WESTON, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A.
The latest news from the Board of Selectmen as well as... Board of Education...elections ,  Planning and Zoning , Finance,  Town Meetings, and Speak Up 2010!  Now Referendum of the FY'11 Budget...and don't forget 3-way Joint Meetings!





QUESTION:  How many members of government can you fit around the table in the Town Hall Meeting Room?  ANSWER:  Not as many as members of the public in the audience!

JUNE 14, 2010 7PM SPECIAL BOARD OF FINANCE & 7:30PM JOINT MEETING OF 3 BOARDS:
Joint Meeting delayed perhaps so that the vote at the Board of Finance could show (in "prime time viewing" on Channel 79) the 4-3 vote on funding a school social worker.

Republicans on the Board of Finance favoring standard practice of making clear that money is tracked from account to account and not lost in the bookkeeping - a "no" vote to the Democrat motion to just move money from a special Youth Services account to the Board of Education budget...

AND THEN THE MAIN EVENT...not much was accomplished at the immediately following JOINT SESSION (8:14pm to 9:50pm) from the large and wide-ranging agenda - however, the process for next year's budget is now underway, started early, as the First Selectperson noted correctly.

For entertainment value, Board of Finance meeting was much more lively!  It had begun at 7pm and went until 8:10pm just to discuss one simple item prior to School Social Worker discussion ..which was delayed, so it seemed to us, until after 7:30pm when cameras rolled!


At the May 1st "walk" of Jarvis...
Selectmen Dan Gilbert (second from right) discusses features of Jarvis Property with Cemetery Committee and interested Westonites - several of whom were neighbors.  And Dan was the only member of the Board who made it to the May 11 second "walk" of Fromson-Strassler!

REFERENDUM results: "yes" and "yes" to Town and School operating budgets.

"DELIBERATION"BY THE BOARD OF FINANCE OF THE EDUCATION AND SELECTMEN'S BUDGETS FY'11


BOARD OF FINANCE SAVES THE DAY: 

With Republicans leading the way, cuts were made to both Town and School sides, (Board of Education agreed) prior to ATBM at "Deliration" meeting and vote March 25, 2010.

---------------------

Republicans on the Board of Finance find a way to lead!  So how did Weston manage to find money in the financial and fiscal mess we all find ourselves in?  Leave it to the talented and experiences finance members from the GOP to point the way!

This is how they did it...when Woody and Glenn were last going out to bond and refinance parts of the $79 million School-Fields project bonds, our Republican members of the Finance Board pushed to make the really big debt capable of being restructured.  Since elephants have really, really good memories, it took the GOP members to save the day - voila!

Now, as rates have dropped and dropped again, it is time for Weston to take advantage of having floated so much debt in the first place!  As they say, it takes money to make money!  So the Middle School Roof, in dire need of replacement, will benefit from this coup!  Bravo Jerry Sargent, Mike Carter and Patty Kopas!!!

WATCH 'SPEAK UP 2010' HERE.

The LWV of Weston hosted "Speak Up 2010" for the 19th time - since at least year 2000, at Norfield Church Parish Hall...

PLANNING AND ZONING TOWN PLAN SURVEY  WAS DUE DECEMBER 5, 2009 - DID YOU SEND YOUR'S IN? 
Mentioned at "Speak Up" - two questions for P&Z Chair. Stephan Grozinger - draft text coming in 2-3 months, with P&Z public hearing and Selectmen's review to follow before the ink is dry!

THANK YOU ALWAYS, WOODY, GLENN AND EILEEN!!!

 


RTC Party (attended by many Democrats, too) overflows the Meeting Room, as thanks given to these great Republican leaders and symbols of our Grand Old Party!!!  Lots and lots of Westonites at this stand-up event!


Board of Education holds mini-"speak up" type meeting
On a nice Saturday in late November, the Weston Board of Education reached out to the community to share their thoughts before the Budget Process heats up...besides the fact that of the 12 questions asked, the majority were emphasizing moderation, of those perhaps 40 individuals, it was good to see Republican Selectman Dan Gilbert in attendance.  And hear from the GOP team on the Board of Education!  Our Republican members made excellent contributions to providing comment and ANSWERS!

Ellen and Sonya taking notes as speaker who understands organizational challenge explained about IBM theories...other long-range ideas proposed:  close the Middle School...

Mike provides some insight into the financial picture and how that might affect our schools...and then asks how it is possible for a political action committee to also provide services to the school community?  And his last point was about the close Board of Education race:  Did the winning candidate present Saturday morning know anything about the questionable e-mail (in his opinion, full of inaccuracies) distributed to the school community?

Weston's Annual Town Budget Meeting: Petitioners send budget vote to referendum
Weston FORUM
Written by Patricia Gay
Wednesday, 31 March 2010 12:19

A petition that will change how Weston taxpayers vote on the annual town budget is working its way through the town’s administrative process.

The petition calls for a secret ballot referendum, also known as an “adjourned town meeting,” or a “machine vote” to vote on the $63.6-million 2010-11 proposed town and school budgets.

The Annual Town Budget Meeting (ATBM) vote is scheduled for Wednesday, April 7, 8 p.m., at Weston High School.

However, in light of the petition, plans are underway to change the date and time of the vote itself.

The petition requests that the line items for the total town and school budgets be voted on at a referendum, “by paper ballot or optical scanner, with provision for absentee ballots, not less than seven nor more than 14 days,” after the ATBM, which is April 7. It also asks for extended hours for the referendum vote, and for absentee balloting.

First Selectman Gayle Weinstein said the Board of Selectmen will honor the intent of the petition and will discuss the logistics further at the board’s meeting tonight, Thursday, April 1.

She said she is working with town counsel to set a referendum date that will allow ample notice to residents, and will also allow an adequate time for absentee balloting.

An added wrinkle for setting the referendum date, is that the seven- to 14-day time period from the April 7 ATBM date coincides with school vacation, a week when town meetings are not customarily conducted.

“I am concerned that seven or eight days’ notice is not enough time for absentee ballots, and 14 days out puts us into school vacation,” Ms. Weinstein said. “We are trying to see if there is a way to pre-schedule the adjournment of the ATBM to get enough notice out.”

On Tuesday, Ms. Weinstein said her preference would be to schedule the referendum vote for Thursday, April 15, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at town hall.

The Board of Selectmen will also need to decide what items can and will be voted on at the ATBM before it is adjourned for a referendum.

Voter turnout

Nina Daniel, a member of Weston For Fiscal Responsibility (WFFR), the taxpayer group that generated the petition, said the goal is to increase voter turnout for the budget vote.

