9/8/2023 A Message from First Selectman Bindelglass
Good afternoon,
Things are returning to normal following Wednesday’s water main break. Those of us in lower Easton and on town water are happy to have normal running water. I am sorry for the continuing inconvenience for our neighbors in the immediate area. Hopefully all roadwork will be completed shortly.
Last week’s events underline the importance of people being able to get information from the town. Please go and sign up for email alerts from the town. Please go to www.eastonct.gov . Below the news and calendar at the bottom of the screen, click on “Subscribe to News”. Enter your email address and scroll down the list to choose which notifications you would like to receive. Lastly, scroll to the bottom of the screen to click on “Subscribe Me” button. While there, check out all that can be found at the town website. In emergency situations we send out reverse 911 alerts. To sign up for those please https://portal.ct.gov/ctalert. This information can also be found on the town website under Government, Emergency Info. You can sign up for service alerts through Aquarion at https://member.everbridge.net/482552460607543/login. We have tried to make information available on many subjects. The better you are informed about what is going on in town, the better the service we can provide.
Monday is September 11th. Those of us old enough to remember, cannot help but be affected by our memories of that day, many of which are deeply personal. As some of you know, Easton was especially affected that morning. In the past we have held larger ceremonies on even years, most recently in 2021. In what I hope will become a new tradition, I will be laying a wreath at the 9/11 Memorial in front of the library around 8:40am. There will be a moment of silence but no formal ceremony as many have suggested this should be a time for reflection. All are invited to join.
I would like to congratulate Jeff Becker who won 1st place in the arts contest held by the Easton Arts Council. The arts council along with Jeff presented his photograph to Town Hall last week. Jeff’s photo “Hawkmoon” hangs behind the receptionist desk at Town Hall.
Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has received notification from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack informing him that his request has been approved for Connecticut to receive a federal agriculture disaster declaration due to the heavy rainfall that occurred in early July and caused significant flood damage to farms and crops statewide.
This declaration means that farmers in all eight of Connecticut’s counties can apply for federal disaster assistance from the Farm Service Agency, such as emergency loans, to cover production losses they experienced as a result of the severe weather event, provided that certain eligibility requirements are met.
“This season has been one of the most challenging in recent memory and I appreciate the USDA for approving Governor Lamont’s request,” Connecticut Agriculture Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt said. “Farmers who have experienced losses may be eligible for additional USDA programs, with increased flexibilities, to help offset the losses. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture also offers any farmers the opportunity for one-on-one consultative services to help them find the right program for their farm. Interested farmers should contact the Connecticut Department of Agriculture at 860-713-2500 or agr.disaster@ct.gov. Additional resources are available online at portal.ct.gov/disaster to assist producers as they navigate the recovery process.”
Farmers will have eight months from the date of this disaster declaration (released September 6, 2023) to apply for emergency loans. The Farm Service Agency considers each emergency loan application on its own merits, considering the extent of production losses on the farm and the security and repayment ability of the operator. Farmers interested in applying for assistance must contact https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=ct&agency=fsa.
As we get back into the routine of fall we are happy to have school getting started. There are a number of events planned.
The Anne Lindquist Library Spirit Award Reception is scheduled for Saturday, September 9th from 3:00pm to 5:00pm on the Library Lawn we are honoring Phyllis Machledt. Please RSVP to Lynn Zaffino at 203-261-0134 or lzaffino@eastonlibrary.org. Please see link for further details: https://www.eastonlibrary.org/newsletter
The Easton Arts Council would like to invite you to the opening reception of Barbara Loss – Inspired by Reality on Saturday, September 9th from 5:00pm-7:00pm. The photography exhibition will be on display at the Easton Public Library from September 2nd through October 15th.
Please join us on Sunday, September 10th on the hill at Christ Church, 59 Church Road at 3:00pm for Easton Rocks for Ukraine, a benefit concert for our sister city Sviatohirsk. Please purchase tickets here: EASTON ROCKS FOR UKRAINE Tickets, Sun, Sep 10, 2023 at 3:00 PM | Eventbrite. BYOB picnics, snacks and beverages available for purchase. Lawn games, basket raffle, dogs on leash welcome and kids are free.
Easton Volunteer EMS will host Fireworks at Samuel Staples Elementary School on September 16th. Gates open at 6:00pm and the show will begin at 8:45pm. For tickets, please see EASTON EMS FIREWORKS, Sat, Sep 16, 2023 at 6:00 PM. Food trucks and ice cream on site. All proceeds go to the Easton Volunteer EMS “New Building Fund”.
This is the twentieth anniversary of the Easton Community Center. They have asked us to pass along the following:
Get your Lederhosen ready. Twenty-year Anniversary Oktoberfest Bash in our charming farm town.
Come one come all to the Easton Community Center on October 14th, as we roll out the barrels to celebrate two decades of serving the community! Get ready to tap your toes to live music, indulge in mouthwatering delicacies, sip on adult beverages that will make your taste buds dance, and dive into a beer pong tournament. Games, laughter and good times are on the menu as we party from 4:00pm until 9:00pm. Whether you are a long-time friend or a newcomer to our community, we hope you will join us as we raise a toast to 20 fantastic years.
Have a good weekend,
Dave