Opening Note
As Presidents Day approaches, I wish all those traveling on winter break a safe journey and a restful and fun vacation. We will not be sending THH next week so we will be back in 2 weeks.

Municipal Offices Closing
In honor of President's Day, all municipal buildings will be closed on Monday, February 20.  The Transfer Station will be closed Sunday, February 19 through Tuesday, February 21.

Budget Overview
On Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 5:00 I formally presented my proposed budget, which is available here.  I am very proud of the budget presented. The Board of Selectmen transmitted the First Selectwoman’s budget and the recommended the Board of Education budget to the Board of Finance.

Budget Events

-Friday, February 24, 2023 – The Board of Selectmen's approved budget will be made available to both the Board of Finance and the general public online.

-Wednesday, March 8, 2023, 6 pm – The Board of Finance reviews the Board of Education's budget request.

-Thursday, March 9, 2023, 6 pm – The Board of Finance reviews the Board of Selectmen’s Budget request.

-Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 6 pm (if necessary) – The Board of Finance reviews the Board of Education's budget request and the Board of Selectmen's budget request.

-Tuesday, March 28, 2023, 6 pm – The Board of Finance holds a virtual public hearing on the proposed budget.

-Thursday, March 30, 2023, 6 pm – The Board of Finance holds a meeting for the purpose of deliberating the proposed budget.

-Tuesday, April 4, 2023, 6 pm (if necessary) – The Board of Finance holds a meeting for the purpose of deliberating the proposed budget.

-Thursday, April 20, 2023, 7 pm check-in & 8 pm Start.  – Annual Town Budget Meeting at the  Weston High School Auditorium.

-Saturday, April 29, 2023, 12pm to 8 pm –Budget Referendum at the Town Hall.

-Monday, May 1, 2023, 6 pm – Board of Finance meets to set mill rate.

A Message from Lisa Barbiero, Superintendent of Weston Public Schools
On January 24th the BOE voted to approve the 2024 school budget request of $58,047,590 representing an increase of $1,656,405 or 2.94%. Superintendent of Schools Lisa Barbiero encourages the community to review the budget and the supplemental documents that are posted on the budget page on the WPS website.

Public Information Meeting about the Lyons Plain Road Pavement Rehabilitation Project
Everyone is invited by the Town of Weston to a Public Information Meeting regarding the upcoming Lyons Plain Road Pavement Rehabilitation project. The meeting will be held virtually on Monday, March 6, 2023 at 7:00 PM.  The project has been selected to receive state funding from the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program and is identified as Project L157-002.   The project has been planned to improve pavement structure along the 3-mile long segment of Lyons Plain Road between the Weston/Westport town line and Davis Hill Road.  The pavement rehabilitation proposed includes milling to a depth of 2" followed by a 2" overlay with full-depth reconstruction in select areas.  Bituminous concrete lip curbing will be replaced.  Driveway aprons will be repaved as needed.  Minor drainage improvements along the roadway segment will also be completed.   Construction is anticipated to begin in spring of 2024.  The public informational meeting is being held to provide the public and local community the opportunity to offer comments or ask questions regarding the proposed project.

The virtual meeting may be accessed via Zoom.  To access via internet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86443135589?pwd=YlRoTWE2dEhTNzk3VDhxeFEvUTFNUT09
Passcode: 642284
To access via telephone: Dial +1 305 224 1968  or +1 309 205 3325  or +1 312 626 6799

Questions should be emailed to Town Administrator Jonathan Luiz at [email protected]

Connecticut’s Black, Indigenous and Women of Color
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 7:00pm via Zoom
“Honoring Connecticut’s Black, Indigenous and Women of Color”, a virtual lecture by the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame, explores Connecticut women such as Fidelia Hoscott Fielding, who preserved the Mohegan-Pequot language for future generations, Ann Petry, who gave a voice to black writers, and Maria Sanchez, a strong advocate for the Puerto Rican community and the initiator of bilingual education in Hartford. This program, in honor of Black History Month, is co-sponsored by the Weston History & Culture Center (Weston Historical Society), Friends of the Weston Public Library and the League of Women Voters of Weston. The event is free, but registration is required to receive the Zoom link. Please register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/honoring-connecticuts-black-indigenous-and-women-of-color-virtual-tickets-537950262717 or at www.WestonCTHistory.org.

Weston History & Culture Center Receives Grant
The Weston Historical Society D/B/A Weston History & Culture Center (WHCC) was recently awarded a $7,400.00 CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant from CT Humanities (CTH). CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grants assist organizations as they recover from the pandemic and maintain and grow their ability to serve their community and the public.The grant will support the WHCC’s ability to serve the community by helping to fund the development of an audio tour of the newly reinterpreted Coley House as well as a virtual tour of second floor exhibits in the Coley House. “The grant will assist us in funding audio and virtual tours of the Coley House,” said Samantha Kulish-Fargione, executive director. “This directly connects to our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives by making our exhibitions as well as the guided portion of the Coley House tour accessible to all.”

Update: Western New England Greenway Bicycle Route & Weston
The Western New England Greenway (https://wnegreenway.org)  is U.S. Bicycle Route 7, a  multi-segment, multi-state bike route that links New York City and Montreal.  It follows mostly low-volume, low-speed roads throughout CT, MA and VT so that you’ll enjoy a relaxing and invigorating ride. We are working to implement the U.S. Bicycle Route 7 program with the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area (Housatonic Heritage) to install roadway directional signs along the route.  The roadway signs will be along the entire U.S. Bicycle Route 7 (USBR7), also known as the Western New England Greenway.  Housatonic Heritage previously facilitated our town’s participation in the US Bicycle Route program, in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Transportation  (ConnDOT).  A roadway directional sign program will soon be in Weston along with all municipalities along the route. (Westport’s signs are already up).

