A Message from First Selectman Bindelglass...

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Good afternoon, 

Hope you are all doing well and looking forward to the weekend!  I think it is fair to say that re-opening Connecticut is slowly progressing without an obvious increase in infections or hospitalizations, which is great news. If things continue to go well, the next phase will begin on June 20, 2020. We have taken several steps already in Easton. We approved the use of the Helen Keller tennis courts and the opening of Lower Veteran’s Field. Residents have done well at following the posted rules, so we are happy to continue making these recreational spaces available. The Easton Library is now open for curbside pick-up only. Please see the Library website and Facebook page for more information. In Town Hall we are gradually bringing more employees back so that all offices are now staffed in person by someone during normal Town Hall hours. Still, we remain closed to the public. We are finding how much can really be accomplished without face to face contact, and we are actually learning to simplify and consolidate some processes in various departments. Before the pandemic hit, one of my goals was to streamline workflow and procedures in a way that would lead residents and contractors to feel that working in the Town of Easton was actually easier than in our neighboring towns. I want to continue to work towards that goal. 

I want to talk about cemeteries for a minute. Gary Haines has served on the Cemetery Committee for many, many years but has resigned and moved out of town. In addition to being a dedicated committee member, Gary himself has done most of the actual upkeep in our cemeteries. These cemeteries are a great part of the Town’s history and we are desperate for a volunteer or volunteers to work with the committee to take on this vital work. Please contact Town Hall if you are interested. 

We are hard at work on the transition of our Health Department to a one year working arrangement with the Westport Weston Health District. We will negotiate a deal which assures Easton the services it needs (see above about processes) and protects our overall public health during this difficult time. The referendum on a permanent course for the Health Department will hopefully occur in the near future. 

We are still looking for help with donation and delivery of food for our seniors and those affected financially by the pandemic. Please contact Alison Witherbee at 203-268-1137.

If you plan on securing the deferral of your property taxes please request or download the form and return it to the tax office. The July 1st deadline is fast approaching. If you are suffering financially and think you might have trouble paying your taxes on time, this is critical.

As friends and neighbors, co-workers and associates, we would love to open the town more quickly. We are conservatively balancing safety, the mental health need for socialization and exercise for all of our residents. As a community, if we continue to do the wonderful job that we have been doing, we will be able to bring back some of the other activities that Easton-ites have always enjoyed. 

I want to give a huge thank you and express my appreciation to Patty Jurgielewicz who has so thoughtfully and generously provided wonderfully uplifting and creatively heartfelt messages through her balloon art! Easton first responders, employees and residents passing by appreciate this effort to make us all smile! 

Be well, be safe and have a great weekend.

Dave Bindelglass