Oct. 31 Update From Easton First Selectman Bindelglass

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

Oct. 31, 2025

Good afternoon,

I was shocked to learn of the death of Vincent Battaglia this week. He was a long-time member of the Police Commission who had given much time and expertise to that commission. He will be sorely missed. Also, this week, Paul Falco, the husband of the past Assistant to the First Selectman, Althea Falco, passed away. Their families are in our thoughts and prayers.

It is with great sadness that I have accepted the resignation of Justin Giorlando as the Land Use Consultant for the Town of Easton. After his dedicated service to our country in the US Navy, he worked for the state Department of Transportation before joining the town. Through his diligence, he has obtained hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant money for the town. He has assisted many residents in their planning and approvals for their properties. I, and many residents, as well as his town hall colleagues, are extremely grateful for all that he has done. He has also been the subject of some vicious and personal attacks by some for doing his job. That is unfortunate.

It is estimated that approximately 9% of Eastonites have food insecurity. This will be exacerbated by changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and a halt in the program due to the government shutdown. The town provides a small food pantry at the senior center, and the municipal agent, Dan Simonelli, can provide gift cards to local markets to assist people in need. Dan can be reached at 203-268-1137. Please make an appointment to see him. To pick up gift cards, you must bring proof of residency in Easton, proof of SNAP benefits, and the number of people in your household. Dan is also accepting donations from residents. Please bring gift cards to Dan at the Senior Center for ShopRite, Stop and Shop, and Trader Joe's. He will accept checks, but gift cards are far more practical. The Rotary Club is also selling gift cards as a fundraiser. Checks payable to Fairfield Rotary. Orders must be emailed to debbie.clancy@wachovia.com prior to December 5, 2025. Questions, please call (203) 605-6500.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to a National Weather Service High Wind Advisory with the potential for strong gusts, the Fire Marshal has stated it is not safe to have a bonfire.

The Easton Garden Club’s Annual Wreath & Poinsettia sale opens today! 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/wreathsale. 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
REMINDER: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4th is ELECTION DAY! Easton's polling location at Samuel Staples Elementary School (located at 515 Morehouse Road, Easton, CT) will be open on Election Day from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. Early voting is still available until Sunday, November 2nd, and Absentee voting MUST BE RECEIVED no later than 8:00 p.m. on the day of the Election, November 4, 2025. For further information, please click HERE.

From the Town Clerk: There have been a lot of questions about how seats will be filled in the election for the library board. You will notice that there are two seats on the ballot: a full term and a term to fill a vacancy for two years. Our library ordinance states that "not more than three members of the board shall be members of the same political party." The vacancy term for two years, from 11/04/2025 to 11/02/2027, will be filled first. Depending upon the winner, the full term will then be filled. If Lise Fleurette (D) wins the vacancy term, maximum representation for the Democratic Party will be achieved. This will result in Diane Parker (U) winning and Kristine Oulman (D) losing the full term, from 11/04/2025 to 11/04/2031, regardless of the vote total. This would result in a vacancy on the board, which can only be filled by a U or R, and this would occur after the election by the normal replacement process. However, if Mary Welch (R) wins the two-year term, then both Diane Parker (U) and Kristine Oulman (D) will win their seats.

Tuesday, October 28th, was National First Responders Day. Today, and every day, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible first responders — the firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and dispatchers who protect and serve our community. Your dedication, courage, and compassion make Easton a safer, stronger, and more caring place to live. Thank you for answering the call — day or night, in every season, without hesitation. We are deeply grateful for all that you do.

Mill River Restoration – Fundraising Drive. The Nutmeg Chapter of Trout Unlimited plans to restore a section of the Mill River along Congress Street in Easton/Fairfield in summer 2026. With approvals nearly complete, we’ve raised $31,000—over halfway to our Phase 1 goal. Just $25,000 more will launch the first stage to improve this wild trout stream and inspire future anglers. Please consider donating and sharing: GoFundMe | NPR Story Questions? Contact Richr@nutmegtrout.org.

REMINDER: When you change your clocks, it's time to change your smoke detector batteries. Everyone should have a smoke detector in each bedroom and on every floor. This annual reminder helps ensure your smoke alarms are working correctly, as dead batteries are a leading cause of smoke detector failure and a major risk in house fires. Detectors with a 10-year battery do not need to be changed. They will chirp when at the end of life. The Fire Department can help with changing batteries or providing smoke detectors if needed.

Around town:

MetroCOG’s Regional Plan of Conservation and Development (RPOCD) is having a Photo Contest! Share what you love about places in Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford, & Trumbull by submitting your photos. Click HERE to learn more and submit a photo. For consideration, entries must be received TODAY by 4:00 pm.

Trick-or-Treat TODAY, Friday, October 31st, in the Library from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. (All Ages Welcome)

Annual Halloween Trunk or Treat is TODAY, Friday, October 31, 2025! Join the Lions Club, Park & Rec, Easton Volunteer Fire Department, and EMS on Halloween night for the Annual Trunk or Treat! Music, snacks, and The Knights of Gore Show will provide entertainment, so come on down with your costumes! We will also have a Photo Booth and Pumpkin Smash!! Trunk or Treat starts at 5:30 pm for Trick-or-Treating (4:30 pm-5:30 pm Trunk set-up time). Knights of Gore: 5:30 pm. Costume Contest: 6:00 pm. Location: Samuel Staples Elementary School/Morehouse Fields (next to SSES). Cost: Free! Candy donations can be brought this evening to the concierge’s trunk. PARKING IS AT THE SSES PARKING LOTS FOR EVERYONE EXCEPT PARTICIPATING TRUNKS AND PEOPLE WORKING THE EVENT! THERE WILL BE AN OFFICER ON SITE TO DIRECT PEOPLE BACK TO SSES FOR PARKING. THANK YOU! For more info, click HERE.

EASTON NIGHT at the Westport Playhouse is Thursday, November 6th! Enjoy a special evening with your Easton friends and neighbors. Cocktail Party begins at 6:00 pm, and The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, directed by Melissa Rain Anderson, will be presented at 7:00 pm. Use code “EASTONNIGHT” at checkout to purchase your tickets at 203-227-4177.

The Easton Senior Center, in conjunction with AARP, will offer a SAFE DRIVING CLASS on Friday, November 7th, from 11:15 to 3:15. The cost is $24 for members and $25 for non-members. Please feel free to sign up if you are interested.

Easton Learning Foundation (ELF) is celebrating its 20th anniversary! Do your kids love yoga in kindergarten classes, 4th-grade Invention Convention, Project Lead the Way at HKMS, Robotics at JBHS, and the brand-new Math Center Glass Wall? These were just a few projects that were funded by ELF. Please join us for dinner and dancing at Testo’s in Monroe on Saturday, November 8th, so we can continue to support the students. Five free raffle tickets will be given to the first 50 tickets sold. Limited tickets available – please click HERE to buy your tickets.

For my last post as First Selectman, I am filled with gratitude for being given the chance to hold this office for the last six years. Happy Halloween, and have a great weekend.

Dave