April 25 Update From Easton First Selectman Bindelglass

**News Release Submitted by Easton First Selectman Bindelglass**

April 25, 2025

Good Afternoon!

This Monday, April 28th, is the Annual Town Meeting. This is a uniquely Easton (New England) event. The Town Meeting is our legislative body and must approve all major actions, expenditures, and ordinances of the town. We will discuss the budget, a change in the Planning and Zoning Ordinance to make the members of the commission elected, not appointed, and the designation of the Easton Town Hall as a local historic property. It really is important that you be informed and participate. The town meeting is at 7:00 pm at Samuel Staples Elementary School (SSES). Each question will be presented by the appropriate representative of the town or the Region 9 school district (Joel Barlow). Again, speakers will be allowed to speak for three minutes on the question being discussed. No one may speak twice on a question until everyone who wishes to speak on the question has had a chance. Supporting material on the questions can be found on the town website under government/town meeting. Following the town meeting, the questions will be voted on at a referendum on Tuesday, May 6th, at SSES from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm.

The Zoning Board of Appeals will continue to discuss an appeal of the zoning permit issued to Gourmet United for renovations at 440 Sport Hill Road (formerly EVS). This meeting will now be held on Tuesday, April 29th, at 5:30 pm at the Town Hall, Conference Room A. The public may attend.

Aquarion Water Company and the Easton Police Department have asked me to remind residents that Easton’s reservoirs are primary sources of drinking water and not open to recreation. Absolutely no hiking, fishing, or boating is allowed at Aspetuck Reservoir, Hemlock Reservoir, or Easton Lake. Last week, people were fishing off the dam on the Easton Reservoir. The water there is 100 feet deep with all kinds of drains and intake valves. It is incredibly dangerous, so please stay off the dam in particular. For information about where Aquarion welcomes recreation, please visit their website.

Congratulations to Easton Boy Scout Troop 66 on celebrating its 100th anniversary! The first scout meeting was held in Easton in May 1925. Since then, countless scouts have gained experience and knowledge through the troop.

The springtime has historically been a time of heightened concern for brush fires. This year, Connecticut continues to experience abnormally dry conditions, which has significantly increased the fire conditions. There have been several large fires in the tri-state area over the past few weeks. Typically, it is early May before the ground covers green up enough and conditions improve to reduce the open burning concerns. Open burning in Easton is only allowed with a signed permit. Permit applications are available at the Fire Department located at #1 Center Road. Permit holders who have an approved signed permit in hand must call the Easton Fire Department, 203-268-2833, prior to burning to confirm if burning is permitted on that day. The State of Connecticut regulates the approval process for burn days. Open burning is limited to the burning of brush only, on residential property upon which the permittee resides. Only Brush (defined as shrubs, vegetation, or prunings, the diameter of which is not greater than three inches at the widest point) may be burned. No leaves or construction products can be burned. A hose must be available at the burn location. Burn barrels are not to be used without a permit. The fire must be attended. Easton is a very beautiful community where we are fortunate to have hundreds of acres of woodlands. We have a shared obligation to protect our community and our citizens.

Easton Electronic and & Tools Recycling Event is on Saturday, May 3rd, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Samuel Staples Elementary School (rear of school – drive through). ###strong: Computers, Monitors, Printers, Televisions, VCRs, DVD Players, Copiers, Scanners, Video Game Machines, iPods, PDAs, Modems, Keyboards, Computer Mice, Stereo Equipment, Phones, Cameras, Tablets, Microwaves, Small Appliances. Bring Tools you no longer need: Hand Tools, Small Power Tools (to benefit Nourish Bridgeport). Not accepted: Refrigerators, Dehumidifiers, Smoke Detectors, Hazardous Materials. Questions? Contact Take2recycle.com or 800-209-9322.

Easton Pride 2025 Art Contest - Create the next Easton Pride T-Shirt design! Easton Pride is hosting an art contest to celebrate and amplify LGBTQ+ voices in our community! The winning design will be featured on T-shirts or lawn signs throughout Easton, spreading visibility, support, and pride! The winner will receive a $100 cash prize and a free shirt with their design. All ages and art forms are welcome to submit. Deadline is 4/30/25. Details can be found at https://www.eastonctpride.org/

Festival of Hope Food Truck and Craft Festival will be held on Saturday, May 3rd from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Trumbull, Monroe & Easton First Responders and Touch-a-Truck, Cornhole Challenge, Food Trucks, and Craft Festival to benefit The Center for Family Justice at Trumbull Mall (near the bus depot). Open to the public - free admission.

Activities around town:

Need to dispose of your unused or expired medications? Bring them to the Easton Police Department Parking Lot for National RX Take-Back Day at 700 Morehouse Road on Saturday, April 26th, from 10 am-2 pm for safe disposal.

Declutter for a Cause! JBHS is accepting donations of clothing, books, household Goods, and textiles on Saturday, April 26th, from 8:00 am to 11:00 am at the school outside of the building by the Art Rooms and Theater. Questions? Email Edward.chiaramonte@er9.org.

The Easton Public Library will be hosting “Tips to Optimize Brain Health” presented by Dr. Wendy Hurwitz, on Saturday, April 26, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm, and Saturday, May 10, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm in a two-part series. Come and learn easy, simple, drug-free things you can do that may help prevent, reduce, or reverse cognitive decline, and strategies to optimize brain health. Registration is recommended.

Please join the Connecticut Clean Communities on Sunday, April 27th, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Easton Public Library to help safeguard our local watershed by cleaning up harmful waste along our reservoirs. We will supply all the necessary tools and materials! Register on their website: www.ctclean.org. This is something we can do to protect our water right now. Call 203-302-0494 with questions.

Easton Park and Rec invites all Easton families to the Annual Easton Kids Fishing Derby on Sunday, May 4th, 2025, from 8:00 am to 10:30 am at Aspetuck Park, 369 Black Rock Road. Ages 15 and under, Easton residents only. Bring chairs, snacks, and poles. We will provide the live worms. Prizes awarded for the largest, smallest, and most fish caught!

The Easton Public Library will be hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, May 8th, from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm. Sponsored by the Siren Aide of Easton in memory of Ellen Longbine Waugh. Please make an appointment at www.redcrossblood.org / 1-800-RED CROSS.

Garden Mart Plant Sale 2025 on Saturday, May 10th, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm on the Easton Firehouse Green, 1 Center Road, featuring member-grown perennials, colorful annuals, and certified organic herbs for sale. Conservation & Master Gardener Booth, vendors, and more! Cash & Carry. Open to the Public.

SAVE THE DATE! Easton Learning Foundation (ELF) is hosting a Golf Tournament on Monday, May 19th at Tashua Knolls Golf Course. Check in at 8:30 am, shotgun start at 10:00 am, $225.00 per player, $900.00 per foursome. Price includes 2-hour driving range, continental breakfast, lunch at the turn, 2-hour open bar/wine cocktail reception, gift bag, and door prizes. Register at www.elfgolftournament.com. All proceeds to support Easton Schools.

Have a great weekend!

Dave