Jan. 3 Update From Easton First Selectman Bindelglass

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

Jan. 3, 2024

Good afternoon and Happy New Year!

The state could see up to a seven-day stretch of sub-freezing temperatures so I want to remind folks that if they are having issues with the cold please call the non-emergency police number, (203)268-4111, and we can open up warming centers. For assistance with heating fuel call our municipal agent, Daniel Simonetti at (203) 268-1137.

Last night at the Board of Selectmen meeting, we reappointed 24 members of boards and commissions in Easton whose terms had expired. Remarkably, we have had ten applicants for our Board of Finance opening. The willingness of our citizens to volunteer to serve our town is truly impressive.

Starting January 5, 2025, vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone in Manhattan—local streets and avenues at or below 60 Street, will be charged a toll. The program will reduce traffic, improve air quality, and fund better public transit. The toll amount will depend on the type of vehicle, time of day, whether any crossing credits apply, and the method of payment. Most vehicles with E-ZPass will be charged $9 during the peak period or $2.25 overnight, once daily. Discounts or exemptions may apply – visit mta.info/discounts for more details. E-ZPass is the best way to pay the toll. Drivers will be able to pay with their existing E-ZPass transponder and account. If you already have an E-ZPass account, make sure it is up to date with your current license plate number to ensure you are charged the E-ZPass toll rate and receive any peak period crossing credits. For more information, visit congestionreliefzone.mta.info. Sign up for newsletter updates at mta.info/crznewsletter.

WWII Veteran Joseph Falco passed away at the age of 103. Please see his obituary at https://www.adzimafuneralhome.com/obituary/joseph-falco
The Easton Public Library is hosting “Connecticut Cryptids: A Field Guide to the Weird and Wonderful Creatures of the Nutmeg State” on Saturday, January 11th at 2:00 pm. Join Author Patrick Scalisi and Artist Valerie Ruby-Omen for a talk about their book, Connecticut Cryptids. They'll explain the concepts of "cryptozoology" and "cryptids," followed by a live storytelling session of interest to Easton (yes, there are cryptids lurking near Easton!). There will also be time for questions and a chance to purchase signed books and prints from the creators. High School – Adult Registration is required.

Disposal of holiday trees: The Town of Easton accepts old holiday trees for recycling. Please remove all foreign materials such as lights, decorations, and plastic bags from the tree. Under state law, trees are considered yard waste and must be recycled like brush, grass clippings, and leaves. Please deposit trees in the marked area at the Public Works Department yard, 15 Westport Road. Or, you can call RWS Sanitation for pick up for a fee of $15.00. The Trumbull Transfer Station does not accept Easton brush, and therefore cannot accept Christmas trees.

The Town Clerk would like to remind all recently appointed nominees for the Office of Justice of the Peace, that they will need to come to take their Oath of Office by Monday, January 6, 2025. The Town Clerk’s Office is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 to 4:30, we do not close for lunch.

To date, Easton’s generosity has enabled our sister city, Sviatohirsk, Ukraine, to acquire a dump truck, build a water filtration system, and design and start a wood pellet-generating machine to heat homes last winter. Yet the need for electric power remains critical. Rebuilding and surviving in Sviatohirsk remains precarious. Access to power in all of Ukraine, including Sviatohirsk, is limited by these stark realities:

Ninety percent of all power-generating sources have been damaged or destroyed

Sviatohirsk receives only six-eight hours of electric current in two-hour intervals per day

Rolling blackouts average six hours each day

Ukraine Aid International reports that most damaged or destroyed power stations remain offline. As a result, homes unable to burn wood pellets are now in their second winter with no heat. Some businesses and community facilities are barely sustainable. Sviatohirsk, Easton’s sister city in Ukraine, once again needs Easton’s help to rebuild vital infrastructure and power sources to re-establish their economy and way of life. Easton’s Ukraine Aid International committee is relying on your generosity to deliver to Sviatohirsk an initial ten 5-10 kW petrol-powered generators. Prices for each generator range from $1,000 to $1,500. This sets our campaign goal at $15,000. Our fundraising for generators will be ongoing since power has now become the most pressing need in many parts of Ukraine. Consider this: if 600 Easton households donated $25, we will reach our initial goal of ten generators! We can then set our sights on a second wave of ten! Consider asking friends and family to give a $25 household donation. https://donorbox.org/sviatohirsk-easton-sister-cities

Activities Around Town:
Families Considering Joel Barlow High School for Their Students - Save the Date! The annual Orientation Evening for our Program of Studies will be held in our Auditorium on Monday, January 6th, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The inclement weather/snow date is Thursday, January 9, 2025. The orientation will focus on course offerings, graduation requirements, and the course selection process for the 2025-2026 school year. This evening is most useful for parents and guardians of incoming ninth graders or new students, but may also benefit those seeking clarification of options.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Dave