Welcome to March 17th’s Town Hall Happenings

Opening Note
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! On March 17th, we open with my favorite phrases from an ancient Irish Blessing.

“May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again…”

Budget Overview
On the evening of Thursday, February 16, 2023, I formally presented my proposed budget for next fiscal year, which is available here. I am very proud of the budget presented. It struck a balance between funding valued services, investing in needed capital projects (many of which are augmented with outside resources), and establishing a mill rate that keeps Weston an affordable place to live. The Board of Selectmen made one small change to my proposed budget, and then voted to transmit it to the Board of Finance. The Board of Selectmen also voted to recommend the Board of Education budget to the Board of Finance.

The Proposed Budget calls for a 0.73% mill rate increase. This would be the second year in a row that we would keep the mill rate relatively flat. It is particularly noteworthy that in a 6.5% inflationary environment our mill rate is being kept in check.

Town Administrator Search – Public Feedback Requested
The Town of Weston wants your feedback. The search for a new Town Administrator has officially begun, as our current employee is leaving on 3/31/23. We have engaged the services of Randi Frank Consulting to lead the search for this important position. She is currently speaking with employees, elected officials and the BOS to fully understand what the Town needs. As such, she has graciously provided this questionnaire for the public at large to send her their thoughts on the attributes for this role.  Your opinion matters. Please download a copy of the questions here and email them to [email protected].

Upcoming Budget Events

- Tuesday, March 21, 2023, 6 pm (if necessary) – The Board of Finance reviews the Board of Education’s budget request and/or Board of Selectmen’s budget request.

- Tuesday, March 28, 2023, 6 pm – The Board of Finance holds a virtual public hearing on the proposed budget. 

- Thursday, March 30, 2023, 6 pm – The Board of Finance holds a meeting for the purpose of deliberating on the proposed budget.

- Tuesday, April 4, 2023, 6 pm (if necessary) – The Board of Finance holds a meeting for the purpose of deliberating on the proposed budget.

- Thursday, April 20, 2023, 7 pm check-in & 8 pm Start.  – Annual Town Budget Meeting at the Weston High School Auditorium.

- Saturday, April 29, 2023, 12pm to 8 pm –Budget Referendum at the Town Hall.

- Monday, May 1, 2023, 6 pm – Board of Finance meets to set mill rate.

Message from the Weston Assessor's Office
The 2023 Revaluation is upon us and inspections will be happening starting in March 2023. The areas of Town being inspected will be posted and updated throughout the entire collection process.  Data Collectors will have badges for identification as well as their cars being registered with the Weston Police Department.  They will be taking photos as well as requesting an interior inspection be done at the time of their visit.  If a virtual inspection is preferred, a data mailer will follow when an inspection is not granted and the virtual option can be arranged at that time.  Please click here for more information. Stay tuned for more information

Social Services ARPA Update
The Towns of Weston, Wilton, and Westport have partnered with Positive Directions - The Center for Prevention and Counseling, to tackle the region's growing need for affordable and timely mental health treatment.  Together they developed the Counseling Assistance Program (CAP) with the goal of providing a barrier-free process for the three town's residents to gain access to quality mental health treatment.

Residents wishing to utilize the CAP program must contact their Town's Human & Social Services Department to determine eligibility and explore available supports. For those deemed eligible, an appointment for an assessment will be scheduled with a Positive Directions clinician. This program is open to ages 12 years and up.

Weston Social Services  203-222-2663 - [email protected]

For more information about Positive Directions please check out their website at https://www.positivedirections.org/

The Community Connectivity Sidewalk Project Update
This project calls for the construction of approximately 5,500 linear feet of new sidewalk, varying in material type including concrete, bituminous concrete, and stone dust within the Town Center and along School Road. Completion of the project will improve walkability on both the school and municipal campuses, as well as provide students with a safer pathway to and from the Weston Shopping Center. The Town has recently been awarded an additional $484,500 grant to provide a total of  $884,200 under the State’s Community Connectivity Program Grant Program to cover 100% of the construction cost.  The Town is responsible for designing the project, including all costs associated with design which was $40,000. We just had the DOT approve final design and BID documents. The project is out for BID and we anticipate this project to be completed this summer/fall. See here for more information about our pedestrian safety projects. https://www.westonct.gov/government/municipal-departments/public-works/infrastructure-projects/pedestrian-safety-projects

Lyons Plain Road Pavement Rehabilitation Project
This project, with an estimated construction cost of $2.6 million, will improve pavement structure along a 3-mile long segment of Lyons Plain Road between the Weston/Westport town line and Davis Hill Road.  The pavement rehabilitation proposed includes milling to a depth of 2" followed by a 2" overlay with full-depth reconstruction in select areas.  Bituminous concrete lip curbing will be replaced.  Driveway aprons will be repaved as needed.  Minor drainage improvements along the roadway segment will also be completed.  The State awarded the Town a Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program Grant in the amount of $2.6 million covering 100% of proposed construction costs.  The Town is responsible for designing the project, including all costs associated with design. An information meeting was held on March 6^th.  Please click here for more information on the project.

ATTENTION Weston Block Captains and all community members,
Please join us on Saturday, March 18th at 2:00 pm at Emmanuel Parish Hall for a one-hour operational and community effectiveness discussion.  This is an informational opportunity to help educate ourselves, our families, and our neighbors on smart preparation if needed.

Speakers: 
-Captain Matthew Brodacki -  Federal, State, and Local Intel and Overview (Brief list of emergencies such as natural disasters, cyber-attacks, and most importantly extended power outages). Address all the emergency services available. Reference a handout at the end of the talk.
-EMD Director Sergeant Joe Miceli - Discuss the all-hazards approach utilized in our emergency planning and response.  Overview of the town services and how we contend with and triage issues. Also how certain things are beyond our control as a community and how we deal with them which is critical. If tech, power, or supply chains hit our community….we must work to be adaptive.

