6/26/2020 A Message from First Selectman Bindelglass...
Good afternoon,
If you drive down Center Road over the weekend you will see the rainbow flag honoring our LGBTQ community flying above town hall as it will in neighboring towns across the country. In a moving ceremony, the flag was raised this afternoon. It is my hope that in our small town of Easton we are able to recognize and celebrate our diversity and to respect all of our neighbors. Our cupola will also be rotating through the colors of the rainbow acknowledging Pride Weekend.
The South Park Avenue Bridge is finally open! I want to recognize that a huge number of our citizens were greatly inconvenienced by this project and for much longer than they should have been. I want to personally apologize for that. I do want to thank our Public Works Department and especially Ed Nagy, Director, and Bruce Bombero, Deputy Director, for all the hard work they put into this project. We have another bridge on South Park to replace, and I have every intention of making sure our contractor, their vendors and the town will be far timelier in its completion. The state has not approved the plans for the bridge as yet so we cannot go out to bid for a contractor until that is completed.
Next week, the Aspetuck Land Trust will submit an application with our support to the State of Connecticut to purchase a portion of the South Park Property assisted by a grant from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Aspetuck Land Trust will purchase approximately 19 acres. The assessment and purchase price will be finalized next week. There will be no negotiation on the purchase price. This option will allow better upkeep and preservation of the land in perpetuity. It will protect the trout species of The Mill River, and will make it easier for our citizens to enjoy this beautiful area. The South Park Advisory Committee continues to look at options for the remainder of the property. You may submit your ideas to SPAC@eastonct.gov. Thank you to State Senator Tony Hwang and State Representative Anne Hughes for supporting the application at the state level.
We continue to progress through Phase 2 of reopening in Connecticut. Fortunately, there has been no increase in the number of people testing positive. As a physician, my sense remains that there is much about the spread and activity of COVID-19 that we do not understand, but it DOES seem that wearing masks and social distancing play a substantial role in our success in reducing the numbers in our town and state. Having not been as strict in other states may not only have dire consequences for people’s health but also for the economies of those states and may force re-closures. For all of our common good, please do not become complacent. Enjoy the aspects of life that are a little more normal, but be careful. As things are evolving, I strongly recommend that you take a look at www.ct.gov/coronavirus. There is a lot of information about the reopening process and particularly new information about the Governor’s plans for schools next year.
July 1st property taxes are due. In your tax bill are instructions for paying in person at town hall as well as instructions for online payment which will be available soon. We will post these instructions on the town website beginning next week as well.
Be well and stay safe. Have a great weekend.
Dave Bindelglass
