GREETINGS AND WELCOME TO TOWN HALL HAPPENINGS!

FIRST SELECTWOMAN’S OPENING NOTE
The weekly Opening Note emphasizes the crucial role of teamwork. I am genuinely impressed by the outstanding efforts of the Emergency Management Team, public school staff, municipal employees, DPW, Police, Volunteer Fire Department, and Volunteer EMS in effectively handling recent weather challenges, compiling the town budget, and managing day-to-day tasks. Their unwavering commitment ensures the smooth provision of town services. We are privileged to have such a skilled group of professionals dedicated to our town. There is an evident willingness to cooperate and adjust to address our requirements. I appreciate their diligence, as well as the dedication of volunteers and citizens who contribute daily. Your support and positive outlook are greatly valued. It has undeniably made a significant difference.

TOWN WIDE SURVEY - PORTAL CLOSES TONIGHT!
This past Fall the Board of Selectmen approved conducting a revised survey (based on the 2018 Survey) to understand Weston’s demographics, priorities, and residents’ feelings about the Town. We hope you will encourage your friends and neighbors to participate. We welcome your feedback. To take the Town wide survey, visit https://praxisresearch.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1GMcq8K963H2rVs?Q_CHL=qr to access this important questionnaire.

ITS BUDGET SEASON!
WESTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS BUDGET INFORMATION
The Weston Public School proposed operating and capital budgets, along with supplemental documentation can be found on the district website under Board of Education/Budget.

• January 5, 7-9 PM: Presentation of the Superintendent's Proposed Operating & Capital Budgets
• January 6, 9 AM-1 PM: BOE Budget Workshop
• January 14, 7-9 PM: PUBLIC FORUM #1 for community members to participate in public comment
• January 15, 9 AM-12 PM: BOE Budget Workshop
• January 22, 7-9 PM: PUBLIC FORUM #2 for community members to participate in public comment
• January 26, 9 AM-12 PM: BOE Budget Workshop
• January 27, 7-9 PM: BOE Approval of Proposed FY27 Operating & Capital Budgets
• January 29, 7-9 PM: (if needed) BOE Approval of Proposed FY27 Operating & Capital Budgets

TOWN BUDGET MEETING CALENDAR
The public is highly encouraged to participate in this year’s budget process.  Below is the meeting schedule that was approved by the Board of Selectmen on 12/15. The Town budget will be posted for review on February 5th.

• Thursday February 5th, 2026, 7:00 pm – First Selectwoman Presents Town Budget request to Board of Selectmen
• Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 6:00 pm – Board of Selectmen reviews Board of Education’s budget request.
• Thursday, February 12, 2026, 6:00 pm – Board of Selectmen reviews First Selectwoman’s budget request.
• Wednesday, February 25, 2026 – Board of Selectmen votes on and transmits First Selectwoman’s and Board of Education budgets to Board of Finance. Board also nominates moderator for ATBM.
• Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 6 pm – Board of Finance reviews Board of Education’s budget request.
• Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 6 pm – Board of Finance reviews Board of Selectmen’s budget request
• Thursday, March 12, 2026, 6 pm – Board of Finance reviews Board of Education’s budget request and Board of Selectmen’s Budget (if necessary).
• Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 6 pm – Board of Finance holds public hearing on budget request
• Thursday, April 9, 2026, 6 pm – Board of Finance budget deliberation meeting.
• Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 8 pm – Annual Town Budget meeting at the High School Auditorium.
• Saturday, May 2, 2026, 12pm to 8 pm –Annual Town Budget Referendum at the Town Hall.
• Before May 11th – Board of Finance meets to set mill rate.

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 Tuesday and fourth Wednesday of the month. Come with your questions and we will be there with updates on Town activities.

Town Hall talks schedule:
2nd Tuesday of the Month - 1pm at the Town Hall
4th Wednesday of the Month - 6pm at the Town Hall
RSVP required: executiveassistant@westonct.gov

WESTON KIWANIS FOOD & PERSONAL CARE DRIVE
Saturday Jan. 17
at Weston Shopping Center
Once again Weston Kiwanis is organizing an upcoming food and personal care products drive. In conjunction with the Weston Food Pantry Kiwanis hold a food and personal care products drive on Saturday, January 17th at the Weston Shopping Center. The drive will be held from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. The Weston High School Key Club has volunteered to help. Note that in addition to shelf stable food and personal care products we accept cash donations and payments via Venmo. All donations go directly to the Food Pantry. Our food and personal care products drives give Westonites the opportunity to help their neighbors in need.

FROM THE WESTON TAX COLLECTOR – NOTICE OF TAXES DUE
The second installment of real estate and personal property taxes as well as the supplemental motor vehicle taxes on the Grand List of October 1, 2024, are due and payable on January 1, 2026. Failure to pay by February 2, 2026, will result in a delinquent payment with interest of 1-1/2% per month starting with the January 1st due date per State Statute 12-145. The minimum interest charge is $2.00.

If you no longer have a vehicle that you received a bill for, you must present proof to the Tax Assessor.

If you have any questions, please call our office at (203) 222-2694. Taxpayers have several options to pay their bill. You can pay in person during town hall hours from 9 to 4:30 Monday through Friday. Town Hall is located at 56 Norfield Road. Alternatively, you can put your payment in the drop box outside the side entrance to Town Hall, mail the payment, or pay online at:  paymybills.link/Weston. Service fees will apply. If you do not receive a tax bill, please contact the Tax Collector.  

