SUMMARY OF CT PLANNING NEWS - still unfolding but it started here.day
And we are reminded that there is an election coming up for Congress, Governor as well as State offices & legislature. Best version of DAY ONE/Executive Orders and "campaign" on this issue - vote.
How about burgeoning SCANDAL?
LINKS TO GOVERNMENTMISSION OF THIS WEBSITE;
Legislative branch, Executive branch. COVID-19: Executive Orders, our reports. JUDICIAL branch; Bond Commission; C.G.A...2020; A.C.I.R. on this website, O.P.M. website
79 on Town website & Youtube; LINK to weather
TOPICS STATEWIDE:
September 14, 2021 at 7pm on Zoom is the test case for Internet help in reaching public! Will it continue? YES - extension into December (at least).
Our favorite place for LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES - go to the C.G.A. website HERE;
More on Legislative business reported here...quick links to recent history:
- SHORT SESSION 2022 COMING IN FEBRUARY
- LONG SESSION PLUS 2021 here.
- Short Session (Feb. 5th to May 6th now done) of 2020: Office of Legislative Research (OLR) "major issues" report 'live"
- Previously: INTERIM NEWS including Tolls Session eventually...NOT..E-CERT instead? Gone for now? Coming back?
- LONG SESSION 2019. For previous Session reports use search box at the top.
TOPICS LOCAL:
LAND USE DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING P&Z, CONSERVATION, ZBA NOW HAVE VIRTUAL MEETING CAPABILITY...P&Z Adopts Village District, votes to "Opt-Out" of CT mandate for ADU and reduced parking requirements - will Board of Selectmen go for this opt-out?
NEW TOWN PLAN OF C&D (2020-2030) ADOPTED EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2020.
- NEW PLAN IMPLEMENTATION: ONE YEAR IN - check out page 18 for section of implementation so far...
- WESTON TOWN PLANS OF C&D, OVER TIME - "COMMUNITY CONNECTIVITY - Thanks for a job well done, Sidewalk Committee.
- FUTURE-THINK"..."back to school" in a pandemic...Fall 2021.
- Looming expensive project coming for School and Town facilities - at least we have a proposal from Facilities Optimization Committee...
- Meet the other side of the pandemic - INDOOR AIR QUALITY
- CT Commissioner Cardona U.S. Commissioner of Education...Bossie says "Moo" on biofuels...she wants to help...
ECONOMIC VITALITY COMMITTEE NEWS HERE
And with the turn of the new year 2021 (when the stories below were told) we wonder who can bring themselves to imagine a "future" that has any promise?
GIS MAPS FROM WestCOG: https://westcog.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=52e7d0895ce94129854cabc1dc63ee22#
LINK to Town of Weston YouTube channel. To catch up on meetings you may have missed. WARNING: COVID-19 has meant no video of "live" in person meetings.
What is our area of interest as well as expertise?
THE CENSUS MAP OF CT HERE
WHAT THE 2020 CENSUS TELL US...Re-apportionment now in the hands of Special Master
CENSUS AND CT RE-APPORTIONMENT MAPS - Legislative Panel agrees on CT legislative lines.
2020 CT House ; CT Senate; SPECIAL MASTER final map of Connecticut Congressional Districts.
And in case you were wondering...Breaking news: Center of America in 2020 has stopped moving west!
Graphtic art above left (click to enlarge). Anyone ever going to save Cobb's Mill? See article at right above - same guy!
Architectural Review Board for village district (and maybe other things)?
Process to hire said architect, 3 quotes for consultant discussed. 35 days for review...
Adjourned 8:45pm.
The Board of Selectmen, where everything seems to end up. Where town policies are made. Our play-by-play.
The Board of Finance, where the Town financial health is maintained. NEW the Budget Process FY'23
Planning & Zoning, where the Town Plan of Conservation and Development update will take place. Our informed observations.
Building Committee. The professionals. Always busy in the summer and 2020 no exception!
Board of Police Commissioners: What's up on important traffic, infrastructure, public safety matters.
Conservation Commission: The inland wetlands regulator in Town. As well as the primo go-to group on conservation itself.
Historic District Commission
QUICK LINK TO OUR COVERAGE OF CONNECTICUT'$ HOT I$$UES
SUMMARY OF WHERE TO LOOK FOR OUR PLANNING-RELATED IDEAS
RESOURCES
CONNECTICUT (a.k.a. "Land of Steady Habits"). Government page with links to CT & White House, as well as LOCAL government.
