Greetings and Welcome to Jan 12th’s Town Hall Happenings

First Selectwoman’s Opening Note
The opening note for this week's Town Hall Happenings is all about teamwork. Lately, I've been absolutely amazed by how the Emergency Management Team, public school staff, municipal staff, DPW, Police, Volunteer Fire Department, and Volunteer EMS have handled the recent weather events, compiling our town budget, and their general day to day business. They've been doing a fantastic job ensuring that town services continue to be delivered. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a remarkable team of professionals who are fully committed to our town. 

I've noticed a genuine willingness to collaborate and adapt in order to provide us with the support and programs we need. I truly appreciate their efforts, as well as the dedication of the volunteers and citizens who are giving their all every single day. Recent events have clearly shown that when we work together as a team, rather than adversaries, we can achieve remarkable things for the town's benefit. Thank you for playing your part in supporting one another and maintaining a positive attitude. It has truly made a world of difference. 

Lastly, I hope you have a day filled with meaning on Monday, and I'd like to leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr.: "I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."

A Message from the School Superintendent
The Weston Public School proposed operating and capital budgets, along with supplemental documentation can be found on the district website under Board of Education/Budget.

Below is a list of WPS budget meetings that have already taken place with links to the meetings. The meetings can also be found on the WPS website under Board of Education/Previously Recorded Meetings.

-- 01/04/2024 –Budget Presentation

-- 01/05/2024 -BOE Budget Workshop

-- 01/10/2024 -BOE Public Forum #1 with Administration on FY 2024 Budget Request

-- 01/11/2024 -BOE Budget Workshop

Below is a list of the remaining WPS budget meetings. Links to meeting details can be found on the WPS district calendar.  In addition, Board of Education meeting details can also be found on the Town of Weston Community Events Calendar.

-- 01/18/2024 - BOE Public Forum #2 with Administration on FY 2024 Budget Request

-- 01/22/2024 - BOE Budget Workshop

-- 01/23/2024 - BOE Special Meeting: Approval and Adoption of Recommended Operating & Capital Budgets

-- 01/25/2024 - BOE Special Meeting: Approval and Adoption of Recommended Operating & Capital Budgets (if necessary)

It’s Budget Season!
The public is highly encouraged to participate in this year’s budget process.  Below is the tentative meeting schedule. The Town budget will be posted for review before February 10^th.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024, 6:00 pm – Board of Selectmen reviews Board of Education’s budget request.

Thursday, February 15, 2024, 6:00 pm – Board of Selectmen reviews First Selectwoman’s budget request.

Monday, February 26, 2024, 6:00 pm – Board of Selectmen votes on and transmits First Selectman’s and Board of Education budgets to Board of Finance. Board also nominates moderator for ATBM.

Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 6 pm – Board of Finance reviews Board of Education’s budget request.

Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 6 pm – Board of Finance reviews Board of Selectmen’s budget request

Thursday, March 14, 2024, 6 pm – Board of Finance reviews Board of Education’s budget request and Board of Selectmen’s Budget (if necessary).

Tuesday, April 2, 2024, 6 pm – Board of Finance holds public hearing on budget request

Thursday, April 4, 2024, 6 pm – Board of Finance budget deliberation meeting.

Monday, April 8, 2024, 6 pm – Board of Finance budget deliberation meeting (if necessary).

Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 8 pm – Annual Town Budget meeting at the  High School Auditorium.

Saturday, May 4, 2024, 12pm to 8 pm –Annual Town Budget Referendum at the Town Hall.

Monday, May 6, 2024, 6 pm – Board of Finance meets to set mill rate.

Board of Selectmen Hire a New Town Administrator
I am absolutely thrilled to announce that the Board of Selectmen authorized me to sign an employment agreement between the Town of Weston and Karl Kilduff, who will be our new Town Administrator. Karl is currently the Town Manager of the Town of Clinton, CT where he served as the first Town Manager for three years. Before that he served as Executive Director of the CT Housing Finance Authority, Town Administrator in Darien, CT, Town Manager of North Branford, CT and City Manager of the City of Johnstown, PA. He has over 23 years of experience in Town Management and four years working at the State level in Connecticut. (click here for Press Release for more information) Karl brings a wealth of experience and dedication to this crucial role, and I am confident that his leadership will contribute significantly to the continued growth and sustainability of our community. I believe that with Karl in place, we are poised for a bright and successful future. Please join me in welcoming Karl Kilduff to our team, and let us look forward to achieving great things together.  Karl will start on February 21, 2024, after providing his 60 days’ notice to the Town of Clinton.  I will let you know when we will be having an event to welcome him aboard. I appreciate the entire municipal staff’s efforts this year that pulled together to keep the town running beautifully during this transition.

