Weston Answer Book 2010

westonanswerbook.2010

the weston forum special section

2 The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut May 27, 2010

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May 27, 2010 The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut 3

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Luxury Real Estate

barbarababcockhomes.com203 246 6300 / 203 221 4415

[email protected]

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HistoryWhat is the town’s history?

Weston was originally home to the Paugussett Indian tribe, called the Aspetucks — a name meaning “river originating at the high place — by white inhabitants in the area.

According to the sign in front of the Weston Town Hall, erect-ed by the town of Weston, the Weston Historical Society, and the Connecticut Historical Commission (text by Jim Daniel):

“Originally the Nor’field parish of old Fairfield (1639) to the south, present Weston was divided into long lots circa 1670, commencing our agricultural development. By 1757 there were enough families to become a separate ecclesiastical society. Dur-ing the Revolution British General Tryon’s forces passed nearby en route to and from the burning of Danbury. To escape, Weston mothers fled with their children to the Devil’s Den, a wilderness landmark since earliest times.

“Near dawn, Dec. 14, 1807, a large meteorite exploded over Weston, one of the first such phenomena recorded in America. A 30-pound fragment became the nucleus of Yale University’s meteorite collection.

“Incorporated since 1787, Weston prospered from onion farming and other early industries. Our forested slopes provided charcoal and our rapidly falling rivers the water power for iron forges and foundries shipping their products all over the East.

“Peaking at 2,997 in 1830, the population steadily fell off to 1,117 in 1860, 840 in 1900, and 670 in 1930. The decline re-sulted from the loss of territory to form Westport and Easton, the opening of the richer Ohio farm lands, the rise of steam-powered industry on the coast, and isolation from canals and railroads.

Lyons Plains and Valley Forge, once thriving villages, lingered as population centers. As late as the 1880s wandering Indians still camped in the Den.

“Early in the 1900s artists, musicians, theatre people, writers and summer colonists discovered Weston, the vanguard of the waves of commuters who arrived by automobile after the Sec-ond World War, and brought the sleepy town vigorously back to life. The mixture gives Weston its special character.”

Until the 1930s, Weston was farm country, made up of several agricultural communities, each centered around its own one-room school and/or local grist mill and forge. At one time there were as many as seven one-room school houses in Weston.

By the late 1940s and early 1950s, Weston was populated with a combination of farmers and business people who commuted to New York City and had evolved into a bedroom community with one central school.

In the late 1950s there were two remaining dairy farms; one was the Waterbury farm, where Nimrod Road is now, and the other at the Lachat farm on Godfrey Road West. By the 1960s, one was closed down and the other became Nimrod Riding Sta-ble.

Where did the name come from?Some say it is named after a town in England. Others say it is

purely geographical, presumably named for being the western section that split off when the two towns of Easton and Weston were formed in 1845.

4 History The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut May 27, 2010

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History.................................................4-8Demographics ......................................10Government .....................................12-22Town Officials ......................................17Schools ............................................23-28Public Services ................................30-33Emergency Services ........................35-43Map of Weston/Points of Interest ....36-37Business ...............................................44Shopping .........................................44-45Property Issues ................................46-47Health ..............................................48-54Recreation .......................................55-60Clubs................................................62-64Religion ................................................65Web Sites .............................................66Advertiser Index ...................................70

Table of ContentsComplete index on pages 68-69

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Published annually by Hersam Acorn Newspapers as a special section of The Weston Forum.

Copies are also available at real estate offices,

town hall and Chamber of Commerce. For additional copies, call 203-438-6544.

Contents are online at TheWestonForum.com.

Thomas B. Nash, publisherKimberly Donnelly, editor

Shelagh Barrett, advertising director Dave Pross, account executive

Cover photo by Kimberly DonnellyCover design by Ian Murren

Map by David Raabe

Please send updates, ideas, or corrections to: [email protected]

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©2010 Hersam Acorn Newspapers16 Bailey Avenue, Ridgefield, Conn., 06877


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Who were the first town officials? The selectmen of Weston in 1845 were Joseph Rowland,

David Patchen, and Hanford Nichols. Mr. Nichols lived in the Lyons Plains area, Mr. Rowland lived near the center of town (he owned some of the land our schools now occupy) and Mr. Patchen was from the Newtown Turnpike/Godfrey Road area, so it would seem that diversified interests were represented.

The first town treasurer was William Noyes, the son of Rev-erend John Noyes, and the grandson of Reverend Samuel Sher-wood. Perhaps they trusted him to balance the town budget since he and his forebears had lots of practice in making ends meet on a limited salary. William Noyes had earlier organized a local cot-tage industry in shirt-making. Mr. Noyes kept the books for this endeavor in pounds, shilling, and pence right up to mid-century, and it is possible he kept the town records in the same way.

The first town clerk was Matthew Buckley — the same man who started the Weston Boarding School (a.k.a. Jarvis Military Academy) at the corner of Route 53 and Norfield Road, that was later mismanaged by his son-in-law Andrew Jarvis. Andrew Jarvis was also a town clerk, but his reputation for honesty is in question. Matthew Buckley went on to become Weston’s repre-sentative in the State Legislature.

What are some historic points of interest?

Norfield Church on Norfield Road, Emmanuel Church on Ly-ons Plain Road, Banks Tavern on Lyons Plain Road, Hamilton Toll House on Newtown Turnpike, Cobb’s Mill Inn on Cobb’s Mill Road, and The Onion Barn (at one time, onions were a large export business in Weston) on Weston Road each hold a place in Weston’s history.

The Old Weston Post Office on Route 53, just north of the in-tersection of Routes 57 and 53, is the remaining one of two that serviced Weston in the 19th Century.

The Coley House on Weston Road is the home of the Weston Historical Society.

The Jarvis Military Academy on the corner of Norfield and Weston Roads was at one time the most valuable four acres in town — literally, since the owner, Andrews Sanford Jarvis, mortgaged the property over and over but never recorded them properly in his capacity as town clerk. He not only enlarged the school and failed to pay the builders, but before the end, he was actually borrowing money from his hired help. When his bank finally foreclosed in 1879, he was forced to record the original mortgages, which he had apparently managed to conceal from his subsequent creditors for more than 12 years.

Unfortunately, many of Weston’s interesting historic places are no longer visible or visitable.

There is the site of the Bradley Edge Tool Company on Lyons Plain Road along the Saugatuck River, which made tools that sold all over the country. It closed in 1911 and the buildings burned in the 1930s.

The Coley Mill on River Road is now a private residence.Another major industrial and residential area known as Val-

ley Forge, is now under water, flooded over by the building of the Samuel P. Senior Dam in the 1930s to make the Saugatuck Reservoir. An interesting account of this is the book Village of the Dammed by local writer Jim Lomuscio. The Valley Forge area is prized more now for its scenery and ambiance than for its historical importance.

Other places of historic interest are the various cemeteries around town, the largest being the Coley Cemetery on Weston Road.

Are there any historic districts in town?

Weston has five historic districts: Norfield, Kettle Creek, Ly-ons Plain, Bradley Edge Tool, and The Den.

The Historic Districts Commission of Weston was established in the late 1960s, and the five districts were established at different times since then, the first district being the Norfield Historic District and the latest being the Den Historic District, established in 1985.


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Is there any place in Weston on the National Register of Historic Places?

Yes: The Norfield Historic District, The Kettle Creek Historic District, and The Fitch House on Goodhill Road.

What are the oldest houses in town? There are several houses that date from the 18th Century.

Many of them are listed at the Historical Society. One of the oldest homes dates from 1728 and is in the Den

Historic District. The Capt. Daniel Godfrey House on Norfield Road was built circa 1760; near it is the Jonathan Taylor House, built circa 1797, one of the oldest double houses in town — each half is a mirror image of the other, with a common chimney in the middle.

Are there any town histories? The latest to be released is Doors of Weston by Julie O’Connor.

This book of photographs of Weston’s iconic homes and historic buildings includes anecdotes and historical information. It is available through the historical society by calling 226-1804.

Weston: The Forging of a Town by Thomas Farnam may be purchased at Barnes & Noble, and is available at the Weston

Public Library, Weston Town Hall, and the historical society’s Coley House.

Images of America: Weston, by Kathleen Failla (Arcadia Pub-lishing) is a pictorial history of the town. It may be purchased through Amazon.com or in local bookstores.

There is also Village of the Dammed by Jim Lomuscio, which tells the story of the Valley Forge area of town that is now most-ly covered by the Saugatuck Reservoir.

The Quarterly Chronicle is the publication of The Weston His-torical Society, edited by Karin Giannitti. It is a comprehensive compilation of articles about Weston history. Herb Day (former editor of the Quarterly Chronicle) wrote many history-related articles for that publication.

There are also many articles about various aspects of the town’s history written by Jim Daniel, Jim Hoe, and Mary Ann Barr that have appeared in The Weston Forum, The Westport Town Crier and Herald, Westport Magazine, and Weston Maga-zine. These and various other writings are in the archives of the Weston Historical Society.

Does there a town historian? Yes. Kathleen Failla is town historian, a volunteer position

appointed by the Board of Selectmen. She acts as a steward for town history and serves as an advocate on historic preservation projects. She may be reached at 544-1048.

What is the role of the historical society?

The mission of the Weston Historical Society is as follows: “The purpose of the society shall be to discover, procure and

preserve whatever may relate to the Coley Homestead, the town of Weston and the region, with regard to its place in history and to educate the public with respect to such history. Further, the society shall actively preserve and maintain the Coley Home-stead as an example of a prosperous Weston working farm that evolved through the 19th and early 20th Centuries.”

The society works to provide programs for young people that are history oriented. Coley House is open to the public on Sat-urdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The society is run by vol-unteers and interacts with the community by opening the Coley Homestead on a regular basis, by sponsoring various events, and by encouraging residents to volunteer to help preserve our his-tory.

The society’s Web site is www.westonhistoricalsociety.org.

Does the town have an archive?Not yet, but it will soon. The hisorical society is in the process

of building an archive facility at the Coley Homestead. It re-ceived a grant to help fund the $1.2-million project, and is rais-ing the rest of the money thorugh private donations. The 4,000-square-foot archive will include a temperaure and humidity controlled vault and adjacent archive workroom. The vault will store maps, letters, and various historical artifacts, including the town’s historic Fitch diaries, costumes, hats, and quilts. There will be an exhibit hall for archival display, plus a society office, reading room, and bathrooms. The historical society hopes the facility will be completed this year.

Information for much of this section was compiled by Mary Ann Barr, archivist and co-collections manager at the Weston Historical Society, and Lynne Barrelle, house histories research-er and genealogy researcher for the society. Karin Giannitti and Nina Daniel helped update the information.


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Demographics10 Demographics The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut May 27, 2010

How big is Weston?Weston is 20 square miles. It is bordered by Redding to the

north, Easton to the east, Fairfield and Westport to the south, and Wilton to the west. The ZIP code is 06883. The area code is 203.

Weston is known for its green spaces; almost one-quarter of the town is permanently devoted to open space use. (See Parks and Recreation section for main tracts of open space.)

How many people live here?According to the CERC (Connecticut Economic Resource

Center) Town Profile for 2010, Weston’s population as of 2009 was 9,799, down from the national 2000 census of 10,037, and down by 284 from the previous year. It is projected to drop to 9,128 by 2014.

Females outnumber males by 4,944 to 4,855.Racially, the population breaks down as follows: white, 9,168;

black, 165; Asian Pacific, 267; Native American, 9; other/multi-race, 190; Hispanic (any race), 331.

What is the median age of Westonites?

The median age of people living here is 42.About 10% of the town’s population is over 65; about 8% are

under five.

What is the median household income?

According to the CERC Town Profile, there are 3,203 house-holds in Weston. The median household income is $190,636, much higher than median household income for both Fairfield County ($82,184) and the state ($68,055).