- OOPS - WHAT WAS NEW IS NOW OVER: P A R T N E R S H I P F O R C O N N E C T I C U T
- CT PAYROLL COMMISSION;
- Tool to measure 169 towns/compare: https://portal.ct.gov/OPM/IGP-MUNFINSR/Municipal-Financial-Services/Municipal-Benchmarking. And great when it works - https://ucoa.ct.gov/benchmarking/#/
- 169 Towns: What functions required what level of government? Are taxes not the usual final determination? Who gets a say? The local level we are most familiar with here.
- CT STATE GOVERNMENT: Whither or wither CT?
- CT STATE CONSTITUTION: Including "Article Tenth" (OF HOME RULE);
- Freedom of Information Commission; Hearing on Board of Education (Bethel) charging $20 for smartphone copies (on complaint for 5 years of expense records for every administrator in the department).
PLANNING AS A PROFESSION IS THE ACTIVITY WE FAVOR
FOR EXAMPLE, PARTNERS IN PLANNING:
- TOWN PLANNING TOOL-KIT: Online references and "how to" directions from About Weston to assist citizens attempting to do their own planning. Map of location of Weston CT Historic Districts here.
- LACHAT; Or as we like to say, "Toujours Lachat" - a subject of significance going forward. As well as its neighbor, THE NATURE CONSERVANCY.
- Aspetuck Land Trust
- "Georgetown" development in the future?
- Transportation: N.E.C. PLAN OPTIONS; Metro North New Haven Line 1% INCREASE - actual info from source here. Our observations of Governor's Transportation Panel here.
GOVERNMENT: From Washington, D.C. to Hartford to our favorite, Weston, Connecticut - Weston is a little town that works...as in Public Works (Department)...
WESTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN:
More:
- For a refresher re: who or what is "WestCOG"; all COGs meet in Hartford monthly.
- Strategic Planning Committee: "Meeting of the Whole" notes for 12-15-15 meeting here...interviews, summer of 2015...to fulfill its perhaps expanded MISSION STATEMENT;
- Finance Board of Weston: Our report of most recent meeting here. How does the CT State Tax Panel and their FINAL REPORT fit in? Read interesting report here: http://www.theday.com/section/NWSctpensions
- Regional and local public safety and other police issues and use of now required to be licenseddrones and/or other aerial reconnaissance techniques.
- Army Corps of Engineers - "H" bridge open, what's new in 2019? Cavalry Road bridge with Westport.
- Council of Small Towns ("COST") current (2020) President from WestCOG (Bethel).
- Government: Lots of interesting stuff going on always, at all levels!
- HOUSING.
- U.S. Supreme Court
THINGS ENVIRONMENTAL AS WELL AS SUSTAINABILITY
PLANNING ENTITIES: At various levels of government. And those that are charged with implementing plans:
LOCAL
Regional: WCCOG; and CCOGs' Executive Directors meet in Hartford.
Creatures of the State: A.C.I.R. (Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations) - State and local government as appointed by statute; Economic Competitiveness Commission; - Chair. now CT AG.
PLANNING/URBAN DESIGN & RELATED MATTERS
OTHERS BEYOND
- The World - too much with us, as the poet says, but not without positive impacts.
- LNG or "liquified natural gas" back in the news...
- 21st Century union news.
- Bankruptcy - filed under "O" or ZERO - of government and maybe its ideas, too? Some comment re: CT.
- Municipal Accountability Review Board in CT. NEW PAGE.
- Internet Matters; A fast changing picture.
- "Global Facilities" - last met Aug. 6, 2015 - professional estimates distributed. Our pictures, document copies & notes here. Former First Selectman personal report here about what they did.
- "About Town" the television program, can be viewed online.
- Resources: Reports by others and...links to sources with live and archived public meetings out of town;
- Special Town Meetings in Weston since 2002: results and some detail;
Professional background in city planning, original research on downtown pedestrian malls published. Long experience in public policy matters, with degrees to match.
TOWN OF WESTON FACEBOOK PAGE:
https://www.facebook.com/townofwestonct
NEW FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEIGHBOR INPUT - CT PATCH - Weston - Redding: https://patch.com/connecticut/weston-ct
WESTON-TODAY: westontoday.news
CALENDAR of Weston-only schedule of activities.
TV news: http://connecticut.news12.com;
OUR FAVORITE SOURCE - CT-N link; OR TRY THIS VERSION.
