Feb. 21 Update From Easton First Selectman Bindelglass

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

Feb. 21, 2025

Good afternoon,

The department heads have been hard at work with their budgets this week, and the Finance Director and I continue to review them. Budgets will be presented to the Board of Finance beginning the first week in March. The budget will be presented to the town at a Public Information Session on Monday, March 24, 2025. The Annual Town Meeting will meet to consider the budget and other items on Monday, April 28, 2025, and the referendum to approve the items discussed at the Town Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

Effective March 7, Town Hall will close at 1:00 pm on Fridays (but open a bit earlier). Demand for services is typically low on Friday afternoons, and many surrounding towns have reduced or eliminated Friday hours without adverse effects. Hours will remain 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday through Thursday, and Fridays will change to 8:00 am – 1:00 pm.

I had the privilege of attending the swearing-in of our newest Police Sergeant, Robert Roj.
Easton Police Officer Tamra French and her K-9 TJ are once again in the running for a grant and are looking for more votes. The duo is among 29 K-9 units across the country vying for a Hometown Heroes Foundation grant. The Cheshire-based charity will award three grants totaling $12,000 to police K-9 units that are not fully funded by their local and state municipalities and that rely heavily on private donations. The top three law enforcement agencies with the most votes will be declared winners, with the first-place winner receiving $5,000; the second-place winner, $4,000; and the third-place winner, $3,000. French and TJ won the $5,000 prize last year and look to reclaim that prize again this year. As of now, they are in second place with 4,331 votes and are looking for more. If TJ wins a grant, French will use it to pay for his food and vet care. The grant will also be used for training, which would enable TJ to do his job even better. You can vote online at https://k9.hometownfoundation.org/ and you can find TJ on Instagram @eastonpd_k9tj.

Activities around town:
The Staples Academy Foundation is hosting a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser on Saturday, February 22nd from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Congregational Church Hall, 336 Westport Road in Easton. Only $20 for adults, $10 for kids and seniors over 65. They are also hosting an Irish Music Concert on Thursday, March 13th at 7:00 pm and a St. Patrick's Day Dinner on Saturday, March 15th from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Tickets to all events can be purchased here: https://staplesacademyfoundation.org/

The Easton Public Library is hosting “Building a Lasting Legacy: Essential Estate and Tax Planning Strategies for Retirement” on Tuesday, February 25th, at 6:00 p.m. Learn how you can potentially protect your hard-earned resources for the next generation. You will also learn about advanced strategies to help enhance the legacy you leave behind, while also benefiting you today. Presented by Michael Alimo, President of USA Financial & Tax Services LLC. Register Here

Easton P&R is partnering with Redding P&R to offer our residents this amazing New York City Bus Trip that leaves from the Redding Community Center (RCC). NY Rangers vs. Edmonton Oilers Hockey Game at MSG - Sunday, March 16th leaving the RCC at 3:00 pm for a 7:00 pm game. Seats are in section 216. The price for the trip is just $182. Sign up online at www.townofreddingct.org (Under Trips/Events, "Redding Express Trips"). Questions? Call Redding P&R at (203) 938-2551.

Have a nice weekend,

Dave