How many cars are there?In 2009, 8,983 vehicles in Weston were reported registered by

the Department of Motor Vehicles.

What does the real estate picture look like?

In 2009, there were 92 single family homes sold with an aver-age selling price of $936,174. The median price was $825,000. The average time on the market was 131 days. The highest price paid was $2.9 million; the lowest price was $172,500.

There were also four land/building lots sales in 2009. The average selling price was $473,750 and the median price was $385,000. The average time on the market was 271 days. The highest price paid for a land sale was $950,000; the lowest was $175,000.

2010 is starting off very well with 41 sales through April 30, compared to 13 during the same period in 2009.

In 2008, there were 114 single family homes sold with an aver-age selling price of $1,133,342. The median price was $900,000, with an average time on the market of 115 days. The highest price paid was $5.2 million; the lowest price was $172,500.

There were also seven land/building lots sales in 2008. The

average selling price was $540,471 and the median price was $496,000. The highest price paid for a land sale was $833,300; the lowest was $300,000.

This information was supplied by Westonite Gail Lilley Za-wacki of Coldwell Banker Riverside in Westport. www.South-ernCt.com; [email protected]; 203-682-9444.

What is the town’s employment picture?

According to information from the Connecticut Department of Labor for March 2010, Weston’s labor force was 4,877. Of that number, there were 4,629 people employed and 248 report-ed as unemployed for an unemployment rate of 5.1%, up slightly from 4.9% for the same period last year, but well below the state average of 9.3% and the national average of 10.2%.

According to data from the 2000 Census, the highest number of workers who live in town also work in town. The next most popular place for Westonites to work was Manhattan, followed by Westport, Norwalk, and Stamford.

Who tops the town’s grand list for assessed property value?

According to the town assessor, Ken Whitman, that would be Connecticut Light & Power Co., Aspetuck Valley Country Club, and Aquarion Water Company.

Who are Weston’s largest employers?The top five major employers are the town itself, the Weston

public schools, Peter’s Weston Market, Norfield Children’s Cen-ter, and the Cobbs Mill Inn.

How far is Weston from major cities?Weston is about 50 miles from midtown Manhattan, 65 miles

from Hartford, and about 145 miles from Boston.

How far is Weston from the Indian Point nuclear power plant?

Weston is about 25 miles from the power plant in Buchanan, N.Y.

What is the average temperature?Average highs and lows in degrees Fahrenheit: January, 37/19;

April, 60/38; July, 84/62; October, 64/40.On average, the warmest month is July, the coldest is January.

The highest recorded temperature was 103°F in July 1966; the lowest recorded temperature was -15°F in January 1968.

What is the average rainfall and snowfall?

September is the wettest month, with an average of 4.54 inch-es of rain. January appears to be the snowiest month, with about 10.5 inches on average.

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Government12 Government The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut May 27, 2010

Where are town offices?Town offices are on a campus on Norfield Road. Many mu-

nicipal departments, including finance, the assessors office, the town clerk, and the tax collector, are in Weston Town Hall. The entire land use staff, including planning and zoning, the building department, town engineer, conservation, and the fire marshal, are located in the Town Hall Annex adjacent to the school cen-tral office building on School Road. Also in the annex are the offices for Dial-A-Ride bus service and social services.

Parks and Recreation is located in the historic Jarvis House on the southeast corner of Norfield and Weston roads.

The police department, fire department, ambulance corps, and library are also on the campus.

Office hours are generally 9 to 4:30, and offices are closed on federal holidays. The main phone number for information is 203-222-2500. The fax number is 203-222-8871. The town’s Web site is www.westonct.gov. The mailing address is Town of Weston, P.O. Box 1007, Weston, CT 06883.

Who is the chief executive of the town?

The chief elected executive is First Selectman Gale Weinstein, a Democrat. She is also head of the Board of Selectmen. The two elected selectmen are David Muller, a Democrat, and Dan Gilbert, a Republican. The positions are part-time.

The selectmen’s administrative assistant is Judy DeVito. She can be reached at 203-222-2656 or [email protected].

The first selectman position is part time, and so Weston also has a full-time town administrator, Tom Landry, whose office is in town hall. He is responsible for planning, coordinating, and evaluating the activities and policies of the town government, overseeing day-to-day operations, personnel management, and helping to develop the town budget. He may be reached at 203-222-2677 or [email protected].

Is there a directory of town officials?Yes. There is a directory of elected officials and some town

employees right here in the Answerbook. There is also a list-ing of officials on the town Web site, www.westonct.gov. The Leaugue of Women Voters of Weston publishes a handy direc-tory, available at town hall, called Know Your Town.

What is the town budget?The town budget for 2009-10 is $63.227 million, a 0.3%

decrease from the previous year. Expenditures for the town for 2009-10 total about $10.973 million. Expenditures for the schools total $43.976 million. There are also expenditures of about $6.954 million in debt service, and a $1.2-million capital improvement budget, as well as $300,000 appropriation for re-building the Lyons Plain Firehouse.

The approved gross budget for 2010-11 (the fiscal year begins July 1) is $63,242,422 million, a 0.5% increase from the cur-rent budget. Expenditures for the town for 2010-11 total about $10.98 million. Expenditures for the schools total $44.697. There are also expenditures of about $6.9 million in debt service and a $730,000 capital improvement budget.

What is the town’s bond rating?The town has a bond rating of Aaa.

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What is the current tax rate in town?The tax rate on both assessed property and personal proper-

ty is 23.61 mills, which represent a real tax of $23.61 on each $1,000 of assessed value.

If your home were assessed at $500,000, you would pay $11,805 in taxes.

For the 2010-11 fiscal year, the mill rate increases slightly to 23.86.

Where and when do I pay my town taxes?

Bills for real estate taxes are sent in June but taxes are due twice each year, on July 1 and Jan. 1. Car taxes are due on July 1. Residents can either mail in their payments or pay in person at town hall at the tax collector’s office (203-222-2696).

Failure to receive a tax bill does not exempt a property owner from payment of taxes or any penalties or accrued interest.

What happens if I don’t pay my taxes on time?

Residents are charged 1.5% per month interest on all back taxes owed, which works out to an 18% annual percentage rate. If back taxes are owed, the town will put a lien on a property, preventing it from being sold before taxes are paid.

What’s a grand list?A New England term, the grand list is the town’s tax base and

represents all taxable property in town. It is compiled every Oct. 1.

The net 2008 grand list totals $2,625,536,367, up just 0.25% from the previous year.

Real estate assessments make up about 95% of Weston’s grand list, and total about $2.5 billion; personal property assessments total about $18.3 million; motor vehicle assessments are about $107.8 million.

Who determines how much my house is worth for taxing purposes?

The town assessor, Kenneth Whitman (203-222-2606) deter-mines the assessed value of each property in Weston.

How often is property revalued?The state requires a revaluation every five years. Every 10

years, a “physical inspection” is required, meaning that every building is visited and measured. Weston completed its last full measure and list revaluation of all properties in 2008.

Why is property revalued?The purpose of regular revaluation is to create an equitable

distribution of the tax load. The process is an attempt to deter-mine accurate and equitable values for all properties within a municipality.

In Connecticut, all property assessments reflect 70% of mar-ket value, based on the last time there was a revaluation.

How do I find the assessed value of my home?

You may call the assessor’s office at 203-222-2607 or you may go to the assessor’s office and look at the field card for your

May 27, 2010 The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut Government 13

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property. The field card lists the particulars in figuring the valu-ation of your home.

How do I know if my assessment is correct?

In general, to determine if your assessment is correct you should ask yourself the following questions:

Can I sell my property for approximately that amount (noting that assessments reflect 70% of market value, based on 2008 values)?

Does the assessor’s office have the correct information on my property?

How much are similar properties in my neighborhood selling for?

What do I do if I think my assessment is unfair?

Your first step is to call the tax assessor’s office to review the assessment for any possible inaccuracies. If none are found and you still consider the assessment unfair you may apply to appear before a scheduled hearing of the Board of Assessment Appeals. Applications must be filed early in the year. Call the assessor’s office for details.

Who is the tax collector?Weston’s tax collector is Charity Nichols (203-222-2696 or

[email protected]). If you have a question about your tax bill, call her.

Who can get tax breaks?There is a tax abatement program and a tax deferral program

for seniors 65 and older. Both have income eligibility require-ments.

The abatement program is a reduction of taxes. Abatements are calculated at either 60% or 76%, depending on income, and applications are due to the tax collector no later than May 15.

With the deferral program, a percentage of property taxes (plus interest) is put off until the house is sold. Applications are due May 15. For details, call the tax collector at 203-222-2696.

The town also offers a tax freeze program for seniors. Anyone 65 or older with a combined family income up to $100,000 may have tax increases on up to $800,000 of the assessed value of their property frozen at the previous year’s level. Details and applications, which must be filed by May 15, are available at the tax collector’s office.

Veterans (honorably discharged) who served in very specific conflicts an within a certain time frame are eligible for a $4,500 property tax exemption. In addition, veterans who fall below a $32,800 per year pay scale may be eligible for an additional exemption. Applications must be filed with the assessor’s of-fice prior to Oct. 1. For details, call the assessor’s office. Veter-ans should file their original DD-214 discharge papers with the Weston Town Clerk to be eligible for the property tax exemp-tion.

14 Government The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut May 27, 2010

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I got a tax bill for a car I don’t own anymore. What should I do?

The Department of Motor Vehicles maintains vehicle own-ership records, which it forwards to the town assessor’s office to determine the tax roll for cars owned by Westonites. If you forgot to turn in the plates of your old vehicle, the DMV will continue to send ownership reports to the town.

To remove your car from the tax roll, return the plates to the DMV on Main Avenue in Norwalk and take the DMV return receipt to the assessor’s office.

What are our political parties and enrollments?

As of May 2010, there were 6,268 registered voters in Weston. The breakdown by political party is as follows: Republican, 1,864; Democrat, 2,162; unaffiliated, 2,229; other (i.e., Green, Libertarian, Concerned Citizen), 13. The registrars do an annual canvass of voters, and in June will make inactive all voters they have not heard from.

How can I register to vote?You may register Monday through Friday during business

hours at the registrars’ office or town clerk’s office at town hall. You may also register at the Weston Public Library or by mail. To get a mail-in registration form, call the registrars’ office (203-222-2686).

The Department of Motor Vehicles also has voter registration cards, and will accept completed forms, which it will forward to the registrars.

To obtain a registration form online, visit www.sots.state.

ct.us/ElectionsDivision/Elecform.html.

Do I need to bring documents when I register?

Yes. You will need some evidence that you live in Weston. A state driver’s license or state ID is usually all you will need. If you do not have a driver’s license or state ID, you may submit a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, or government document that shows your address. If you are registering by mail and you are registering for the first time in town, you should sub-mit a copy of your driver’s license or other document as noted above.

Do I need to renew my voting privileges?

You do not need to reappear at town hall to renew your voting privileges, but you may need to confirm your voting residence on a form the registrars’ office may mail to you periodically. If you fail to return the card, you will be made an inactive voter. If your name is placed on the inactive list and you turn up at the polls to vote, you will need to be restored as a voter before you are able to vote.

Are there voting districts in town?There is only one voting district, with the exception of state

elections, where there are two Senatorial Districts, 26 and 28. Everyone votes at Weston Middle School.