Questions from the audience are welcome
No RSVP is needed and guests are welcome
Handouts for Block Captains will be made available

Any questions, please reach out to Police Commissioner and Block Captain Coordinator Dawn Egan at 203-451-4964 or [email protected]

New Library Director Meet and Greet
Our new Library Director, Ian Parsells started on last Monday. Stop by the Library on Saturday, March 18 to meet him and welcome him to Weston. A brief program will begin at 2:30 PM. Light refreshments will be served. Click here for more information

Weston EMS 60^th Anniversary Gala
On March 25, Weston EMS will be celebrating their 60th Anniversary with a gala at Rolling Hills Country Club in Wilton.  Longtime resident, and veteran actor and producer, James Naughton will be the Master of Ceremonies and will co-chair the gala along with me. 

To purchase tickets visit www.westonems.com. If you would like to advertise in the gala program, contact Adria Belport, Gala Chair at [email protected]. If you cannot attend, please consider making a donation or honoring a family member or friend with a tribute or memorial ad.  The Weston EMS annual online raffle is now LIVE. Please go to http://virtualgala.events/westonEMS  to buy your raffle tickets.  Don't miss your chance to win fabulous prizes up to $500.

All proceeds go to benefit Weston EMS, a 100% Volunteer organization who provides emergency medical services to the town of Weston, 24/7, 365 days a year. 

Weston High School’s Green Team Tree Sale
The program, Tree-Plenish, is selling saplings of beautiful trees for $5.  Please help the Green Team achieve their goal to plant at least 300 saplings on April 22, a number that would replace 36 tons of carbon and offset some of the high school’s energy consumption.  Saplings are available at Lachat Town Farm on April 22 or have you may have them planted in your yard by volunteers.  Orders can be placed online, and must be in by March 22.

What’s Next in Weston?
The most recent podcasts from the Y’s Men of Westport/Weston features the first episode about the 2023 Revaluation for Weston. The podcast alternates between Westport First Selectwoman Jen Tooker (called Westport What’s Happening) and Weston First Selectwoman Sam Nestor as part of a public service program that offers perspectives from each town every Monday. “What’s Next in Weston” features First Selectwoman Sam Nestor and special guests. Every 2 weeks, we will discuss projects, programs and activities in our town in a brief five minute interview. Click here for the Vimeo for the podcast and search for the episodes. https://vimeo.com/807322949

Weston Youth Services Welcomes Summer!
If you’re undecided about your child’s summer plans and are looking for a camp that doesn’t require a long term commitment, then look no further!  Weston Youth Services is so excited to be offering children, entering Grades 1-6, a variety of mini summer week-long camps from June 26 through the week of July 24. Camps include Baking, Cooking, Creative Robotics, Video Game Design, Mad Science, Legos, Sewing, and Business programs. All camps will be held on the School Road campus.

Online registration for the Weston Youth Services’ camps began on Thursday, February 16 at 10:01 a.m. Please visit our website at  www.westonyouthservices.org to preview our catalog for program dates, grade eligibility, costs, details and to register online.

Additionally, we’ll be collaborating with the Weston Public School District to offer the very popular Youth Summer Theatre camps. More information on the theatre programs coming soon.

Parks and Recreation
Parks and Recreation is hosting a registration for our Summer Camps, Spring Programs and Aquatics classes. With many new options for classes, camps & more- there is something for everyone to enjoy!  Registration began at 12:01 A.M. on March 6. We will be open at 9 A.M. Monday for registrations in person if space remains. As a general reminder- many of our camps filled early last year- do not wait! 

**For Summer Camps ONLY: You MUST change your child's grade to the grade they will be in NEXT FALL - do this before 12:01 - this could be the difference between getting into a program and getting waitlisted**

Parks & Recreation | Weston, CT : Program Flyers and Information

WebTrac Splash - Registration Site- CLICK to register

Road Work 2022
Road work for 2022 is complete. See a pot hole? Please report it by taking a photo and sending to John Conte at the following email address along with description of the location (nearby house address) [email protected]

Board of Selectmen Meetings
Please feel free to Zoom into the virtual BOS 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: Assessment Appeals, Beautification, Board of Ethics, Marketing & Communications Advisory Group, Commission on Aging, Conservation Commission, Historic District Commission, Marketing, and Veterans Affairs Committee. Elected position openings are 2 open alternate seats on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Weston Social Services
We are excited to announce our new 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.  Be sure to sign up at the bottom of the page to receive our newsletter each month! Click here for this month's Youth & Family Social Services Newsletter

Weston Youth Services Welcomes Summer!
If you’re undecided about your child’s summer plans and are looking for a camp that doesn’t require a long term commitment, then look no further!

Weston Youth Services is so excited to be offering children, entering Grades 1-6, a variety of mini summer week long camps from June 26th through the week of July 24th. Camps include Baking, Cooking, Creative Robotics, Video Game Design, Mad Science, Legos, Sewing, and Business programs. All camps will be held on the School Road campus. Online registration for the Weston Youth Services’ camps is currently underway! Please visit our website at www.westonyouthservices.org to view our catalog for program dates, grade eligibility, costs, details, and to register online.

We’re also collaborating with the Weston Public School District to offer the very popular Youth Summer Theatre camps. More information on the theatre programs coming soon.

And lastly, we’re in the process of putting together some fabulous WOW! after school offerings for the spring session for children in Grades K-5. Programs are scheduled to begin the week of April 17^th. Stay tuned

Click Here for more information.