Nov. 14 Update From Easton First Selectman Lent

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

Nov. 14, 2025

Greetings from Town Hall -

As a life-long Easton resident and dedicated environmentalist, I am truly honored and humbled to have been elected as your next First Selectman. I want to thank the large number of residents who came out to vote — your participation is a testament to the strength and spirit of our town.

I would also like to congratulate and thank all those who were elected to serve Easton. I look forward to working collaboratively with each of you on behalf of our community.

As I begin this new chapter of service, my goal is simple: to unite Easton and bring our community together to preserve what makes Easton home. I believe the excitement and renewed energy around the election show that we are all concerned about preservation and land use, and all share a love for this town and a desire to see it thrive. I will focus on local issues and always fight for Easton!
I encourage everyone to remain engaged in town affairs — attend meetings. Your voices and perspectives are vital to our collective success.

Hats off to our dedicated election volunteers! Moderator Dan Underberger, Dori Wollen, David Smith, Jim Bromer, Tom Herrmann, Sue Smith, John Allan, Donna Checca, Chris Linley, Colleen Monroe, Cathy Alfandre, David and Lee Silvestro, Andrew Manusky, and unofficial poll watchers.

The official results from the November 4th election recounts for the First Selectman, Region 9 Board of Education, and Board of Assessment Appeals positions are HERE. The results of the tie for the Regional Board of Education recount are HERE.

An important public hearing regarding the proposed new private school to be located behind the fire house at 405 Sport Hill Road will be held on Tuesday, November 18, in the Easton Library Community room at 7:00 p.m. I encourage everyone to attend this important hearing.

https://www.eastonct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3071/f/agendas/planning_and_zoning_commission_special_meeting_agenda_11-18-2025.pdf

This is National Veterans and Military Families Month. We extend our deepest gratitude to the brave men and women who have served our country with courage, dedication, and selflessness. Their commitment to protecting our freedoms and upholding our nation’s values is an enduring reminder of the strength and resilience that define America. We are especially proud to recognize and thank the Town employees who have worn the uniform in service to our country. Your leadership, integrity, and sense of duty continue to inspire us every day. Thank you all:

• Tom Ceccarelli, Coast Guard, Retired Easton Police, Town Hall Maintenance Custodian
• Al Doty, Army – Easton Fire Department
• Justin Giorlando, Navy - Easton Land Use Director
• Kent Lyman, Marines - Easton Police Detective
• Dan Monroe, Marines - Easton Police
• Dominick Muoio, Navy SEAL - Easton Police
• Thomas Steinke, Marines - Easton Police

Easton is looking to fill several positions on our Boards and Commissions (listed below). If you are interested, please email dlent@eastonct.gov and Treynolds@eastonct.gov with a statement of interest and a resume.

• Board of Police Commissioners, Member (expected to be available)
• Commission for the Aging, Member
• Easton Diversity & Inclusion Task Force, Member
• EMS Commission, Member
• Land Preservation and Acquisition Authority, Alternate
• Library Board of Trustees, Alternate
• Park and Recreation Commission, Member
• Planning and Zoning, Alternate

A public hearing for the Conservation Commission regarding an application for a development on Plum Tree Lane was held on November 10th. The Plum Tree Lane LLC attorneys requested a continuance to next Thursday, November 20th.

I will keep you posted on important town information in this weekly email. Please read further for news on other Easton events. Again, I am honored to serve as your First Selectman and look forward to working with all of you.

Have a great weekend!

Dan

The Easton Garden Club’s 2025 Holiday Edition of the Easton Farm Map, celebrating Easton’s Agricultural history and Easton as the Christmas Tree Capital of CT, is ready for download: https://www.eastongardenclubof.... Each year, the Easton Garden Club supports our Easton Tree Farms & Stands and those Farms creating Holiday Cheer by publishing a Holiday version of our Easton Farm Map. The Map highlights the location of Christmas Tree Farms & Stands, Farms, Restaurants, and Markets open during the Holiday season. As always, check before you go! Hours of operation and openings may vary.

Easton was officially awarded the title Christmas Tree Capital of Connecticut (CTCC) in 2021. In 2025, the Easton Agricultural Commission took over the campaign and will keep up the tradition of partnering with the Easton Garden Club by providing the names of the farms to be featured on the Holiday Edition of the Easton Farm Map. Please contact The Easton Garden Club to learn more about the Easton Farm Map and the Ag Commission julie.eastonag@gmail.com to learn about our Easton Farms and more about Easton - The Christmas Tree Capital of CT.

The second annual Robert Lessler Citizenship Award presentation will take place on Saturday, November 22nd, at 2:30 pm in the Easton Library Community Room. All are invited to attend to support good citizenship in our town. This year’s winners are John and Phyllis Machledt. John and Phyllis showed how their contacts can work together when scouts and their parents from Troops 66 and 25, girls and moms from the National Charity League, and members of the Friends of the Easton Library moved 308 boxes of donated books from Jesse Lee United Methodist Church to Easton Library, involving Easton volunteers ages 12 – 80 in a wonderful community effort they spearheaded. Congratulations and thank you to John and Phyllis. Please join us as we present them with the award and celebrate their work promoting the common good in Easton.

