August 8 Update From Easton First Selectman Bindelglass

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

Aug. 8, 2025

Good afternoon,

The Easton Fireman's Carnival was a great success with huge crowds supported by great weather. A good time was had by all. It needs to be remembered that the carnival is a huge undertaking and a tremendous about of work by our volunteer fire company. Thank you for your incredible dedication and hard work to make this great event possible and all year ‘round.

At last night’s Board of Selectmen, we approved the purchase of our first EV police court. This was a recommendation of the energy task force and Chief Koskinas who has had extensive experience with EV’s in Westport where they make up 20% of the fleet. We will realize an immediate cost savings, on purchase from our budgeted amount, decreased maintenance costs and longer usable lives by several years.

The TUNNEL TO TOWERS 9/11 INSTITUTE™ 9/11 NEVER FORGET MOBILE EXHIBIT will be at the Easton Congregational Church, 290 Center Road, on Friday, August 8th, from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm, and Saturday, August 9th, from 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm. Thursday there was a memorable procession as the exhibit rolled down Center St. to its temporary home. The 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit is a tribute to all who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, including the 343 members of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) who made the ultimate sacrifice, and all who continue to lose their lives to 9/11-related illnesses. This high-tech, 83-foot tractor-trailer, which transforms into a 1,100-square-foot exhibit, is a tool to further educate people across the country about the events of that tragic day. Tours are given by first responders who were eyewitnesses to history. This is a free event brought to Connecticut by the Staples Academy Foundation and its community partners. Timed tickets for entry will be available online for this two-day event HERE. Parking is limited, so free shuttle buses have been provided. There is free parking at the Easton Senior Center and Samuel Staples Elementary School. Please arrive early for your scheduled visit time. Many folks in town have worked extremely hard to make this event happen in Easton.

There have been a lot of questions about the renumbering of exits on the Merritt Parkway. Quoting Senator Tony Hwang’s press release, “The transition includes Exit 44 (and 46) and will roll out statewide. Aligned with national standards, this change improves GPS accuracy, emergency response, and future infrastructure scalability”.

We will be convening a task force to review our relationship with the Aspetuck health district which provides public health support and sanitation (septic approvals etc.). We have been members for four years and this would seem to be a good time to evaluate how that relationship is going.

Also, the Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA) has heard all the testimony we have given on the sale of the Aquarion water company. They will reach a tentative decision probably in October. Then there is a comment period. There will be no public comment per se, but the town will be able to comment because we are officially intervenors. Given the questioning at the hearings, including actual questioning by PURA attorneys, I am cautiously optimistic that either significant conditions will come with the approval of the deal, or the deal will be rejected, but we will see.

SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR 16TH ANNUAL FARM TOUR!!! (Rain or Shine) Saturday, August 9th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, sponsored by Citizens for Easton. Participants must start at the Samuel Staples Elementary School Pavilion to obtain a map so as not to miss any new farms! There are new and expanded farms participating this year with lots of engaging activities for the kiddos! Many tasty treats for adults and kids alike...

South Park Avenue will continue to be closed between Tersana Drive and Riverside Lane for drainage work. As of today, and weather permitting, this closure will last until Friday, August 15. Please follow detour signs to get around the closure. You can view the Detour Map here. If you have any questions, please call Easton Public Works Dept. at (203) 268-0714.

Thursday I was honored to participate in a ceremony marking Governor Lamont’s announcement that Connecticut is entering into a sister-state agreement with the Donetsk region of Ukraine. That is the region where our sister city Sviatohirsk is located.

Around town:

The “Grow a Row Program” for Easton Seniors is underway. Donations of homegrown produce or items purchased from Easton farms can be dropped off at Shaggy Coos Farm at 53 Center Road on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon, beginning July 8, for volunteers to deliver the food to Easton’s seniors.
C2 Education will be at the Easton Public Library to offer a free SAT or ACT Practice Test, followed by a results and feedback session for Grades 9-12 on Saturday, August 14th at 3:30 p.m. *Note: The SAT is now digital, and this practice test will be as well. Registrants need a device (no tablets or phones), Library WiFi, and a Bright Space account (provided by C2). The ACT will still be on paper. Please register HERE.

A Beginner's Course on the Dos & Don'ts of Foraging at the Easton Public Library on Wednesday, August 20th, at 7:00 p.m. Presenter Gina Pagano will explain how to forage ethically and sustainably, as well as what to do and what not to do. She will discuss a few items that are easy to identify and find each season. She will also try to bring a few samples for participants to try. Registration is recommended.

Have a safe and enjoyable weekend!

Dave