Hurlbutt Elementary - Kindergarten Registration
Children who will turn five years of age on or before January 1, 2024 are eligible to begin kindergarten next fall. Please complete the online registration from the Hurlbutt website. The link to the “New Student Registration 23-24 School Year” is https://westonps.org/district/about/student-registration/.

To complete your registration, we will need the following:
- Completed online registration
- Proof of Residency:
- Warranty Deed or Signed/dated lease AND
- Utility Bill (telephone, gas or electric)
- Copy of your child's birth certificate
- Updated CT Health Assessment form, through the 5-year old checkup
This year we have added an option where you can upload the required documents at the end of the online registration before you submit the form.  Without all of these, your child cannot be registered.  Should you have any questions, please call (203) 221-6300.

What’s Next in Weston?
The most recent podcasts from the Y’s Men of Westport/Weston features an episode about the Land Mobile Radio system with Public Safety Communications Director Larry Roberts. 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. Click here for the Vimeo for the podcast and search for the episodes. https://vimeo.com/user115184272

Weston Youth Services Welcomes Summer!
If you’re undecided about your child’s summer plans and are looking for a camp that doesn’t require a long term commitment, then look no further!  Weston Youth Services is so excited to be offering children, entering Grades 1-6, a variety of mini summer week-long camps from June 26th through the week of July 24 th . Camps include Baking, Cooking, Creative Robotics, Video Game Design, Mad Science, Legos, Sewing, and Business programs. All camps will be held on the School Road campus.

Online registration for the Weston Youth Services’ camps begins on Thursday, February 16th at 10:01 a.m. Please visit our website at www.westonyouthservices.org to preview our catalog for program dates, grade eligibility, costs, details, and to register online.

Additionally, we’ll be collaborating with the Weston Public School District to offer the very popular Youth Summer Theatre camps. More information on the theatre programs coming soon.

Upcoming Programming at Lachat Town Farm

Let's Celebrate International Women's Day with a Tea Party
Our popular tea party is BACK in the tradition of Susan B Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Ida B Wells, and other women whose courageous work led to passage of the 19th Amendment. We’ll gather on March 4 for afternoon tea and to honor our history.  A special thanks to our local partners, Old Mill Market, the Weston Historical Society, and the Weston Social Club for collaborating on this special event!

February Break Programming
Winter is here!  And while cold temperatures and the end of the growing season may bring an opportunity to rest, creatures big and small need to find ways to adapt to the harsh conditions.  This February break, 2/20-2/24, give your kids in grades K-5 the opportunity to get out of the house and learn how Connecticut wildlife finds creative ways to survive.  Sign up for select days or the whole week!

Summer Farmhands - Registration Open!
Summer will be here before we know it, head over and secure your spots for Lachat’s Summer Farmhands programs! Options are available for kids ages 3-12!

Parks and Recreation will hold their Summer Camp, Spring Program and Swim Class registration on Monday, March 6th at 12:01 A.M. on our registration portal. Please see their website for flyers for Summer Camps, grades Pre.K- 8, job opportunities, Spring programming for before & after school, volleyball clinics and Spring Swim classes. All the fun begins after April break! Looking for a great summer job? Consider joining Parks and Recreation as a camp counselor, pool/pond lifeguard or swim instructor. All applicants can apply at our website.

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

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

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 this month's Youth & Family Social Services Newsletter

Caregiver's Support Group
Date Change: Tuesday, February 28th at 1 pm at Weston Senior Center

Weston Youth Services Welcomes Summer!
If you’re undecided about your child’s summer plans and are looking for a camp that doesn’t require a long term commitment, then look no further!

Weston Youth Services is so excited to be offering children, entering Grades 1-6, a variety of mini summer week long camps from June 26th through the week of July 24th . Camps include Baking, Cooking, Creative Robotics, Video Game Design, Mad Science, Legos,Sewing, and Business programs. All camps will be held on the School Road campus.  Online registration for the Weston Youth Services’ camps is currently underway!  Please visit our website at www.westonyouthservices.org to view our catalog for program dates, grade eligibility, costs, details, and to register online.

We’re also collaborating with the Weston Public School District to offer the very popular Youth Summer Theatre camps. More information on the theatre programs coming soon.

And lastly, we’re in the process of putting together some fabulous WOW! after school offerings for the spring session for children in Grades K-5. Programs are scheduled to begin the week of April 17th. Stay tuned.  

Weston Public Library

Cookbook Club - Soups
Thursday, February 23 @ 12:00 p.m.
This month's theme: Soups! Make sure it is a recipe you have not used in the past! Please don't forget to send in your recipe.

Children's Programs

Lego Club
Tuesday, February 21 @ 3:45 PM. Ages 5+ (parent/caregiver required to stay in the room with children under the age of 8.) Registration required.
Our Lego Club is back! Join us for a meeting for those that love to build and play with LEGOs.

Playgroup
Friday, February 24 @ 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Ages birth-6. Registration required.
Parents/Caregivers and children are invited to join us for open play in the community room. Meet new neighbors and friends and try out some of our early learning toys. Toys and activities will be brought out for families to try out.

Movie and Munchies
Saturday, February 25 @ 1:00-3:00 PM. All Ages. Registration required.
Join us for an afternoon movie and snack. All movies will be PG or G rated.

Kids Makerspace Demonstration
Sunday, February 26th @12:30-2:30pm in the Community room. Ages 6-15 (with parent/caregiver in room if under the age of 8)  No Registration Required.
The Makerspace is a place where people can gather to create, make, and learn! Come explore all the different technologies, games and crafts the Makerspace has to offer. There will be a variety of stations to try out various equipment and machines such as the 3D Printer, Button Maker, Snap Circuits, Magnatiles, and Sphero!