Opening Note:
In Harvey Bellin’s satire on Weston “The Outlivers,” Christopher Plummer famously states, “Weston runs on Volunteer Power.” It really does! Today I want to be sure we all thank those who volunteer on town appointed and elected boards, our charitable partners, sports clubs, and those who keep us safe. From volunteer Fire and EMS, to the programming and educational efforts on the Lachat Commission, DEI, Library, Commission on the Arts, Marketing, Parks & Rec, Veterans, and Sustainable Weston, as well as those on Historic District, Conservation, Commission on Aging, Facilities Optimization, Beautification, and those that I might have missed, we are a better town because of your efforts. We see you and appreciate you.

Questions for Constituent Corner may be emailed to [email protected] and I will either answer you myself or forward you on to the right people!  

Spending Plan for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds Passes
The June 18th machine ballot vote was the final step in the process of determining how Weston will use its federal ARPA funds. The spending plan that had been proposed by both the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance passed with 72% voter approval.  Thank you to everyone that voted and to those that expressed their opinions and ideas about how the funds should be spend. Special thanks to my advisory team, to the Board of Selectmen and to the Board of Finance for the excellent collaboration, cooperation, and optimism demonstrated throughout the process. We will provide updates in future THH on how the approved projects are coming along. To see the list of approved projects and the associated dollar amounts, visit:  https://www.westonct.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/8165/637898351754930000

Road repaving:
- Farrell Rd, Tannery Rd South, Trails End and Merry Lane are done.  Repaving will soon occur on:
- Davis Hill Rd from the intersection of Steep Hill Rd to the intersection of Valley Forge Rd. Driveway aprons to be repaired are associated with house numbers 66, 89, 95 and 111. This Road also includes the entrance apron to Martin Rd.
- Lords Highway from the intersection of Newtown Turnpike to the intersection of Birch Hill Rd.  Driveway aprons to be repaired area at house numbers 42 and 58.

Cavalry Road Bridge Project Update
The new bridge is open to traffic!  We understand that Westport and Weston residents have concerns about the bridge. Staffs from both Weston and Westport have collated the concerns that were communicated to us in person, via email and by phone.  The list was shared with the project engineer/designer who has already begun to examine each of the issues.  At the advice of the Weston Police Chief and the Westport Police Chief, the Weston Public Works staff has performed stop sign related work near the bridge.  Specifically, they have reset stop signs, repainted white stop bars on the ground, and cut back vegetation near a particular stop sign.  A speed monitoring sign has also been placed near the bridge by Westport Police.

Weston invites the public to attend a virtual meeting on Wednesday, July 6^th at 7:30 pm for the purpose of discussing the concerns that have been raised to date.  The Weston First Selectwoman, Weston Town Administrator, Westport staff, and the project engineer/designer will be in attendance.  The meeting will be held via Zoom.  To join via internet, use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84296566039 To join via phone, dial: +1 646 558 8656  or +1 301 715 8592  or +1 312 626 6799.  The Webinar ID is 842 9656 6039.

Newtown Turnpike Road Work
Newtown Turnpike is fully open to traffic.  Erosion remediation work has been completed.   

Valley Forge Road Work
Valley Forge Road is fully open to traffic.  Erosion remediation work has been completed.     

Crosswalk News
The State of Connecticut has almost finished an exciting pedestrian safety project on Weston Road.  The State hired the NyConn Corporation to install two Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons - one near the Weston Shopping Center signage and the other directly across the road from that signage.  NyConn says the project will be complete once Eversource turns on the power.

Update on PFAS Remediation Efforts
As detailed in my previous THH’s, the Town of Weston has detected PFAS in the School/Town Drinking Water System.  As I stated previously, the prototype remediation system installed dramatically reduces PFAS levels to non-detectable levels in the drinking water. The Town’s Certified Operator has submitted a final remediation design to the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health for review and approval.  Once we receive that approval it will trigger the purchase and installation of the permanent remediation system.

Lachat Town Farm

Offutt Education Center
Construction on the new Offutt Education Center at Lachat Town Farm has begun! We are excited how this new space will enhance the programs and services of Weston's own community farm and we are so grateful to all those who have contributed and especially to the Daniel E. Offutt III Charitable Trust.  If you have any questions or concerns that come up during construction, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Friends of Lachat President, Carol Baldwin by email at [email protected].

