Greetings and Welcome to Town Hall Happenings!

First Selectwoman’s Opening Note
Early Voting starts Monday, October 21 and will continue every day through November 3 at Weston Town Hall.  Hours are 10 am to 6pm, with extended hours of 8 am to 8 pm on October 29 and October 31. Early voting allows you to vote in person safely and securely before Election Day on November 5.  During the early voting period, Same-Day Voter Registration will also be available which allows you to register to vote and cast your ballot if you meet the eligibility requirements for voting in Connecticut. This is the first time early voting and same day registration for a general election will take place in Connecticut. Absentee ballots are available from the Town Clerk through November 4. Voting on November 5 will take place at Weston Middle School from 6 am to 8 pm. Thank you to the election workers, Registrars of Voters, and Town Clerk’s Office for working tirelessly to make this happen.

Fall 2024 Road Paving Plan
All roads that were scheduled to be paved during the 2024 Paving Program have been completed. The Department of Public Works wishes to thank our residents and guests for their patience and understanding while we:

- Paved 9.6 miles of roadway

- Installed 7,230 linear feet of curbing

- Overlayed 70 driveway aprons

- Replaced 77 catch basins

- Painted over 12 miles of road striping

Phase two of the Paving Project will continue in the Spring of 2025. More information regarding roads scheduled for the Spring will be forthcoming.

Weston Bridge Replacement Progress

- The River Road and Davis Hill Road Bridges are both open! These two bridges were part of a single project that was completed on time and on budget. Construction crews will be finishing up landscaping and other minor details over the next couple of weeks.

- The Michael’s Way Bridge remains closed with a project completion date of November 15. Weather permitting, we anticipate no delays in getting the roadway open by that date. The bridge beams have been set and the road surface should be installed in the next two weeks.

Lyons Plain Road Rehabilitation
Work is scheduled to begin in a few weeks.

Sign Policy on Town Hall Campus Approved
Leaves are falling and campaign signs have come up.

The U.S. Supreme court ruled in 2015 that regulations of signs that are based on what the signs say (content-based regulations) are subject to strict scrutiny—a standard that requires compelling government justification and will likely be struck down.

The Town of Weston’s zoning regulations states that “the installation of temporary signs erected solely for political purposes shall be permitted.”

The rules for signs in the State right-of-way is different.  The State of Connecticut has specific rules which prohibit the posting of political advertising in the public rights-of-way controlled and maintained by the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

The Town has established a sign policy for all other signs:  The BOS approved 3-0 at their September 18 meeting a new sign policy on Town Hall Campus. This policy went into effect on October 1^st. Please see the link to the sign policy here: Town Hall Campus Sign Policy | Town of Weston, Connecticut (westonct.gov)

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.

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

Updated safety and security on school campus facilities 

- During school hours, between 7 AM and 4 PM, school campus facilities will be closed to the public.

- While schools are in session, playgrounds, outdoor recess areas, track, tennis courts, and fields are closed to the public.

- The outdoor spaces are integral parts of school facilities, and classes are held outside at times - not just physical education, but also other subjects. Please do not use school outdoor spaces during school hours.

- Except for arrival and dismissal times, the auxiliary road between the high school and intermediate school is closed to cars.

- Building Department, Human Services, and Senior Center remain open and accessible to the public.

- Click here to view a map:  https://www.westonct.gov/home/showdocument?id=13242&t=638642371135402283

We appreciate your understanding. Let’s all do our part to help ensure safety and security for students and WPS staff.

Dedication and Memorial to Jane Atkinson, former Library Director
The Weston Public Library and the Board of Trustees invite the community to the dedication of a memorial to former Library Director, Jane Atkinson, who passed away in April. Jane began at the WPL in 1976 and was the Director from 1980-2011. We hope you can join us on the Library grounds at 2:00 PM, Sunday, October 20th to celebrate Jane and all she gave to the Library and our community. A reception will follow in the Library’s Community Room. In the event of rain, the dedication will be held in the Community Room.

Veterans Day Events for Veterans
Nov 11th, 2024 Monday

- 8:00 AM Continental Breakfast for veterans and their spouses (in the Weston Middle School Cafeteria for Veterans, followed by an all school Assembly to honor Veterans/. This is the highlight...the three Middle school grades perform for Veterans, A Red, White and Blue Extravaganza!  Followed by the Living History Session in the Library (some of our Vets will give informal recaps of their service experience to small groups of 8th grade students)

- 11:10 AM Remembrance Service at Town Hall Green (all residents invited)

- Noon Lunch for Veterans at Weston High School and visits by students

- Weston High School (American Hero’s Club) organize a discussion panel with Veterans, about experiences, the draft, re-entering the work force, etc

For more information, please email the Weston Veterans Affairs Group, Ed Hutchins.  Veterans who are residents of Weston are encouraged to contact [email protected]

Message from the Town Clerk and Registrars: November 5, 2024 Election, Absentee Ballots, and Early Voting

Absentee Ballots are available from the Town Clerk in person during business hours or apply online here:  https://oabr-sots.ct.gov/OABR/absenteeBallotReqPortalHome.do

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

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

-- Nov. 2, 2024 9am – 2pm Brookfield

Parks and Recreation - Pickleball Courts are Open!
Pickleball Courts at Bisceglie-Scribner Park will be open daily 8 am to dusk. Use is on a first come and first serve basis.

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 is on 11/12:  [email protected]

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:

- Are you a Connecticut resident?

- Do you meet one of the following income guidelines?

-- You receive food stamps (SNAP), SSI, TANF, or other benefits from the Department of Social Services

-- Your annual household income falls at or below the income levels in the table below.

Household Size	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Annual Income	$45,505	$59,507	$73,509	$87,511	$101,513	$115,514	$118,139	$120,765

Please call 203-222-2556 or email [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected]  

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 [email protected]

Weston Senior Center
-- Click this link to visit the Senior Center website: https://westonseniorcenter.info/
-- Call or email the Senior Center to register: 203-222-2608/ [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 on Aging, Commission for the Arts, Board of Assessment Appeals Alternate, Beautification Committee, Building Board of Appeals, Building Committee, 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.

Click Here for more information.