The ATBM is generally held on a weeknight, where voters in attendance are asked to approve the budget by voice vote. Only those who attend the meeting may vote.

“The ATBM is poorly attended, with fewer than 200 people showing up to vote on a multi-million dollar budget. We are hopeful that by changing to a secret ballot with extended voting hours, people in Weston will vote in greater number than before.” Ms. Daniel said.

At the time of last November’s election, Weston had approximately 6,400 registered voters. A voter turnout of 200 amounts to approximately 3% of all registered voters.

Surrounding towns with referendum votes have a significantly higher turnout than Weston. Easton has had as much as a 50% turnout at its budget votes, while Monroe averages 30% each year.

Members of WFFR started circulating the petition at the finance board’s budget meeting on March 23.

Public response was overwhelmingly positive, and several people with no connection to WFFR offered to collect signatures as well, Ms. Daniel said. “About 90% of the people we approached were eager to sign the petition,” she said.

The petition, with 307 signatures, was submitted to the town clerk’s office for review on Monday, March 29. In order to be valid, the town’s charter requires signatures from at least 200 qualified voters.

On Tuesday, March 30, Town Clerk Donna Anastasia confirmed the petition had enough qualified signatures, and was valid.

“One thing I would like to make clear is that WFFR is neutral on the budget itself. We are not making any recommendations. We are just hopeful that people will vote in greater numbers than before,” Ms. Daniel said.

Ideally, she would like the referendum to be held on a day that doesn’t fall within school vacation. “It was not our intent to schedule this during school vacation,” she said.

Other towns

Should the town decide to change its charter to adopt a secret ballot budget referendum, it would join the company of many other Connecticut towns.

According to a 2009 special report by the Connecticut Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, of the state’s 169 municipalities:

• 72 towns adopted their budgets through a referendum vote;

• 49 towns adopted their budgets through a town meeting;

• 35 (primarily cities) adopted their budgets through a council vote;

• Six towns adopted their budgets through a representative town meeting; and

• Six towns used other forms of adoption.

(As of the time of the study, one town had not adopted a budget.)

Since 2006, there has been an increase in the number of towns that have adopted a secret ballot referendum vote. In 2008, 68 municipalities adopted their budgets at a referendum, compared to 72 in 2009.


SPECIAL TOWN MEETING SAYS "YES" TO NEW ROOF, BOILERS AND DOORS AND WINDOWS MARCH 23rd!
Bids come in the next day BELOW the cost expected!
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING SAYS "YES" TO CONTRACT FOR FOOD PANTRY!
At the Special Town Meeting at 7p.m. Nov. 19, 2009, the final OK was given to keep the Food Pantry on Town property!





THANK YOU FOR VOTING IN G.O.P. PRIMARY! 
498 Republicans voted - actual turnout plus absentee = GOP #1 in Weston!!!  On a percentage basis as well as actual vote count, Republicans win!

In a Danbury diner, Mark Boughton, Mrs. Foley and Guberntorial candidate Tom Foley.  LINDA!!!
FALL CAMPAIGN STARTING...FIRST CANDIDATE SPOTTED IN WESTON IS...

FOR CONGRESS, Dan Debicella
CONGRATULATIONS ROW A

Thank you to everyone that came out to vote.  Your support is appreciated. 

Election Results

First Selectman – 1395 Gayle Weinstein (D), 1331 Dan Gilbert (R)
Selectman – 1512 David Muller (D), 1213 Britta Lerner (R)
Third highest vote recipient, Dan Gilbert (R), will sit on the Board of Selectman. 

Planning and Zoning – 1623 Stephan Grozinger (R), 1494 Dave Allen (R), 1484 Joseph Limone (D), 1448 Paul Heifetz (D)

Board of Education – 1411 Denise Harvey (D), 1351 Sonya Stack (R), 1294 Dick Bochinski (D), 1258 Lyn Kimberly (R)

 

Board of Police Commissioners – 1689 Hal Shupak (D), 1526 Peter Ottomano (R),1523 Rick Phillips (R), 1495 Jeff Eglash (D), 1419 Steve Ezzes (D)

 

Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate – 1519 Marianne Murray (R), 1487 Jeffrey Tallman (R), 1450 Kenneth C. Edgar Jr (D), 1436 Debbie Rehr (D) 

FORUM farewell article on Woody and Glenn
Thanks for all the hard work and caring leadership

Farewell to Major, Bliss: Weston selectmen make way for new board
Weston FORUM
Written by Kimberly Donnelly
Wednesday, 04 November 2009 11:38

For the last eight years, Weston has experienced some Major Bliss — Selectman Glenn Major and First Selectman Woody Bliss, that is.

Next Tuesday, on Nov. 10, as a new Board of Selectmen and other newly elected town officials are sworn in, the town will bid farewell to the two Republicans who have sat at the head of the table in the town hall Meeting Room, and at the top of the ticket for nearly a decade.

“It’s time for a fresh face behind the table,” Mr. Major said earlier this week. While he has loved serving the town as selectman, he said, over time, “you can get stale and even jaded... It was just time for someone else to take their turn.”

Mr. Bliss said he doesn’t think Weston has seen the last of Mr. Major, who was born and raised in Weston. “Glenn has been a terrific partner for the last eight years. He’s a brilliant guy, really very smart. Most importantly, he’s not afraid to ask the really tough questions, and to demand to get straight answers,” Mr. Bliss said. “The people of Weston have been very lucky to have had him on the Board of Selectmen, and I hope he chooses to run for first selectman one of these days. I think he’d be a great first selectman.”

Maybe someday, but not in the near future, Mr. Major said. For the time being, he is looking forward to spending more time with his family, which includes his wife, Elise, and his two children, a seventh grader and a high school freshman. “They are reaching that age where I think it’s important to be very available to them,” Mr. Major said.

In addition, Mr. Major, an attorney, said he also looking forward to reviving his zoning practice, something he had to give up while serving on the board.

For Mr. Bliss, who served as selectman for two years prior to running for the top spot with Mr. Major in 2001, at 73, he said he is ready to “get to some things I’ve neglected for the past 10 years.”

He is looking forward to doing more traveling — especially to see his three grown children and his five grandchildren — and doing more sailing and skiing, two of his favorite activities.

Another passion is genealogy. He is a lifetime member of the Connecticut Genealogy Society, and, now that he will have more time on his hands, Mr. Bliss is considering teaching the tools and techniques of genealogy research.