Lachat’s First Farmers Market
Friday June 24th from 4pm - 8pm
Come and enjoy live music, fresh farm produce, artisanal vendors, gourmet food trucks, beer and wine, farm animals and children's programming. The first Farmers Market of the season will include a bountiful array of fresh, local produce from neighboring farms and specialty food items from an array of vendors.

Parking is sold out in our Lower Lot at 106 Godfrey Rd so please proceed directly to the upper lot at 1 Ladder Road South, where parking will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.  After that lot becomes full, you can drop off family and friends and proceed to the overflow lot at Morehouse where we will have a complimentary shuttle service.   Please come ready to shop and support the farms and food vendors so Lachat can continue to offer an array of food at the market.  

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    

Covid 19
Covid-19 updates and information are posted regularly on the town website. Please see here https://www.westonct.gov/government/municipal-departments/emergency-management/covid-19 for more information.

Support for Ukraine
Big Dreams Children Foundation Inc. is raising funds to support Ukrainian civilians during the war. Consider supporting its mission to address specific needs of Ukrainian people at the right time during this humanitarian catastrophe. Email Weston resident Iryna Akolzina for more information: [email protected]
Big Dreams website: http://www.bigdreamscf.org/ukraine-humanitarian-aid  Link to donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=82BBTYF39YEK4
Please visit the Town of Weston Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/westonct.gov) to see the results of the efforts to date.

A Message from EMS - EMS Class Starts 10/6/22
Become a certified EMS and join the Weston EMS. Anyone interested is encouraged to get in touch at [email protected]. Details on times to come.

Volunteers Needed for Town Boards
The following appointed boards have positions available: Assessment Appeals, Beautification, Conservation Commission, DEI Advisory Committee, Historic District Commission, Insurance Advisory Committee, Marketing & Communications Advisory Committee, Parks and Recreation, and the Veterans Affairs Committee.

Social Services
2022 Child Tax Rebate: You may be eligible for a child tax rebate of up to a maximum of $750 ($250 per child up to three children). To be eligible for this rebate you must meet all of the following requirements: 1) You must be a resident of Connecticut; 2) You must have claimed at least one child as a dependent on your 2021 federal income tax return who was 18 years of age or younger; and 3) You must meet certain income thresholds. For more information visit: https://portal.ct.gov/DRS/Credit-Programs/Child-Tax-Rebate/Overview#:~:text=The%20child%20tax%20rebate%2C%20which,child%20up%20to%20three%20children  You must apply between June 1 and July 31, 2022

Bayberry Lane Bridge Replacement Project
The Town of Westport has begun replacing the Bayberry Lane Bridge over the Aspetuck River. The roadway will remain closed through November 30th 2022.  Local traffic has been directed through the designated detour route - Easton Road to Coleytown Road to North Avenue to Lyons Plain Road to White Birch Road, or the reverse, as necessary. Residents adjacent to the bridge have been notified of the road closure and detour. Motorists are advised to drive with additional caution, allow extra travel time, and obey all detour and safety signals.  Please direct questions about the project to Westport Town Engineer Keith Wilberg at 203-341-1128.

Parks & Recreation
Parks and Recreation camps will begin on Monday 6/27- there is still time to join us this summer! Camps run through July 28. New camps are being added- Tennis Camp, Mountain Biking, Field Hockey, Football & a new camp hosted by Sara Holland Sports at the Jarvis House in August- Ages 2.5-8 multisport day camp! Perfect for first timers! 

Parks and Recreation has just sold out of preferred parking passes for the Town's Fourth of July Celebration on Monday July 4th. Passes are still available for parking: $20/car or $5/per person walk in fee. Come join us for food trucks, live music, fireworks and time with your Weston neighbors! 

Bisceglie-Scribner Pond is now open for swimming and recreational fun- passes available online and in-house. Family, individual and senior passes available.

Weston Youth Services
Schools Out for Summer! But, have you registered for camp yet? ... Are you looking for a camp that doesn't require a long term commitment? ... Then look no further because we have you covered! For dates, programs, and to register online, please visit www.westonyouthservices.org today!