AND...CT NEWS JUNKIE: http://ctnewsjunkie.com/;
PLUS CT MIRROR: http://www.ctmirror.org/home;
The New London DAY;
http://www.norwichbulletin.com;
http://www.courant.com/;
http://www.westportnow.com/;
http://www.westport-news.com/;
The Advocate Online;
http://www.greenwichtime.com;
http://www.newstimes.com/;
http://www.connpost.com;
The Waterbury Republican-American;
WESTON'S "NEWSPAPER OF RECORD" - Public Notices on "Classifieds" page - Norwalk HOUR.
Yale Daily News;
New Haven REGISTER;
NEW - POLLING LINK: https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/latest_polls/
Alaska Dispatch News: http://www.adn.com/;
I-BBC: http://www.bbc.com/news;
http://ctbythenumbers.info/;
WHAT'S UP IN COURT? https://www.courthousenews.com/
CTREALTORS: https://www.ctrealtors.com/ctr-tv/
Note this is a national organization - https://www.publicintegrity.org/about
Another look at national news - https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/
* = Observations from news accounts from elsewhere since 1998 are continually being evaluated off-line and where appropriate when specific items relate to the new more local mission of About Weston; when timely, included by reference in current discussions.
TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE FOR LOCAL AND REGIONAL PUBLIC NOTICE: About Town summaries here.
This way to all the information you will need to follow government. When does a "public notice" have to be published?
IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER ("169 towns" is first) - these pages are updated from time to time with news as it happens from public sources.
A, B, C , D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O (online news), P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z. ("Z" for "zoning")
DAVE GEISMAR MY HERO, FORMER EMT IN ISRAELI ARMY
Bravo Jon Weingarten and founder Dave Geismar as well as EMT force!!! Thanks Weston-Today for fabulous report!!!
(We note that EMS is all volunteer & part of fabulous all volunteer FIRE DEPARTMENT).
169 Towns in CT
ELECTION 2021: Sec'y of the State's Calendar 2021: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SOTS/ElectionServices/Calendars/2021Election/2021---Nov-Calendar.pdf
- Yes, the Judicial Branch did this! With links: http://www.jud.ct.gov/lawlib/ordinances.htm
- Towns in CT land cover: https://clear.uconn.edu/
- Weston data 2015: http://www.pschousing.org/housingprofiles2015/PSC_2015HsgProfile_Weston.pdf; same source report: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/new_report_finds_demand_for_affordable_housing_increasing/
- How many of the 169 have reached 10% affordable housing? 31 in 2010. Update - HOT BUTTON FOR WESTON.
ABOUT TOWN...
Did you miss the About Town column last week? E-mail us and we'll send it along!
The built environment...LINK HERE TO ARCHITECT'S DRAWINGS: http://www.westonct.gov/media/file/LPA_Weston-Library_.pdf
About Town once again attending Building Committee meetings.
NEW - resurrected Building Committee notes from April 24, 2000 to February 12, 2003; Architecture - because we're interested in this subject.
And urban design, which may be discussed during construction projects here.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
REPORTS - impact for years and years. Light on more recent related environmental matters. CRUMBLING FOUNDATIONS in Implementer.2018.
Aspetuck Land Trust
All fields are not natural; The Nature Conservancy ("Devil's Den" at right) really defines Weston.
WESTON BUDGET PROCESS FY23 BEGINNING...
NOT SO NEW: CT PAYROLL COMMISSION
Will be hosting public hearings once they figure out what this is really all about.
CT PENSION SUSTAINABILITY
Link to information from the...PENSION SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
CT PENSION SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION - meeting twice a month, way "out of the box" thinking!
We note that at least one participant was not re-elected and the State of CT Treasurer is retiring (both not shown above).
When the State of CT runs out of money, then what?
M.A.R.B.
Municipal Accountability Review Board (no longer headed by Ben Barnes, who has gone on to work for CCSU)
NOT GOING AWAY
Page dealing with retirement security or insecurity?
IN ORDER TO GET IN THE MOOD: https://ctmirror.org/2017/01/30/a-legacy-of-debt-connecticut-standing-on-its-own-fiscal-cliff/
F.S.E.G. HISTORY?
Like Cinderella's coach - gone. Still promoting report however. "'The more you make, the more you pay'" said one legislator.
WHAT STARTS WITH "C?"
- Capital Budget
- Cell Towers
- Census
- COG
- CGA (General Assembly - THE LEGISLATURE)
- CT BOND COMMISSION
- CT EXECUTIVE BRANCH
- CT JUDICIAL BRANCH
Capital Budgeting in Weston - scan down this page.
