Weston Town Hall Happenings For Sept. 27, 2024

Press release from the Town of Weston:

09/27/2024 12:08 PM

First Selectwoman’s Opening Note
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and next week, on Tuesday 10/1 at 11:30 a.m., I will join Suzanne Adam, Executive Director of the Domestic Violence Crisis Center, and other members of the DVCC and Weston Community at Town Hall, to raise awareness of this public health crisis. To learn about the issue visit: https://www.dvccct.org. This is the fourth year in a row that we have partnered with DVCC in this program. We are supportive of the DVCC, which provides support for those experiencing domestic violence. The services are free, confidential, multilingual and multicultural - you may call the hotline at (203) 588-9097. You can also call Connecticut’s Safe Connect Hotline at (888) 774-2900.

Fall 2024 Road Paving Plan
The following is an update on the Weston Road Paving Program. This schedule is subject to change based on weather or unforeseen circumstances. The installation of select curbing and driveway apron repairs will start where paving is completed.

Paving has been completed on the following roads:

Daily work schedule (subject to change):

● Friday (9/27)
○ Paving Bottom Coat Valley Forge

● Monday (9/30)
○ Paving on Birch Hill Road
○ Paving on Davis Hill Road (subject to detour (bridge closed)
○ Milling on River Road (one way section, subject to detour)

● Tuesday (10/1)
○ Paving on Davis Hill Road (subject to detour (bridge closed)
○ Paving on Weddington Lane
○ Milling on Good Hill Road (expect traffic delays, road will remain open)

● Wednesday (10/2)
○ Paving on Valley Forge (subject to detour)
○ Milling on Good Hill Road (expect traffic delays, road will remain open)

● Thursday (10/3)
○ Paving on Valley Forge (subject to detour)

Weston DPW will advise on project progression and any issues that may arise. Weston Department of Public Works appreciates everyone’s patience as we prepare our streets for paving. DPW is completing the replacement of 77 catch basins and performing other drainage repairs. Motorists should use caution around these repair areas.

Weston Road Work – Construction Projects Fully Paid for with Grants from CT DOT and Federal Agencies

• River Road Bridge Replacement (near the intersection of Good Hill Road): This project is on schedule and the bridge is scheduled to reopen on October 15, 2024.
• Davis Hill Road Bridge Preservation (near the intersection of Valley Forge Road): *Davis Hill Road Bridge will be closed September 30 through October 6 for milling, waterproofing and paving* This should be the only full road closure for the remainder of the construction. Davis Hill Road Bridge is slated to be completed by October 15.
• Michaels Way Bridge Replacement (at Newtown Turnpike): Flooding from the severe rainfall event affected this work site. Crews made great progress this week cleaning up the site and getting back on schedule. The bridge remains closed and is due to be completed by December 1, 2024.
• Lyons Plain Road Rehabilitation: This project has been approved to advertise by the CTDOT and bids have been received by the Town. Pavement and drainage repairs should commence in September. Delays from the Department of Transportation have set this project back from Summer 2024 to Fall 2024. Construction will require intermittent road closures.

Sign Policy on Town Hall Campus Approved
The BOS approved 3-0 at their September 18 meeting a new sign policy on Town Hall Campus. This policy will be in effect starting October 1st. Please see the link to the sign policy here: Town Hall Campus Sign Policy | Town of Weston, Connecticut (westonct.gov)

Domestic Violence Awareness Month Event: Oct 1 11:30 @ Town Hall
Suzanne Adam, Executive Director of the Domestic Violence Crisis Center, and other members of the DVCC and Weston Community at Town Hall, to raise awareness of this public health crisis.

FEMA Disaster Assistance Programs
FEMA has declared a major disaster in Connecticut and Fairfield County due to the extreme flooding on August 18th and 19th, 2024, as authorized by President Biden. Per FEMA's announcement: "Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster." There are presently two separate federal opportunities for assistance: directly through FEMA Disaster Assistance or through the Small Business Administration (SBA). You can apply for both.

Please click here https://www.westonct.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1093/15 for complete information, how to apply and contact information for questions.

Veterans Day Events
Nov 11th, 2024 Monday

For more information, please email the Weston Veterans Affairs Group, Ed Hutchins. Veterans who are residents of Weston are encouraged to contact Hutchandyou@gmail.com

A message from the Assessor’s Office
eQuality will be in Town collecting data on open building permits beginning Monday, September 16. For more information contact the Assessor’s Office at 203-222-2606.

Message from the Registrars: November 5, 2024 Election and Early Voting

Early Voting
October 21 - November 3
10 am to 6 pm *with extended hours 8 am to 8 pm on October 29 and 31
Weston Town Hall

Election Day Voting
November 5, 2024
6:00 am to 8:00 pm
Weston Middle School, Rear Entrance

Register to vote online at https://voterregistration.ct.gov/OLVR/welcome.do

Upcoming Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off events
This is an opportunity to safely dispose of gasoline, lawn and pool products, paint thinners, lithium-ion batteries, 1lb propane tanks and more! For more info: www.HRRA.org

What to do with empty flowerpots?
Fall mums will be coming soon and that means lots of empty flowerpots again. Consider the following when looking for ways to get rid of them:

If you are unable to donate your colored plastic nursery pots and planter trays place them in the TRASH. As a reminder, all black plastic is NOT accepting in the mixed recycling stream. Broken ceramic and clay pots also belong in the trash.