Who can vote by absentee ballot?Any registered voter who will be out of town during all voting


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May 27, 2010 The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut Town Officials 17

Town OfficialsBoard of Selectmen

First Selectman Gayle Weinstein (D) [email protected] 203-222-2656David Muller (D) [email protected] 203-226-7120Dan Gilbert (R) [email protected] 203-226-0514

Board of EducationPhilip Schaefer, (D) (ch) [email protected] 203-226-4663Ellen Uzenoff (R) (vice ch) [email protected] 203-227-8368Richard Bochinski (D) [email protected] 203-454-3256Denise Harvey (D) [email protected] 203-227-7865Dana Levin (D) [email protected] 203-222-4918Sonya Stack (R) [email protected] 203-557-4131Les Wolf (R) [email protected] 203-227-7415

Board of FinanceMichael O’Brien (D) (ch) [email protected] 203-544-9636Gerald Sargent (R)(vice ch) [email protected] 203-222-9212Robert Atkinson (D) [email protected] 203-226-3284Michael Carter (R) [email protected] 203-227-9595Steven Ezzes (D) [email protected] 203-661-6200Patrice Kopas (R) [email protected] 203-227-6181Melissa Koller (D) [email protected] 203-454-2217

Planning & Zoning CommissionStephan Grozinger (R) (ch) [email protected] 203-227-7813David Allen (R) [email protected] Jane Connolly (D) [email protected] 203-454-3654Kathryn Gregory (R) [email protected] 203-226-2220Joseph Limone (D) [email protected] 203-227-0242Donald Saltzman (R) [email protected] 203-226-4066Ridge Young (D) [email protected] 203-226-3401

Police CommissionRichard Phillips (R) (ch) [email protected] 203-222-1454Beth Gralnick (D) (vice ch) [email protected] 203-227-1690William Brady (R) [email protected] 203-222-1112Jess DiPasquale (R) [email protected] 203-221-9129Jeffrey Eglash (D) [email protected] 203-227-8405Peter Ottomano (R) [email protected] 203-227-2748Hal Shupack (D) [email protected] 203-226-5843

Zoning Board of AppealsRichard B. Wolf (R) (ch) [email protected] 203-454-3819W. MacLeod Snaith (D) (vice ch) [email protected] 203-227-2259Robert Gardner (D) [email protected] 203-226-2644Frederick C. Noyes, Jr. (R) [email protected] 203-227-0086

Board of Assessment AppealsMarina Coprio (D) [email protected] 203-226-3023Ryan Cornell (R) [email protected] 203-247-0718Susan Seath (R) [email protected] 203-227-6744

Animal Control: Mark Harper [email protected] 203-222-2642Assessor: Kenneth Whitman [email protected] 203-222-2606Building Inspector: Rack Gleason [email protected] 203-222-2659Parks and Rec. Director: Dave Ungar [email protected] 203-222-2655Police Chief: John Troxell [email protected] 203-222-2667Public Works Director: Joe Lametta [email protected] 203-222-2662Reg. of Voters (R): Susan Moran [email protected] 203-222-2686 (1)Reg. of Voters (D): Laura Smits [email protected] 222-2686 (2)Selectmen’s Administrative Assistant: Judy Devito [email protected] 203-222-2656 Senior Center Director: Jennifer Ruddy [email protected] 203-222-2608Social Worker: Charlene Chiang-Hillman [email protected] 203-222-2663Tax Collector: Charity Nichols [email protected] 203-222-2696Town Administrator: Tom Landry [email protected] 203-222-2677Town Clerk: Donna Anastasia [email protected] 203-222-2616Youth Services Director: Kristin Ferrara [email protected] 203-222-2585

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hours may cast an absentee ballot. Certain other reasons, such as illness or physical disability, religious beliefs, or your duties as an election official at a district other than your own allow use of absentee ballots by people who will be in town during polling hours. If you are a first-time voter voting by absentee ballot you may be required to submit identification with your ballot.

For what elections can I use an absentee ballot?

You may vote by absentee ballot for any federal, state, or local municipal election. You may vote absentee for any referendum with less than three weeks notice or adjourned town meeting vote. When a referendum is held with less than three week’s notice, absentee ballots will be available within four days after the questions are finalized by legal council, and are only issued in person.

How and where do I get an absentee ballot?

You must first fill out an application, which you may pick up at the town clerk’s office in the town hall, or it may be mailed to you at any address. Absentee ballot applications are also avail-able on the town Web site, www.westonct.gov, and the Secretary of the State Web site, www.sots.ct.gov.

After you return the application, it will be processed and the absentee ballot will be sent to you, but not until two to four weeks before the actual election. If the ballot is printed and ready, you may fill it out at the town clerk’s office. Absentee ballots, how-ever, cannot be mailed to a person for a referendum.

Can a non-resident vote here?Non-resident property owners who are currently paying lo-

cal taxes on property or personal property in excess of $1,000 in assessed value and who are U.S. citizens, 18 years or older, may vote in any town referendum that deals with financial or money matters. They cannot vote in Weston under any other conditions.

What do the registrars of voters do?Registrars Susan Moran (Republican) and Laura Smits (Dem-

ocrat) are elected for a term of two years and serve as the local arm of the Connecticut Secretary of State.

They administer all federal, state and constitutional provisions relating to elections, town meetings and referenda. They are re-sponsible for safeguarding the integrity of the election process, including the acquisition and exercise of voter rights. They are also responsible for hiring and training the election officials who serve at every election and town meeting.

They may be reached at 203-222-2686 or [email protected].

How can I get involved in town government?

To get actively involved in town government, you may become affiliated with a political party, and volunteer your ser-vices. If certain functions of government interest you — such as education, recreation, or zoning — attend some of the meet-ings of the agency involved. All town agency meetings are open to the public.


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For more information, you may want to call Glenn Major, Republican Town Committee chairman, at 203-226-7120 or Barbara Reynolds, Democratic Town Committee chairman, at 203-227-5074.

What is a Town Meeting? When are they?

Town Meetings are the town’s legislative body. They are scheduled as necessary. However, the Annual Town Budget Meeting to deal with town and school budgets traditionally takes place in mid-April.

Town Meetings are held as a forum for Westonites and prop-erty holders to voice concerns, support, and make decisions on items such as next year’s budget, budget transfers, capital proj-ects, and changes in town ordinances.

Special Town Meetings are held as needed to discuss changes and transfers within the current year’s budget, proposed ordi-nances, borrowing proposals and other matters.

Who schedules the Annual Town Budget Meeting? Who can call for a Special Town Meeting?

The Board of Selectmen issues the call for the Annual Town Budget Meeting and Special Town Meetings.

A Special Town Meeting must be called if requested by a peti-tion of 50 or more registered voters.

Who can vote at a Town Meeting?Any registered Weston voter may cast a vote at a Town Meet-

ing. Non-registered residents and non-resident property holders (who hold at least $1,000 of property or personal property on the previous Oct. 1 grand list and are U.S. citizens at least 18 years old) may vote on financial matters.

What is a referendum?A referendum is a question or proposal that is submitted to

a vote of the electors or voters of a municipality. The outcome may be legally binding or non-binding, depending on the nature of the question. Typically, a referendum is used to approve or reject a major project.

When do elections of town officials take place?

Like the national elections, elections for town officials are on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November. They take place in odd-numbered years (i.e. 2009, 2011...). State and fed-eral elections are held during even-numbered years.

Who may vote in a primary?Any registered voter who is affiliated with a major party (i.e.

Democrat, Republican) may vote in a primary. Only members of the party may participate in their own party’s primary.

Can I look up old deeds?Yes, they may be found at town hall. All land records are

housed in the vault of the town clerk’s office. It is open to any-one for inspection and research.


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Are birth, marriage, and death records public?

Marriage and death records are public record; birth records are not. Birth records may be obtained only by the individual in question or a family member.

Besides clergy, who can perform weddings?

A justice of the peace or a probate judge can also perform weddings in Connecticut. The town clerk has a list of the justices of the peace.

Where do I get a marriage license?A marriage license may be obtained in the town where the

bride lives, the groom lives, or where the wedding will take place. No blood test is needed. The fee is $30; the license is is-sued immediately and is good for 65 days. Couples are asked to make an appointment when applying for a license. For details, call the town clerk’s office (203-222-2616).

How do I get a license for a civil union?

A civil union is a legal union between two people of the same sex, which grants them the same benefits, rights and protections as are granted to spouses in a marriage. While some states allow same-sex marriages, Connecticut only recognizes civil unions.

Civil Union License Certificates may be obtained in the town clerk’s office. There is no waiting period and no residency re-quirement. The fee is $30. The ceremony may be performed by a justice of the peace or a minister. For details, and a list of JPs who will perform the ceremony, call the town clerk at 203-222-2616.

What is a notary public? Where can I find one?

A notary public is someone legally empowered to witness sig-natures, certify documents and take depositions and affidavits. Every bank has one on staff. Some real estate agents are notary publics. There is a notary public in the town clerk’s office. Some may charge a small fee to notarize a document.

What does the building department do?

In compliance with the Connecticut State Building Codes, the building department (203-222-2658) issues permits for all new construction, alterations, remodeling, additions, renova-tions, temporary structures, decks, storage buildings, and some repairs. These permits are generally issued after approvals from the planning and zoning, conservation, and health departments. The building department is in the Town Hall Annex adjacent to the school central office on School Road.

If you are applying for a building permit, hours are Monday through Friday from 9 to 11. If you are applying for a sub-per-mit (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc.) you may do so from 9 to 4:30.

What does the building inspector do?Weston’s building inspector, Rack Gleason (203-222-2659 or

[email protected]), reviews and grants all building per-mits and inspects renovations and new construction. He issues certificates of occupancy after work has been inspected and passed.

What does the code enforcement officer do?

The code enforcement officer is responsible for enforcing local laws passed by the Board of Selectmen. He investigates complaints through site visits. He also represents the town in court hearings concerning zoning matters and other town laws at the request of the town attorney.

Weston’s code enforcement officer is James Pjura. He may be reached at 203-222-2559 or [email protected].

What does the town engineer do?The town engineer is responsible for planning, directing, su-

pervising and coordinating professional engineering services for the town. He is primarily concerned with roadways, storm drain-age, septic systems, water lines, and bridges. He supervises and inspects town building additions, school code compliance work, drainage, and site work as well as all construction work con-nected to town property.

Weston’s town engineer is John Conte. He may be reached at 203-222-2680.

How are candidates for town boards chosen?

Candidates for elected positions are nominated by the political parties. However, non-party sponsored candidates may petition to get on the ballot.

Candidates for appointed boards are chosen by the selectmen, usually upon recommendations from the political parties and the current board members. However, the selectmen are not obliged to follow the town committee recommendations.

What town agencies have elected members?

The Board of Assessment Appeals, Board of Education, Board of Finance, Board of Selectmen, Planning and Zoning Commis-sion, Police Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals.

What boards and commissions are appointed?

The Library Board, Parks and Recreation Commission, Conservation Commission, Historic District Commission, Building Board of Appeals, Panel of Moderators, Commission for the Arts, Commission on Aging, the School and general town Building Committees, and the Board of Ethics.

The selectmen also appoints members of the Committee for Veterans Affairs, Lachat Building Committee, Tower Committee, Ivy Moore Cottage Committee, Insurance Advisory Committee, Cemetery Committee, Beautification Committee, and the Select Committee for Sustainability.

What does the town clerk do?Weston Town Clerk Donna M. Anastasia has her office in

Weston Town Hall and may be reached at 203-222-2616 or [email protected]. The town clerk acts as the state’s agent for permits and certificates, and is the registrar for vital


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statistics.Her office keeps all town records from 1787 to the present

time; records, indexes, and maintains documents in the Weston land records; records maps, trade name certificates, birth, death, and marriage certificates; files military discharges (all veterans receive assessment reductions); issues marriage, dog, hunting, and fishing licenses; issues certified birth certificates; issues ab-sentee ballots and prepares paperwork for elections, and regis-ters voters.

As a chief election official, the town clerk is responsible for the absentee ballot process, voting statistics, execution of refer-enda and final election procedures and results. The town clerk administers the Oath of Office to all elected and appointed of-ficials, and is responsible for the enforcement of campaign fi-nance compliance.

The town clerk is the official clerk of all Town Meetings. Her office also keeps a calendar of all town meetings. Official no-tices and agendas are posted with the town clerk. She keeps a record of all elected and appointed officials, and maintains all vacancies, appointments, and state records for members of the town’s boards and commissions. The town clerk also attends town meetings and records the minutes. She also notarizes docu-ments.