LINK TO: SHEFF RESUMES AND C.C.J.E.F. STORIES.
Link to planning for Census 2020
"The Horses Mouth" for data or better yet, the quick number for 2010 here.
How much did Weston grow according to the U.S. Census between 2000 and 2010? ANS. 142 people. Census change 2000-2010 = 10,037 to 10,179
Visit some explanatory links, research and special maps below:
- NEW U.S. Census 2020 page;
- U.S. Census of Population in Weston
- U.S. Census of Housing in Weston
- U.S. CENSUS OF POPULATION
- U.S. CENSUS OF HOUSING
- HOW DOES THE CENSUS BUREAU DEVELOP POPULATION ESTIMATES?
- Projections? Not worth the paper they're written on - yes or no? .
- Regional tax sharing and regionalizing services - not a new idea, fwiw.
PLEASE NOTE: We suspended our attendance at WESTCOG. Why? Because the action most of interest in now at the Capitol.
The MORE you look the MORE you see...http://www.housedems.ct.gov/node/2746
We now "attend" via CT-N, meetings of ACIR and CT Councils of Governments.
Regional cooperation should be voluntary and we assume if there are any changes they will come from the Legislature.
C.G.A. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH : AND HOW IT RELATES TO OTHER BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT - EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIAL
C.G.A. news we find : Our latest interview (pre-Session) still running because more than three months in, the Legislature has not decided what to do...
Excellent Caucus information session.
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
STATE OF CONNECTICUT WEBSITE
EXECUTIVE BRANCH - Public Meeting calendar
JUDICIAL BRANCH
We follow on a case-by-case, issue by issue basis. As it affects land use and community.
THE CT JUDICIAL BRANCH
- CT Supreme, Appellate and all others in the process now gone "REMOTE"
- “The court has progressed more in the past 10 weeks than in the past 10 years,” said co-chair of the CT Bar Association’s COVID-19 Task Force...
EDUCATION
Our "Education" sub-page has the "blow-by-blow" on what the Courts are up to related to education.
OTHER
- "The judicial branch has eliminated the four-person Supreme Court police force..." reports the CT MIRROR....not so fast!
- New CT Chief Justice Richard Robinson, after Judiciary does not endorse first nominee, who was rejected by Senate; C.C.J.E.F. story latest - end of it?.
- Judicial Branch...as it relates to others branches and everyday people...
- SHEFF decision: And here comes Sheff for another round beginning Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017...and we ask, will the Legislature be watching?
We note that COVID-19 seems to have devoured the Legislative Branch as well as the Courts...
Environmental Justice to the fore in 2019 Session? How about this action?
DRINKING WATER (l) & GYPSY MOTH INFESTATIONS HISTORICALLY (r)
Drought and now storm water regulations - are they connected? CHECK OUT HISTORY HERE
Particularly important to a town with no public water lines or sewer service and environmentally necessary to stay that way. But what's this?
DIRECT LINK TO SOME ENVIRONMENT PAGES:
DROUGHT, PFAs, ETC: https://www.aboutweston.com/CTDROUGHT.html
ARMY CORPS: armycorpsreport.html
CRUMBLING FOUNDATIONS: 2018cgashortsession.html#crumblingfoundations
CONSERVATION ISSUES: http://www.aboutweston.com/eightmile.htm
-------------
CONNECTICUT SPECIAL EDUCATION COST MODEL TASK FORCE. CONNECTICUT PARTNERSHIP
Weston Ed news here.
Weston High School sports viewing;
Facilities?
LATEST (INCLUDES 2016-2017 DATA) - CT MIRROR STUDY COMPARING SCHOOLS, STATEWIDE AND DRG
HOLY DEFUNDING BATMAN!!!
Education and its CT funding landscape, NEWER news; how much do Charter Schools grow in a bleak financial situation? New Federal law suit; And Educational Technology
How many kids in the pipeline issue to re-emerge? Now?: And the relation among local, regional and state levels of government.
Lighted fields issue...
FINALE
High School auditorium projects.
Previous entities created by earlier Legislatures to deal with BUDGET CRISIS
FINANCE BOARD ACTIVITY IN THE WESTON FY'21 BUDGET PROCESS HERE
Finance Board
Follow Weston Budget Process here. Link to the now finished CT Spending Cap Commission; work of CT Tax Panel, which we followed .
F.O.I.A.
AND OTHER WATCH DOG AGENCIES
This way to all the information you will need to follow local government and protect your freedoms...