Parks and Recreation
Track at WHS closed Friday, Saturday, Sunday for striping and lines painted.

Our Parks and Recreation Afterschool/WOW program flyer is up on our website and registration has begun! You’ll notice the WOW programs are now all included in this brochure and the booklet is sorted by each school. ALL programs are under the AFTER SCHOOL box on our registration portal- here Please let us know if you have any questions.

Aquatics/Swim Classes
Swim classes will be offered on Saturdays/Sundays starting 9/28. We are currently adding the programs to the website, we will send an update when registration will be open.

Pickleball Update
We are nearly there! The courts are almost complete. Stay tuned next week for more news!

Town Hall Talks
As an enhancement of the weekly Town Hall Happenings newsletter, please join First Selectwoman Sam Nestor for "Town Hall Talks," on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Come with your questions and we will be there with updates on Town activities.

Town Hall talks Fall schedule:
2nd Tuesday of the Month - 1pm at the Town Hall
4th Tuesday of the Month - 6pm at the Town Hall

RSVP required. The next session on 10/8: executiveassistant@westonct.gov

Human Services
Weston Human Services is now taking applications for the State Energy Assistance Program. (CEAP) Your household may be eligible for CEAP if you can answer YES to the following questions:

Please call 203-222-2556 or email alisbon@westonct.gov to receive more information and/or make an appointment.

Would you like to be added to the Reassurance Program?
The Reassurance Program is a list of Weston residents who would like to be called by an employee of the Weston Social Services Dept in times of Town emergencies or inclement weather. We encourage those who live alone, don't drive, or have medical needs to register as this list is also shared with Emergency Responders in times of Town emergencies. Please email Rashida Miller, MSW at rmiller@westonct.gov for more information.

Youth and Family Services
Please register for the Human Services monthly newsletter! Our goal is to provide our families and youth with resources that help promote physical and mental well-being through programming, events, referrals, and advocacy. Click here sign up read our most recent newsletter and to subscribe to the mailing list

Caregivers Support Group with Allison Lisbon, LCSW, MSW, Director of Human Services
Monthly meetings are held every third Tuesday, 1:30-2:30pm at the Weston Senior Center. For questions or to be added to the Caregiver Support Group email list, contact Allison Lisbon at alisbon@westonct.gov

Bereavement Support Group with Rashida Miller, MSW
Monthly meetings are held every fourth Tuesday, 1:30-2 :30 pm, at the Weston Senior Center. For questions or to be added to the Bereavement Support Group email list, contact Rashida Miller at rmiller@westonct.gov

Weston Senior Center
--Click this link to view the Senior Center Newsletter: Weston Senior Center Bulletin
--Call or email the Senior Center to register: 203-222-2608/ jbraden@westonct.gov

Board of Selectmen Meetings
Please feel free to attend BOS meetings where you can watch in person at the Town Hall Meeting Room or you can stream into the meetings, which are always posted on the Town website. Documents, recordings, and minutes are available at: https://www.westonct.gov/government/boards-commissions/elected/board-of-selectmen

Volunteers Needed for Town Boards
The following appointed boards have positions available: Commission on Aging, Commission for the Arts, Board of Assessment Appeals Alternate, Beautification Committee, Building Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee, Board of Ethics, Historic District Commission Alternate, Veterans Affairs Committee. The following elected board has a position available: Zoning Board of Appeals. The Town of Weston Board of Selectmen will conduct interviews of candidates for appointed boards, commissions and committees in private, unless the candidate requests that the interview occur in public. Through the CT Freedom of Information Act, the state legislature expressly allows the Town Board of Selectmen to hold non-public executive sessions to discuss “the appointment, employment, performance, evaluation, health or dismissal of a public officer or employee." C.G.S. § 1-200 (6)(a). Like Weston, several nearby municipalities have also implemented similar policies to protect residents interested in volunteering their service from the abuse of modern technology such as artificial intelligence, social media, and personal identity theft. Please click here for more information and/or to submit your information for consideration for a position.

Emergency Alerts
Please make sure that you and your family are registered to receive emergency alerts from the Weston Office of Emergency Management. Registration can be done online by visiting https://www.westonct.gov/our-community/community-alert-system-and-e-notifications. The Weston Public safety team will continue to expertly guide us through storms by sending out texts, emails and automated phone calls via our Everbridge system. With all the new residents in town, please make sure to mention Everbridge to your new friends, acquaintances and neighbors. Please also see this link, which provides details on how to prepare for weather events: https://www.westonct.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/5929/637650804379770000

Message regarding safety and security across school campus facilities from the School Superintendent
Please note that campus facilities must be closed to the public during school hours, between 7 AM to 4 PM. This includes school playgrounds and outdoor recess areas, track, tennis courts and fields must be closed to the public when schools are in session. To read the entire update please click HERE: https://files.gabbart.com/2789/wps_district_update_-_september_2024.pdf

Follow us on Social Media:

With gratitude,
Sam

PS: Check out my previous THH by visiting the following link! https://www.westonct.gov/about-us/advanced-components/list-detail-pages/news-list

This press release was produced by the Town of Weston. The views expressed here are the author’s own.