Weston Town Hall Happenings for May 13, 2022

From: Town of Weston
May 14, 2022

Greetings Weston and welcome to May 13th’s Town Hall Happenings (THH). 

Opening Note:

On May 13th’s opening note celebrates the opening of Lily’s Market! They open tomorrow at 8am.

Roadwork

The Town plans to repave 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.

Tannery Lane South from the intersection of Steep Hill Road to the intersection of Tannery Lane North. Driveway apron to be repaired is at house number 42.

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.

Farrell Road from the intersection of Steep Hill Road to House number 30. Driveway aprons to be repaired are at house numbers 16 and 24.

Future THH’s will announce projected dates of work.

Public Hearing for Allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds
Proposed projects to be funded by ARPA were presented to the Boards of Finance and Selectmen on Thursday evening.  The Boards each voted to hold a virtual public hearing on May 26 at 6 pm for the purpose of getting feedback, ideas, comment.  Following the public hearing, the two boards will decide on a final version of projects.  Then, the Board of Selectmen will set the dates for a Special Town Meeting and machine ballot vote. Click here to learn about the proposed projects: https://www.westonct.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/1891/78

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 snestor@westonct.gov 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.

Support for Ukraine
Big Dreams Children Foundation Inc. is raising funds to support Ukrainian civilians during the war. Consider supporting its mission to address specific needs of Ukrainian people at the right time during this humanitarian catastrophe. Email Weston resident Iryna Akolzina for more information: mewithukraine@gmail.com
Big Dreams websitehttp://www.bigdreamscf.org/ukraine-humanitarian-aid  Link to donatehttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=82BBTYF39YEK4

Please visit the Town of Weston Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/westonct.gov) to see the results of our efforts to date.

Weston’s Fiscal Year 2022/23 BUDGET

The May 7th Weston Budget Referendum approved the proposed Fiscal Year 22/23 Budget. Voting results are below.  Thank you to all staff and officials that worked on the budget.

Q 1) Town Operating Budget:  359 Yes; 127 No - Passed with 73.89%

Q 2) Board of Ed Operating Budget:  353 Yes; 133 No - Passed with 72.63%

Q 3) Town and School Capital Budget: 370 Yes; 116 No - Passed 76.13%

Following the referendum vote, the Board of Finance met on May 9th and set a mill rate of 32.46 mills for motor vehicles and 32.97 mills for real estate. The mill rate change for real estate is 0.15%. The mill rate change for motor vehicles is -.014 mills.

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/

League of Women Voters presents “Politics & Pie:” A Conversation with our State Legislators' Sunday, May 15th from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m.

Weston's current State Senators Tony Hwang and Will Haskell as well as State Representative Anne Hughes will be on hand to share their views about the legislative session just past and to answer questions. The event will be moderated by League Steering Committee member Carol Baldwin. The program, a hybrid event, will be presented live on the Town Library lawn as well as via Zoom. (In case of inclement weather it will move to the Town Hall Meeting Room.)

For information and to register visit the League of Women Voters of Weston website at https://lwvwestonct.org/index.php

Lily’s Weston Market is opening May 14th!

The Market will contain more than four times the amount of refrigerated dairy space as before, meat cases, frozen foods, produce, a custom salad bar, hot foods, rotisserie chicken, full service deli, and a large section with prepared meals ready to go. The hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. The Sunday hours are 8:00 am - 7:00 pm. Ribbon cutting ceremony is at 12pm.

Volunteers Needed!

The following appointed boards have positions available: Commission for the Arts, Assessment Appeals, Beautification, Conservation Commission, 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 https://www.chfa.org/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.

Bayberry Lane Bridge Replacement Project

Traffic Detours April 28 through November 30

Westport Town Engineer Keith Wilberg has announced that the project to replace the Bayberry Lane Bridge over the Aspetuck River begins on May 13th. The scheduled closing date of the roadway is Thursday, April 28, and is expected to continue through November 30.  Local traffic will be 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. Proper road signage will be in place prior to the road closure date. Residents adjacent to the bridge have been notified of the road closure and detour. Emergency services in Westport and Weston will be notified, as will the Westport Public Schools Bussing Representative. Motorists are advised to drive with additional caution, allow extra travel time, and obey all detour and safety signals.  Please direct any questions about the project and detour to Westport Town Engineer Keith Wilberg at 203-341-1128.

Valley Forge Road Closure

A reminder that Valley Forge Road will be closed between the intersections of Godfrey Road East and Davis Hill Road for the purpose of remediating significant roadside erosion.  This work started on April 4, 2022 and should last for approximately one month. That schedule may change depending on weather.  A detour is through Godfrey Road East, Catbrier Road, Lords Highway East and Davis Hill Road.

Get your Race On! Weston Memorial Day 5k Road Race - Saturday, May 28th

The Weston Memorial Day 5k is back!! Join us as Weston comes together for this annual community celebration! The 28th Annual Weston 5k is set to run Saturday, May 28th after a 2 year hiatus.   The WHS PTO allocates proceeds from the Road Race to fund a variety of enhancements to the Weston High School Curriculum. Your participation will allow the continuation of the WHS PTO’s mission to support quality education and programs for our award winning schools. A short video can highlight some of the many things the WHS PTO has been able to fund over the years. Register here: https://www.weston5k.com  LOCAL BUSINESSES: We typically have more than 1,000 runners, spectators and volunteers on race day. It’s a great way to gain exposure as you give back and support WHS and the community. Sponsorship Opportunities can be found on our Sponsor page using this link.  https://www.weston5k.com/Race/WestonCTMemorialDay5KRoadRace/Page-2

What’s Up in the Weston Public Schools?