Freedom of Information Commission and its sister agencies - S.E.E.C. and Ethics found here, too. Firearms Permit Examiners Board ;
"HOW TO" handy tips - "tweaks" in procedures suggested Link: http://www.ct.gov/foi/cwp/view.asp?a=3171&Q=531378#ObtainRecords
NEW
FUTURE THINK
"GOVERNMENT" at all three levels - Federal, State and Local.
New York Times 40-minute video production
Did someone say January 6th?
CAPITOL BREACH Jan. 6: What happened, CT woman asked. Supremes say "no" to privilege claim.
TRUMP IMPEACHMENT TRIAL 2021
Threat of partisan impeachment as new norm.
Trial starts Tuesday ends Saturday - 7 GOP Senators vote to convict. Retired editor Chena of dog newsletter source of report.
2020 IMPEACHMENT
TIMELINE OF IMPEACHMENT - vote in House before the end of 2019;
TRIAL IN SENATE- began January 31, 2020 - the same day banning flights from China to U.S. because of COVID-19 occurred.
Please go to our play-by-play of the trial here. DAY ONE IS HERE.
House has Impeached...Trial in Senate...over - President's lawyers prevail. We find out only now the Congress was fiddling while COVID-19 pandemic was blooming.
"The Gazebo" - Town Green. And route map for Memorial Day Parade!!! We are observing Beautification Committee when agenda shows this is on it.
Weston's "gathering place" to be linchpin of make-over for the Central Part of Town.
Georgetown
H2O
FOCUS FOR C.G.A. 2020?
Health Care 2015
Watch 3hrs on COVID-19...or follow it via our viewing comments HERE.
Reports on Weston HDC & Weston Historical Society
Historic Preservation and Re-Use; Historic Districts and Adaptive Re-Use
Homelessness; Housing for anybody?
THE HUB
Internet Matters:
Highlights from previous research (internet attack, nuclear security); BOTNET ATTACK OF THE MACHINES
Lachat
- What has happened since Town purchase with Nature Conservancy - organized for best historical use.
- Relates to historic preservation. And re-use.
- AND ALT
L.N.G.
LONG ISLAND SOUND AND THE BLUE PLAN - WHERE DOES WESTON FIT IN? HERE IS A LINK TO LATEST!
THE MILLENIALS: What is in their future? Read study here.
Nw Hampshire State website
https://www.nh.gov/index.htm
One description of who's who and what's what in NH...more coming...
https://www.citizenscount.org/elected-officials?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI74nai-CB9gIVCQOzAB1t8gQFEAAYASAAEgJ2EfD_BwE
2022 Natural Resources Review
Meeting reports - what happened (Y/N/maybe)
CONSERVATION COMMISSION NOTES
2021 - What's up? NATURAL RESOURCES - OUR VERY OWN SUSTAINABILITY STUDY 2012
Natural Resources
Town of Weston Sustainability Committee.
OUR PAGE ON THE WATER CYCLE AND RELATED MATTERS
NEW to us from C.G.A. - Rural Caucus
NEW to us from C.G.A. - Coastal Caucus
Preserving open space lands including your natural "lawn"...
Related around CT...via safe household hazardous waste disposal.
WESTON ALWAYS INTO GROUNDWATER - MINI - STUDY ARSENIC, 2017.
REVIVED AND NOW WE'RE AHEAD OF THE GAME
Planning & Zoning matters under "Z"
Police
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED BY 2021
PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX 2019 at Building Committee;
Weston meetings related to Police new.
"Enhanced 9-1-1" Commission quarterly meetings (statewide): NEW Our reports;
Planning use for drones? Purchase of drone in FY'20 capital budget
Gun registration story here, too.
Planning for the facilities in the center of town:
NEW ENTITY - FACILITY OPTIMIZATION COMMITTEE
The Town of Weston has been planning for the future of the Center of Town since @2010...
Power Outage Blog
Re-Evaluation
How does this relate to CT Tax Panel - who discussed the CT "over-reliance" on the Property Tax.
AN ARTISTIC E- RE-VISIT;
SEATTLE LIKE WESTON CT?
Full consolidation of Seattle pages online now; Whidbey planning board news, comparison of population from previous About Weston website...how is Weston like Whidbey Island? Nothing new for a while...
S P E C I A L T O W N M E E T I N G S . R E F E R E N D A , B U D G E T P R O C E S S B Y F Y Y E A R O N T H I S S I T E T O O
Special Town Meetings and "MACHINE VOTES"
.
