Greetings and Welcome to Town Hall Happenings!

First Selectwoman’s Opening Note
I wanted to share an update on the activities of the Weston-Siversk Committee, a group committed to assisting our sister city in Ukraine. This week, we have dispatched a special care package to Mayor Alexie Vorobyov and Siversk Friends. The package consists of handcrafted and Weston related items as well as personal messages, aimed to raise spirits and keep our connection strong.

In our communication, we reiterated our sincere support and reminded them that they are not alone. Their bravery and strength are truly inspiring to us all. To aid our sister city of Siversk and provide their children with a reprieve from the conflict, you can donate to our camp retreat fundraiser:  https://ukraineaidinternational.org/weston-siversk/ 

Road Paving Plan APPROVED 
Since January, DPW Director, Larry Roberts has been determining the deterioration and rehabilitation planning for our roads, in collaboration with the engineering firm, Beta Group. After consideration, the BOS & BOF team approved a plan to collect more road condition data with Beta to support a paving plan for FY24-25. Data collection was completed this spring. The revised plan was presented to the BOS at their 5/30 meeting. There was also a joint BOS/BOF meeting regarding the plan and next steps on 6/3. At the 6/10 BOS meeting, the BOS unanimously approved the list of streets to be paved and referred the resolution for funding via Bond Anticipation Notes/Bonds to the BOF as well as set the Special Town Meeting Date for approval. The BOF met on 6/18 to move the process forward and unanimously approved the financing. Westonites approved the plan at the Special Town Meeting on July 9^th for up to $6 million in financing so we can start this summer through the fall. For more information click here: Special Town Meetings | Town of Weston, Connecticut (westonct.gov) 

Personal Preparedness, Home, Vehicle, Work.
July 25 at 7 to 8 pm, Zoom
Do you know what do if you lose power for days?  What supplies and items to have on hand?  Do you know what a Go Bag is?  This training will prepare you for most hazards, Storms, Power Outages, Terrorism, Infrastructure failure.  This ZOOM training will better prepare you to take care of yourself, your family and neighbors.
Join Zoom Meeting  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9244768756?pwd=VDVrREMreWhFL1AreDl4R29JYzMwdz09&omn=87184783350
Meeting ID: 924 476 8756
Passcode: Wes06 

Weston’s Food Scrap Recycling Program
Compost Giveback Finale:  Thanks to the 242 households who are part of the program - Diverting food scraps from the trash and turning them into compost!  For those who are already signed up for the FOOD SCRAP RECYCLING PROGRAM or who sign up by July 20, 2024 we have set up an HONOR SYSTEM through July 20, 2024. Each participating household can help themselves to one 5 or 6 gallon bucket of compost. The compost pile is located to the right of the red mattress recycling container. 

Update:  As of July 10th, 4.5 months into the program, we have 242 participating households in the program and 12,820 lbs (6.4 tons) of food scraps have been dropped off at the transfer station. This is significant diversion from the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) stream. Measures to counter the effects of the warmer temperatures include increasing the food scraps collection from once a week to twice a week in the summer and adding a layer of sawdust to the scraps in the bins regularly. 

Join The Program: If you have not yet signed up for the Food Scraps Recycling Program and would like do so, click here: https://hrra.org/organics-food-scraps-weston/  As with mixed, glass, mattress or redeemable recycling, there is NO FEE to use the Food Scraps Recycling program for Weston residents. Residents simply collect their food scraps in a designated counter collection bin or bucket and then tip their container into the Curbside Compost bins located next to the red mattress recycling container at the Transfer Station. 

Volunteers: Since the launch of the program, several program participants have offered to get involved and assist with promoting and refining the program. If you would like to join, please email: [email protected]. We would love to group our Recycling Action Group!  

Social Media:

- See our last event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/zRifswttqBT6Psd6/ and
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C80HSOLtdjy/?hl=en&img_index=1
- Please like/follow “Sustainable Weston” if you are on social media as we would like to boost our presence.

Thank you and well-done Weston! 

Upcoming Road Closures for Repairs
Much needed bridge and road construction has begun. This outlines the projected timeline for road closures during the construction period. Unforeseen delays may occur and, if they do, I will update everyone as needed. Please note this does not include summer paving which begins later this summer. The following road closures may affect routes normally taken:

- Georgetown Road Milling and Paving by The Connecticut Department of Transportation: DOT are nearing completion of paving a portion of Route 57 (Georgetown Road) beginning on May 28, 2024. The milling and paving project will extend from the intersection of Route 107 (Redding Road) in Georgetown into Weston and finish at the intersection with Trails End Road. Road crews will operate from 7:00am until 5:00pm each day, there will be no work on Sundays. Georgetown Road will be down to one lane during construction hours. Traffic control will be handled by the Weston Police Department and CDOT personnel. Update:  The paving is now complete, and lines are being painted.

- River Road Bridge Replacement (near the intersection of Good Hill Road): Construction activity started the week of March 18th. Complete road closure for through traffic began on April 1st and continues through November 2024.

