May 30 Update From Easton First Selectman Bindelglass

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

May 30, 2025

Good afternoon,

We had a wonderful Memorial Day parade and ceremony. It was great to see so many of our community come together. The Sport Hill race demonstration and especially the hill climb were awesome to watch and enjoyed by many. We hope to make it an annual event, and if you can, don’t miss it next year. There are plenty of people to thank for their hard work to see both events to fruition.

The 6th Annual Pride Flag Raising Ceremony will begin at 3:00 pm on Sunday, June 1st at Town Hall. There will be an ice cream truck, speakers, and pride swag.

I have spoken a great deal about the proposed sale of the Aquarion Water Company. The town, through our council of governments, has filed as official intervenors in the approval process by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority. This is a statutory process that gives the town a more substantial role in the proceedings. Separately, PURA will hold a public hearing on June 25. I will pass on more details when they are known, as well as potential talking points for any members of the public who want to testify. I would urge people to voice their opinions.

Another hot topic around town is the Saddle Ridge property. This has been a contentious piece of property for many years and has been overseen by Judge Berger in Superior Court, who last ruled on the property in 2017. That decision is posted on the town website at: https://www.eastonct.gov/planning-and-zoning-commission/pages/easton-crossing-saddle-ridge-information. It summarizes the previous history well. The owners are proposing to sell the property to a developer, who last night presented their proposal for developing the property. What they are proposing is a “conservation development,” a concept which I would suggest you search to learn more about. It is covered in section 5900 of our zoning regulations: https://www.eastonct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3071/f/pages/easton_zoning_regulations_-_effective_july_7_2024.pdf. When a permit application is officially filed, it will be heard by the Planning and Zoning Commission, including a public hearing. I continue to be confounded at how people can always suggest that there is some behind-the-scenes “back room deal.” The permit process is a very open and statutorily driven process.

On Wednesday, the Connecticut General Assembly passed legislation dealing with housing in the state, HB5002. It is a roughly 105-page bill, and I have heard or read several very different interpretations of what it actually means. I do not rush to conclusions, but we will closely monitor its progress and what actually becomes law if it is signed, and specifically, the implications for Easton. This, too, remains an emotional issue, but first we need to understand what we are dealing with.

A friendly reminder to all dog owners that JUNE is dog licensing month. All dogs six months or older residing in Connecticut MUST have a current license. For more information please visit https://www.eastonct.gov/town-clerk/pages/dog-licenses

A generous Easton resident has donated lawn signs to help encourage safer driving in our neighborhoods. These bright green signs, featuring the Easton Town seal, display the messages “Take it Slow!” and “Slow Down in Town” to remind drivers to reduce their speed. Residents are welcome to pick up a sign. The signs should be placed on roads where speed has been identified as a problem (Judd Road and Burr Street, for example). If you live in an area where you believe there are speeding issues, please take one. The town cannot place signs on people’s property.

Congratulations to the following new Eagle Scouts: Lauren Unfried (Bluebird Trail created at the Aspetuck Park for the Easton Garden Club’s Bluebird Conservation initiative has happily increased the safe habitat for the bluebirds in our town), Toni Erian (two sensory garden carts, artistically designed and planned will provide valuable assistance to those in need at the Easton Garden Club), and Penny LaMastro (interactive play tables and chairs, shaped and painted to resemble happy animals, will comfort other patients in the Pediatric Unit of Yale New Haven Hospital). All were honored on Sunday, May 25th.

Around Town:

Easton’s 1st Annual Farmhouse Flea & Community Tag Sale is on Saturday, May 31st from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Christ Church, 59 Church Road, Easton. This should be a great time to meet folks. Public admission is free.

The Center for Family Justice (CFJ) invites the public to help raise awareness and take a stand against gender-based violence and raise funds for CFJ’s Camp Hope-Bridgeport during its 13th Annual “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes®” on Saturday, May 31st at the downtown Fairfield Train Station. Registration starts at 8:00 am, start time is at 9:00 am. Please register in person or online https://bit.ly/cfjwam25. The cost is $25 for adults and $10 for students.

There will be a concert for Ukraine featuring Roots Oscura and Mill River Band on Sunday, June 1st from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Ashlar-Aspetuck Lodge, 200 Center Road, Easton, CT. Bring a lawn chair, picnic basket, and a friend. Free admission. Donations encouraged. Parking is across the street at the Easton Library.

There will be an Open House at the Lakewood-Trumbull YMCA at 204 Stanley Road, Monroe, CT (on Route 59) on Saturday, June 7th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. It’s an excellent way to check out their three outdoor pools and other great amenities!

Easton Library Friends announces the 2nd Annual Craft Beer Tasting to be held at Greiser's on Wednesday, June 11th, from 6 until 8 PM. This year, we are featuring beers from Nod Hill Brewing, music by Shannon McMahon, and dinner by Greiser’s. Tickets can be purchased for music, dinner, and beer ($35) or just music and dinner for non-beer drinkers ($25). Come enjoy a wonderful evening with your neighbors. To purchase tickets, please visit https://eastonlibraryfriends.org/.

Easton Night at Quassy 2.0 will be on Friday, June 13th, from 4:30 to 8:30 pm. Unlimited rides, free parking, closed to the public! Buy tickets at www.eastonctpto.com: $26 for PTO members (check your email for code), $30 for non-members, and $35 day of at the park. (Rain date Monday, June 16).

The Library Friends group is also pleased to support the revival of the much-loved Children’s Storybook Parade on Friday, June 20th (All Ages, 1:00-2:30 pm) to kick off the Summer Reading program. Children may dress up as their favorite storybook character, carry their favorite book, carry a storybook poster, or wear a homemade mask representing their favorite character. Also, on June 20th, Dancin’ with Hoops (All Ages, 3:00-4:00 pm).

Milling work by the state DOT will begin on Sport Hill Road between Old Oak and Westport Road on Saturday, June 15. The work will be done at night from 7:00 pm to 5:00 am for approximately five days. Paving will follow, beginning on June 24. As part of the project, our DPW has negotiated with the state to also fix a significant drainage issue by Snow’s Farm.

Best wishes for a great weekend!

Dave