A look back

A look back at the past decade or so shows Mr. Bliss and Mr. Major have led the town through some fairly significant changes. As a selectman when Democrat Hal Shupack was first selectman, Mr. Bliss helped usher in the $80-million school and recreational facilities project. Bringing that project to fruition — the building of a new intermediate school, expanding the high school, and construction of playing fields at Morehouse Farm Park and Bisceglie-Scribner Park — took the better part of four terms in office.

Before the school project could be approved, however, Mr. Bliss said the town first had to deal with septic problems at the schools. The town was divided between those who thought sewers were the answer, and those — like Mr. Bliss — who believed there had to be a better way.

The ultimate solution — the Xenon treatment plant that now sits across from the middle school — was the result, Mr. Bliss said, of many volunteers who put in countless hours. “A lot of volunteers, a lot of great people, have done a lot of great work here,” Mr. Bliss said.

Many of those volunteers have sat on “select committees,” an idea implemented by Mr. Bliss, who came from a management/corporate background at IBM. “I brought in the notion of the corporate task force,” he said. While the committees (which range from an insurance advisory committee, a cemetery committee, and a veterans affairs committee) have done the heavy lifting, Mr. Bliss considers himself “the coach.”

Mr. Bliss said his “corporate philosophy” changed town hall in other ways, too. He said he brought long-range planning and the 10-year plan to the budget process. “We have a pretty rigorous budget process,” he said.

Other changes

While Mr. Bliss and Mr. Major steered the board, there were other changes in town as well. More than 1,500 acres in Weston were saved as open space. The town fought a power line project that would have run high voltage wires through Weston. A bridge (on Cartbridge Road) flooded and was replaced in record time. A new cell tower was built at the town landfill. Tax abatement, deferment, and freeze programs for seniors and veterans were created or upgraded. A senior center was built at the elementary school.

“It’s been busy,” Mr. Bliss said.

But the now almost former first selectman believes his greatest contribution to the town has been improving civility in Weston.

“Civility has been a major theme for 10 years,” Mr. Bliss said. He added public discussion during Board of Selectmen meetings as a way for citizens to voice their opinions in a respectful manner, and the town started broadcasting the selectmen’s meetings on public access TV.

“I think both those things have contributed to the civility of our meetings and the town,” Mr. Bliss said.

“It’s a great town and a great job, and I’m thankful the people of Weston have given me the opportunity to do it,” he said.

One of the only things he did not like about the job?

“Well, I gained 25 pounds,” he said with a laugh.
Bliss decides not to run again, keeps eye on selectman election
By TOM EVANS, Hour Staff Writer
Posted on 11/01/2009

WESTON

After serving his town on the Board of Selectman for 10 years, including the last eight as first selectman, Woody Bliss is content to be stepping away from the top post.  Bliss did not seek another term as first selectman, and he is curious to see how Tuesday's election plays out. His second and final term ends on Nov. 10.

"I think it's good to get new people with new thinking in this job," Bliss said on Friday. "(The first selectman) should not just be the day-to-day running of the town. We need vision and new creativity, and someone only has so much of those qualities."

Bliss is a Republican, but he is staying out of the first selectman's race between his party's Daniel Gilbert, and Democrat Gayle Weinstein.

"This is a very hard race to call," Bliss said. "Both campaigns are working very hard, and they've both put a lot of time, effort and money into their campaigns. We're all waiting to see what happens Nov. 3."

Bliss conceded that when he made his decision not to run again late in 2008, he was hoping Selectman Glenn Major would step up to the next position.  Family obligations are taking Major away from local politics for the time being, as he devotes more time to his children.

"I was hoping Glenn would take over and run for first selectman," Bliss said. "He's a brilliant guy, and I hope some day Glenn becomes first selectman. Glenn is such an asset to the town. He's insightful, and he's not afraid to ask the tough question -- and demand the tough answers."

Bliss calls the $80-million school building project -- including a new intermediate school for grades 3, 4 and 5 -- the "crowning jewel" of his administration.

"The Weston Intermediate School is the first new school in Fairfield County to come in on time and on budget in the last 10 years," Bliss said. "There was an original list of wants and needs, and we cut $55 million worth of stuff to bring it in at budget."

Despite negotiations on the school and other projects like the playing fields at Bisceglie and Morehouse Farm parks that got quite contentious, Bliss said better communication between boards and commissions were the key to those successful completions.

"I really appreciate the fine working relationship the board of selectmen had with each other and all the other boards and commissions the last 10 years," Bliss said. "The selectmen had the closest working relationship with the board of finance and the board of education."

Bliss compared working in a small town like Weston to trying to get similar efforts accomplished in other government centers.

"Unlike Hartford and Washington, where everything is extremely partisan, politics in Weston the last 10 years has been non-partisan," Bliss said. "The day-to-day work of local government is carried out with the idea of what's best for the people of Weston -- not what's best to get someone re-elected."

Bliss cited three traits that make Weston the unique and desirable community that it is.

"First is volunteerism, where people are willing to give of their talent, time and money to make Weston a better place," Bliss said. "Second is our two-acre zoning, which gives us the rural quality of life that's attractive to people. And third is we have only two industries in town: The fantastic education system, and trying to keep people without kids in the schools in town to help pay for those residents with kids in school. That last one is the eternal juggling act."

Bliss is not planning on leaving his activism aside. He is the chairman of the Southwest Regional Metropolitan Planning Organization, the treasurer for the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, and is currently the second vice president of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities.

"Others deserve a lot of credit for a great 10 years," Bliss said. "And my eight years as first selectman were highlighted by the wonderful staff and volunteers here at Town Hall and at the schools."

On September 17, 2009...

Board of Selectmen sets a modern record for meeting length:  11 minutes from pledge to going into executive session (which lasted about 30 minutes, no action taken)!



On August 3rd, at a special meeting, P&Z finally approved Town's plans for the new Valley Forge Bridge

A-2 and back to P&Z on August 3rd for 8-24...again.
Selectmen not building any bridges just yet...must go back to Planning and Zoning since the Special Town Meeting demanded an A-2.  The need for title searches still not answered by an A-2, but replacing a bridge is a critical step, and not a frivolous undertaking by the Town of Weston.  Town Engineer enters a letter with documentation into the record proving that the Town had done due diligence in posting notices, sending letters and holding Public Hearings, as well as meeting with neighbors individually or in groups as requested.



Election season coming up...Dan Gilbert to run for First Selectman in November!  Dan Gilbert knows first hand what's on everyone's mind in Weston this year and for the next few - and he has the vision to see the light...at the end of the proverbial tunnel was call local government elections!!!