Town of Weston Holiday Closures

- Municipal Buildings are Closed Monday January 15^th

- Transfer Station Closed on Tuesday January 16^th Visit our website for regularly scheduled hours of operation and holiday closures:  https://www.westonct.gov/government/municipal-departments/transfer-station

Human Services/Senior Center Department Reorganization
We are happy to announce that the Weston Senior Center is now under the auspices of the Weston Human Services department. This transition aims to streamline administrative tasks and provide additional support to the senior residents of the Town, with no alterations to senior center programming or staffing. Under the umbrella of Human Services, the Senior Center now has access to added resources, promoting a unified and collaborative environment for both seniors and all residents. We welcome you to reach out to the Human Services Director, Allison Lisbon, MSW, LCSW, with any questions, comments, or concerns. Her email is [email protected] and her phone number is 203-222-2663.

From the Weston Fire Marshall: Fireplace and Wood Stove Safety
Ensure your home is equipped with working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and that the batteries are changed at least once a year. If you have a fire alarm system in your house, ensure and that it is serviced annually. Before the heating season begins, have your chimney, flue vents and stove inspected and cleaned by a certified chimney sweep. Make sure your fireplace has a sturdy screen to prevent sparks from flying around the room. Store wood safely in a dry place protected from the elements. Only burn wood that is dry and seasoned. A standard-sized fireplace can typically burn about four 16-inch logs at a time. Do not overload your fireplace.  Never use gasoline, charcoal starter fluid or other flammable liquids to start your fire. When removing ashes from your stove or fireplace – it is important to dispose of them safely:

- Let ashes cool for at least 24 hours before placing them in a non-combustible metal container with a metal lid.

- DO NOT discard your ashes in a paper bag, plastic bag, cardboard box, or plastic trash can.

- Place the metal container at least 10 feet away from your house while the ashes are cooling.\Ashes can stay hot for up to 4 days after your last fire in the fireplace/stove. Make sure they are cold before discarding them.

Weston Food Scrap Recycling Program – New!
Program Kick-off at the Transfer Station - March 2
Weston Department of Public Works, Sustainable Weston and Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority (HRRA) are delighted to announce the launch of Weston’s Food Scraps Recycling Program, following in many of our neighboring town’s footsteps. Food Scraps diversion from the waste stream is a very important step in managing Connecticut’s waste crisis.  We have identified a hauler to collect residential food scraps from the transfer station.  We have allocated a designated spot for the collection bins next to the redeemables and glass containers at the Transfer Station. Residents will be able to tip their food scraps and organic material in these bins during regular transfer station hours (Tuesday to Saturday 8:00AM to 2:30PM).The bins will be emptied weekly (bi-weekly in the Summer) and hauled to New Milford Farms. New Milford Farms operates a commercial composting facility that is an indoor turned windrow with forced aeration. The food scraps are turned into high-quality compost certified by US Composting Council's Seal of Testing Assurance Program (USCC STA).  Click here for more information

February 28 – Community Meeting:  On Wednesday, February 28 at Lachat Town Farm at 7:00PM, HRRA, Public Works and Sustainable Weston are hosting a community meeting to explain the program, review the guidelines and answer any questions.  Click here to register for the community meeting on Lachat’s website

March 2 - Program Kick-Off at the Transfer Station:  Saturday, March 2 will be the opening day, kicking off the first Food Scraps drop-offs at the transfer station! Snow date: Saturday March 16th.

Sign-up:  We are aiming to get at least 250 households to sign up between now and the end of February, in advance of the program’s opening day. Please consider signing up as a new year resolution!  The first 250 who sign up for the program will be entered into a raffle, with prizes awarded at the Lachat Earth Day event in April.  Click here to sign up

Starter Kits:  The first 100 households who sign up for the program will get a free starter kit and can pick it up at the community meeting. After the first 100, if you opt to purchase a kit, you can do so at the event on February 28th or, alternatively, at the Transfer station starting on February 29th. The cost is $20 payable by credit card.  The starter kit consists of a 1.5-gallon counter collection bin, BPI certified BioBag liners (1 roll with 25 liners) and a 6-gallon carry container with lock lid. Purchasing a kit is optional and not mandatory to participate in the program. You can also use your own containers and bucket

Household Hazardous Waste Dates
Residents have six opportunities to participate in Household Hazardous Waste events in our HRRA region.  The first will be on April 6 at Danbury Public Works.  Please visit www.HRRA.org for more details. 