What does the town administrator do?The responsibilities of this position are redefined by each new

Board of Selectmen and first selectman. Presently, the town ad-ministrator has oversight responsibilities for all town employees and departments with the exception of the Weston Police De-partment. This includes budget development and administration, labor negotiations, personnel policies, program review, insur-

ance administration, and purchasing. Tom Landry has filled this position since December 2001. He

may be reached at 203-222-2677 or [email protected].

What does the finance department do?

The Finance Department is responsible for overseeing the dai-ly financial affairs of the town, including employee payroll and year-end tax functions. The department also assists in the annual budget development as well as longer term financial planning and coordinates the town’s annual financial audit.

Other responsibilities of the Finance Department include handling insurance related matters, overseeing the issuance of bonds, providing financial reports to the Boards of Selectmen and Finance, and monitoring the budget throughout the year.

The finance director is Richard Darling. He may be reached at 203-222-2678 or [email protected].

What does the Board of Finance do?The Board of Finance is responsible for developing the annual

town budget. It also reviews and approves or denies all budget transfers within the annual budget. Members are elected to six-year terms and are listed in the town officials list.

What are legal notices? Where can I read them?

Legal notices are notifications concerning meetings and ac-tions of local commissions and boards. In addition, other im-portant town government information such as proposed budgets,


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town ordinances and invitations to bid on projects or sell the town services appear in legal notices.

Legal notices may be found in the town clerk’s office at town hall. Many legal notices are required to be published in a news-paper having circulation in the town and almost all appear in The Weston Forum.

How do I know if a meeting is scheduled?

The Freedom of Information Act requires that all town com-mission and board meetings be public. The schedule for a board’s regular meetings must be filed each year with the town clerk. Special meetings may be called up to 24 hours in advance. Emergency meetings may be held without notice; however, the board must file its minutes — including the reason for the emer-gency — at the town clerk’s office within 72 hours of the meet-ing. Meetings are posted in the town clerk’s office, town hall.

The Forum publishes a list of upcoming meetings known at press time in its Meetings column. Meetings are also posted on the town Web site, www.westonct.gov.

Can a commission or board meet privately?

Generally, all meetings involving a quorum of commission or board members (three members of a five-person board, four of a six-member board) must be open to the public. However, Con-necticut statutes allow a commission to close a meeting to the public if it is discussing personnel matters, litigation strategy, or contract negotiations.

To close a meeting and enter into “executive session,” the board must take a vote and the meeting’s closure must be sup-ported by two-thirds of those present and voting. The commis-sion cannot take any action while in an executive session. It must return to open session before voting on any items.

What if I think a commission held an illegal private meeting?

You can file a complaint with the state Freedom of Informa-tion office (860-566-5682), 18-20 Trinity Street, Hartford, CT 06106.

What state senatorial district are we in?

Weston is mainly in the 28th state Senatorial District. A small portion in the south is in the 26th District.

In the 26th district, our senator is Toni Boucher, a Republi-can. Ms. Boucher may be reached at: 5 Wicks End Lane, Wilton,

CT 06897, 203-762-3232; in Hartford at 800-842-1421; or by e-mail at [email protected].

In the 28th District, our senator is John McKinney, a Repub-lican. He may be reached at 300 South Gate Lane, Southport, CT 06490, 203-254-1639; in Hartford at 800-842-1421 or 860-240-8805; or e-mail [email protected].

What state house districts are we in?Weston is in the 135th Assembly District, represented by Re-

publican John Stripp. Write to Mr. Stripp at 4 Scatacook Trail, Weston, 06883, or call 227-8917. In Hartford, call 800-842-1423 or 860-240-8700. E-mail him at [email protected]. His Web page is at www.repstripp.com.

How can I express my views to the governor?

Write to Gov. M. Jodi Rell at State Capitol, 210 Capitol Av-enue, Hartford 06106, call 860-566-4840 or 800-406-1527, or e-mail [email protected].

Who represents us in the U.S. Senate?

Connecticut’s senators are Christopher Dodd, Democrat, and Joseph Lieberman, an Independent.

Senator Dodd may be reached at Room 448, Russell Sen-ate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510, 202-224-2823; or Connecticut Constituent Office, 100 Great Meadow Road, Room 205, Wethersfield 06109, 800-334-5341; or e-mail [email protected]. Web site: www.dodd.senate.gov.

Senator Lieberman may be reached at 706 Hart Senate Build-ing, Washington, DC 20510, 202-224-4041; or 1 Constitution Plaza, 7th Floor, Hartford 06103, 800-225-5605, fax 860-549-8478; or e-mail [email protected]. Web site: www.lieberman.senate.gov.

Who represents us in the House of Representatives?

Weston is in the 4th Congressional District and is repre-sented by Jim Himes, a Democrat.

Mr. Himes has an office in Bridgeport at 211 State Street, 2nd Floor, 06604. The phone number is 203-333-6655. He can be reached at his Stamford office at 888 Washington Blvd., 10th Floor, 06901. The phone number is 866-453-0028.

In Washington, D.C., he is at 214 Cannon House Office Building, 20515; 202-225-5541. Web site: www.himes.house.gov.


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Schools

What does the Board of Education do?

The board is responsible for proposing a budget to run the schools, overseeing spending, setting policies and rules, hiring the superintendent, approving administrators, adopting books and courses, negotiating staff contracts, and hearing citizen ap-peals.

Regular Board of Education sessions generally take place the third Monday evening of the month (sometimes it’s a Tuesday) at 7:30 p.m. in the Weston Public Library community room. Most meetings there is an executive session at 6:30. Specific information about regular and committee meetings — including dates, agendas, and locations — are posted in the district office, schools, and on the Web site at www.westonk12-ct.org.

Board members are listed under Town Officials here in the Answerbook, and are also listed on the district Web site.

Where is the school district office?The district office is at 24 School Road. The phone number

is 203-291-1400; fax is 203-291-1415. The school Web site is www.westonk12-ct.org.

The superintendent of schools is Jerome Belair. He may be reached at 203-291-1401.

What public schools are in town and how many children attend each?

As of Oct. 1, 2009, there are a total of 2,519 students enrolled in the Weston school district. Weston’s four public schools, oc-cupy a 117-acre campus adjacent to town municipal offices and the district office.

The schools are:Hurlbutt Elementary School, (PreK-2) 9 School Road, 203-

291-1444, fax 203-291-1452; Joanna Genovese, principal (203-291-1448). There are 489 students.

Weston Intermediate School, (Grades 3-5) 9 School Road, 203-291-2700, fax 203-291-2717; Patricia Falber, principal (203-291-2701) There are 628 students.

Weston Middle School, 135 School Road, 203-291-1500, fax 203-291-1516; Kenneth Craw, principal (203-291-1515). There are 600 students.

Weston High School, 115 School Road, 203-291-1600, fax 203-291-1603; Lisa Wolak, principal. There are 802 students.

What are the average class sizes at each school?

Last year, average class sizes were as follows:At Hurlbutt: 19.8 for kindergarten, 19.1 for first grade, 22.9

for second grade.At Weston Intermediate School: 21.5 for third grade, 23.1 for

fourth grade, and 23.1 for fifth grade.At Weston Middle School: 21.7 for sixth grade, 20. for sev-

enth grade, 20.3 for eighth grade.

What are the hours of operation at the schools?

The regular class schedule is as follows:Weston High School, 7:45 to 2:30

May 27, 2010 The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut Schools 23

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Weston Middle School, 7:45 to 2:30Weston Intermediate School, 8:30 to 3:15Hurlbutt Elementary School, 8:30 to 3:15.Early dismissal is at 11:45 for the high schoo and the middle

school, 12:35 for the intermediate school, and Hurlbutt.In the event of bad weather or other conditions, delayed open-

ings are two hours after the regular opening: 9:45 for the high school and middle school, 10:30 for the intermediate school and Hurlbutt.

What school holidays are planned?The school calendar calls for 180 days for students, 187 days

for staff. The school board has approved a district calendar through the 2011-12 school year, and they are available on the school Web site, www.westonk12-ct.org, under Annual Calen-dars.

The first day of school this year was Sept. 3, and graduation is set for June 24.

For the 2010-11 school year, the first day of school is sched-uled for Sept. 2. The holidays and vacations are: Sept. 6, Labor Day; Sept. 9, Rosh Hashanah; Oct. 8, Professional Development Day; Oct. 11, Columbus Day; Nov. 2, Election Day; Nov. 25-26, Thanksgiving Recess; Dec. 24-Jan. 2, Winter Recess; Jan. 17, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Feb. 21-25, February Recess; April 18-22, April Recess; May 30, Memorial Day. June 15 is

scheduled as the last day of classes. Extra snow days would be made up in June.

What is a DRG?District Reference Groups (DRGs) are the state education

department’s way of grouping like school districts based on spe-cific socioeconomic factors. They are most often used to com-pare test scores within “comparable” school districts.

Weston is in DRG-A. This group is considered by the state education department to be the “most affluent and least needy” group of school districts in the state. Other school districts in DRG-A are Darien, Easton, Redding, Region 9 (Joel Barlow High School, shared by Easton and Redding), Ridgefield, New Canaan, Westport, and Wilton.

What tests do students take?Students in third through eighth grade take the Connecticut

Mastery Test, a state assessment whose results are reported un-der No Child Left Behind.

The Connecticut Academic Performance Test is given to 10th graders.

How have students performed on the Connecticut Mastery Tests?

Since March 2006, reporting reqirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act require the Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT) to be given annually to students in grades three through eight.

For the test taken in 2009, the percentage of Weston students achieving at or above goal level are as follows:

Third grade — Math: 84.7%; reading: 82.1%; writing: 76.4%Fourth grade — Math: 88.6%; reading: 85.3%; writing:

85.1%Fifth grade — Math: 90%; reading: 87.1%; writing: 87.7%;

science: 86.3%Sixth grade — Math: 90.9%; reading: 92%; writing: 83.4%Seventh grade — Math: 94.5%; reading: 96.2%; writing:

92.4%Eighth grade — Math: 89.6%; reading: 94.5%; writing:

93.1%; science: 86.1%

How have students performed on the CAPTs?

The Connecticut Academic Performance Tests, known as CAPTs, test proficiency in math, science, reading, and writing.

Taken in early spring 2009 by the Weston High School soph-omore class, the percentage of students who performed at or above state goal was as follows:

Math - 86.7% Science - 83.6%Reading - 81.7%Writing - 92.4%

What is the SAT?The SAT is a standardized test that the College Board admin-

isters nationally seven times a year. The SAT tests students in mathematics, critical reading, and, beginning in 2005, writing. Test results are reported on a scale of 200 to 800 for each cat-egory. The Class of 2006 was the first class to take the three-part SAT.

Most colleges request student applicants to submit scores

24 Schools The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut May 27, 2010

2424

from either the SAT or the standardized ACT test.

What are the average SAT scores for seniors at the high school?

Weston High School’s Class of 2009 had among the highest average SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Tests) scores of any school district in the state. With a combined average score of 1,779 out of a possible score of 2,400, within DRG-A Weston ranked third in reading, fifth in math, and fourth highest in writing. The aver-age scores for Weston students were: Math, 599; reading, 588; and writing, 592.

Does the school offer SAT preparation?

The PTO offers afterschool PSAT and SAT review courses. They are open to all students. A fee is established each year. The PSAT review is offered in the beginning of October and the SAT review is held in April. For information, call the Weston High School guidance department or PTO.

The Weston Public Library also offers free 24/7 SAT study help to anyone with a Weston library card through prepme.com. Visit www.biblio.org/weston for details.

How have students performed on the National Merit Scholarship program?

This year, Weston High School had seven semi-finalists and 13 commended scholars.

What percentage of students go on to college?

For the Class of 2008, 98.4% of students went on to higher education.