PUBLIC SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS TO TOWN HALL AND FIREHOUSE NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
- APRIL 4, 2018 DOG PARK MACHINE VOTE GETS 1686 VOTERS TO THE POLLS
- Was 2019 any different? 532+ voted in Referendum - could have fit into Auditorium???
- And dogs outscore school budget 2018 25% to 9% (2018 Referendum results above).
- Barely more budget Referendum voters in 2017 than could be allowed (sitting) in the high school auditorium in 2017...2015 School Budget goes down - 2nd referendum 688 y, 313 n, total of 1001 votes.
- The reason, in part, for an ATBM/Referendum required via Charter Revision was Weston High School Auditorium capacity (originally 600, now in the 500's);
- This laudable change then included a QUORUM of 130 (not a unanimous vote of second Charter Revision Commission);
- An example of a way to muzzle the voice of the people. When will the stay home from ATBM folks get the message NOT to take their freedoms for granted?
THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Here is the link to Vimeo for Selectmen's Meeting videos.
Board of Selectmen meeting notes: Town of Weston website the other non-official "posting" location.
FYI:
Millennials (they are "GenY") come after GenX
Sustainability Study by About Weston
Town of Weston Sustainability Committee.
Strategic Planning Committee
Best map for planning purposes in Weston CT
https://weston.mapxpress.net/ags_map/
PLANNING & ZONING
CT COG
A.C.I.R.
2020 VISION
HOW IS WESTON, CONNECTICUT LIKE A MALL?
Our answer: Local Plan cannot be "inconsistent" with CT Plan of C&D...see link below!
Link to our reports on P&Z Commission - its Plan of C & D progress. How does it relate to CT Plan? New LEGEND? 2015 survey by O.L.R on sidewalks .
CLICK HERE FOR "2020": ABOUT WESTON'S 2020 PLAN...where do visual, historic and/or architectural review aspects enter into the mix?
Compare our approach this time to the way we did our version of the Plan in 2010!
The decennial "plan" process is the "P" in "P&Z" - "Z" for "zoning" as eventual implementation occurs. NEW page for P&Z's Town Plan update.
Elsewhere - since Weston is not an island, an example. Zoning issue: http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Faulty-Stamford-foundation-remains-unresolved-6730458.phpLINK TO TOWN OF EASTON DRAFT TOWN PLAN UPDATE: http://www.eastonct.gov/sites/eastonct/files/u446/easton_plan_of_conservation_and_development_2018-2028_revised_draft.pdf
- Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (ACIR) now monthly online meetings! CCOGS link here. WestCOG link here.
- BRUNO (l.) confused. Why not have a floating zone for dogs? Meanwhile, 8-24 negative opinion means Special Town Meeting required for dog park on Town land to continue as Town requested. WOOF!!!
- Temporary structures for elderly - CT model regulation coming...Proposed SB922 (did it pass?) on the way to the floor. Dec.5, 2016 meeting did not seem to explain how this is going to work...in Weston Ans. not.
- NEW CT STORM WATER REGULATIONS TO APPLY AS OF APRIL 1, 2017
- Cluster zoning in the pipeline at P&Z? YUP. Starred in first new Town Plan "conversation" April 22nd! Compare the open space linkage above with STORM WATER REGULATIONS INFO...already shown as a link above
- Anything new on the horizon? From an aerial perspective? We noticed a bill to authorize regional planning organizations or COGs as they are called now, top charge for their services (in addition to dues).
- Town Plan Toolkit: What are some things we could add to it? Any ideas?
- Focus on the central part of town also at first Town Plan "conversation" in addition to cluster - don't you think we need to draw a map of where we are talking about? We need a planning-size map.
- Are the Town of Weston zoning and subdivision regulations up to date?
- Seeking out pathways to healthy living! And here is a story about "special natural characteristics" - http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-35148909
TRANSPORTATION
CT2030: https://www.ct2030.com/
NEW TO US - Merritt Parkway friends page!!!
All modes: To include bicycle-pedestrian to Federal Railroad planning NE Corridor. Some CT hot development issues - transportation.
How about Rhode Island's use for autonomous vehicles? https://www.theday.com/statenortheast-news/20181204/rhode-island-awards-contract-to-run-self-driving-shuttles
21st Century Unions
Public sector unions fighting for their place everywhere but not in CT, in my opinion. C.R.S.A. to force retirement saving? Or not?
Wild Things review
"WATCH DOG" AGENCIES HERE
When is a public-private partnership not considered a quasi-governmental agency??? Good luck finding out!