Around Town:

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. It is too late for physical donations; however, if you are interested in making a monetary donation to help cover the shipping of the boxes, please click here: https://joelbarlowpto.membersh... (It's about $30 per box to ship, but you can donate as little or as much as you like.)

The Easton Learning Foundation’s (ELF) Online Auction is LIVE! Don’t miss your chance to bid on amazing sports memorabilia and even a signed photo of Taylor Swift and Marilyn Monroe — talk about iconic! These one-of-a-kind items make perfect holiday gifts. Bidding ends November 18th — don’t wait! https://elf.betterworld.org/au...

Successfully Navigating College Admissions This Fall (For 9-12 Graders and Their Families) will be held on Wednesday, November 19th, 7:30 p.m. (Virtual) This is a free Zoom presentation led by Ron Feuchs and Jackie Tepper, partners at Stand Out for College, LLC, designed to help families of high school students better understand the college admissions process and how to navigate its evolving landscape. Ron and Jackie will discuss current college admissions trends, effective admissions strategies, the changing test-optional environment, and the importance of researching and visiting colleges to find the right fit. The presentation will also outline a helpful timeline and action steps for the fall to help reduce stress and keep students on track. Register HERE for November 19
JBHS PTO Holiday Helpers: Take the stress out of the season with two great fundraisers! Bring holiday cheer to your home or send it to a friend!

• Festive 10” Welcome Pot - Greened with Fraser fir, juniper, cedar, adorned with natural decorations and a bow. $25
• Gorgeous 15” Holiday Keg Barrel - Dark brown whiskey barrel decorated with a spruce, cedar, boxwood, white pine, pine cones, decorations & a bow. $45

Order by November 20th. Items will be available for pick up at JBHS the first week of December. Local delivery to Easton/Redding homes is available for an additional $7. Here is the link: https://joelbarlowpto.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/360833

Christ Church and nOURrish Bridgeport are looking for volunteers. The parish supports the food pantry and families served by nOURish Bridgeport. On the third Thursday of every other month, the parish prepares and serves dinner-to-go for over 100 people. Parish volunteer evenings are at nOURish on Thursday, November 20th. Shifts (choose one or both): 3-5:30 pm (kitchen prep), 5:45-7 pm (serving). Please email Jim Swann jrswann@jrswann.com to volunteer. nOURish's food pantry is also in need of volunteers on Wednesdays from 2 to 6 pm, to help pack groceries, register clients, and load groceries. Sign up directly via nOURish Bridgeport's website here.

Annual Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 6th at 5:00 pm at Christ Church Easton. Come early at 4:00 pm for "Cookies with Santa" hosted by CCNS (Christ Church Nursery School)! Join us to light up the night with warmth and music! Conditions permitting, we'll sing Christmas carols around the blazing bonfire. Hot cocoa and baked goods will be available by donation, benefiting the Lakota children of the Cheyenne River Reservation. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight!

The Easton Police Department is having a Stuff a Cruiser Toy Drive on Sunday, December 7th, from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Help donate new toys to give children in need a better holiday season.

Save the Date: The Library’s Friends organization is gearing up for our Annual Holiday Market and Tree Lighting on Sunday, December 7th, from 3-6:00 p.m. This event is always eagerly awaited, and for good reason. There will be something to delight young and old alike: craft projects for the kids; vendors in the Community Room for holiday shopping; coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies; and the fantastically popular photo booth and Penguin Popper whack-a-mole game - courtesy of Easton’s Parks and Rec. Santa and Mrs. Claus will make an appearance at 3:30, and the Joel Barlow Chamber Singers will serenade us with caroling at 4:30. They will be followed by the highlight of the afternoon: the lighting of Easton’s holiday tree at 5:15. For more information, please visit our webpage: https://eastonlibraryfriends.org/. Details can also be found at the library. PS: The penguin decorations will make an appearance, too.

The Easton Senior Center’s Holiday Boutique is in full swing and is going on until December 22, 2025. Come by and visit the Holiday Boutique at the Easton Senior Center, Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. (except Holiday's) There will be special Hours on Saturday, November 22, 2025 (from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm), and Saturday, December 6, 2025 (from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm). A huge assortment of brand-new items for holiday gift giving! Christmas items, housewares, clothing, and jewelry. ***Proceeds benefit our seniors***

The Easton Garden Club’s Annual Wreath & Poinsettia sale is open! Proceeds go to projects and activities that benefit our Easton Community. Shop for Poinsettia, Traditional Evergreen Wreaths & Roping, Holiday Magnolia Wreaths and Garlands, Live 18-24” Magnolia and Colorado Blue Spruce Gift Trees, Native Seed Gift Kits, Nature-inspired Gift Sets for Kids, and More. To learn more and shop, visit www.eastongardenclubofct.org/w.... The Easton Garden Club of CT is a community of gardeners working to protect the environment and improve the quality of life in Easton through contributory and charitable activities www.eastongardenclubofct.org.