Special Town Meeting called for July 9 at 7pm, Town Hall Meeting Room...

BREAKING NEWS: Voters say get A-2 survey and 8-24 review for Valley Forge bridge
Written by Patricia Gay, Weston FORUM
Friday, 10 July 2009 12:23

Voters at a town meeting last night overwhelmingly approved a motion requiring the selectmen to get an A-2 survey and 8-24 planning and zoning review for the Valley Forge bridge project.

It was standing room only in the Meeting Room at town hall, as 72 registered voters, the Board of Selectmen, and Ken Bernhard, town counsel debated how the Valley Forge bridge project should proceed.

The selectmen called for the town meeting in order to override the Planning and Zoning Commission’s 8-24 statutory denial of the bridge project. The denial was based solely on the selectmen’s failure to submit an A-2 survey.

Last night the voters had the final say and told the selectmen to get the A-2 survey and an 8-24 review as soon as possible.

After three failed attempts by others to amend the call, Larry Roberts proposed the following amendment:

“The town of Weston will obtain an A-2 survey and present it to the Planning and Zoning Commission for an 8-24 approval, and the commission will act on it as soon as possible.”

The motion was approved in a voice vote, with no opposition.

A BRIDGE TOO FAR?  P&Z SAYS "NO" TO "8-24."
The second bridge to need work in recent history is the Valley Forge Bridge.  This one was scheduled to be redone before Cartbridge.  At the Board of Selectmen on June 18, 2009, P&Z Chair explains why they want an A-2 survey, and Town Engineer explained (not pictured here) why what he presented to P&Z at the " 8-24" hearing was the same thing...or is it?  More to come...meanwhile the Board of Selectmen votes unanimously to call a Special Town Meeting to override the action of P&Z.

PICTURES FROM THE BUDGET PROCESS...

MARCH 31:  Not the usual Board of Finance Public Hearing on the budget - Selectmen's budget gets no comment at all but Westonites come out to ask for no increases FY2009-2010 - at right, "deliberation meeting" the next evening, April Fool's Day...but it was not a joke--budget was cut as the clock [almost] struck twelve!

WESTON FORUM INTERNET REPORT:

BREAKING NEWS: Weston’s Board of Finance will send a 2009-10 budget to the taxpayers that is 0.30% less than the current fiscal year.  After a lengthy meeting last night, Wednesday, April 1, that ran close to midnight, the board approved a total gross budget of $63,227,023, a total of $190,563 less than the current fiscal year.  But with revenues expected to be about $436,163 less than they are now, the total net budget is proposed at $60,353,381, which amounts to a 0.41% increase.

Keeping in mind the troubled economy, finance board members said their goal was to get the budget as close to a 0% increase as possible.

The board voted unanimously to set the school operating budget at $43,975,601, the same amount as the current fiscal year, representing a 0% increase.  The school capital budget was set at $396,800, which is $21,800 more than the current fiscal year, a 5.81% increase.

On the town side, the finance board set the town operating budget at $10,793,490, which is $167,220 more than the current fiscal year, a 1.57% increase.  The town’s capital budget was set at $807,333, a 20.93% decrease from the current fiscal year.

The estimated mill rate is set for 23.50.

A mill is equal to one dollar for every thousand dollars of assessed value on the grand list. At a mill rate of 23.50, a taxpayer with property assessed at $500,000 would pay $11,750 in taxes.

Taxpayers will have the chance to vote on the budget at the annual town budget meeting Tuesday, April 21.  Full coverage of the board of finance meeting, as well as of the budget public hearing held March 31, will be in the April 9 issue of The Weston Forum.

"SPEAK UP 2009"
At Norfield Church Parish Hall - the 18th Annual LWV of Weston unique event was SRO (@200 in the audience)

10 questions about the budget right in the beginning (after the first one about revel...) - had an influence on the Board of Selectmen when they voted to cut their own budget to "zero" increase!
 
Watch it on you computer here:  90 minutes of non stop action!

Cable/DSL version:
http://www.lwvweston.org/LWVSpeakup2-7-09CableVersion.wmv

Dial-up: 
http://www.lwvweston.org/LWVSpeakup2-7-09ModemVersion.wmv



DEMOCRACY CUP won by Weston voters in 2008 (90.4% turnout on November 2, 2008 - best for medium sized municipalities in CT) - kept in plain sight of security cameras!  Why did Weston win it?  One example is the terrific way Woody gets information out to the public!  His proposed budget: http://www.westonct.gov/media/file/budget2010.pdf

Woody calls multi-board meeting to discuss FY09-10 budget "guidance" before the budget process starts (December 2, 2008), above, left. 

From the FORUM...budget packages have been sent to all department heads in preparation for putting together next year’s town budget.  The following budget review schedule has been approved for Weston’s 2009-10 municipal budget. All meetings are open to the public.   Board of Education approves a budget (2.62% increase) - Selectmen review it and only recommend changes--Board of Finance has the power to make cut in the bottom line after its Public Hearing.
Wednesday, Dec. 17 - Departments submit budget requests to the town administrator/finance director. (Town Charter requires this be done no later than Jan. 14.)

Week of Jan. 5-9, 2009 - Departments meet with town administrator, finance director and first selectman to review budget requests.

Tuesday, Jan. 13 - Department revisions to original requests are due.

Thursday, Jan. 22 - First selectman submits town budget requests to Board of Selectmen.

Thursday, Jan. 29 - Board of Education submits school budget request to Board of Selectmen. (Town Charter requires this be done no later than Feb. 3.)

Tuesday, Feb. 3 - Board of Selectmen reviews first selectman’s town budget request (7:30 p.m.).

Wednesday, Feb. 4 - Board of Selectmen reviews Board of Education budget request (7:30 p.m.).

Thursday, Feb. 5 - Board of Selectmen continues review of Board of Education request if necessary. Board of Selectmen votes on and transmits town and school budgets to the Board of Finance. (Town Charter requires this be done no later than Feb. 25.) Selectmen also nominate a moderator for the Annual Town Budget Meeting (7:30 p.m.).

Monday, Feb. 23 - Board of Finance reviews first selectman’s town budget request (8 p.m.).

Tuesday, Feb. 24 - Board of Finance continues review of first selectman’s town budget request if necessary. (8 p.m.)

Wednesday, Feb. 25 - Board of Finance reviews Board of Education’s school budget request (8 p.m.).

Thursday, Feb. 26 - Board of Finance continues review of Board of Education’s school budget request if necessary (8 p.m.).

Thursday, March 19 - Notice published of budget public hearing.