DOG DAYS: SP Kennel wins dog care award a record 6th time! Examples of our "graphics" below. CLYDE still racing for KOAH ("Kennel on a hill")!!!
SP Kennel Red Team journey, below in graphic format, the adventure of Iditarod XLVIII. Now around 350 miles along...closing in on Ruby. Now at 650 miles...
The World
WWHD - offices on Bayberry Lane, Westport.
ZONING HERE
"ABOUT TOWN" INTERVIEWS EDWIN HENION, CHIEF OF POLICE, TOWN OF WESTON, CONNECTICUT:
"About
Town" is honored to present this interview with Edwin Henion, Chief of
Police of the Town of Weston, Connecticut, and a former Lieutenant
Colonel for the Connecticut State Police.
In this informative interview Chief Henion keeps us up to date on the
numerous ways in which a small town police force can, and in this case
does, keep its residents, visitors, and those passing through town safe!
Recorded September 17, 2019
"ABOUT
TOWN" INTERVIEWS THE HONORABLE TONI BOUCHER, FORMER CONNECTICUT STATE SENATOR AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE:
"About
Town" is privileged to present this interview with the Honorable Toni
Boucher, former Connecticut State Senator for the 26th District and
former Connecticut State Representative for the 143rd District.
In this informative interview she provides valuable insights on the 2019
Session of the State Legislature, which has addressed issues affecting
all Connecticut residents. The State's economy, its budget, taxes,
jobs, cost of living, and the possibilities of highway tolls and
regionalization of school systems, are among the many issues she informs
us about.
And for further perspectives on these and other important matters, please visit her website, connecticutinsights.com.
Recorded June 27, 2019
"ABOUT
TOWN" PRESENTS A VERY SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH ALLEN SWERDLOWE, FAIA, CHAIRMAN OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF WESTON:
Allen Swerdlowe, FAIA, Principal Architect of D7Architects (www.d7architects.com),
serves as Chairman of the Building Committee of the Town of Weston,
Connecticut. In this very special interview he provides visions
for the future of central Weston, and insights into how planning for the
future of a mostly rural small town should be done.
Recorded April 23, 2019.
The Honorable Gail
Lavielle represents the 143rd District in Connecticut's House of
Representatives, which includes most of Wilton and parts of Norwalk and
Westport. She will be sworn in for her fifth term in the House in
January, 2019.
Representative Lavielle was recently appointed as Ranking Member of the
Connecticut General Assembly’s joint Appropriations Committee, a role
she will assume when the 2019 session opens on January 9. She will also
continue to serve on the Education and Transportation Committees.
"About Town" is honored to present this interview with Representative Lavielle.
Recorded December 24, 2018.
Joe Lametta recently retired as Director of Public Works for
the Town of Weston, Connecticut, concluding a distinguished 40 year career of
service to the Town.
In this very special interview he provides fascinating
insights into the varied functions of a municipal public works department; on
how Weston has remained "ahead of the curve" when it comes to
environmental matters; and his thoughts on what may lie ahead concerning infrastructure
and other matters of import to the Town.
Recorded September 21, 2018
"ABOUT
TOWN" PRESENTS A VERY SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH THE HONORABLE TONY HWANG, CONNECTICUT STATE SENATOR, 28th DISTRICT:
"About
Town" is delighted to present this interview with the
Honorable Tony Hwang, Connecticut State Senator for the 28th District. Senator Hwang
provides us with exceptional insights into the very major issues
the State is currently faced with, and the keys to how they should be resolved. Don't
miss this exceptionally informative interview, about matters that will
affect all of us.
Recorded August 23, 2018.
"ABOUT
TOWN" INTERVIEWS THE HONORABLE CHRISTOPHER SPAULDING, Ph.D., FIRST SELECTMAN, TOWN OF WESTON, CONNECTICUT:
"About Town" is honored to present this interview with the recently
elected First Selectman of the Town of Weston, Connecticut, the
Honorable Christopher Spaulding, Ph.D.
Among many topics covered in the interview that will be of interest to
Westonites and to others interested in small town municipal government,
Dr. Spaulding provides us with valuable insight into his approaches to
the delicate balancing acts leadership of local govenment requires.