Failure to receive a tax bill does not excuse the taxpayer from tax and delinquent interest (C.G.S.12-130).

RADON AWARENESS EVENT – FREE RADON TESTING KITS FROM ASPETUCK HEALTH DISTRICT
January 23 at 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Weston Public Library
Aspetuck Health District has partnered with the Connecticut Department of Public Health to give away free radon testing kits to residents. Stop by for a kit and to learn more. Photo ID required.  January is Radon Action Month. Radon is an ordorless, invisible gas that can build up in homes and buildings. It can be found in groundwater, bedrock, and soil, and can creep into your home. Testing your home is a way to know if radon levels are high. Reducing radon levels in the home can help to lower the risk of lung cancer.

GET READY TO CELEBRATE AMERICA’S 250!
The year 2026 will be the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence and the founding of our country. Weston’s nonprofits, Library, schools, town departments and volunteers have planned an extensive array of programs for 2026 that will encourage discovery and engagement, and are certain to delight. Highlights will include a town-wide scavenger hunt, musical events and performances, a reenactment and immersive colonial experience, and the biggest, best-ever July 4th fireworks and field day with games for the entire family. All events are posted on the website and will be updated regularly.  You can help make this a memorable, historic milestone for your family and all of Weston. Visit the Weston Celebrates America 250 website and purchase t-shirts, hoodies, hats and more with Weston’s commemorative logo at this site: https://www.bonfire.com/store/weston-celebrates-america-250/. Get something for everyone on your holiday gift list!  And please also consider making a fully tax-deductible donation through the Donate page on the website. Your support is essential to the success of this program.

PARKS AND RECREATION
WINTER ONE programs are off to a great start!  Kids get to enjoy a wide variety of after-school activities, including Drawing, Yoga, Sports & Fitness, Robotics and more. Many of our classes reached capacity very quickly!  Mark your calendars: Registration for WINTER TWO opens January 12th at 10:01 p.m.   

Looking for something fun to do this winter? Get a family or individual pool membership or a walk-in pass and go for a swim! Public Swim is available Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30–3:00 p.m. (excluding holiday weekends) at the Weston Middle School Pool. Winter Two Swim Lessons start January 24 (registration opens January 12).

👉 www.westonct.gov/parksandrec
📞 203-222-2655

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. Weston’s Public Safety Team will continue to expertly guide us through storms by sending out texts, emails and automated phone calls via our Everbridge system. 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

WESTON HUMAN SERVICES

• Weston Human Services - Youth Services
  Weston Students Win State Youth Leadership Award!
  Weston High School’s Senior Connections Club has been honored with the Youth Leadership Award from the Connecticut Youth Services Association. The club a partnership between Weston Youth and Family Services, the Weston Senior Center, and Weston High School connects students with local seniors through visits, games, and shared conversation. Co-founded by Weston seniors Ryan Bigin, Wesley Arees, and Billy Maglione, with support from Gabe Miller, Rio Zullo, and Emmitt Capola, and advised by librarian Kara Swezey and Senior Center liaison Anne Bigin, the program fosters friendship across generations.  The award was presented at the CYSA Annual Conference in Hartford, recognizing Weston’s youth for their compassion, leadership, and community spirit.
• Weston Senior Center
  New Class! Thrive with Movement: With physical therapist Dr. Sachin Gianchandani, DPT An hour-long exercise circuit class, that combines expert guidance with gentle, purposeful movement. Designed specifically for individuals with Parkinsons, balance concerns or mobility challenges. Each class blends education and exercise to support strength and stability. All abilities are welcome. Monday afternoons 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the Weston Senior Center. Call 203-222-2608 to sign up.
• Caregivers Support Group
  Third Tuesday of the month
  at the Weston Senior Center
  Please contact Melissa DiVito, LCSW for more information: 203-222-2585 or mdivito@westonct.gov
• Bereavement Support Group *New Day & Time*
  First Friday of the month
  2:00 PM- 3:00 PM at the Weston Senior Center
  Please contact Rashida Miller, MSW for more information: 203-222-2556 or rmiller@westonct.gov

BATTLE OF THE BANDS
January 10 at 7:00 pm
Westport Public Library
The Westport Library Presents First-Ever Battle of the Bands on Saturday, January 10, 7 pm, at The Westport Library featuring Weston Talent!  Four local acts. One stage. The crowd decides the winner. Verso Studios, the media arm of The Westport Library, is excited to announce its first-ever Battle of the Bands, an electrifying live music event celebrating the next generation of Fairfield County talent. Taking place Saturday, January 10, in the Library’s incomparable Trefz Forum, the high-energy showcase will feature four standout teen and college-aged bands: The Breakers, Clockwork, Caravan, and MOSS. Come support our Weston musicians.

Doors open at 7 pm, with the show beginning at 8 pm. Tickets are $10 for students and $20 for general admission, and can be purchased here (https://westportlibrary.org/event/verso-studios-presents-battle-of-the-bands/). Tickets and additional information:  https://westportlibrary.org/event/verso-studios-presents-battle-of-the-bands/

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: Board of Assessment Appeals, Board of Assessment Appeals Alternate, Beautification Committee, Building Committee, Board of Ethics, Historic District Commission Alternate, Marketing & Communications Committee, Sustainable Weston, Veterans Affairs Committee. 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.

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