If you are curious about what is happening at our schools, tune into Superintendent Lisa Wolak’s new Podcast. Here she shares highlights about the Weston Public School District. Click https://anchor.fm/lisa-wolak to check it out!

Weston Memorial Day Fair Festivities are BACK!

Fair Hours:  May 27-30: Friday 6-10pm, Saturday 2-10pm, Sunday 2-10pm, Monday 12-4pm           

Sensory Friendly - Saturday and Sunday 1pm - 2pm Tickets Are On Sale Now!

Parks and Recreation

Spring programs are underway as well as our Summer camp registrations. Our Summer Camp early bird pricing has ended. Please link here for www.westonct.gov/parksandrec  flyers, information and registration. Many camps are filling quickly!  Our camp activity calendars were released last month - please see the website for field trips and special events happening in Weston! Mountain Biking Camps have been added to the website with a week of Intermediate/Advanced riding at several locations around Weston as well as a Beginners clinic held on Campus in July. See website for more information. 

Food Truck Update

Tony Pizza Napolitano is at the Library on Friday evenings. Please reserve your spot. The Food Truck will be located in the Library rear parking lot from 5-7:30 pm. Visit Tony Pizza Napolitano on FB or email at tonypizzaweston@gmail.com to reserve your pizza.

Weston Senior Center

The Weston Flea

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

Reserve your spots. This year we are dividing the parking lot in categories. Call us for details!

(203) 222-2608

wpetty@westonct.gov

Ask the Nurse and Blood Pressure Screening

Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Fairfield County

Monday, May 16, 10:45am (In-House)

This will be offered monthly.

A registered nurse from Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Fairfield County will offer free blood pressure and depression screenings, and answer any other questions you may have for the nurse.  Stop in to the Senior Center, no appointment necessary.

Astronomy Super Group Presentation #3

With William Preinitz

Monday, May 16, 2022   1:00 to 3:00 PM

Our Milky Way Galaxy

Almost everyone knows that our galaxy is named the Milky Way. Although much is known about our home island, astronomers are uncovering many previously unknown features and behaviors. One of the latest of these is that the Milky Way may be as much as 100% larger than we had previously thought.  It is also now thought that we are on an unavoidable collision path with our closest companion galaxy, the Andromeda galaxy!

Discover all this and more as we discuss the Milky Way, a surprising, challenging, and vital home, of our home, the Earth. 

May/June Art Exhibit

Patricia Morris

Artist Statement:

Although I have always enjoyed growing and tending to plants and flowers, my passion for drawing and painting botanicals was ignited after attending a workshop whilst visiting friends and family in my homeland the Uk. Finding interesting classes and instructors to work with became a ritual of my frequent visits for some years to follow.  I was also fortunate to discover classes to attend at the New York Botanical Gardens and in recent years have been able to attend the virtual classes held by our own wonderful artist and teacher Dick Rauh. 

Weston Public Library

Library After Dark - Trivia Night
May 19, 7PM

Library After Dark is back! Join us individually or with a team for the return of the Library's popular Trivia Night event! Emcee Jason Revzon will walk participants through 10 categories of challenging trivia. The winning team will receive a prize and bragging rights until the next Trivia event. Teams can consist of up to 6 people. You can join us as a team or we will assign you a team when you arrive. 

We will screen a movie in the Conference Room for children 8 and up.

Please register at https://www.westonpubliclibrary.org/.

Texture Line Shape - Photography Show Reception
May 14, 3-5PM

Join Weston Commission for the Arts for a reception in recognition of the Weston Library Photography Club's current exhibit, Texture Line Shape. Light refreshments will be provided. 

The Weston Library Photography Club was formed in 2017 and consists of amateur and beginning photographers in Weston who are interested in further developing their skills. Members meet monthly to share photos and processes. 

For more information, please visit https://www.westonpubliclibrary.org/.

The exhibit will be on display in the Community Room through the end of June. 

Cooks & Books: Snickerdoodle Pancakes & Smoothies with Sticky FIngers Cooking
May 16,6PM via ZOOM. All ages with parent assistance. Registration Required at 
https://www.westonpubliclibrary.org/

Join us for a cooking lesson inspired by the book Pancakes, Pancakes by Eric Carle. Hosted by Sticky Fingers Cooking, you will learn how to make Snickerdoodle Pancakes with Warm Vanilla Sauce and Snickerdoodle Smoothies. Ingredients are not provided by the library.  Ingredient list will be provided before the program. 

Fandom Friday
May 20, 3 PM. Ages 12+. Registration required at 
https://www.westonpubliclibrary.org/ .

Middle and High School students are invited to come and hang out during our monthly Fandom Friday programs. Whether you love Star Wars, Marvel, DC, Dungeons and Dragons, WarHammer or something else, this is a place for you to meet with your friends and fellow fandom members to share and enjoy. We do not provide specific items for this program as we ask our participants to bring what they would like to share, but can bring out games/materials upon request.

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