"ABOUT
TOWN" INTERVIEWS JIM LISHER, CHAIRMAN, TELE-HEALTH SENIORS WELLNESS PROGRAM OF NEW CANAAN, CONNECTICUT:
"About Town" is delighted to present this interview with Jim Lisher, chairman of the Tele-Health Seniors Wellness Program of New Canaan, Connecticut. This highly successful program commenced in 2013, and provides senior citizens with the opportunity, at no cost to them, to have periodic video visits with a nurse, and periodic remote monitoring of vital signs and other health-related information. The goal being to facilitate successful aging in place, while simultaneously improving quality of care and reducing health care costs. After watching this important interview you just may find yourself wanting to inspire the officials of your own town or city to establish a similar program!
"ABOUT
TOWN"
INTERVIEWS LYN KIMBERLY, AMERICAN WANDERER, LLC, AND CAMP BERGER OF THE CONNECTICUT STATE GRANGE:
And for more, visit their websites, www.americanwanderer.com and www.campberger.com
For Windows
Users (best viewed via Internet Explorer, which will automatically open
Windows Media Player and begin playback without waiting for the entire
file to download):
http://www.aboutweston.com/Kimberly11-19-14.wmv
For Windows
or Apple/Mac users (depending on the software you are using, playback
may not begin until the entire file has downloaded, which may take
several minutes or more depending on the speed of your internet
connection):
http://www.aboutweston.com/Kimberly11-19-14.mp4
"ABOUT
TOWN"
INTERVIEWED KAREN TATARKA, DIRECTOR OF THE WESTON PUBLIC LIBRARY: NEWS ON RE-OPENING AFTER RENOVATION
FOOD FOR THOUGHT...
Amy
Kalafa serves on the Town Committee overseeing the future of one of the
most beautiful properties in the beautiful Town of Weston,
Connecticut. Her exceptionally diverse and distinguished
background also includes authoring of the book "Lunch Wars: How
to Start a School Food Revolution and Win the Battle for Our Children's
Health"; creation of the documentary film "Two Angry Moms:
Fighting for the Health of America's Children"; and establishment of
the related website www.angrymoms.org.
She has produced award winning films and television programs, and has
written magazine articles related to health education for more than 25
years, and has been featured on Good
Morning America, Rachael Ray, Fox
News Live, and in USA Today
and The New York Times.
Don't miss this very special interview! WATCH NOW!
CLIMATE CHANGE
Dr. Floyd Lapp, F.A.I.C.P., is
the
Executive Director of the
South
Western Regional Planning Agency (SWRPA). This program provides
an
informative look at current regional planning issues and activities,
with special focus on Hurricane Sandy, and how good planning must
address the effects of climate change. WATCH NOW!
PROTECTING YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE!
The Honorable Denise Merrill, Connecticut Secretary of the
State, visits "About Town" to discuss what has gone on since she and
the
administration of Governor Malloy took the helm after the unfortunate
voting travesty in Bridgeport on Election Day 2010. Learn about
how Secretary Merrill has responded with ideas that can make our
democracy here in Connecticut work better!
WATCH NOW!!!
Vision and design in the built environment.
Distinguished architect Allen
Swerdlowe, AIA (www.d7architects.com)
serves as Chairman of the Building Committee and the School Building
Committee of the Town of Weston, CT. In this very special
interview he presents valuable insights into Weston-specific issues, as
well as into the important role that good architectural and urban
design can play
in both the educational process and in making cities and towns better
places to live. WATCH
NOW!
CAVEAT: Weather can intervene and meetings overlap, of course.
- About Weston is a "research" website. Designed and managed by a PhD. Who is also a professional city planner - but most of all, an artist.
- We are not "THE PRESS" and we do not want to be on the "inside" either - which, we know, can compromise objectivity. So...
- "ABOUT WESTON NEWSPAPER" - is our answer to following local news - link to six (6) entities we watch and report about.
A. Use our search box at the top of the index page - enter key word (s). Sub-pages related to your search will appear...
B. CT APPOINTED COMMISSIONS (i.e. A.C.I.R.); C.G.A. SESSIONS, 2015 onward - easiest to find using search box. Other related governmental links might pop up in a search as well.
C. WE ARE A SOURCE OF INFORMATION: Borrow our research or use our artwork - just attribute it properly - let us know if you are using it and we will consider linking to your website!QUESTIONS? Our e-mail web-contact: margaret@aboutweston.com
- SCOPE: Nothing happens in a vacuum, so we follow State Government like a hawk.
- REPORT news related to Weston, CT that About Weston observes, in person, on TV or online.
- ONLINE link to our Public Access TV interview show "About Town" which questions policy-makers and people in a position to implement plans here.
- WEB-CONTACT - please, don't be afraid to ask for help explaining anything you do not understand on this website: margaret@aboutweston.com