MLK Day of Service at Lachat Town Farm
People all across the country will observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday,January 15^th in various ways. One important way to commemorate King's life and work is by participating in a day of service and reflecting on the messages he spread throughout his life. Our 5th Annual MLK Day of Service is an opportunity for our community to honor Dr. King’s legacy through service and volunteerism.  For this year’s service project, we will be working with local charity Homes with Hope. The organization provides emergency shelter for men and women, supportive housing for individuals and families, rapid re-housing, diversion services, a community kitchen, food pantry, youth development programs and mentoring. They provide services with sustainable solutions so that everyone served has the opportunity to achieve and maintain an independent life.

How can you participate in serving on MLK Day?

- Register on our website for bags of toiletries and hygiene products that you and/or your family will assemble at Lachat to benefit individuals in need. Sign up for as many bags as you would like to put together on the day of the event. Your registration pays for all the items in the bag (deodorant, shaving cream, soap, etc). If you cannot attend, we welcome donations for bags so others can assemble for you.

- Please also consider bringing food items for the Weston Food Pantry and the food pantry at the Gillespie Center, on the day of the event.

- While visiting the farm to participate in our service project, we invite you and your family to further honor Dr. King by enjoying the "I Have a Dream" speech and completing a craft project meant to help them reflect on the day and the message. We invite people of all ages to use this as a Day On, Not Off and to take an hour to serve your community. Hot cocoa will be available for purchase.Pre-register at www.lachattownfarm.org

Weston Parks and Recreation
Registration for winter programs started January 8, visit the website for more information: https://www.westonct.gov/government/municipal-departments/parks-recreation

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 [email protected].

Police Department Locker Room Renovations
The renovations of the locker room in the basement of Town Hall is near completion. We hope you will join us for a ribbon cutting on January 23^rd with the Lt. Gov Susan Bysiewicz and other dignitaries for the occasion. 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.

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 [email protected] for more information.

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 meetings where you can watch in person at the Town Hall Meeting Room or you can still stream 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.

Caregivers Support Group With Allison Lisbon, LCSW, MSW, Director of Human 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 [email protected]
Call or email the Senior Center to register:   203-222-2608/[email protected]

Weston Senior Center
Click this link to view the Senior Center Newsletter:  https://westonseniorcenter.info/newsletters.php

Weston Public Library

All CT Reads 2024 Virtual Author Launch
Friday, January 19 at 10am
All CT Reads is a year-long initiative to promote lifelong reading, learning, and connection that uses a rotating community committee structure to select one main book title and 3 shortlist book titles, each calendar year for three age groups: children (ages 8-12), teens (ages 13-18), and adults. We want a way to read together. We want continuous conversations across Connecticut. We want to offer avenues of participation for spaces big and small to talk about inclusivity, cultures and acceptance. Join us for this virtual discussion and Q&A with the authors below:

2024 All CT Reads – Kids
Finally Seen by Kelly Yang

2024 All CT Reads – Teen
Promise Boys by Nick Brooks

2024 All CT Reads – Adult
Don’t Cry For Me by Daniel Black

Register here: https://cslib.libcal.com/event/11497161

Classical Voice Recital
Sunday, January 21 at 2pm
The Friends of the Weston Public Library invite you to attend a Classical Voice Recital featuring Emma Rogers, soprano and Weston resident. Attendees will experience a suite of operatic and musical theatre works featuring your favorite composers such as Pucini, Mozart, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and more! Special guest performers include Joseph Stevens on piano with Oliva Gesualdi (soprano) and Jessica Rae Foulds (mezzo-soprano) providing additional vocals.  This recital is FREE and open to the public. Registration is requested, though walk-ins are welcome! Register here: https://www.eventkeeper.com/code/ekform.cfm?curOrg=WESTON&curID=678237

Click this link to see what’s happening at the Library:  https://www.westonpubliclibrary.org/

Click Here for more information.