- Davis Hill Road Bridge Preservation (near the intersection of Valley Forge Road): During construction the roadway will remain open with only intermittent closures. Future updates will be provided in advance of any full day road closures. This project is targeted for substantial completion by August 2024.

- Michaels Way Bridge Replacement (at Newtown Turnpike): Complete road closure for through traffic began on April 1st and will continue through December 2024.

- Lyons Plain Road Rehabilitation: Pavement and drainage repairs are scheduled to start this, Summer. Construction will require intermittent road closures. This project has not yet been awarded and future updates will be provided. 

Town of Weston | Notice - Taxes Due
The first installment of real estate, personal property, and motor vehicle taxes on the Grand List of October 1, 2023 is due and payable on July 1, 2024. Failure to pay by August 1, 2024 will result in a late payment with interest of 1-1/2% per month starting with the July 1^st due date per State Statute 12-145. Minimum interest charge is $2.00. If you no longer have a vehicle that you received a bill for, you must present proof to the Tax Assessor (203) 222-2606. If you have any questions, please call our office at (203) 222-2697. Taxpayers have several options to pay their bill. You can come in during town hall hours from 9 to 4:30 Monday through Friday. Alternatively, you can put your payment in the drop box outside the side entrance to the Town Hall, mail the payment, pay online at www.westonct.gov, or pay by phone at (855) 844-0237. Service fees will apply. If you did not receive a tax bill, please contact the Tax Collector. Beginning on June 27^th, you can also check online for payment amounts at the town website noted above. Failure to receive a tax bill does not excuse the taxpayer from tax and delinquent interest (C.G.S.12-130). 

Dog Licenses Required
Connecticut law requires each owner of a dog six months or older must register the dog on or before June 30th each year.  Fees: spayed or neutered dogs $8.00 each un-spayed or un-neutered dogs $19.00 each.  Rabies Certificate and Spay/Neuter certificates are required for new registrations (documents will be returned).  Mail your registration to Town Clerk, P O Box 1007 Weston CT 06883 or register in person at Town Hall, Town Clerk’s office.  Thank you for keeping your pet safe! 

Pickleball Update!
The Town went out for bid last month for construction of three pickleball courts at Bisceglie Park.  Bids were opened on June 20 and the contract was awarded to Hinding Tennis, who have constructed many pickleball courts.  The bid came in within the budgeted amount for the project.  The project is being paid for with a combination of funding from the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) which is federal funding awarded to the Town as well as Park & Recreation Department fee revenue.  The project should start soon with work proceeding through the rest of the summer. 

Parks and Recreation
All camps, programs and other activity information can be found at www.westonct.gov/parksandrec

Bisceglie Pond
Order your passes NOW for the newly resurfaced Pond (thanks to ARPA Grant funding). Click here https://www.westonct.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/12581/638530924861030000 to order a pass. The Pond opened on 6/22! Hours are from 11:30 am to 6 pm. 

Human Services
Applications are now being taken for the CT Elderly and Disabled Renters' Rebate Program. Please get in touch with Weston Human Services at 203-222-2556 to schedule an appointment. More information and eligibility requirements can be found here: CT Renters' Rebate Program.

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! Family & Youth Services | Town of Weston, Connecticut (westonct.gov)

Caregivers Support Group with Allison Lisbon, LCSW, MSW, Director of Human Services
Monthly meetings are held every third Tuesday, 1:30-2:30pm at the Weston Senior Center. For questions or to be added to the Caregiver Support Group email list, contact Allison Lisbon at [email protected]   

Bereavement Support Group with Rashida Miller, MSW
Monthly meetings are held every fourth Tuesday, 1:30-2:30 pm, at the Weston Senior Center. For questions or to be added to the Bereavement Support Group email list, contact Rashida Miller at [email protected]

Weston Senior Center
- Click this link to view the Senior Center Newsletter: Weston Senior Center Weekly Bulletin (constantcontact.com) 
- Call or email the Senior Center to register: 203-222-2608/ [email protected] 

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 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, Veterans Affairs Committee. The following elected board has a position available: Zoning Board of Appeals. The Town of Weston Board of Selectmen will conduct interviews of candidates for appointed boards, commissions and committees in private, unless the candidate requests that the interview occur in public. Through the CT Freedom of Information Act, the state legislature expressly allows the Town Board of Selectmen to hold non-public executive sessions to discuss “the appointment, employment, performance, evaluation, health or dismissal of a public officer or employee." C.G.S. § 1-200 (6)(a). Like Weston, several nearby municipalities have also implemented similar policies to protect residents interested in volunteering their service from the abuse of modern technology such as artificial intelligence, social media, and personal identity theft. Please click here for more information and/or to submit your information for consideration for a position. 

Weston Public Library
Adventure begins at the Weston Public Library this summer. Everyone is invited to take part in the WPL Scavenger Hunt! Pick up your Scavenger Hunt materials at the Library and explore the Town of Weston by visiting locations marked on a map. Summer Reading Programs for adults and children of all ages take place through August 16. Come join the adventure!

Click here for More Information