Greetings and Welcome to March 1st’s Town Hall Happenings

First Selectwoman’s Opening Note:
This weekend launches our Food Scraps Recycling Program (see more info below). I'm so excited to see that many residents are taking part in this! There are still kits available, and we really hope that more community members will join the program. It's absolutely amazing to witness the community coming together to make a positive impact on the environment. The Food Scraps Recycling Program is not just about reducing waste, but also about generating nutrient-rich compost. By diverting food scraps from the waste stream, we can greatly reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, which will ultimately benefit the health of our environment. Let's keep working together towards creating a more sustainable future.

We are Hiring!
The Town of Weston is currently looking for members of our municipal team. Please click here: https://www.westonct.gov/about-us/town-hall/municipal-job-openings for more information.

Transfer Station News!
Please note the Transfer Station now accepts credit cards.

From the Office of the Tax Collector: Applications for Elderly Tax Relief
The Tax Collector is currently accepting applications for the Abatement, Deferment and Freeze programs through May 15, 2024 for the upcoming Grand List year. You must apply every year for all programs. You can request an application from the Tax Collector’s office. Please call 203-222-2696 or 2697 or email  [email protected] or [email protected].

You will be required to attach a copy of your completed 1040 and all back up material showing all income sources including your 1099s with your application. You also need to provide documentation about your net worth.  Examples are:  any mortgage or loans on your home and any checking, savings and retirement accounts. After completing your application, you can mail or bring it to:  Tax Collector’s Office, 56 Norfield Road Weston, CT  06883. You may put your application in the drop box located on the library side entrance to the Town Hall. You can also email your application.  Please be sure you have included copies of all supporting documents. You can call us anytime with questions. To qualify, you must be age 65 by the end of December 2023. You must not be delinquent on your taxes by the closing date of May 15, 2024.  Income cannot exceed $49,000 for Abatement; $125,000 for Deferment and $100,000 for Freeze. Net worth cannot exceed $1,000,000 for Abatement.  There is no net worth ceiling for Deferment or Freeze programs. Benefit will apply to only the first $400,000 of your assessment for Abatement and Deferment and for the first $800,000 of assessment for the Freeze. Click here for an application: https://www.westonct.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/11934/638442056817970000

Road Paving Plan Underway
At the past two BOS meetings, DPW Director, Larry Roberts has been meeting with the members to discuss the state of deterioration and rehabilitation planning for our roads, in collaboration with the engineering firm, Beta Group. We are in the early stages of planning and anticipate more robust conversations with the BOF and the greater community. At the most recent BOS & BOF meetings, the team approved a plan to collect more data with Beta. The next meeting to discuss the road paving plan will be on 3/11. Please check the website to simulcast the meeting.To see the most recent presentation click here: https://www.westonct.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/11698

Solar Array Moves Forward
A plan for a new solar farm at the Transfer Station has moved to the P&Z for a positive 8-24 referral. Greenskies will be building and maintaining the array at no cost to the Town, but will be paying an annual fee based on a lease agreement that will eventually need to be approved by the Town at a Special Town Meeting. Please see this link https://www.westonct.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/11696/638423864730197304 for more information on the proposed project. This project is expected to come before P&Z Commission at their March 4^th meeting.

Pickleball Update
The Parks & Rec Commission and Parks & Recreation Department has completed a comprehensive plan for Pickleball Courts at Bisceglie Park. This designated area, spanning approximately 0.20 acres, is situated conveniently near the walking path leading to the pond and adjacent to the parking lot, enclosed by a charming split rail fence. During the 1/18 BOS meeting, the team presented their well-thought-out proposal to the Board of Selectmen, who have subsequently referred the project to the Planning & Zoning Commission for positive 8-24 report. On 2/5 the P&Z Commission issued a positive 8-24 report. The Conservation Commission received the application, parks and recreation commission met with neighbors. We will continue the conversation. The expectation is that we will have three fully operational courts by the upcoming summer season. This project is being funded through the ARPA grant, as well as the Parks & Recreation Enterprise Fund at no cost to Weston taxpayers.

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 is posted here:  westonct.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/11824/638435193132830000 and the First Selectwoman’s Presentation is here: https://www.westonct.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/11862/638435892539730000 Watch videos of previous meetings here: Weston Government TV’s Videos on Vimeo.

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.

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

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

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.