Tuesday, March 31 - Board of Finance holds public hearing on the budget request at 8 p.m. in the Weston Middle School cafeteria.

Wednesday, April 1 - Budget public hearing continued if necessary.

Thursday, April 2 - Board of Finance budget deliberation meeting if necessary (8 p.m.).

Thursday, April 9 - Notice published of Annual Town Budget Meeting.

Tuesday, April 21 - Annual Town Budget Meeting at 8 p.m. in the Weston High School auditorium. (Charter requires this be held no later than April 22.) Board of Finance meets after the ATBM to set the mill rate.


Board of Selectmen, Thursday, September 4, 2008 at 7:30pm
Standing room only - so large an audience that groups took seats as their issue came up (previous audience for other issue left).  Lyons Plains Firehouse being discussed above, with satisfactory solution for everyone.  Home bleachers got the nod, too.  Plus a loan for new Booster Barn.  Very generous sports parents footing the bill - a "win-win" for the taxpayers.  This item should be before the next Board of Finance meeting.

New committees for Lachat Property and the Cemetery matters to form.  Select Committee on Legal Representations made final report.  New fuel efficient cars to get property tax reduction for one tax year.
Board of Selectmen, Thursday, June 19, 2008 at 7:30p.m.
So many topics covered so effectively!!!  Appointsments and one resignation and then Lachat latest;  public input and Conservancy response, all in respectful tones.  Then global warming excellent ideas, and next the Legal Review Select Committee preliminary findings - HIGH MARKS for Town Attorney and Selectmen and staff! 
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING SAYS "YES"
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 7:30pm
Weston Middle School cafeteria - reallocation of General Fund to auditorium plus post-employment benefits contribution.  It was hot for the perhaps 70 voters present.  Weston Arts gets really big round of applause for their fundraising drive. 

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 7:30p.m., Special Board of Selectmen and 8p.m. Board of Finance (who will attend the 7:30p.m. meeting as well)
This is the meeting where the "call" and the Resolution for a Special Town Meeting June 11, 2008 will be set - time, location and Moderator to be decided.  As well as which projects make the cut - total amount of General Fund balance reduction @$1.7 million plus, most likely!
Regular Selectmen's Meeting Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 7:30p.m., Town Hall Meeting Room
Special Town Meeting "call" discussed.  Added to the agenda was the item to NOT proceed with the Town Hall Roof replacement using slate on original section (which is now slate).

Regular Selectmen's Meeting, Thursday, April 3, 2008, Town Hall Meeting Room
Woody on speakerphone, Building Committee describes projects on deck right now:  Auditorium (getting reading to go out to bid), Kaestle-Boos evaluation of  school and town buildings implementation, Alternative Energy subcommittee and Revson.  New effort to finance building of Booster Barn and other features for athletic program underway.  More drainage fixes.
Special Board of Selectmen, Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, 7:30pm, Town Hall Meeting Room
First Selectman presents his proposed budget to the Board of Selectmen.  Oh, yes, there is a Presidential Primary finishing up at 8pm in the Middle Schol Gym, too...
Special Board of Selectmen, Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 9:30am in the Town Hall Meeting Room
Decision to be made about membership and Chair. at this time.
Special Board of Selectmen, Thursday, January 24, 2008 at 11am in the Town Hall Meeting Room
This is to deal with the issues around the charge to ("Mission Statement"), membership and specific names of new Select Committee for Legal Review.  Daytime meeting because Selectman Major is recusing himself from any discussion or action related to Select Committee on Legal Review.
Regular Selectmen's Meeting...scheduled for 7:30pm on Thursday, January 17, 2008 in the Town Hall Meeting Room
Prior to the Regular Selectmen's Meeting, in the same location (at 7pm) a Special Town Meeting - small turnout altered the wording (wanted to vote on three items separately) - but approved all items of the call (not the part in the second "be it resolved" item sending left over funds to the General Fund).  Now any funds left over go to a separate account for use on school purposes.
"State of the Town" address preview...
A look ahead to 2008:  First Selectman Woody Bliss prepares for new year
Weston FORUM
by KIMBERLY DONNELLY
Jan 2, 2008
 
First Selectman Woody Bliss takes a brief break from his busy schedule to look forward to the new year. —Kimberly Donnelly photo 
Weston First Selectman Woody Bliss said he’s not really one for making New Year’s resolutions, but he does have a New Year’s wish: “That everyone participate in random acts of kindness,” he said.

On the cusp of a new year — his seventh in the town’s top elected spot — Mr. Bliss said he is looking forward to tackling the budget process, moving some ongoing projects along, and putting some innovative new ideas into practice.

A businessman through and through (Mr. Bliss spent nearly two decades with IBM), the first selectman is eager to dive into the municipal budget process the first week in January.  Budget packets have already gone out; this week, Mr. Bliss, Tom Landry, town administrator, and Rick Darling, the town’s finance director, meet with each town department head to go over budget requests.

Mr. Bliss will submit a town budget request to the Board of Selectmen by the end of the month; the board will review, discuss, and vote on it and the school budget before sending them along to the finance board for tweaking, and then to the voters for ultimate approval.

Mr. Bliss estimates — “unless we get a real curve ball from our friends on the Board of Education,” he said — there will be approximately a 3% increase in the mill rate for the 2008-09 budget year, putting it at about 24.08 mills.

“The challenge for Weston is grand list growth,” Mr. Bliss said. “We did OK on the grand list this year. I think next year, there might be a problem.”

He explained that for every percent the grand list grows, “it’s pretty much like a free percent on the mill rate increase.” For that reason, “the slowing we’re seeing in real estate is a concern.”

Because the town has a 10-year plan it is constantly updating, though, Mr. Bliss said it’s possible to make adjustments and “pre-emptive moves” based on the real grand list numbers (as opposed to those that were projected) and other economic trends, so there should not be big spikes or surprises for taxpayers down the road.

“We’ve been lucky compared to towns like Westport. I think it will catch up with us next year, though, because historically, when the real estate market softens, it softens for a couple of years,” Mr. Bliss said.

While the town side of the budget is aided by a solid grand list, “the school portion of the budget is being helped by a flattening of enrollment,” Mr. Bliss said.

Tax freeze program

One thing Mr. Bliss hopes to have in place in time to include in this year’s budget is a new tax freeze program for eligible seniors.

“I really appreciate the work the Commission on Aging did, because I’m firmly committed to keeping our seniors here as long as they’d like to stay,” he said.

The proposed program — which goes to a public hearing on Jan. 10, and then is expected to be voted on by the Board of Selectmen on Jan. 17 — gives qualified seniors an opportunity to freeze their property taxes at their current level.

