3/31/2023 A Message from First Selectman Bindelglass
Good afternoon,
Hopefully, you had an opportunity to attend or view the budget public hearing this week. If not, it is available on Facebook at Board of Finance Public Hearing. This week the Board of Finance called back several departments to further review and sometimes adjust their budgets. The final budget will be presented at the town meeting on April 24th. The budget will be voted on with the Region 9 budget at referendum on May 2nd.
Previously, we discussed the Board of Ethics examination of the Planning and Zoning Commission chair, Ray Martin. I have asked them to present their findings at the Board of Selectmen meeting on April 6th.
Next Tuesday, April 4th is Library Giving Day. On that day, people across the country show their support of their local libraries by donating monies. This is a national campaign and The Friends of the Easton Public Library has decided to participate again as it has the last 2 years. If we raise $2000 or more on Giving Day or have more than 100 donors, an anonymous supporter will contribute a $500 bonus. If we reach both goals the bonus contribution will be $750! Also, donors of a gift over $100 will have the option of having a Friends' bookplate in their name put in a new book from the library's 2023 collection. You can donate directly to library or through the link Easton Library Friends.
Easton’s Here to Help, our town’s coalition promoting best practices in substance abuse prevention and mental health, is hosting Dr. Aaron Weiner via Zoom on Wednesday, April 26th at 7 pm. The discussion will focus on “Cultivating Emotional Stability for Teens”.
Parents and caregivers are invited to register for the webinar here: EHTH Registration. To learn more about this webinar topic, visit: Easton's Here to Help.
If you have questions, please call Alison Witherbee at 203-268-1137.
We have a steering committee for our sister city relationship with Sviatohirsk, Ukraine, which is hard at work planning publicity, fundraising and other events involving various organizations around town. Additional information to follow. Remember the link to donate is Easton and Sviatohirsk — Ukraine Aid International.
The Easton Community Center and Playtots Preschool held a St. Jude Trike-a-thon last month. This terrific event helped raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital which is leading the way the world understands, treats, and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. All the children in the school were able to participate and “pedal for a purpose.”
This event helps teach our children about bike safety and the importance of helping others. The motto is “Learning to Ride, Learning to Give.” This year marked our 13th year of hosting a St. Jude Trike-a-thon. We raised $7,650 this year, and since we began hosting a Trike-a-thon in 2009, have raised over $48,000 enabling St. Jude to continue its meaningful work.
We would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of our children, families, and friends for making the event such a success!
The Town of Easton is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a State Grant to Municipalities for Maintenance of Neglected Cemeteries. This grant will provide essential funding to support the ongoing efforts to maintain and preserve Easton's historic cemeteries within its charge. The state grant is designed to help municipalities across Connecticut to cover the costs of restoring and maintaining historic gravesites, monuments, and other cemetery features. The awarded funds will be used by Easton’s Cemetery Committee for the upkeep and repair needed to safeguard fragile gravesites— some having stones that are at risk of total loss. Easton's cemeteries are an important part of the town's history. The committee not only manages these sites but it also creates opportunities to foster community engagement to appreciate these unique grounds that honor the lives of previous generations.
I have planned a Brown Bag Dinner for April 11th at 7:00pm at Library Community Room. All are welcome to attend. Hope to see you there.
Have a great weekend,
Dave