When can my child enter kindergarten?

Any child who turns five before Jan. 1 during a given calendar year may enter kindergarten that fall; otherwise they enroll the next year.

How do I register my child for school?To register a child for kindergarten through grade two, call or

visit Hurlbutt Elementary School (203-291-1446) and ask for a registraiton packet. For grades three, four, and five, call the in-termediate school (203-291-2700). For grades six through eight, call the middle school registrar at 203-291-1525; and for high school, call 203-291-1600.

Information that will be needed includes a copy of your child’s birth certificate, previous academic records, health records, in-cluding immunizations, and verification of address.

What interscholastic sports are offered at the high school?

More than 70% of Weston High School students participate in school sports. Weston High School offers the following:

Fall/Boys: Cross Country, Football, SoccerWinter/Boys: Basketball, Ice Hockey, Indoor Track, Skiing,


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Swimming/Diving, WrestlingSpring/Boys: Baseball, Golf, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Ten-

nisFall/Girls: Cheerleading, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Soc-

cer, Swimming/Diving, VolleyballWinter/Girls: Basketball, Cheerleading, Gymnastics, Indoor

Track, SkiingSpring/Girls: Golf, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Softball, Tennis

What extracurricular activities are at the high school?

Clubs and activities available at Weston High School in-clude: American Cancer Club; Company/Theater Arts; Dance Club; Debate Club; Diversity Club; Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA); Heliotrope (yearbook); HOW (Help Our World environmental club); Inlook (literary magazine); Instru-mental Music; Intramurals; Junior Engineering-Technical So-ciety (JETS); Key Club; Leadership Council; National Honor Society; Pep Band; Risk Club; Student Government; The WHS Journal (school newspaper); Young Democrats Club; and Young Republicans Club.

What about the middle school?Clubs and activities at the middle school include: Chamber

Singers; Chamber Orchestra; Community Connector (mentor-ship program); Environmental Club; Intramurals and After School Sports; Jazz Ensemble; Math Team; Newspaper; Short Wharf (theater); Spanish Club; String Ensemble; Student Asso-ciation; Writing Club/Literary Magazine; and Yearbook.

Does anyone offer before- or after-school care?

Norfield Children’s Center (203-227-7047), 64 Norfield Road, offers before and after school child care services from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for ages 3 to 10.

The Westport/Weston YMCA, 59 Post Road East, offers child care programs for children 2 to 12. Transportation is provided for children in Weston schools. For details, call 203-226-4221.

How can I find out if school is canceled?

There is a link at the top of The Weston Forum’s home page, www.theWestonForum.com, that takes you directly to any school cancelation or delay notices. Many local radio and televi-sion stations announce school delays and cancellations due to weather or other causes. You may also visit the school district Web site, www.westonk12-ct.org, and click on “Delays & Can-cellations.” Another helpful Web site is www.ctweather.com.

What is the district’s transportation policy?

Any student in grades kindergarten through five who lives more than 0.25 miles from school, and those in grades six through 12 who live more than 0.5 miles from school are eligible for transportation to and from school. (Exceptions may be made for physical conditions or hazardous conditions.)

The school district employs First Student Bus Company (203-454-1984) to handle its transportation services. Bus routes are posted on the school district Web site, www.westonk12-ct.org,


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just before the beginning of the new school year.David Lustberg is the schools’ transportation coordinator. He

may be reached at 203-291-1477 or [email protected].

What is the Weston Education Foundation?

The Weston Education Foundation is a non-profit, community organization that promotes excellence and innovation in educa-tion through grants for teacher and curriculum development, technology initiatives, and community education. For informa-tion, including a list of the board members, visit www.weston-educationfoundation.org.

What is the current school budget?The Board of Education budget is $43,975,602 million for the

2008-09 school year. The approved school budget for 2010-11 is $44,697,023.

What is special education? Who does it help?

Special education offers services for physically handicapped and learning disabled children. In Connecticut, special educa-tion and related services are available to eligible children by age three and are provided by local and regional school districts.

How can I find out if my child needs special education?

The Early Learning Center is a district program that will eval-uate any child from two years nine months to five years old. Children from three to five who exhibit mild to moderate delays are recommended for placement in a preschool special educa-tion program. For information, call the director of pupil services at 203-291-1405.

Are there any special education resources?

Weston SEPTA (Special Education Parent Teacher Associa-tion) offers information and support to parents with children receiving special education services in Weston or through the Connecticut Birth to Three System. For information, contact Elayne Robertson Demby at 203-222-8107 or [email protected]; or Amy Sierra at 203-226-5847 or [email protected].

SPED*NET is the Special Education Network, a monthly fo-rum for discussing special education and section 405 issues. It is an independent nonprofit and often offers workshops and talks for parents and interested community members. Information is available on the Web at www.spednet.org. You may e-mail [email protected].

The Connecticut Birth to Three System helps families meet the developmental and health-related needs of their infants and toddlers who have delays or disabilities. For information, call the Child Development Infoline at 800-505-7000 or visit online at www.birth23.org.


2727

Is there a PTO? Each school has a parent teacher organization, which raises

money for teacher appreciation, school enrichment, and student activities. For information, visit the PTOs’ Web sites: Hurlbutt Elementary School PTO (hurlbutt-pto.org.), Weston Interme-diate School PTO (wis-pto.org), WestonMiddle School PTO (wms-pto.org) or Weston High School PTO (whs-pto.org).

What nursery schools are in town?Emmanuel Nursery School, 285 Lyons Plains Road (203-226-

4432), Norfield Children’s Center, 64 Norfield Road (203-227-7047), and Saint Francis of Assisi Preschool, 35 Norfield Road (203-454-8646), are in Weston. The Westport-Weston Coopera-tive Nursery School (203-227-9318) in the Unitarian church at 10 Lyons Plain Road, is just over the town line in Westport. There are many nursery schools in neighboring towns.

What private schools are in the area?Greens Farms Academy at 33 Beachside Avenue, Greens

Farms (203-256-0717 or www.gfacademy.org), is an indepen-dent coeducational day school from kindergarten through 12th grade.

In Wilton, there is Connecticut Friends School on Route 106 (203-762-9860 or www.ctfriendsschool.org), a Quaker school that offers kindergarten through eighth grade; Our Lady of

Fatima, 225 Danbury Road (203-762-8100 or www.olfrs.org), a Catholic school for pre-school through eighth grade; and Mon-tessori School, 34 Whipple Road (203-834-0440), which offers preschool through sixth grade.

In Ridgefield, St. Mary’s Regional Catholic School (203-438-7288 or www.stmaryschoolridgefield.org) on High Ridge offers kindergarten (full-day) through eighth grade; and Ridgefield Academy (203-894-1800 or www.ridgefieldacademy.com) of-fers preschool through eighth grade at 223 West Mountain Road.

Fairfield Prep (203-254-4000 or www.prep.fairfield.edu), a boys-only Catholic high school in Fairfield is run by Jesuits. Im-maculate High School (203-744- or www.immaculatehs.org) is a co-ed Catholic high school in Danbury.

Is there adult education?Weston Open Learning is a community education program

sponsored by the Weston Education Foundation and Weston Public Schools. Winter and spring sessions are offered with courses covering a wide variety of topics. For information, visit www.westoneducationfoundation.org.

What colleges are nearby?Norwalk Community College (203-857-7000) in Norwalk

offers a degree program. Western Connecticut State University (203-837-8200) in Danbury has both graduate and undergradu-ate courses as does the University of Connecticut, Stamford (203-251-8400), Fairfield University (203-254-4000), and Sa-cred Heart University (203-371-7999).

Is there an art school?The Silvermine School of Art (203-966-6668) in New Canaan

offers courses for all ages and levels of expertise. The Ridgefield Guild of Artists (203-438-8863) in Ridgefield offers instruction for beginners and advanced students, as well as many children’s programs. There’s also the Wooster Community Art Center (203-743-6311) in Danbury.

What dance schools are here?Margaret Bisceglie, 239 Newtown Turnpike, offers classes in

creative dance ad ballet for girls and boys ages 3 and up. Call 203-227-8893.

The Academy of Dance is in Westport (203-226-9987 or west-portdance.com). There is also the Wilton Dance Studio (203-544-9007 or www.wiltondance.com).

In Georgetown, there is The Conservatory of Dance (203-544-8455 or www.conservatory-of-dance.com), The Art of Dance (203-544-9821 or www.artofdancegtown.com), which is also home to the Western Connecticut Youth Ballet, and The Milleni-um School of Irish Dance (203-544-9868 or millenium-school.com).

Where is the nearest vocational school?

Henry Abbott Regional Vocational and Technical School on Hayestown Road in Danbury offers an academic curriculum along with programs in auto repair, auto body, electrical, elec-tronics, manufacturing technology, machine drafting, HVAC, graphic communications, plumbing, hairdressing, culinary arts, and off-site LPN training. Call 203-797-4460, ext. 4427, for in-formation or visit www.cttech.org/abbott/.


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Public ServicesIs there a library and when is it open?

The Weston Public Library is at 56 Norfield Road. The phone number is 203-222-BOOK. The library is open Monday, Tues-day, Thursday, and Friday from 9 to 5; Wednesday from 9 to 8; Saturday from 10 to 4; and Sunday from noon to 4. The library is closed on Sundays from mid-June to mid-September. The direc-tor is Jane Atkinson.

The Web site is www.biblio.org/weston. The library’s e-mail address is [email protected].

What does the library offer, besides books and magazines?

Although small in size, the library offers videos, audio books, and DVDs, as well as other items most libraries have for research or circulation. For those with laptop computers, the library of-fers free WiFi wireless Internet access during library hours.

Through the library’s Web site you can access eAudioBooks (electronic book titles that can be downloaded to your computer or MP3 player), purchase museum passes and discount cards, access interlibrary loan services, and ask a librarian just about any question you can think of using infoAnytime.

Can I access the card catalog from home?

You may search the general library catalog as well as the chil-dren’s catalog from your home computer.

Through iCONN, you may search thousands of general and scholarly articles published from 1980 to the present. The data-base also includes Spanish-language articles, newspapers, busi-ness information, health and wellness information, and more. You will need your library card number for access.

The library’s Web site also offers a link to Facts on File News Services. You will also need your library card number for this service.

Are there any library activity groups?During the school year, the library has Story Hours for chil-

dren 2-4 years old. Registration is required and children must be accompanied by an adult. Story Hours run 45 minutes to an hour and include stories, songs, games, and films. Contact Joy Beck-with at 203-222-2651 for schedules and more information.

Two book discussion groups meet once a month, one during the evening and one in the late morning. Anyone is welcome to join. Call the library.

Chess Mates is a relatively new program for kids interested in playing and learning more about chess. There are sessions for those in grades 1-3 and in grades 4-6. Call the library for specifics.

Occasional concerts, author talks, and art exhibits also take place at the library. Town groups use the Community Room for special programs.

What is the Friends of the Weston Public Library?

This is a volunteer group of members of the community that provides extra services and programs not covered by the town budget by paying for many educational, cultural, and literary programs. The Friends of Weston Public Library welcomes new

members; applications are available in the library. The group also encourages citizens of Weston to financially support the li-brary.

Does the library accept books for book sales?

There is an ongoing sale in the library, but there isn’t room for large donations of books.

Is there a town social worker?The Department of Social Services (203-222-2663) is on the

lower level of Town Hall. It is best to call in advance for an ap-pointment.

The town social worker is Charlene Chiang-Hillman, MSW, LCSW. Her office hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 9 to 3. Assistant Social Worker Suzanne Friedman, RN, MS, is in the office on Tuesday from 1:30 to 4:30, and Wednesday and Thursday from 10 to 2.

The office offers a number of confidential services to Weston residents including: crisis intervention; short-term counseling, diagnosis, and referral; case management, child and elderly pro-tective services referrals. The office also screens people for ser-vices such as the food pantry and energy assistance applications, and also assists with applications for agencies such as ConnPace, Medicare, and Medicaid. Meals-on-Wheels and Dial-a-Ride are also coordinated through this office.