The income threshold would be $100,000, with no threshold on net worth or house value. The real estate base tax would be frozen at the date of the application.

Subsequent annual real estate tax increases would be deferred, interest free, until the house is sold, or for 14 years, at which time the applicant would be required to pay off the first tax deferment, and subsequent years annually thereafter.

“We have any number of seniors in town who are ‘house poor,’” Mr. Bliss said, “meaning they have valuable assets in their house, but little cash flow. This [program] will help them to generate cash flow.”

Facilities

Mr. Bliss is also looking forward to getting his hands on a final draft of the facilities study the town commissioned from the architectural firm Kaestle Boos Associates.  The firm did an evaluation of all town-owned buildings, with the exception of Jarvis House, the salt shed, Heady House, the Lachat house, the Ivy Moore cottage, and the dog pound.

He has seen only draft versions of the report so far, but Mr. Bliss said “it gives us a good feel for the state of our infrastructure.”

Once the final report is completed, Mr. Bliss expects to “come up with priorities and a game plan. I want to do phase one in this next budget cycle ... I think that’s realistic,” he said.

Lachat and cemetery

When asked about two projects that seemed not to see much progress this past year — the development of the Lachat property, co-owned with the Nature Conservancy, and plans for a new town cemetery — Mr. Bliss refused to make any specific predictions about what the new year would bring.  He did express some optimism about both projects, though.

“We’ve reconvened the Lachat Committee and we’ve been having some discussions with our partners, the Nature Conservancy. It appears we will be able to come to some kind of common plan that meets the objectives of the town and the Nature Conservancy,” he said.

Eventually, “I hope to see a level of development that will make the property more usable to more people, but will not be on the scale of what was proposed before,” Mr. Bliss said.

In 2005, the town and the Nature Conservancy presented a plan to the Weston Planning and Zoning Commission calling for the renovation of several buildings and the construction of a parking lot and a new 5,200-plus-square-foot visitors and education center on the Lachat property.  That plan was heavily opposed by the public and was withdrawn before coming to a vote.

As for a town cemetery — which has been on and off the table for nearly 17 years — the Cemetery Committee, after hiring a consultant to examine five possible sites in town, presented its recommendation to the Board of Selectmen at its last meeting of 2007.

The committee’s choice: a portion of the Lachat property.

“I would think in 2008 we will make a definite decision on a cemetery,” Mr. Bliss said.

Alternative energy

Mr. Bliss has overseen an $80-million school and athletic fields building project for most of his years in office, and 2008 should see the final piece of that project — renovation of the high school auditorium — completed.

This year, Mr. Bliss is very excited about a different kind of project at the schools: putting a photovoltaic array (solar panels) on the high school roof. The electricity generated from it would be used by or credited to the town.

Mr. Bliss said the high school alone uses about 400,000 kilowatt-hours per year. “This could provide about half of that,” he said.

In the summer months, when the school is vacant but sunlight is more plentiful, the meter would run backwards, with the energy generated being put “back on the network” to be used by CL&P, which would in turn credit the town.

The very rough numbers for the proposal put the cost of installing the array at about $8.5 million, with, potentially, about 75%-80% being paid with grant money, Mr. Bliss said.

“I’m very excited ... It’s my hope we’ll see this happen this year,” Mr. Bliss said.

Police

Upon final reflection on what the upcoming year might bring, Mr. Bliss said he is very much looking forward to working with a newly energized police department.

For the Weston police, 2007 was not a quiet year. There were dismissal hearings against former Police Chief Anthony Land, and his ultimate departure; and there was controversy surrounding the appointment of a new police commissioner, who, it turned out, had been previously arrested by Weston police for a domestic incident.

But with the naming of Sgt. John Troxell, a 20-year veteran of the Weston force, as the choice for the new permanent police chief, Mr. Bliss said, he has seen a noticable difference in the department and the town as a whole.

“I’m delighted with the choice,” Mr. Bliss said. “I think it’s a very popular decision. Certainly as interim, John has done an outstanding job. I look forward to working with him.”
Board of Selectmen, Dec. 20, 2007
Really long agenda (two pages) - but there were two-dozen re-appointments to start off.  After the new year, a Public Hearing (January 10, 2008 at 7pm in Town Hall) will solicit opinions about proposals for Veterans Exemption increase (to be heard first) and Tax Relief for the Elderly changes to existing programs and creation of a new one.  Watch the FORUM dated either Dec. 27 or the first newspaper after New Years for more information and the text of the items to be heard January 10. 

Also at this meeting, with Selectman Major recusing himself, the other Selectmen voted on a revised version of Woody's proposed "Mission Statement" on Town Attorney performance review.  The new Select Committee (completion of work by June of next year  - 2008) may include only individuals or lawyers with no professsional or personal conflicts with the present Town Attorney firm.  This Select Committee will also have the power to solicit applications for the job of Weston Town Attorney, and may consider whether the job is better done by a full time attorney or a firm.

The meeting was supposed to be on Town TV, but it is reported, residents got only a black screen @8pm!  Maybe that is why members of the general public filtered in after that time...
Board of Selectmen, November 15, 2007
Mayor of Trancoso, Portugal sits in at the big table as the new Board of Selectmen go through their first meeting.  Tax Relief for the Elderly freeze adjustments to go to Town Attorney as soon as new Democrat Selectperson will let it--no action to be taken for the elderly in need of tax relief freeze until claim of confliect of interest resolved.

Glenn back on track with Lachat as Nature Conservancy agrees to drop "meeting space" from design for Nature/Conservation Center.  Also, Conservancy shows interest in moving office to Lachat and closing Pent Road offices.

Woody reminded us that the biggest challenge might be the unexpected one--FAA landing zones.  We are glad we have our team that beat back 345kV threat leading us in this next two years of public events!

OATH OF OFFICE CEREMONY
Thursday, November 15, 2007 at 7pm in the Town Hall Meeting Room
Blissful Election Results in Weston Selectman Race
Westport NEWS
By Don Casciato
Article Launched: 11/09/2007 09:35:21 AM EST

Republican Woody Bliss, who says that he enjoys his job as Weston's first selectman, got a chance to do it for another two years on Election Day by defeating Democratic Party challenger Gayle Weinstein 1,444 to 1,212.

"I'm great, I'm great," he said, when asked how he felt after his most recent victory. He will be sworn in at 7:30 p.m. next Thursday at Weston Town Hall for his fourth term at the town's helm. [See page A3 of today's issue for election results.]

