Nov. 21 Update From Easton First Selectman Lent

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

Nov. 21, 2025

Greetings from Town Hall -

"A Watershed moment" in Easton's history.

I want to reiterate how pleased I am with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s (PURA) decision to deny the proposed sale of the Aquarion Water Company. To be blunt, this sale would have been a total disaster for Easton. This outcome reflects months of advocacy and collaboration, and it reinforces my commitment to protecting Easton’s residents, local control, and long-term sustainability. We are grateful to everyone who voiced concerns and worked to ensure this important decision was reached. See article here in the Patch.

The Planning & Zoning Commission held a Public Hearing on Tuesday, November 18th, at 7:00 PM at the Library. During the meeting, the Special Permit for the Accessory Apartment on Wilson Road was approved. However, the Special Permits for the private school at 405 Sport Hill Road and the addition to the rear of the Easton Public Library were both continued to the next P&Z meeting on Tuesday, December 2nd.

As promised to the voters, I participated as an Ex Officio Member of the Planning & Zoning Commission. I also obtained an independent engineering report and testified during public comment, highlighting issues with the current private school application to assist the P&Z members in their review. A link to the engineering report can be found HERE. I encourage everyone to attend the next public hearing, date to be decided, but likely on December 16th, 2025, regarding the private school.

The continuance of the public hearing regarding Plum Tree Lane was held on Thursday evening at SSES. I submitted an independent engineering review letter and spoke during public comment, confirming that no independent civil engineering evaluation had been conducted for the project concerning stormwater, runoff, and Total Suspended Solids (TSS)—factors that negatively impact the wetlands and the Mill River, a threatened Class A Trout Stream. The project presentation also lacked several essential engineering analyses and required research elements, such as infiltration and stormwater testing data. Trout Unlimited’s Nutmeg Chapter submitted a letter opposing the project. The hearing has been continued once again and will resume on Monday, December 8, at 7:00 p.m. at SSES. A link to the engineering letter is HERE.

Reminder: The Town Hall will be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 27th, and Friday, November 28th. May your Thanksgiving be filled with joy, gratitude, and safe travels as you celebrate with the people who matter most.

Thanksgiving Fire Safety Reminder: Thanksgiving is the leading day for home cooking fires, and the Easton Fire Marshal’s Office encourages everyone to stay alert in the kitchen. With multiple dishes cooking and plenty of holiday distractions, it’s important to keep a close eye on what’s on the stove or in the oven. Key tips include staying in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop, checking your turkey regularly, using timers, keeping flammable items away from heat sources, and keeping children and pets at least three feet from cooking areas. Turkey fryers that use oil pose serious burn risks and must only be used outdoors, never in a garage or on a porch. Follow these simple precautions to help ensure a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Thank you to our Town Clerk, Debbie Szegedi, and Assistants Holly Konstantino and Genevieve Waterbury for their outstanding work managing absentee ballots and handling the many responsibilities that come with an election. Their dedication keeps the process running smoothly, and we are grateful for all they do.

After a long wait, we finally have a new U.S.P.S. Post Box! It is located next to the ballot box between the Library and the Town Hall/Police station. And if you happen to be visiting the post box or the library, please take a look across the street at the helpful new signage on the building, “Town of Easton, Town Hall and Police Station.” Also, if you happen to drive by in the evening, you’ll be treated to the beautiful sight of the large evergreen tree glowing with festive Christmas lights. It’s a cheerful reminder that the holiday season is upon us.

I met with our United Illuminating contact, Gary Lane, this week, and he shared with me information regarding a battery backup program available for homes and commercial buildings. For more information, click here: Energy Storage Solutions – A new energy storage program for Connecticut Eversource and UI customers.

We are deeply grateful to the firefighters from Easton and Trumbull for their swift and courageous response in containing a rather intense brush fire near the reservoir. Their professionalism, dedication, and quick action helped prevent the fire from spreading further and safeguarded both the surrounding environment and nearby homes. We are fortunate to have such skilled and committed first responders in our community.

The Easton Public Library is looking for community feedback to update its Strategic Plan within the next few months, and we would like to get input from the community on their collections, programs, services, staff, and facilities. Your feedback is very important to them. This survey should take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Thanks for your time! Here is the link to the survey.

Have a great weekend!

Dan

AROUND TOWN
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.

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.

Join us for an evening of art, accompanied by curated bites, fine libations, and live music at the Easton Arts Council Photography Show reception, Saturday, November 22, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm at the Easton Public Library, Community Room Gallery. The critiques will be posted for the winning photographers, and the award presentation is at 7:00 pm. View the winning photograph that will be added to the collection at the Easton Town Hall Gallery.

The Municipal Agents giving tree is back for a second year, starting on Monday, November 24th, and accepting items until Wednesday, December 18th. All items go to seniors in Easton. Item tags can be picked up in person, or feel free to call Dan Simonelli at 203-268-1137 between 8 am and 3:30 pm. Please wrap items if possible (totally okay if not) and place the tag with the item(s).

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 including Jason Curtis, Connecticut's finest glass artist and native of Easton, and Dolly Curtis will be selling the much-sought-after handblown holiday ornaments; 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. 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 9:00 am to 2:00 pm), and Saturday, December 6, 2025 (from 9:00 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 here. 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.

Looking for some holiday goodies or a great hostess gift? The Congregational Church of Easton at 336 Westport Road, Easton, CT 06612, is having its 10th Annual Cookie Sale in memory of Nathalie Taranto. Order a variety of homemade cookies and treats. You can purchase a box for $27, cash, check, or PayPal only. Order forms are available on our website: eastonchurch.org. Order forms must be submitted before Wednesday, December 3, 2025, to cookiesale2015@gmail.com or mailed to: P.O. Box 37, Easton, CT 06612. Pickup on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 10 AM to 12 Noon