Weston Senior Center

Tai Chi with Bill
Thursday, June 30^th, 10am
Outside in front of the Weston Library
No fee for first class, but registration is required.
To register:  email Wendy, [email protected]

The Challenge of Interstellar Travel
Presented by William Preinitz (Zoom)
Monday, June 27th, 1pm-3pm

The universe is a big place, even at the speed of light; how will humans traverse this last and most challenging frontier?  To journey to even our closest stellar neighbors is impossible with the existing technologies. In addition, humans are short lived, fragile, and contentious lifeforms.  How to maintain an internal atmosphere, potable water, and artificial gravity will be challenging in and of itself.  To Register email Wendy at [email protected]. 

The Cloisters
Presented by Art Gottlieb
Monday, June 27th, 1pm (At the Senior Center)

A mid-Manhattan landmark and seat of the archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is located directly across the street from Rockefeller Center, its twin Neo-Gothic spires rising to a soaring height of over 325 feet above 5^th Avenue. To Register:  email Wendy, [email protected].  

Lunch at Weston Senior Center
Wednesday, June 29th, 11:30am-12:30pm
Catered by Village Market.  Bring a chair for outside seating in the back.
Entertainment with Warren Bloom
For information, email Wendy, [email protected]. 

The Weston Flea
Saturday, September 10^th (Rain date September 11^th)
Reserve your spots.  (203) 222-2608
Saturday, September 10th (Rain date September 11th). Reserve your spots by calling (203) 222-2608 or email Wendy: [email protected]

Weston Public Library
Last week, our exceptional Library Director, Karen Tatarka, let us know that she will be leaving to take a new job in July. We are thrilled for her new opportunity and sad to see her go. If you have a chance, please stop by the Library and thank her for all she had done for our community.

Please note that the Library's summer schedule, the Library  will be closed Sundays through Labor Day. 

Rhonda Denet and the Silver Fox Trio: From Jazz to Soul
Saturday, June 25, 5:30PM Drinks, 6PM Music - Hybrid Event
Sponsored by the Friends of the Weston Public Library in recognition of African American Music Appreciation Month. 

Featuring songs from the 30s thru the 70s... A musical journey from the era when the “First Lady Of Song,” Ella Fitzgerald graced the stage to when the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin ruled the airways. In addition to Ella and Aretha, this showcase pays tribute to Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Nancy Wilson, Etta James, Martha & The Vandellas, Mary Wells, and Gladys Knight. Please register at www.westonpubliclibrary.org. This event will be hybrid. Guests are welcome in the Community Room or can join via Zoom. The Zoom link will be sent to all registrants on 6/24.

Explore the Aspetuck Land Trust Preserves
Thursday, June 30, 7PM

Did you know the Aspetuck Land Trust maintains 40 trailed preserves for you to explore and enjoy year-round in Easton, Fairfield, Weston & Westport? Learn about the unique features of some of these spots from Van Dusenbury, Trail Steward Director for the Aspetuck Land Trust. 

Hybrid in-person and online zoom program. Please register at www.westonpubliclibrary.org. 

Cooks & Books: The Magic School Bus Gets Baked in a Cake with Sticky Fingers Cooking
Monday, June 27 @ 6:00 PM via ZOOM. All ages with parent assistance. Registration Required at www.westonpubliclibrary.org.

Join us for a cooking lesson inspired by the book The Magic School Bus Gets Baked in a Cake by Joanna Cole. Hosted by Sticky Fingers Cooking, you will learn how to make Ms. Frizzle's Chocolate Birthday Cake, an Experimental Shaken Cream and "This Takes the Cake" Berry Sauce. Ingredients are not provided by the library.  Ingredient list will be provided before the program. 

Acting Out with Ms. Karen
Wednesday, June 29 @ 4:30 PM. Ages up to 12. Registration required at www.westonpubliclibrary.org. 
Acting Out with Ms. Karen presents...Campfire Roundup! Ms. Karen and Chester, the costume trunk, take a trip out West for a cowboy campfire hoedown. Ride, sing, and play games western style. . Some Yee Haw fun your "little doggies" are sure to enjoy. Happy trails!