One of the most frequently asked questions he gets from Weston residents and friends from his days as an IBM executive is, "Why do you run?" His reply: "To me it is a fun job, I make a lot of contributions and get the satisfaction of accomplishment."

Looking ahead, Bliss said a major goal is a "study to look at the infrastructure of all town facilities" with an objective of maintenance and replacement over a 10-year span.

Mold Alert

Asked for an example, he cited the slate roof on the Town Hall building. Although slate might last for a very long time, there are cracks between the slabs of slate and water leaks in, which could lead to mold problems, according to Bliss.

The early stages of the plan have already started, he explained, observing that he will bring his IBM training to the task that could take up to 10 years.  And there always is the focus on education and the quality of life.

Bliss believes the three main achievements of his three terms as first selectman are the $80 million in school projects, the Senior Activities Center and the improvements of sports fields. "Over six years, we've gotten a lot done," he added.

He has run without opposition at times in the past, so the 232 votes that separate him and Weinstein is close enough for Bliss to pause and take notice. And, during his time in office there have been critics of projects and some were unhappy with the handling of the changes at the police department.

Caring and Sharing

Bliss also considers himself a good-will ambassador and appears to be sincere when he states that another goal of his is "Keeping Weston just the way it is a fine place to live where we work together well."

Although it seems obvious to this writer that Bliss is a politician in an era in which that isn't always perceived as a virtue, the first selectman never seems to behave like a conventional politician.

For example, he seldom refuses to answer a question, although during the Wednesday telephone interview he skirted an answer to a question about affordable housing. And, unlike some first selectmen and mayors, he always returns phone calls and responds to messages left for him.

The first selectman also has tried to make Weston a kinder and more caring community and this objective is reflected when Bliss repeats what has become his mantra: "It is OK to disagree, but not to be disagreeable."

During the campaign, the town leader said he tried to generate the discussion of important issues. "I thank the voters of Weston for their continued support of this administration," he said. "I look forward to working hard to achieve the success we all desire."

Although he is happy in his work, Bliss admits that praise from the top levels of state government is a wonderful perk. When he got home early in the morning of the day after the election, there was a congratulatory call from Lt. Gov. Mike Fedele. "I've worked with Mike and Gov. [Jodi] Rell over the years, so I'm kind of pleased with the call."

Will the Board of Finance tomorrow night reconsider the request for funding for Weston participation in a multi-regional opposition lawsuit re: FAA flight pattern changes?  YES!!!  It is reported that there was only one
"no" vote this time.
Board of Selectmen
November 1, 2007

The last Selectmen's meeting for this Board, note REALLY good cake at left in photo above.  FAA matter brought up and Selectmen vote to join suit without contributing money, at Att'y General Blumenthal's advice.  Also, a new request to add another home to Ravenwood Water Suppy (first in a really long time).

Illustration of how bright the lights in the high school cafeteria really are!  Woody catches the end of this event after 2hrs and some minutes at the 6pm meeting (below)...

Global Warming "National Conversation"
October 4, 7:30 - 9:30pm at Weston High School cafeteria

A nice crowd watched CPTV's global warming/climate change edited program;  group activities.

Illustration of look of new Cartbridge (l); Woody and Glenn listen to applicant for Board of Ethics electronically--don't you think they should actually see candidates?

Special Board of Selectmen
October 4, 2007 at 6pm

 At Special Selectmen's meeting at 6pm on Thursday, October 4, with some corrections and assurance of dry hydrant location, the Cartbridge Bridge reconstruction got under way--at least as far as setting up an October Joint Meeting of Conservation and P&Z to work out flood plain and wetland issues...


Selectman W. Glenn Major discusses Lachat.

Board of Selectmen
September 20, 2007

One of the Glenn's greatest contributions to the Board of Selectmen is his clear thinking!  And it doesn't hurt that he is a lawyer, either!  In particular, the issue of Lachat - the house, the property and the lapsed cooperation between the Nature Conservancy and the Town are to be given another look.  A Select Committee (same group who did such a fine job on the Heady House) established at this meeting to come up with a plan (to serve until 2009) for the homestead.  Other matters:  appointments, tax refunds, approval of minutes and Special Appropriation for Interfaith Housing.

Special Board of Selectmen
September 11, 2007

In a Special meeting, the Cemetery Committee consultant contract was approved with a revision of $500; to go to the Board of Finance Thursday, September 13 at 8pm.  The 9-11 ceremony was then held indoors due to inclement weather.

Board of Selectmen
August 16, 2007

At the last Selectmen's Meeting before the beginning of the school year, two projects are front and center.  The first is exploration of feasibility of installing a photovoltaic array for the Weston High School roof.  Building Committee in favor of exploring funding and selection of appropriate approach for Weston, received go ahead from Selectmen.

Bridge over Aspetuck
Second was a most impressive display of leadership. Our First Selectman and staff went to Easton to support the case against increasing traffic in the Kellogg Hill - Wells Hill Road area.  He appeared at an Easton Public Hearing (aborted due to improper notice) on repair to the one-lane Easton bridge (13' wide--maybe 2 Mini-Coopers???), proposed to be widened to 22 feet, made necessary by the recent rains. 

The First Selectman of Easton arrived at the subsequent Thursday Weston Selectmen's Meeting and indicated that the new design will be for a narrower bridge, after many complaints about increased traffic which were heard at the Easton Public Hearing (held for discussion only).

The question of increased traffic on these minor roads and bridges weakening the old structures is very much a question for Westonites to address as we move to repair Cartbridge and then the Valley Forge bridge.  Increased traffic upsets neighborhoods, but also, may very well cause safety and infrastructure problems!  Police
Chief on hand to describe his alternative.

Saugatuck River Watershed Alliance report given.

Saturday, August 4, 2007 editorial
NOTE:  Some of these knitters may be Democrats, congratulations to them, too!
Weston knitters...bouquet winners

We embark on the last full month of summer, and there's no mistaking it is August, when you look at the temperature and humidity figures. As usual, the heat wave will break and then we'll have some cool, pre-autumnal pleasant days.

About the time the children return to school, we'll get a return blast of steamy summer weather –— it happens every year. Some rain would be appreciated these days, as lawns and gardens are parched.

The weather, however, doesn't prevent our bouquets from blooming as we scan the horizon in the Greater Norwalk area and beyond.

We have bouquets for a number of Weston seniors who have been using their skills to help troops in Iraq.

Knitting scarves for soldiers fighting in 100-degree temperatures would seem to be counterproductive. But these are "cooling scarves," pure cotton and contain about two teaspoons of dry polymer crystals inside them. When soaked in water for 30 minutes, they expand and create a cooling effect in the scarves that can last nine to 11 hours.