Weston’s Social Services Department also works with the re-gional United Way of Coastal Fairfield County, which focuses on helping to prepare children for school, helping families be-come and remain financially stable, providing access to quality health care, and providing a link to basic needs services like food and shelter. Visit www.unitedwaycfc.org or call the United Way’s Infoline at 2-1-1.

Does the town have a food bank?Yes. It is located in the parking lot behind the Police Station

and near the Norfield Firehouse. The Weston Food Pantry is open 24 hours a day to all Westonites who need to supplement their groceries. Call the Department of Social Services (203-222-2663) for details on using it or making a donation.

What is the Weston Warm-Up Fund?The Weston Warm-Up Fund provides financial help to low-

income Weston families and individuals. Assistance is available for the purchase of oil, gas, or electricity for heat; repairs to or replacement of heating equipment; and home improvements to increase energy efficiency.

For information on applying for assistance, call Barbara Solo-mon at 203-222-0517 or Dawn Egan at 203-221-9114.

To make a donation to the fund, send a check to P.O. Box 1254, Weston, CT 06883. The tax-exempt number is 061087836.

Does the town offer help to those who find themselves temporarily or perma-nently homeless?

Call the town social worker, Charlene Chiang-Hillman, at 203-222-2663.

30 Public Services The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut May 27, 2010

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Homes with Hope, also known as the Interfaith Housing As-sociation, is located in Westport, but it serves Weston clients. Homes with Hope provides supportive services in a structured environment to enable people achieve independent, self-suffi-cient lives through permanent affordable supportive housing; casework and supportive services; emergency shelter for men, women, and families; food and meals; and life skills training.

What do I do with my trash?There is no municipal trash collection and most residents con-

tract with a private hauler.For do-it-yourselfers, the Weston Transfer Station (203-222-

2668) is at 237 Godfrey Road East and is open Monday through Friday from 8 to 3:45 and Saturday from 8 to 2:45. Stickers are required for vehicles entering the transfer station. They are is-sued free to Weston residents with their motor vehicle tax bills each June, and are valid for one year. For an extra sticker, or if you are a new resident, visit or call the Selectman’s Office (203-222-2656) at Weston Town Hall. You will need a copy of your car registration and proof of residency.

You may drop off solid waste, which is regular garbage, includ-ing food waste, paper or plastic bags, paper towels, etc. Stickers are required on each bag, which can weigh up to 30 pounds. Stickers are $1 each and are available at Weston Town Hall (in the Selectmen’s Office) or at Weston Hardware in Weston Shop-ping Center. Garbage stickers are going up to $1.50 per bag as of July 1. There is a discount for those who are receiving tax abatements.

You may also drop off what is called bulky waste — scrap material, construction debris, old furniture, etc. — for 15 cents per pound. Payment is by check on site.

To dispose of tires will cost $3 per car tire and $5 per truck tire, without rims.

No leaves, grass, or brush will be accepted.

Is there a recycling center?There is a recycling center at the Weston Transfer Station (see

above). Standard recyclables may be disposed of for free. For information, call the station at 203-222-2668 or the Selectman’s Office at 222-2656.

Each spring and fall the Connecticut Resources Recovery Au-thority (CRRA) offers a Residential Electronics Recycling Col-lection program where you may get rid of old computers, moni-tors, cell phones, TVs, VCRs, copiers, fax machines, printers, radios, and stereos for free. For dates, check the Web site www.crra.org or keep an eye on The Weston Forum.

How do I get rid of my hazardous waste?

There are a number of hazardous waste collection days — list-ed on the town Web site — to which Westonites may bring their hazardous waste. The one at the Weston Department of Public Works garage is usually held in conjunction with Green-up Day, the last Saturday in April. There is a list of what can and cannot be disposed of. For information, call the Selectman’s Office at 203-222-2656.

Where can I get help with my income taxes?

Tax Counseling for the Elderly (Tax-Aide) is a free program that provides federal and state income tax preparation service for middle- and low-income taxpayers, with special attention to

32 Public Services The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut May 27, 2010

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those 60 and older. The service is offered at Westport Senior Center, 21 Imperial Avenue, through April 17. Appointments are required. Call 203-341-5099.

The Weston Senior Activities Center also offers tax help for seniors. Call 203-222-2608.

Is there a community calendar of events?

Each week The Weston Forum publishes What’s Happening, a round-up of community events. It is available online at www.theWestonForum.com. There is also a calendar of town events online at www.westonct.gov. The Weston Community Service Coalition keeps an updated list of service opportunities and ac-tivities at www.wcscct.net.

For area events, check out The Forum’s Arts & Leisure page for extensive information on happenings all across the region.

Is there a town lost and found?The closest thing to a lost and found is the police station. Any

item may be turned into the dispatch office, which is next to the fire department. To inquire about a lost item, call 203-222-2600.

May 27, 2010 The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut Public Services 33

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Emergency ServicesMay 27, 2010 The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut Emergency Services 35

What kind of calls should be made to 9-1-1?

Only emergency calls should be made to 9-1-1, such as to report a fire, medical crisis, or police emergency like a home intruder or other life-threatening situation.

People should not call for directions, to find out if roads are icy, or for routine service such as barking dogs. Routine police calls should be directed to 203-222-2600; routine fire calls to 203-222-2647.

If you dial 9-1-1 by accident, stay on the line, otherwise police will wind up at your doorstep when they can’t determine the cause of the call.

Who answers the 9-1-1 line?Weston Police dispatchers answer 9-1-1, which is available 24

hours a day. Dispatchers can send police, fire, and/or emergency medical services depending on the situation. The police suggest that when calling, you try to remain calm and answer any ques-tions.

An upgraded mobile 9-1-1 system enables dispatchers to quickly track a cell phone caller’s location anywhere in the state.

Where is the nearest emergency room?

The nearest emergency room is likely at Norwalk Hospital on

Maple Street. Call 203-852-2160.If you live near the Georgetown line, you are closer to Danbury

Hospital, where the emergency room is on Locust Avenue. Call 203-739-7100.

What ambulance service is available?Since 1962, the town has been served by the all-volunteer

Weston Emergency Medical Services (originally called Weston Volunteer Emergency Ambulance Squad), headquartered at 52 Norfield Road. The non-emergency number is 203-222-2649. Office hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 to noon. The Web site is www.westonems.com.

Weston EMS has its own ambulances, which are staffed with three Weston EMTs and a paramedic from Norwalk Hospital. The service has about 45 members.

Where will the ambulance take me?The ambulance will most likely take you to Norwalk Hospital,

unless Danbury Hospital or a Bridgeport Hospital is closer. If the patient is stable, the ambulance will usually take a patient to the hospital of his choice.

What kind of training do Weston EMS volunteers have?

Training is ongoing and includes monthly drills and meetings and periodic special drills, such as pediatric, new equipment,

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School

We are a family-centered nonsectarian preschool dedicated to helping young children and their parents learn and grow!

• Five-day program for 4s • Three- and five-day 3s programs • Afternoon enrichment classes • Certified teaching staff

ENS offers an intimate and nurturing environment where the focus is on learning,

and our students and their families receive individualized attention

Open to all! 203-226-4432

Emmanuel Episcopal Church 285 Lyons Plain Road

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36 Points of Interest The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut May 27, 2010 May 27, 2010 The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut Points of Interest 37

and mass casualties. Volunteers are on call a minimum of four 12-hour day or night shifts per month. Everyone is re-certified every two to three years.

Do we have paramedics and what can they do?

Weston EMS does provide paramedic service. Paramedics can provide advanced life support treatment and care.

How much does an ambulance call cost me?

Nothing. Weston EMS is a free service, unlike neighboring towns, in which an ambulance call can routinely cost from $500 to $700.

How many calls did the ambulance service answer last year?

In 2009, Weston EMS responded to 599 calls for service, up slightly from the previous year’s 558.

Does Weston EMS have any commu-nity programs?

Yes, Weston EMS offers Weston Injury Prevention (WIP), an ongoing education program to prevent injury in and around the home. The goal is to educate families on how to make their home injury proof, as well as what to do in case an injury does occur. It is especially appropriate for scout troops and civic or-

ganizations. For information, call 203-222-2649.

What else does Weston EMS do besides answer emergency calls?

A lot! EMS volunteers are on site at all manner of special events in town, such as the Memorial Day and Fourth of July celebrations, road races, the Norfield and Emmanuel Church fairs, and all youth and high school football games.

How can I join Weston EMS?To become a Weston EMT you do not need any prior medi-

cal knowledge, just a commitment to help others. Yo must be at least 18 years old to apply and able to pass a physical exam.

For other requirements and questions, e-mail Giselle Vogel, head of EMS membership, at [email protected] or call her at 203-227-9127.

How can I help Weston EMS?Make a donation. Weston EMS receives no funds from the

town and therefore is funded solely by private contributions. Running an emergency medical service is an expensive under-taking. An ambulance costs about $200,000 and must be re-placed every five to seven years.

Donations must also cover the cost of the department’s state-of-the-art equipment, all of its training, supplies, operating ex-penses, and maintenance costs. Donations are tax deductible. You may make a donation online at www.westonems.com. To send a check, make it payable to Weston EMS and send to Weston EMS, P.O. Box 1163, Weston, CT 06883.

38 Emergency Services The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut May 27, 2010

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Where is the fire department?The Weston Volunteer Fire Department is headquartered at 52

Norfield Road town behind town hall. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 to noon. The non-emergency number is 222-2647. The Web site is www.wvfd.com.

There are two fire stations. Station #1 is the headquarters on Norfield Road. Station #2 at 234 Lyons Plain Road was rebuilt this past year.

Except for town funds to pay for fire equipment, the depart-ment relies on private donations to supplement operating costs.

How does the department operate?The Weston Volunteer Fire Department is made up entirely

of volunteers and since 1931 has been the sole source of fire and rescue services in town. The department is divided into Fire Rescue and Emergency Medical Services (for EMS, see above). Their combined membership is about 90, with many people serving on both divisions. The fire chief is John Pokorny. He is also the town’s fire marshal.

Firefighters have monthly and weekly drills. The firefighting force is state certified Firefighter One (130 hours of training) and many members have achieved Firefighter Two certification (an additional 160 hours of training).

What equipment does the fire department have?

At the Norfield Station, there are three class A fire engines, one engine dedicated to water supply that carries over a mile of hose and can pump 2,250 gallons of water per minute, and a tanker with a 2,500-gallon capacity.


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The Norfield station also houses a mobile communications bus, a dive/rescue boat, and “Old Mack,” an historic fire engine dating back to 1934.

At the Lyons Plain station, there is one class A engine that has a capacity of 1,000 gallons and can pump 1,500 gallons per minute. (Most engines need to pump at the rate of 200 to 300 gallons per minute.)

Each engine carries hundreds of feet of hose, various tools, and ground ladders up to 35 feet in length. The rescue truck, which is at the Norfield Station, carries a wide variety of special-ty equipment and power tools as well as a Jaws-of-Life power unit that allows rescuers to work on two vehicles at once.

The fire department also has a supply of oxygen masks de-signed to fit dogs and cats. Each Weston fire pumper engine car-ries a set of the animal masks, which plug into the same tank used to give oxygen to humans.

How can I become a volunteer firefighter?

You must live or work in Weston, be 16 or older and in good physical condition to join the fire department. The department will provide all necessary training. For information, call Bruce Ando at 203-222-2647 and leave a message with your name and number, or e-mail [email protected].

How many calls did the fire department answer last year?

In 2009, the department responded to 502 calls, including automatic fire alarms, down slightly from the previous year’s 534 calls,

Must my fire alarm be registered?Yes. Homeowners must register their automatic alarm systems

with the secretary at the police department. Call 203-222-2600 for details.

