Greetings and welcome to today’s Town Hall Happenings.

Opening Note
In today’s opening note I say goodbye to Ellen Jones, a Weston fixture who passed away suddenly last week. She served Weston in the Town Clerk’s office for nearly 15 years. Most recently she worked at Lily’s where her smile and love for Weston greeted all of us who came and went. I will miss her and so will so many others. To read more about Ellen’s life and memorial service details please click here: https://westontoday.news/articles/230224-ellen-jones-obituary

Budget Overview
On the evening of Thursday, February 16, 2023, I formally presented my proposed budget for next fiscal year, which is available here.  I am very proud of the budget presented. It struck a balance between funding valued services, investing in needed capital projects (many of which are augmented with outside resources), and establishing a mill rate that keeps Weston an affordable place to live. The Board of Selectmen made one small change to my proposed budget, and then voted to transmit it to the Board of Finance. The Board of Selectmen also voted to recommend the Board of Education budget to the Board of Finance. 

The Proposed Budget calls for a 0.73% mill rate increase. This would be the second year in a row that we would keep the mill rate relatively flat.  It is particularly noteworthy that in a 6.5% inflationary environment our mill rate is being kept in check.

Upcoming Budget Events

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

-Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 6 pm –The Board of Finance reviews the Board of Selectmen’s budget request and if necessary, continues review of the Board of Education’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 on the proposed budget.

-Tuesday, April 4, 2023, 6 pm (if necessary) – The Board of Finance holds a meeting for the purpose of deliberating on 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]
Weston EMS 60^th Anniversary Gala
On March 25, Weston EMS will be celebrating their 60th Anniversary with a gala at Rolling Hills Country Club in Wilton.  Longtime resident, and veteran actor and producer, James Naughton will be the Master of Ceremonies and will co-chair the gala along with me. 

To purchase tickets visit www.westonems.com. If you would like to advertise in the gala program,  contact Adria Belport, Gala Chair at [email protected]. If you cannot attend, please consider making a donation or honoring a family member or friend with a tribute or memorial ad. The raffle and silent auction will be  live online on March 10.

Weston EMS is 100% volunteer and provides emergency care services to Weston, free of charge, 24/7, 365 days a year. 

Weston High School’s Green Team Tree Sale
The program, Tree-Plenish, is selling saplings of beautiful trees for $5.  Please help the Green Team achieve their goal to plant at least 300 saplings on April 22, a number that would replace 360 tons of carbon and offset some of the high school’s energy consumption.  Saplings are available at Lachat Town Farm on April 22 or have you may have them planted in your yard by volunteers. Orders can be placed online, and must be in by March 22.

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).

Upcoming Board of Education Meetings for the Week of March 6:
Policy Committee Meeting, Tuesday, March 7 at 9:00 am via Google Meet
Finance/Facilities Committee Meeting. Friday, March 10 at 9am via Google Meet

The next regular (monthly) Board of Education Meeting will be in person on Monday, March 13 at 6pm in the Middle School. For more information about these meetings and future meetings visit the District Calendar at: https://www.westonps.org/358147_2

Important note: The Weston Public School's Website has been completely redesigned and the district calendar link is new.

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://hes.westonps.org/359602_2

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 the second 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 began 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!
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 

Parks and Recreation is hosting a registration for our Summer Camps, Spring Programs and Aquatics classes. With many new options for classes, camps & more- there is something for everyone to enjoy! Registration begins at 12:01 A.M. on March 6th. We will be open at 9 A.M. Monday for registrations in person if space remains. As a general reminder- many of our camps filled early last year- do not wait! 

For Summer Camps ONLY: You MUST change your child's grade to the grade they will be in NEXT FALL - do this before 12:01 - this could be the difference between getting into a program and getting waitlisted**

Parks & Recreation | Weston, CT : Program Flyers and Information

WebTrac Splash - Registration Site- CLICK to register

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

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 17^th. Stay tuned.  
Weston Public Library

Owl's One and All Storytime:
Monday, March 6 @ 2:30 p.m. in the Community Room.
All ages. Registration required.
We invite children of all ages and their caregivers to join Miss Laura for stories, songs and a small activity.

PreK Craft Time
Tuesday, March 7 @ 2:30 p.m. Ages birth to 5. Registration required.
Join Miss Laura on Tuesday for a themed craft. Let's see what you create!
This week's craft is a Paper Plate Tambourine!

Science Club
Wednesday, March 8 @ 5:30-6:30 p.m. Ages 5+. Registration required.
Join us for Science Club with Miss Laura!
This month we'll be doing Marshmallow Sculpting!

Device Advice
Wednesday, March 15, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Did you know you can get FREE ebooks, audiobooks, movies and music on your phone, tablet, laptop, or e-reader? We can help with that and much more!
Bring your questions and devices to the library's cafe area for advice and a FREE cup of coffee from our Starbucks machine. No registration necessary.

With gratitude,
Sam

PS: Check out my previous THH by visiting the following link!  https://www.westonct.gov/about-us/advanced-components/list-detail-pages/news-list