to develop a new culture that would come to dominate the minds of the western world.

February 16th, Sparta and Athens: The Rise of the Two Greatest Greek City States
Undoubtedly the two most famous Greek City States, Athens and Sparta were considered unique even among city states. This class will cover the rise of both city states. We will learn how Sparta was literally rebuilt from complete destruction during the Bronze Age Collapse, and became the greatest warriors the world has known to this day. We will also learn how Athens rose from one of the only city-states to survive the Bronze-Age collapse to become the center of Greek thought, culture, and the forefather of modern democracy.  To Register, email Linda: lgilmore@westonct.gov

Joshua Hoffman’s deep love of history enabled him to graduate Magna *** Laude from Brandeis University, majoring in His- tory and minoring in both Classics and Medieval & Renaissance Studies. He also earned a Masters in Teaching from NYU Steinhardt Graduate School of Education. To Register, email Linda: lgilmore@westonct.gov

Pickleball Lessons
With Betsy Hume
Fridays, 9am-12pm January 6th, 20th , February 3rd, 24th  $5 per lesson.

9am: Beginner Lessons 10-12pm: Intermediate Clinics $5 per lesson.
Space is limited, sign-up is required

Weston Public Library

Winter Reading Challenge  Begins January 20!
An all ages challenge for the community to read a combined total of 1,000 books by March 21! Sign up on beanstack.com, or pick up a paper form. If you have an online account from Summer Reading, log in to sign up for the new challenge.

Navigating College Admissions Successfully in 2023 via ZOOM
Wednesday, January 25 @ 7:00 PM. 
Please register.
We are offering this Zoom presentation to help families understand how the lingering effects from the pandemic have changed the college admissions landscape and how it affects Juniors, Sophomores and Freshmen. 

Owl's One and All Storytime
Monday, January 23 @ 2:30 PM in the Community Room.

We invite children of all ages and their caregivers to join Miss Laura for stories, songs and a small activity. Registration required. 

PreK Craft Time -  Tissue Paper Name Art
Tuesday, January 24 @ 2:30 PM. Ages birth to 5. Registration required.

Join Miss Laura on Tuesday for a themed craft. Let's see what you create! 

Movie and Munchies
Friday, January 27 @ 10:00-12:00 PM. All Ages. Registration required.

Join us for a mid-morning movie and snack. Movie will be PG or G rated.

Click Here for more information.

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