First Selectwoman’s Opening Note

Congrats Weston graduates! Here is a bit of wisdom from Ralph Waldo Emerson that I share every year to the graduating class:

“To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, To find the best in others, To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”

Town Closures - 6/19

Please note that municipal offices and the transfer station will be closed on Wednesday June 19th in observance of Juneteenth.  

Celebrate Juneteenth at the Library
All ages / Family Friendly. Library Green. Tuesday, JUNE 18TH, 3:00 PM
Join us a day early for this special Juneteenth family celebration at the library! For this event we will be hosting an outdoor bubble truck with music, distributing free books for ages 0-18 celebrating some incredible black authors and stories, and getting a live storytime and book signing from local author Valerie Bolling!  We are so excited to celebrate this historic day at the library with our town!  All are welcome to join us on the library green for outdoor play.  Giveaways while supplies last.  Storytime begins at 3:45 PM, with the signing to follow.

SCHOOL’S OUT! Kick off the summer and celebrate at SOLFEST on JUNE 22nd
WestonArts is excited to announce SOLFEST, a new festival featuring a day of art and an evening of live music on Saturday, June 22 (rain date Sunday, June 23). SOLFEST will take place on the Hurlbutt Elementary School Grounds from noon to 10:00 pm. Vendors will be selling items from noon to 7:00 pm, and live music will run from 6:00 to 10:00 pm. Parking is at the Hurlbutt Elementary School.

Art!
From noon to 7:00 pm, festival goers can purchase items from over 30 talented artists and artisans! A Juried Art Show will also feature the incredible works of local artists. You are sure to find something that's perfect for your home!

Fun!
At the WestonArts art "studio" booth, artists of all ages can turn a blank canvas into a masterpiece,and try their hand at Origami- the art of folding paper (12-7); Atwater Photo Camp will host a complimentary interactive photo booth (12-5pm), and Ridgefield School of Rock will be bringing instruments for future musicians to rock out – Come and enjoy these booths

Food!
Picnic and grab some delicious food and snacks from one of the Festival Food Trucks

Music!
Come for the ART, stay for the MUSIC! Enjoy the sunset and summer night SOLFEST Concert (6:00 to 10:00 pm), featuring great local bands, sponsored by the Weston Commission for the Arts!  Bring your friends and family for a fun evening!

See you at the Festival!

Bisceglie Pond
Order your passes NOW for the newly resurfaced Pond (thanks to ARPA Grant funding). Click here https://www.westonct.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/12581/638530924861030000 to order a pass. The Pond opens on 6/22 11:30 to 6 pm.

Road Paving Plan Underway
Since January, DPW Director, Larry Roberts has been determining the deterioration and rehabilitation planning for our roads, in collaboration with the engineering firm, Beta Group. After consideration, the BOS & BOF team approved a plan to collect more data with Beta. Data collection was completed this Spring. The revised plan was presented to the BOS at their 5/30 meeting. There was also a joint BOS/BOF meeting regarding the plan and next steps on 6/3. At the 6/10 BOS meeting, the BOS approved the list of streets to be paved and referred the resolution for funding via bond anticipation notes to the BOF as well as set the Special Town Meeting Date for approval. The BOF will meet on 6/18 to move the process forward and approve the financing. Eventual approval by the townspeople must be at the Special Town Meeting on July 9th for financing so we can pave in late summer/fall.

Upcoming Road Closures for Repairs
Much needed bridge and road construction has begun. This outlines the projected timeline for road closures during the construction period. Unforeseen delays may occur and, if they do, I will update everyone as needed. Please note this does not include summer paving which begins in the summer. The following road closures may affect routes normally taken:

Weston Bridge Replacement/Rehabilitation Projects
1) Davis Hill Road Bridge Preservation and River Road Bridge Replacement (State Project 157-086)
This project consists of the superstructure replacement with substructure modifications and repairs for Bridge No. 04960, River Road over Saugatuck River; and Preservation of Bridge No. 04351, Davis Hill Road over Saugatuck River.  The project has an estimated construction cost of $5,193,400 and funding for the construction is provided under the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program - Off-System Bridge (BRZ) with a funding ratio of 80% Federal and 20% percent State funding.  Construction of the project was awarded to New England Infrastructure, Inc. and work commenced in August 2023.  **Residents are kindly requested to seek alternate routes to avoid construction at both locations.**

Davis Hill Road Bridge – May 24, 2024 Update
The rehabilitation of this bridge is being done in two phases such that the bridge will be open during the majority of the construction phase.  The Contractor is currently wrapping up Phase 1 work with necessary demolition and concrete repairs completed.  De-leading and repainting of the steel girders is in progress and expected to be completed within the next two weeks.  New bridge rail will also be installed within the next two weeks prior to shifting to Phase 2 work activities anticipated for mid-June.  Phase 2 work is anticipated for completion by August which will be followed by full paving of the bridge.  Residents are kindly requested to seek alternate routes to avoid construction.

