Nov. 26 Update From Easton First Selectman Lent

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

Nov. 26, 2025

Greetings from Town Hall!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Apologies, we recently realized that Mary Randolph and Paul Lindoerfer were inadvertently left off our list of poll workers. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to both of them for their valuable service and dedication. Thanks!

I was very pleased to attend the Easton Arts Council Photography Show reception last Saturday at the Easton Public Library’s Community Room Gallery. There was so much talent on display and a real sense of community celebrating the arts. This year’s Easton photo First Place winner was “SHADOW ARCHITECTURE” by Kit Briner (on left next to his work in the gold frame). As a special highlight, the winning photograph will soon be added to the permanent collection at the Easton Town Hall Gallery. 2nd prize for a photo in Easton by Ben Carter for Aspetuck Valley Orchard. First prize in the General category was taken by Thomas Savard for BIRDS IN FLIGHT STUDY #7.

IMPORTANT PUBLIC HEARINGS!

• The next Conservation Commission Public Hearing will be held on Monday, December 8th, at 7:00 p.m. at SSES regarding the Plum Tree Lane (60-unit affordable housing apartment building and 9 townhouses proposed next to the Mill River). Link to November 20th Conservation Commission Hearing.
• The next P&Z Public Hearing meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 16th, at the Easton Public Library Community Room to discuss the Special Permits for the proposed private school at 405 Sport Hill Road and the addition to the rear of the Easton Public Library. Link to November 18th Planning and Zoning Hearing.
• If you wish to receive updates regarding these meetings, please subscribe here! https://www.eastonct.gov/subsc...

REMINDER: Town Hall Closes at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, November 26. 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.

PLEASE URGENTLY CONSIDER SIGNING THE PETITION AGAINST HB 8002, (which was done in a “special session” and without a normal or transparent process), and proposes significant changes to local zoning authority across all 169 towns. It is yet another example of our General Assembly moving forward before fully understanding the impact on our communities. Its broad scope represents a major shift away from the thoughtful municipal planning and responsible local governance that have long supported Connecticut’s diverse towns. If you share these concerns, please consider asking Governor Lamont to veto the bill by visiting the CT169 Strong website and signing their petition here: Petition 2025 - #CT169Strong. The Governor may sign it in the next few days, so it is urgent!

We are starting the Affordable Housing Committee again and are looking for volunteers. If interested, please contact the First Selectman’s Office at treynolds@eastonct.gov.

The Easton Tree Warden position will expire on November 30th. If you are interested in being considered, please submit a letter of interest and a resume to treynolds@eastonct.gov.

We are seeking donors, fundraisers, and community members who are passionate about preserving Easton’s natural beauty to help support our Town’s Land Acquisition efforts. Your involvement will play a meaningful role in protecting open space for generations to come. If you’re interested in contributing to this important work, we’d love to have you join us. Please get in touch with the First Selectman’s office treynolds@eastonct.gov.

The Connecticut Intelligence Center, a law enforcement partnership within the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, is warning about a dramatic increase in financial scams targeting the elderly in Connecticut and the nation. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received 859,532 complaints in 2024, with losses reported at $16.6 billion, a 388% increase from 2023. In 2024, “false pretense” scams cost an estimated $31.9 million to Connecticut victims, most of whom were 65 or older, according to the 2024 Crime in Connecticut Report. If you believe you or a family member is a victim, contact local police immediately and avoid sending money or sharing personal information. Never confirm Social Security numbers, birthdates, bank details, or account numbers with an unknown caller. Instead, verify the situation by calling the family member directly using a number you already know. If a payment has already been made, notify your bank or payment service right away. Additional assistance is available through the National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-372-8311), the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov, and the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Suspicious activity in Connecticut can also be reported to CTIC@CT.GOV or through the “CT SAFE” mobile app. For more information, click HERE

Governor Lamont has directed all Connecticut state flags (the blue State flag) to be lowered to half-staff in honor of State Representative Kevin Ryan, who passed away yesterday. The State of Connecticut Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the date of his interment, which has not yet been announced. Rep. Ryan was widely respected for his dedication, warmth, and decades of service to the people of Ledyard, Montville, and Norwich. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. The Town of Easton will also be lowering our state flags in accordance with the Governor’s directive.

In case you were wondering, the cupola on the top of the Town Hall is illuminated with a beautiful, soft, purple glow. This special lighting is meant to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer and to honor everyone whose lives have been touched by the disease — including those currently fighting, the survivors who inspire us, and the loved ones we remember.

Have a great weekend!

Dan

AROUND TOWN

Join us on Tuesday, December 2nd, 7:00 pm at the Easton Public Library for a screening of the 1943 film Cabin in the Sky, starring Ethel Waters, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, and Lena Horne, and directed by Vincente Minnelli. This film series is moderated by Easton resident and film historian Jon Sonneborn, and co-sponsored by the Easton Arts Council. Registration is not required.

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!

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. Pickup on Saturday, December 6th, from 10 am to 12 noon.

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.
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 Crystal Teal Co, Daybreak Farms, Grateful Pawz, Holm-Hansen Woodturning, Jason Curtis Glass, Jen Rubin Designs, Megan Newhouse Books, Old Redding Farm, Pink Daffodil Jewelry, The Illustrangest, The Rescued Earth, and Wabi Sabi. Enjoy festive craft projects for kids, warm up with hot chocolate and coffee, and treat yourself to delicious cookies. Capture the moment at our holiday photo booth and test your skills at the Penguin Popper Whack-a-Mole game, courtesy of Park & Rec. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at 3:30 pm to greet everyone! The Joel Barlow Chamber Singers will fill the air with carols at 4:30 pm. Join us for the beautiful Easton Tree Lighting at 5:15 pm. Let’s celebrate the season together—mark your calendars and bring your holiday cheer! For more information, please visit our webpage.

Join Notre Dame of Easton Church at 655 Morehouse Rd, for a festive and heart-warming evening as they host their annual Christmas Pageant and Tree Lighting on Sunday, December 14th at 5:00 PM. Bring the whole family to enjoy a light dinner, a cozy hot chocolate bar, music, and a chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus! We also invite you to bake and share your favorite cookies, adding to the sweetness of the season. If you’re able, please consider bringing an unwrapped toy to support the Three Kings Feast Day at St. Charles and St. George Parish. Come celebrate the joy and generosity of Christmas with us—we can’t wait to see you there!

The Municipal Agents giving tree is back for a second year 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).

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, 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.

DON’T FORGET! 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.