12/15/2023 A Message from First Selectman Bindelglass
Good afternoon,
Today we were told that the State of Connecticut awarded the Town of Easton a grant in the amount of $396,000 for site work at the location of the current EMS headquarters as part of our renovation project. First, this is an extremely rare event in Easton to get this type of funding. You all pay a lot of income tax to the state so we are certainly gratified to get some back. Many people played a role in the many iterations of applications, communications and campaigning to get his done. Ultimately the leadership of the general assembly and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management got behind us to make this happen.
As you may remember, after looking at multiple sites including adding on to the current firehouse, the Board of Selectmen, supported by the Board of Finance decided that the most cost-effective course was to renovate the current failing building. The grant will pay for upgrading the current septic system at EMS to accommodate the renovations. This will require testing, design of the septic, purchasing the adjacent strip of land between EVS and the EMS headquarters and creating the new septic system. What is truly exciting is that this puts us well on our way to constructing the new facility. We are in the process of choosing an architect as well. The new building will be funded in part by this grant, AARPA funding and funds raised by the board of trustees of Easton EMS. When the numbers are finalized we will be going to the board of finance and then to a town meeting/referendum for the final portion of funding which will occur in 2024. The building committee has been hard at work driving this project forward and we thank them for their extraordinary efforts so far and to come. A new EMS headquarters is a rare project that seems to have near universal support in town. It will allow us to provide ever improving service to the people of Easton and support our volunteer-based service. It is a critical initiative for Easton. We look forward to finishing this much needed project.
Last night, at the Board of Selectmen meeting we extended the moratorium on 5G for another year. We also continued our discussion about the posting of sensitive personal information online. We adopted the following statement: The Town of Easton is highly dependent on volunteers who serve on our boards and commissions to function effectively. As a result, the Board of Selectmen takes its obligation to protect those who serve in these positions from threat or harm very seriously. Those protections and other policies are listed in the “Welcome to Public Service” packet which all members receive after being sworn in. This packet is available on the town website. Go to ABOUT EASTON and SELECT Boards, Commissions and Committees (Openings and Information). Additionally, the town has an insurance policy from Travelers that covers board and commission members acting in their official capacity. This insurance policy can be viewed by the public at the Director of Finance’s office. Furthermore, the purposeful harassment of public officials, and specifically, the posting of personal information in public places is unacceptable. The Board of Selectmen is steadfast and united in its commitment to this principle.
We discussed possible ordinances which would insure that those convicted of criminal acts could not serve on boards or commissions going forward. No definitive action has yet been taken.
Attention High School Seniors…SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY! The 2024 Greater Bridgeport St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee is accepting applications for the Mr. and Mrs. Shamrock Scholarship. All high school seniors with an Irish background may apply. Each first place male and female winners will receive $5000 each and the second place students will receive $2500 each. Please find the application on our website at www.stpatricksdaybridgeport.com. Please submit the application to Lisa Carroll-Fabian at shamrockscholarship@gmail.com. Applications are due no later than December 17, 2023. Any questions, please call Lisa at 203-814-2278.
The Easton Senior Center is holding their annual Gift and Holiday Boutique sale. Lots of items for everyone! Stop in and do your holiday shopping locally and support our seniors every day from 9:00am- 3:00pm through December 20th. Cash or checks accepted. PLEASE NOTE THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL SHOPPING DAY ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 18TH FROM 4:00PM TO 8:00PM.
Planning & Zoning Commission welcomes Easton’s children K-12 to design artwork to depict Easton Holidays and Horse Farms including distinct characteristics of the town such as: pumpkins, corn mazes, Halloween bonfire, Thanksgiving and Autumn harvest, Christmas tree farms, summer sunflower festival, horse farms and riding trails. The selected artists will have their design imposed on a new “Welcome to Easton” sign displayed at the Stepney Road entrance to Easton. Artwork drop off at your school main office by January 17th or January 20th from 11:00am-2:00pm at the Easton Public Library conference room.
Enjoy your weekend,
Dave