Meet and Speak with Town Leaders at SPEAK UP Event
March 2 at 10:30-12:00
Weston Public Library
Weston community members of all ages are invited to meet and ask questions of our town leaders during the Weston League of Women Voters 32^nd Annual SPEAK UP event on March 2, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon at the Weston Public Library.  This non-partisan, time- and town-honored event gives Weston residents a chance to learn more about our town and the way it works by asking questions and getting answers from our respected leaders from Boards of Selectmen, Education, Finance, Police, Planning and Zoning, Assessment Appeals and others. There will be a moderator and all questions will be asked by in-person attendees via passed microphone. Refreshments and ample seating are available. “SPEAK UP is one of the town’s most important community events in terms of civic engagement,” said Weston LWV Chair, Margaret Wirtenberg. “If you want to have a voice in town policies, it’s important to know who your leadership is and how our local government works.”

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan, grassroots, non-profit organization dedicated to empowering everyone to fully participate in our democracy. For more information on the Weston League and our SPEAK UP event, please visit www.lwvwestonct.org or visit us on Facebook.

Weston Food Scrap Recycling Program – New!
Ribbon Cutting & 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

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! Ribbon Cutting at 9:15 am

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 Green on Green day this spring.  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.

Message from HRRA: GEARING UP FOR SPRING CLEANING?
HRRA is here to remind you of some important tips as you plan to clean out your garage, basement, or attic.

- April 6^th is the first of SIX Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off events in 2024. This is an opportunity to safely dispose of gasoline, lawn and pool products, paint thinners, lithium-ion batteries, 1lb propane tanks and more! Head to our website to see a full list of items and dates.

- Connect with a local thrift or consignment store to donate items that are in good condition or use an online marketplace to sell your items. 

- Torn and stained clothing, shoes, linens, towels and more can be recycled at your Town Transfer station in one of the textile recycling bins. 

- If you are considering renting a dumpster, find a registered hauler on our website and search by town.

ONCE!! @ Lachat Town Farm
A show like this only comes along ONCE!!  Friends of Lachat together with Weston’s own local theatre production team is proud to announce that the much loved Broadway musical ONCE is coming to Weston this March. The same team that brought Adventures in Oz and Village of the DamNed haunted immersive theater to our town is producing its first licensed Broadway production with performances at the new Offutt Center on St. Patrick’s day weekend March 15, 16, 17 and on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th. Set in Dublin, and featuring a wonderful cast of both off-Broadway and community actors, ONCE is a complicated love story of a struggling musician who is just about to walk away from music and love when a Czech immigrant challenges him to not let go.  Tickets can be purchased on Lachat’s website and are going fast. Come by early and see your friends and neighbors an hour before showtime for a drink at our authentic Irish pub!  

Weston Parks and Recreation
Our Spring programs are here - they won't begin until after April break but we're holding our registration here-  WebTrac Splash

Our flyer is attached, it has Parks & Recreation/WOW's after school programs- check them out, spread the word.  Further off reminder: Summer Camp Registration for Parks & Rec/WOW will be 3/4. Flyers are on the website: Parks & Recreation | Weston, CT

Weston Parks & Recreation - WOW! Programs
We're very excited to offer our fabulous WOW! after school programs for children in Grades K-5 this spring! From art and science to legos, baking, theatre, and so much more, there's something for everyone! Programs are scheduled to begin when we return to school after April recess on April 22nd!  

- Click here to preview our program offering catalogs for WOW! HES, WIS, and WMS. 

- If you already have a RecTrac account with Weston Parks & Recreation, you do not need to set up a new account, but please be sure that your child’s grade is current for this academic year. (Kindergarten = .5, Grades 1-8 = 1, 2, 3, etc.) You can add family members to your account before you begin registration. Be sure to include an emergency contact. 

- If you do not have a RecTrac account, you can set up an account here, including family members, before registration begins. (Kindergarten = .5, Grades 1-8 = 1, 2, 3, etc.) and please be sure to have an emergency contact on your account. 

- When you log into your account, please click on the orange WOW box on the bottom right hand side of the home page to begin registration here . 

- Program selection will begin with all HES programs followed by WIS and then WMS.

- Programs fill quickly so please register early!

We're also offering our last Sitter Safety session for the school year, which begins on Wednesday, March 6th. Registration is currently underway for this program!

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

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] 

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, Commission on Aging, 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.

Weston Senior Center
Click this link to view the Senior Center Newsletter: https://westonseniorcenter.info/newsletters.php
Call or email the Senior Center to register: 203-222-2608/[email protected]

Weston Public Library
The Weston Public Library is proud to announce the unveiling of our newest adult collection: Libros en Espanol! We have a great selection of fiction and nonfiction from classic authors and titles to new bestsellers. Check them out and stay tuned as we will soon unveil an expanded Libros en Espanol collection for youth!

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

Click Here for more information.