River Road Bridge – May 24, 2024 Update
**This bridge is currently closed.**
Work at this location includes full replacement of the bridge superstructure.  To date, all utility relocation and tree removal has been completed as well as the demolition of the existing bridge superstructure.  Existing abutment caps have been repoured and work to extend the west abutment is ongoing.  New beams for the bridge are expected to be placed by July with placement of the superstructure concrete to follow.  Paving of the road along with placement of new bridge rail and guiderail is currently anticipated for late September.  Upon completion of paving and installation of bridge and guiderail, the bridge will reopen to traffic.  Fencing removed on adjacent properties will also be replaced in late September.

2) Michael’s Way Bridge Replacement
**This bridge is currently closed.**
This project consists of the Replacement of Bridge No. 07001, Michael’s Way over West Branch Saugatuck River.  The project has an estimated construction cost of $2,980,300 and funding for the construction is provided under the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program - Off-System Bridge (BRZ) with a funding ratio of 80% Federal and 20% percent State funding.  The construction phase was advertised for bids in October 2023 and bid were received November 15, 2023.  The Town has evaluated the low bidder, Brunalli Construction Company, and intends to award the Contract upon receipt of the Construction Project Authorization Letter from CT DOT.  Work is estimated to commence in Spring 2024 with a construction duration of 231 calendar days.  Construction is expected to be completed by the end of November 2024.

Michael’s Way Bridge – May 24, 2024 Update
Proposed work at this location includes full replacement of the bridge superstructure.  Utility relocation work has been started with installation of temporary utility supports ongoing.   Bridge deck demolition has commenced with bridge deck removal anticipated by the end of May.

Lyons Plain Road Rehabilitation: Final Design has been submitted to the CT DOT. Pavement and drainage repairs are scheduled to start late Spring 2024 and continue through the summer months. Construction will require intermittent road closures. This project has not yet been awarded and future updates will be provided.

Georgetown Road Milling and Paving by The Connecticut Department of Transportation:
DOT will be repaving a portion of Route 57 (Georgetown Road) beginning on May 28, 2024. The milling and paving project will extend from the intersection of Route 107 (Redding Road) in Georgetown into Weston and finish at the intersection with Trails End Road. Road crews will operate from 7:00am until 5:00pm each day, there will be no work on Sundays. Georgetown Road will be down to one lane during construction hours. Traffic control will be handled by the Weston Police Department and CDOT personnel. The entire project is scheduled to be completed by June 13, 2024.

Solar Array to be Built at the Transfer Station
Exciting Announcement! The lease of town-owned land at the transfer station was unanimously approved during the Special Town Meeting, marking a significant milestone. What's even better is that we will enjoy the benefits of a solar array without incurring any costs. That's right, not a single penny! Instead, Greenskies Clean Energy, a reputable company headquartered in North Haven, will provide the town with annual lease payments. The construction of the solar array is scheduled to commence this summer, as soon as all the necessary approvals and permits are obtained. While it will take approximately two months to complete the process, the wait will undoubtedly be worthwhile.

Human Services
Applications are now being taken for the CT Elderly and Disabled Renters' Rebate Program.  Please get in touch with Weston Human Services at 203-222-2556 to schedule an appointment. More information and eligibility requirements can be found here: CT Renters' Rebate Program.

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 [email protected] for more information.

Youth and Family Services
Please register for the Social 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.  Be sure to sign up at the bottom of the page to receive our newsletter each month!  Click here for our latest newsletter

Caregivers Support Group With Allison Lisbon, LCSW, MSW, Director of Human Services
Monthly meetings are held every third Tuesday, 1-2pm at the Weston Senior Center. For questions or to be added to the Caregiver Support Group email list, contact Allison Lisbon at [email protected]

Bereavement Support Group With Rashida Miller, MSW
Monthly meetings are held every fourth Tuesday, 1-2 pm, at the Weston Senior Center. For questions or to be added to the Bereavement Support Group email list, contact Rashida Miller at [email protected]

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 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 Alternate. 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.

Weston Senior Center
Click this link to view the Senior Center Newsletter:  https://westonseniorcenter.info/newsletters.php
Call or email the Senior Center to register: 203-222-2608/[email protected]

Weston Public Library
Summer Reading: 'Adventure Begins at Your Library' Kickoff Party!
Friday, June 21st. 10AM-5PM. All Ages.
Sign up for our summer reading program and begin logging to earn prizes today!
While you're at the library, check in with a staff member to receive your kickoff gift. Throughout the day we will have crafts available, as well as a free ice cream truck at 1:30 on the lawn! Join us after ice cream at 2:30 PM for an incredible performance by Matica Circus Arts!  After the circus, Matica will be hosting a circus workshop for a limited number of participants. Separate registration is required for the workshop, so sign up while you can! We can't wait to see you for our summer of fun. Happy reading!