Update 6/21/2024
Good afternoon,
We are hopefully getting to the end of this heatwave and returning to normal temperatures. To reiterate and plan for the future, anyone experiencing difficulty due to heat should call the non-emergency number of the police department at 203-268-4111. We can open cooling centers as needed. Common sense includes staying out of the direct sun, hydrating etc. Please also remember to take care of your pets.
This week we met with local and state health officials and local building and zoning officials, as well as myself, our finance director and representative to the health department board. We continue to work on streamlining processes for the permitting of building projects. If a project may potentially need the approval of the health department, you will be directed there, but the director of the health department will consider fast tracking, including waiving fees if appropriate for certain projects. The Easton land use and building departments here in Town Hall can help.
I will take one more crack at this! Moderator Joe Schwartz, long time Easton resident, State Senator, and BOE member who moderated a number of town meetings in the past has agreed to facilitate a round table discussion on moderating a town meeting in Easton. This will not be a lecture, but rather a discussion about procedural issues, Roberts Rules, and Easton specific issues. It will be held, June 26 at 7 p.m. in the library community room. Anyone with an interest in becoming a town meeting moderator is welcome. I apologize for being unclear with this message last week. There are moderators for every election who oversee the polls on the day of the election and now for early voting. Training to be an election moderator requires attending a state mandated course. That is not what we are offering. Being a moderator for a town meeting is completely different. There is no mandated course to moderate a town meeting. Joe will be discussing issues pertinent to being a town meeting moderator. Sorry for the confusion.
The EMS building committee met this week to review the phase II study of the land the town is purchasing at 444 Sport Hill Rd. to upgrade the septic system as we renovate the new building and provide for safer entrance and egress. The environmental professional the town hired to redo the phase II answered questions and the conclusion was that on the land we were purchasing it was safe to go ahead with the purchase. Conservation and zoning approvals are still needed prior to closing on the land. This study also included a phase II study on the current EMS headquarters site at 448 Sport Hill Rd. There was some contamination found in water from the sump pump that must be reported to the state. Plans for the renovation include filling in the basement, so there will no longer be a sump pump. When the septic work is done, it will include removing and replacing the current septic tank at the EMS building. An environmental engineer will be present to supervise this. The current septic tank is relatively close to an old oil tank which the town removed in 2012, under the supervision of DEEP and an environmental professional at that time. At that time full remediation was performed. Still we want to be certain that we are prepared if there is anything residual.
There will be programs at the Easton library on July 11, and July 18, at 7 p.m, on self-care for teens by Dr. Vivian Hardison. Registration is required and please register for both sessions.
The Friends of the Easton Public Library are hosting a craft beer tasting event on Thursday, June 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the lower lot next to Greiser’s Coffee & Market (You will be home in time for the debate at 9 p.m.) Our former wine and cheese tastings were very popular community-building events and we’ve heard that folks miss them. This year we’re going to try something a little different: a beer tasting that spotlights some of Connecticut’s best craft brews. The Friends of the Easton Public Library will host this event and Greiser’s will cater it. An expert from OEC brewing will curate the tasting and Easton band Birdsey Beers will provide entertainment. The meal will consist of assorted grilled sausages, stirato rolls, grilled green beans, salad and baked ziti. Each of us will get a 5 ounce pour of 6 beers. Tickets are $30 per person and can be ordered through the Friends website. Any profits will support our library.
We hope to be wrapping up chip sealing today. The town has found that to be an efficient way to maintain our excellent roads. For the first week while the stone settles the surface can be hard on animals and a little slippery requiring extra care driving. After the first week, things return to normal. Our public works department does an excellent job, which you can absolutely appreciate while driving through other towns.
Many of you also received a robo-call from the water company Aquarion about restricting watering your lawn to certain days. This is not in response to drought conditions, but part of a general water conservation plan which was presented to the board of selectmen last year. That presentation can be found here.
Again, congratulations to all of our graduates, and have a great summer.
Dave