Where is the police department?The Weston Police Department is headquartered at 56 Nor-

field Road. The non-emergency number is 203-222-2600. The department Web site is www.westonpolice.com.

The department provides emergency service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Its mission is to protect life and property and foster and maintain the feeling of stability and security in the community. Weston police officers are well trained and demon-strate a high level of skill and motivation in the investigation of crimes and motor vehicle accidents.

How many policemen does the town have?

The Weston Police Department has 10 full-time patrol offi-cers, three sergeants, one detective, and one civilian clerk.

The chief of police is John Troxell.

How do I get an accident report?Call the police station at 203-222-2600 and ask for the records

department. They will let you know if the report has been filed and processed. Then you may pick it up.

May 27, 2010 The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut Emergency Services 41

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What are the town’s police activity statistics?

In fiscal year 2008-09, the Weston Police Department re-sponded to 8,083 incidents, p from 7,245 in 2007-08. This in-cluded 1,909 crime-related calls (compared to 2,065 the previ-ous year); 4,344 motor vehicle-related incidents (compared to 3,061 the previous year); and 1,778 call for general services, including fire, ambulance, and animal control assists (compared to 2,119 the previous year).

Among the most common incidents to which Weston police responded were alarms (1,119), larceny (70), vandalism (43), and reports of suspicious people, incidents, or vehicles (327 to-tal) total).

The department also responded to 32 reports of assault or in-timidation, 10 reports of burglary, and investigated 40 claims of fraud.

The department made 52 arrests of adults and no juvenile ar-rests for criminal violations. In addition, officers made 498 mo-tor vehicle arrests (up considerably from 158 the previous year) and 18 arrests for driving under the influence. The issued 839 written warnings and issued 52 parking tickets. The department also handled 182 motor vehicle accidents and made 1,554 motor vehicle stops.

Are police involved in any community programs?

The department periodically runs a Citizen Police Academy. The eight-week program is open to all town residents and is de-signed to give citizens an overview of the department and the American Criminal Justice System.

Is there a Neighborhood Watch Program?

The Weston Police Department has a “cyber” neighborhood watch program called e-Watch, which now numbers more than 300 members. Those who have signed up receive regular e-mail alerts about recent crime activity in the community. Members may also alert the police about scams they have encountered or other suspicious activity.

Subscription to the program is free. To be added to the list, e-mail [email protected] and put “E-WATCH” in the subject line.

Will the police fingerprint me for an application?

The police offer this service to Weston residents and town em-ployees. You may visit the police department during business hours, but they can’t guarantee an officer will be available. Try calling ahead.

Does the police department have a Lost and Found?

Yes. Found items may be turned in to the dispatch office, ad-jacent to the fire department on Norfield Road, at any time. For inquiries about lost items, call 203-222-2600.

Do I need to register my burglar alarm?

Yes. Call the police department secretary at 203-222-2600.


4242

Am I allowed to carry a gun in town?To carry a firearm, either on your person or in your vehicle,

you must obtain a permit to do so. The records department (203-222-2600) can provide you with information regarding the necessary requirements. Or, check with the Connecticut State Police Special License and Firearms Unit, at www.state.ct.us/dps/SLFU/index.html.

Is there a town emergency plan?Weston has an Office of Emergency Management that is com-

mitted to the safety and security of those who live and work here. The department is responsible for handling emergencies that arise from both natural and man-made disasters.

There is a comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan that details what each department (such as Fire, Police, and EMS) is required to do during an actual emergency. There are a number of ways people may be notified of an emergency, inlcuding the CodeRed® emergency notification system, with which town of-ficials can automatically call the entire town or certain streets or neighborhoods to deliver a pre-recorded phone message.

The Town of Weston Emergency Operations Manual contains the Emergency Operations Plan. The town works with munici-pal neighbors and the South Western Regional Planning Agency to create both terrorism and bio-terrorism responses to add to the Emergency Operations Manual. The town is in constant contact with the State of Connecticut Office of Emergency Management, the American Red Cross, and the Office of Homeland Security at both the federal and state levels in order to ensure the safety and security of the community.

For more information on emergency preparedness, the fol-lowing Web sites will be helpful: www.redcross.org, www.fema.

gov, www.ct.gov/hls (CT Office of Homeland Security), www.whitehouse.gov/homeland (Department of Homeland Security), www.ed.gov/emergencyplan (Department of Education), and www.ready.gov (also 800-Be-Ready) provides citizens with in-formative preparedness suggestions and advice for families.

Mike Ferullo (203-222-2633) is the director of Emergency Management for Weston.

What should I do in the event of a severe storm?

Connecticut Light and Power offers the following tips: Check medications that need refrigeration. You may want to keep a small cooler handy for that purpose. Have a supply of canned, non-perishable food and drinking water that will last a couple of days. Get extra ice and put it in plastic bags. This will help maintain the temperature in your refrigerator and freezer.

Set aside water. Fill the bathtub with water for toilets; a bucket in the bowl is all that’s needed for flushing. You can buy bottled water for drinking. Be prepared to cook outside, but don’t bring grills into the house.

Stock up on batteries for a battery-powered radio and flash-lights, and have extra wood for fireplaces or wood stoves. Fill your car’s gas tank. Stay away from downed power lines.

You should avoid talking on the phone or watching TV during a lightning storm. Consider unplugging expensive items such as computers, televisions and refrigerators to avoid power surge damage, which can occur even if they are plugged into surge protectors.

If you lose power, call Connecticut Light and Power at 800-286-2000.

May 27, 2010 The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut Emergency Services 43

4343

BusinessIs there a business district?

Weston Center at 190 Weston Road is the closest thing Weston has to a business district. It is a small shopping center with Pe-ter’s Weston Market, The Lunch Box, Lang’s Pharmacy, Peter’s Spirit Shop, Weston Hardware & Houseware, Camelot Realty, Fairfield County Bank Insurance Services, LLC, and Fairfield County Bank. Weston Service Center and the post office are also in Weston Center.

Is there a Chamber of Commerce?Weston merchants may belong to the Westport/Weston

Chamber of Commerce (227-9234 or www.westportchamber.com) with offices at 215 Main Street in Westport. The chamber serves the business community through a number of events and services, and also contributes to the community in general.

Regular events include networking breakfasts (Business Be-fore Hours the second Wednesday of every month) and eve-ning events (Bsiness After Hours the fourth Thursday of every month). There are also special business and social events.

Who protects consumers?The local Better Business Bureau is in Wallingford. For in-

formation, call 203-269-2700 or visit www.bbb.org.The Better Business Bureau provides reports on businesses,

charity groups, and organizations. It can help resolve consumer disputes with businesses and promotes ethical business stan-dards. You may file a complaint online at www.connecticut.bbb.org or call for information.

You may also file a complaint about a business through the

Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection hotline at 800-842-2649 or visit state.ct.us/dep.

The department will investigate cases where consumers feel they were cheated or defrauded. It will also accept written com-plaints, which can be mailed to 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106.

Where is the post office?The Weston Post Office is in Weston Center, 190 Weston Road.

Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 5, Saturday from 9 to 1. For information, call 800-ASK-USPS. The postal service Web site is www.usps.com.

Where can I ship something via UPS?There is nowhere in town, but there are several UPS Stores

and self-serve drop boxes just over the town line in Wilton and Westport. Check www.ups.com for the most convenient loca-tion.

What banks are in town?Fairfield County Bank has a branch office and 24-hour ATM

machine in Weston Center at 190 Weston Road. The Web site is www.fairfieldcountybank.com or call 319-7820.

The bank is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 .m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Shopping

Are any stores open all night?There are none in Weston. The Dunkin’ Donuts at 35 Danbury

Road (203-761-8663) is open 24 hours. There are other possi-bilities along Route 7 toward Norwalk.

What supermarkets are in town?Peter’s Weston Market at 190 Weston Road (known as Weston

Center) is the town’s only food market. The phone number is 203-227-2066.

Where is the nearest farmers market?There is a great seasonal farmer’s market right here in town,

open Saturdays from 8 to 11. It is held at the Weston Histori-cal Society on Route 57, and is organized by the Weston Wom-en’s League. In addition to fresh local produce and products, the league also arranges for entertainment on most Saturdays. If you miss the market on Saturday, there is also a Georgetown Farmer’s Market at Route 57 and 107. It is open Sundays from 10 to 2.

Where can I pick my own fruits and vegetables?

The nearest pick-your-own places are Silverman’s Farm and Warrups Farm.

Silverman’s Farm at 451 Sport Hill Road in Easton (203-261-3306) offers peaches, apples, nectarines, and sunflowers. There is a farm market, florist, animal farm (admission fee), seasonal cider, and tractor rides. It is open all year.

Warrups Farm on Route 7 in West Redding (203-938-9403) is an organic farm offering pick-your-own flowers, summer veg-etables, squash, and pumpkins. There is a small farm stand and farm animals across the street. Seasonal hayrides. In December, there are cut-your-own Christmas trees.

Where can I buy plants and garden supplies?

Weston Gardens at 1 Goodhill Road (203-227-3871) is a nurs-ery that offers landscaping and lawn and garden supplies.

Weston Hardware in Weston Center (203-227-7995) also of-fers gardening supplies.

Where can I buy a newspaper?Peter’s Weston Market (203-227-2066) sells The Weston Fo-

rum and other popular newspapers.

Can I buy school supplies in town?You can buy many of them at them Peter’s Weston Market and

at Lang’s Pharmacy in Weston Center. School PTOs will often

44 Business/Shopping The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut May 27, 2010

4444

provide opportunities to buy a “Back to School Kit.”

What restaurants are in town?There are two restaurants in town. The Cobbs Mill Inn (203-

227-7221 or www.cobbsmillinn.com) at 12 Old Mill Road is a gracious sit-down restaurant overlooking the Saugatuck River.

The Lunch Box (203-227-4808) at Weston Center is a more casual restaurant offering pizza delivery, sandwiches, burgers, and more.

Is there a liquor store in town?Yes. Peter’s Spirit Shop (203-226-3740 or www.peterspirit.

com) is at Weston Center.

Where can I get an ice cream cone?You can satisfy your craving for ice cream at The Lunch

Box.

Who sells coffee to go?Grab a cup to go at The Lunch Box or Peter’s Weston Mar-

ket.

Is there a catering service?Try Cheers Catering and Butler Service on Old Mill Road

(203-857-4666), A Dash of Salt (203-943-9950), Bon Soiree on Salem Road (203-222-7327), Cabbages & Kings Catering on Lords Highway (203-226-0531), or AMG Catering on Briar Oak Drive (203-227-5535). The Lunch Box, Cobbs Mill Inn, and Peter’s Weston Market also offer food-to-go services.

Is there a hardware store?Yes. Weston Hardware & Houseware (203-227-7995) is at

Weston Center.

Where can I get my clothes dry cleaned?

There is no longer a dry cleaner in Weston Center, but Minute Men Cleaners (203-227-6153, ext. 101) in Westport offers free pick-up and drop-off service on Monday and Thursday. Items picked up are returned the following delivery day. Standard over-the-counter rates apply, but they do ask for a minimum of three dry-cleaned garments per week (three laundered shirts equal one dry-cleaned garment).

Colonial Cleaners in Ridgefield (203-431-6397 or www.co-lonialcleaners.com) and Classic Cleaners in Georgetown (203-544-9177) also provide pick-up and delivery service in Weston.

Is there a mall nearby?A ride north on Route 7 will lead to the Danbury Fair Mall

(Park Avenue exit) with more than 200 stores. The Stamford Town Center is at Grey Rock Place in down-

town Stamford (Atlantic Street exit off I-95 south) and offers 135 retail outlets.

The Trumbull Mall is off Exit 48 of the Merritt Parkway.

May 27, 2010 The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut Shopping 45

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Property IssuesWhen do I need a building permit?

