Nov. 1 Update From Easton First Selectman Bindelglass

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

Nov. 1, 2024

Good afternoon,

Many of you received a somewhat cryptic and disturbing letter from the Aquarion Water Company regarding lead in pipes connecting to your house’s water system. I have spoken to the water company and have been told several things. While the water company owns the water mains, from the house to the road is owned by the homeowner. If you have a well, this does not apply at all. Houses built after 1960, I am told, are unlikely to have lead pipes. The initiative to inventory what types of pipe are where is being driven by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They mandate much of the wording. For more information please see below:

Here is a link to the service line inventory map: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/90037ef48d37404ea44e09efaaddd588. Any resident in our service territory can look up their address to see what we have on record for their service line (both customer and utility side). Aquarion's website has a comprehensive set of lead information as well: https://www.aquarionwater.com/water-quality/learn-about-lead This is a great resource. Also, here is a link to the Consumer Confidence Report for the most recent year for the Bridgeport Main System: https://www.aquarionwater.com/docs/default-source/water-quality/water-quality-reports/ct/2023/bridgeportmain_ccr_2023.pdf?sfvrsn=64d7a1bc_12.

Aquarion stresses that they consistently comply with all Federal and State water quality standards, including those for lead. Even if a customer has lead service lines, Aquarion is adjusting the chemistry in the water to prevent corrosion that could result in lead in the tap. Before these new rules, that was the long-standing regulation to protect consumers from lead. The lead service line inventory is a belt and suspenders approach across the country to remove lead from drinking water infrastructure. The water has been, and will continue to be, safe.

We are thrilled to announce the Connecticut Paraeducator of the Year as our own Ms. Keysha Evans!! She was also named Paraeducator of the Year in the town of Trumbull. She previously worked at Tashua Elementary School before coming to Samuel Staples Elementary this school year. Trumbull Public Schools Superintendent Martin Semmel called her “a shining example.” As many Easton parents know, Keysha works for our Extended Day program. What many of you are unaware of, is that Keysha has worked for Easton Park & Recreation Extended Day since 2007. She is the current Director of Extended Day. Keysha was honored at Tashua Elementary School and interviewed by News Channel 8 & 12 on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 View here: https://www.wtnh.com/ and https://connecticut.news12.com/. We are so proud to know Keysha and to have her as part of the Easton Park & Recreation family. Congratulations Keysha, this honor is well deserved!

Get ready for the Twelfth Night - William Shakespeare's romantic comedy involves mistaken identities, love, and practical jokes. This version takes place at a beach community in the early 1970s. Presented by the Theater Department at Joel Barlow High School. Shows are scheduled for Friday, November 1st at 7:00 PM, Saturday, November 2nd at 7:00 PM, and Sunday, November 3rd at 2:00 PM at Joel Barlow High School, 100 Black Rock Turnpike, Redding, CT 06896. Friday is student night - free bag of popcorn for students! Visit here for ticket information, or to purchase tickets at the door. $15 adults and $10 students & seniors. JBHS.BookTix.com

Save the date! Please join us at the Easton Senior Center on Monday, November 4th for a Breakfast (9:30 am) and a Concert (11:00 am) to thank our Veterans. All are welcome. Please call to sign up 203-268-1145.

The Senior Center’s Annual Holiday Boutique will also be starting on Monday, November 4th at 8:00 am. Cheryl Constand and Piku Barooah are chairing this year’s boutique and it promises to be sensational due to the wonderful response from our community!

The Senior Center will be providing their final vaccinations for Flu, Covid, RSV, pneumonia, and Shingles to local seniors on Friday, November 8th from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (Extensions may be allowed.) Registration is required. The new November Senior Center program has been mailed. Feel free to call for a copy 203-268-1145.

Dr. Vivian Hardison, Psychologist and Self-care Expert will be hosting a special workshop “Loneliness: How to Conquer it” at the Easton Senior Center on Wednesday, November 13th from 11:00 am until noon. Are you ready to explore some new possibilities to experience a more vibrant life? Discussion will include 1) The Power of Your Thoughts, 2) Understanding the Role of Your Emotions, 3) How to Conquer Loneliness, 4) Q&A. Registration is required.

Easton Town Hall is partnering with the “300 Boodle Brigade” (a West Point parent group) to send holiday care packages to our troops who are deployed overseas during the holidays. Goods may be dropped off at the Town Hall (or at Helen Keller Middle School) by Friday, November 15th. For a list of items to donate please go to: https://www.eastonct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3071/f/pages/holiday_care_packages_for_our_troops.png. Feel free to bring your donations to the Town Hall front desk. To learn more about “300 Boodle Brigade” see the following links:

• https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/dec/25/dawn-worralls-project-to-send-love-to-troops-overs/
• Volunteers wanted to help put together military care packages Wednesday | Bloglander

Please remember that if you have posted political or event signs, kindly remove them after the date has passed.

As I am sure you have heard, Connecticut is in a state of civil preparedness emergency. A ban on all outdoor fires in the Town of Easton has been issued by Easton Fire Marshal Schuyler Sherwood. Please heed this warning. We have a shared obligation to protect our community and our citizens. We ask that everyone remain extremely vigilant and report any concerns immediately by dialing 911. For more information, please click here.

On October 21st, I had the pleasure of presenting Jennifer Weil, the winner of the Easton Photography Contest! This event is sponsored by the Easton Arts Council. The photo, called “House by the Aspetuck”, will be permanently displayed at Town Hall.

Early Voting is still being held until Sunday, November 3rd from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. in the Easton Public Library Community Room at 691 Morehouse Road, Easton, CT. Election Day voting will be held at Samuel Staples Elementary School on Tuesday, November 5th from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. You can register in person there as well. Our registrars have been working extremely hard so please thank them when you see them. They certainly deserve it. Don’t forget to vote!

I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween.

Best wishes for a great weekend,

Dave