The seniors are members of the knitting group at the Weston Senior Center. They were enlisted to take on the project by the "Weston Supports the 2nd Combat Brigade Team" group, which sends care packages and other items to the unit.

The knitters hoped to ship off the first 100 scarves this week. They would love to create 1,000 scarves. In the fall, they will turn to knitting blankets for hospitalized GIs...
FIREWORKS ON JULY 5th;  MORE FIREWORKS AT BOARD OF SELECTMEN'S MEETING JULY 12.  WESTON FORUM REPORT HERE.

Rain out for the 4th, but Thursday, July 5th provided fireworks and refreshments!

"COMMUNITY CONVER$ATION ON TAX RELIEF"
Wednesday, May 30, 200, 7:30pm
Town Hall Meeting Room

Who will show up?  What will be some ideas bandied about?  What are the details of Weston's existing program?

Brought up at "Speak Up,"  the subject of tax relief for seniors and others who wish to remain in Weston came up...so First Selectman Woody Bliss said he'd set up a time (after Special Town Meeting and ATBM) for this discussion to take place...it is here tonight!

Read a January 2003 brouchure from theTown of Weston on this subject!  CLICK HERE.

BUDGET PROCESS 2007-2008 OVER:  LOCAL ELECTION ON THE HORIZON!

Voters OK Weston's $57.3 million budget
By JEREMY SOULLIERE, Hour Staff Writer
Saturday, April 7, 2007

WESTON — Weston voters left their town officials' budget requests untouched Wednesday night, approving an overall town budget increase of 5.2 percent over the current fiscal year.

The 70-plus voters who attended the annual budget meeting voted unanimously on nearly all the 44 budget items before them, moving quickly through each department budget request, the schools' proposed budget, and the capital improvement budget request with only one "nay" throughout the proceedings and one public comment. The lone "nay" was in opposition to the proposed police department budget, and the public comment was supporting the Board of Education's budget.

First Selectman Woody Bliss said he was "very pleased" with the voters support of the municipal requests for the fiscal year 2008.

"We worked very hard — the department heads especially — in formulating the budget," he said, "(and) I think the vote of unanimous approval on almost every item (shows) that people like the job done by the department heads to formulate the budget."

Minus the projected revenue, the town's net budget for the upcoming fiscal year is $57.3 million, yielding a 2.81-percent increase in the mill rate, with residents paying $0.64 more per $1,000 of assessed property value.

"This is the lowest percentage (increase) in recent years," Bliss told the residents about the mill rate rise, which is slated to go from 22.75 to 23.39.

The bulk of Weston's newly approved budget, $41.7 million, will be allocated to the schools, a 4.1-percent rise over the present school budget, which residents gave unanimous approval Wednesday.

"I'm thrilled to get that kind of support," Board of Education Chairwoman Ellen Uzenoff said.

The task at hand now for the schools, she said, is figuring out where to cut the $550,000 the Board of Finance had reduced from the Board of Education's proposed $42.2 million budget last month.

"It's going to be a challenge to make those cuts," Uzenoff said.

She said Weston Schools Superintendent Lynne Pierson will be making some cut recommendations to the Board of Education on April 23, which will be making the decision from there.

The municipal budget for the upcoming fiscal year — $10.2 million — represents a 3.8-percent increase over the present year. The bulk of the increase is driven by upsurges in town employee salaries and benefits, Bliss said, with approximately 75 percent of the rise coming from those two areas.

Voters also supported a $1.3-million capital improvement budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which includes $325,000 toward replacing one of the town's fire trucks, $175,000 to renovate the town hall roof and $160,000 toward replacing windows at the middle school.

Residents also approved a $7.4-million debt service budget for the next fiscal year.


AND PREVIOUSLY...

INDEPENDENCE DAY FIREWORKS A GREAT SHOW!  A young Westonite checked out the play at Bisceglie!
WESTON PARKS & RECREATION PRESENTED:  WESTON'S FAMILY 4TH CELEBRATION 2006
TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2006
11 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. FREE RESIDENT SWIM @ BISCEGLIE-SCRIBNER PARK (Proof of residency required);
WESTON MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPLEX GATES OPEN AT 4:30 P.M.  No entry from Lords Highway after 6:30 PM. School Road and Route 57 only!
ADULT - $5.00 CHILDREN (AGES 3-17) $2.00
NO CHARGE CHILDREN 2 YEARS AND UNDER

5:00 - 9:00 P.M. * BARBECUE* (PROVIDED BY GEORGETOWN SALOON)
5:00 - 6:15 P.M. AMERICAN CONCERT BAND MUSIC
6:15 - 7:15 P.M. WESTPORT COMMUNITY BAND (Sal LaRusso, conductor)
6:15 - 7:15 P.M. THE MAGIC GENIE PERFORMANCE
7:30 - 9:20 P.M. THE STRAIGHT NOTE CHASERS BAND
9:20 P.M. FIREWORKS DISPLAY!
10:00 - 11:00 P.M. THE STRAIGHT NOTE CHASERS BAND RETURNS!


ATBM Wednesday, April 19, 2006, 8pm at Weston High School (in the new cafeteria)...Capital Budget item#100 (Lachat Education Center) reduced to zero.
Woody and Glenn lead the way at "Speak Up 2006"...
Westonites make themselves heard at annual Speak Up
FORUM
By TERRY CASTELLANO
Feb 8, 2006

While some residents may have felt the selectmen were, figuratively, “sitting on the fence” with regard to providing answers as to why there is a private fence on town-owned Revson field, most residents appeared to be satisfied with the responses provided by the selectmen during the League of Women Voters’ (LWV) annual forum, Speak Up.

Residents and town officials took part in an hour and a half question and answer session where any and all subjects pertaining to town and state government were open for discussion.

Approximately 75 community members and 30 town and state officials attended the forum, held at Norfield Church Parish Hall. Attendees included state Senators Judith Freedman and John McKinney, Jr., and Representative John C. Stripp, as well as the three selectmen and the chairmen or their designated representatives from almost every town commission and board...
Special Town Meeting Dec. 15, 2005 OK's second cell tower - this one to be located at the Transfer Station!
THANK YOU FOR VOTING, AND RETURNING THE TEAM TO OFFICE in 2005! 
Budget Process for fiscal 2006-2007 begins soon - will climax on April 19, 2006 at ATBM!
"GO TO" page for reference--includes "who's who" in local government...return to homepage