If you are planning any kind of home construction or renova-tion, construction of a deck, driveway, pergola, just about any-thing, you should first check with the building department (203-222-2659). Building permit applications must be accompanied by approvals from a number of other departments depending on the type of work being done. These may include the health department, town engineer, conservation planner, fire marshal, zoning, and tax collector.

When do I need a zoning permit?If you are doing any building, alterations, additions, or exca-

vation work, you will need a zoning permit. Call 203-222-2614 for assistance.

What are the regulations on swim-ming pools?

Swimming pools and tennis courts are allowed but must be within the minimum setback requirements (see below). Before a building permit is issued for a swimming pool, the homeowner must secure a certificate of approval from the town health officer regarding construction, drainage, filtering, etc.

The state building codes have additional requirements for safety including fencing. The fence must be at least four feet high and enclose the pool.

What are the regulations regarding fences?

Fences and walls up to six feet tall are permitted. Walls or fences taller than six feet but no more than eight feet are allowed only if they are at least three-fourths open construction. Deer fencing of open mesh is permitted so long as the total height does not exceed 10 feet. For fences around playing courts, con-sult Planning & Zoning.

If you are building a fence or wall within 20 feet of a town road, you must get a zoning permit and it can be no more than four feet tall.

What are the setback requirements?All buildings must be set back a minimum of 50 feet from the

front lot line and 30 feet from side and rear lot lines. Buildings are limited to 35 feet in height and the total footprint of all build-ings (residence, outbuildings, etc.) may not exceed 15% of the total lot area.

Can I bring in landfill?Probably, but you should check with Planning & Zoning. You

will probably need a permit and you should make sure you are not anywhere near a wetland.

What is a wetland and a watercourse?Wetlands are diverse and not always visible to the eye. In

Connecticut, they are defined by the chemical and physical char-acteristics of the first 18 to 24 inches of soil.

In Weston, a watercourse is defined as “any flow or body of water which contains water or a flow of water at least six months in the aggregate during the course of an average year.”

What are the rules regarding “for sale” signs?

You may have one sign advertising the sale or lease of a prop-erty. It may be no bigger than two square feet and it must be set back at least five feet from the property line. It may be only one board and may not have anything hanging from it.

What if I have a tag sale?Tag sale signs are permitted as long as you have a tag sale

special permit issued by the selectman’s office.

May I rent an apartment in my house?You may have one apartment, as long as it is part of the main

house and you, the owner, live in the house. You may not have an apartment in an outbuilding and you may not rent out both the main house and apartment. There are quite a few rules regarding accessory apartments. Consult Planning & Zoning.

May I take in boarders?Yes, but you are restricted to no more than three and they may

not have separate cooking facilities.

46 Property Issues The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut May 27, 2010

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Do I need a permit for a business in my home?

You do not need a special permit from Planning & Zoning for a single person; you do need one if you have one or two em-ployees. Home businesses are not permitted to have more than an employers plus two employees. There are quite a few rules and regulations regarding home businesses. They are outlined in the town’s zoning regulations available online at www.westonct.gov.

May I burn brush?Yes, you may burn brush but not leaves. You don’t need a

permit, but you do need verbal permission, which will depend on that day’s air polution, fire hazard status, and exactly what you are planning to burn. Call the Communications Center (203-222-2600) before burning anything outside. Burning is allowed at any time of year.

How do I know if my well water is safe to drink?

A private well means that it is your responsibility to have the water checked. All new wells must have tests submitted to the town health department before a new water supply is approved for use.

It’s not a bad idea to have a bacterial check done on an annual basis. If you suspect the well has been damaged by construction

or landscaping, it might be a good idea to have it tested. In addi-tion, if you notice a strange taste or a funny odor in your water, have the well tested. Various private laboratories can test your water quality; look under Laboratories — Testing in the yellow pages or online directory.

How do I take care of my septic sys-tem?

You should have it cleaned out every few years by a licensed company. If you think you have a problem, call a licensed septic system installer.

The Norwalk River Watershed Initiative offers a simple, non-technical brochure for homeowners called Septic Care & Main-tenance for the Homeowner. It is available online at www.con-servect.org/southwest.htm. Click on the septic care link and then click on the link for the downloadable format.

Whom do I call if my neighbor’s septic system is leaking onto my property?

First call your neighbor, then call the Westport Weston Health District at 203-227-9571.

May I shoot off fireworks at home?No. Anything that goes “bang” is illegal. Only non-exploding,

non-aerial sparklers may be used by anyone over 16.

May 27, 2010 The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut Property Issues 47

4747

HealthHow can I find a good doctor for my family?

All hospitals have physician referral services. Try Norwalk Hospital (203-852-2609 or www.norwalkhosp.org), Danbury Hospital (203-797-7001 or www.danburyhospital.org), St. Vin-cent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport (877-255-SVHS or www.stvincents.org), or Bridgeport Hospital (203-384-3000 or www.bridgeporthospital.org). There are also published directories at area libraries, and lots of online referral services like www.phy-sicianreports.com or www.AmericasTopDoctors.com. Some-times the best references come through word of mouth.

Do any doctors take walk-in patients?There are none in town. In Wilton, there is Wilton Medical

Walk In Clinic (203-834-8885) at 35 Danbury Road. It’s open Monday through Friday from 9 to 5, Saturdays from 9 to 2, Sun-days from 9 to 1, and holidays from 9 to 1. The last patient is seen one-half hour before closing.

In Fairfield, the Walk-In Medical Care Center (203-259-3440) is at 1055 Post Road, and the Fairfield Family Medical Cen-ter (203-384-2273), 525 Tunxis Hill Cutoff, is open Monday through Friday, 9 to 9; Saturday and Sunday, 9 to 3.

In Norwalk, there’s Primary Medical Care (203-849-7777 or www.pmcc-ohc.com) at 345 Main Avenue, open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 9 to 5 on Saturday and Sunday. Call for hours on holidays.

Immediate Medical Care of Monroe (203-459-0191), 388

Main Street (Route 25) is affiliated with Bridgeport Hospital. To access information online, go to www.bridgeporthospital.org and click on Community Services, then Walk-in Medical Centers.

Are there CPR classes in town?Weston Emergency Medical Services, through its HeartSmart

program, offers CPR training to groups such as the Girl and Boy Scouts, community service organizations, sports programs, and high school students. Call Nisan Eventoff from Weston EMS at 203-222-2600 to arrange a HeartSmart program or for more information.

The Mid-Fairfield County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 158 Brooklawn Ave., Bridgeport, offers CPR, first aid, and baby-sitting courses in the area. For times and locations, call 800-319-9935 or visit www.sefairfieldco.redcross.org.

Is there a town health department?The Westport Weston Health District is a regional health de-

partment that provides professional health services. It is at 180 Bayberry Lane, Westport. Office hours are 8:30 to 4:30. The phone number is 203-227-9571. The Web site is www.wwhd.org.

Is there a clearinghouse of health services?

Infoline of Southwest Connecticut offers information and

48 Health The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut May 27, 2010

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referrals on adult day care, nutrition, home care, respite care, health services, mental health, social services, legal services, transportation, financial services, and other topics. Call 2-1-1 or visit www.211infoline.org.

The Connecticut Self-Help Network is a statewide clearing-house for all support groups across the state. Its Self-Help Di-rectory lists more than 1,450 local and statewide groups dealing with abuse, addictions, bereavement, disabilities, health, mental health, parenting, and many other stressful life situations. It also has contact information for more than 1,000 national networks. For information, call 203-624-6982.

Does anyone make house calls?The Westport Weston Health District Homebound Health

Check program provides regular non-skilled home visits by a registered nurse to Westonites unable to leave their home due to chronic illness or advanced age. Services are tailored to meet individual health needs and include monitoring of vital signs, blood sugar levels, and medication compliance. For information or to register, call Loren Pace, RN, at 203-227-9571.

Where’s the nearest nursing home?The nearest nursing homes are in Wilton: Wilton Meadows

Health Care (203-834-0199 or www.wiltonmeadowshealth-care.org), 439 Danbury Road; and Lourdes Health Care Center (203-762-3318), 345 Belden Hill Road. In Georgetown, there is Meadow Ridge (203-544-1000 or www.meadowridge.net) at 100 Redding Road. Quality-related information on nursing homes is available online at www.medicare.gov.

How can I arrange for home health care?

You, your doctor, or a friend can call any of several visiting nurse services to arrange for home health care.

The Visiting Nurse/VNA Care Network offers several home care programs. Assisted Living @ Home is offered to people who need support to remain independent at home and out of a long-term care facility. Services include help with bathing, cleaning, cooking, dressing, driving and shopping, running er-rands, and even providing companionship. Offered by NHC Se-lect Care, a division of the network, call 800-898-4663 for more information. The Web site is www.visitingnurse.net.

Nursing & Home Care, which is part of the network, provides high-tech and long-term professional nursing; aides for personal care and home management; physical, occupational, and speech therapists; and volunteer peer counselors. Call 203-762-8958 or 800-898-HOME.

VNS of Connecticut offers skilled nursing for children and adults; occupational, physical and speech therapy; medical so-cial work; and home health aides as well as many specialty ser-vices. Call 203-838-8621 or visit www.vnsct.com.

Is there a clearinghouse of informa-tion on home health care?

Home Health Compare allows consumers to see clinical infor-mation about home health agency quality. The service is spon-sored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is available online at www.medicare.gov.

May 27, 2010 The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut Health 49

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How can I get help with household tasks while I’m recuperating from my illness?

Through Assisted Living @ Home (800-898-4663 ), a service of the Visiting Nurse/VNA Care Network in Wilton, people can get help with bathing, cleaning, cooking, dressing, driving and shopping, and running errands.

Who provides hospice service?Mid-Fairfield Hospice, a partner with Nursing & Home Care,

provides hospice services in Weston. Hospice is a community-based program that focuses on pain relief, symptom control and comfort for terminally ill patients, allowing them to be cared for where they are most comfortable, usually at home. For infor-mation, call 203-762-8958 or 800-898-HOME or visit online at www.visitingnurse.net.

From its Norwalk office, VNS of Connecticut offers hospice care for Weston patients in their homes. For information, call 203-838-8621 or visit www.vnsct.com.

How can I become a hospice volunteer?

Volunteers are an integral part of a hospice program. Mid-Fairfield Hospice offers volunteer training courses at least twice each year. Volunteers may choose to work with patients and families, or may help in many other ways. Call the Mid-Fairfield Hospice at 203-762-8958 for details.

VNS of Connecticut offers a free, eight-week training pro-gram for adults over 18 who are interested in becoming a hos-pice volunteer. The program takes place in the Norwalk office at 137 East Avenue. For details, call 203-366-3821.

Does anyone help the handicapped?Call the Department of Social Services (203-222-2663) for

referrals.

Is there a therapeutic riding program?Pegasus Therapeutic Riding (203-356-9504 or www.pegasus-

tr.org) teaches horseback riding to the disabled to improve their mobility and balance, strength, and self-confidence. There are programs in New Canaan, Greenwich, Easton, and North Salem, N.Y.

Where is the nearest pharmacy?Lang’s Pharmacy, a family-owned pharmacy that began with

a store in New Canaan, has a store in Weston Center. It offers prescriptions, cosmetics, skincare, hair care, and bath and body products. The pharmacy delivers, gift wraps, and will assist with personal shopping and shipping. Pharmacy hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 to 6; closed on Sundays. Call 203-226-7800.

Stop & Shop Pharmacy is in Wilton Center. Pharmacy hours there are Monday through Friday 8 to 8, Saturday, 9 to 5, and Sunday, 9 to 3. The pharmacy may be reached at 203-834-9735.

Achorn’s Pharmacy at 166 Main Street in Westport serves Westonites, and also offers free morning delivery for residents. Pharmacy hours are Monday through Friday, 8 to 7, Saturday, 8 to 6, and Sunday, noon to 5. Call 203-226-0741.

There is also Colonial Druggists at 611 Post Road East (203-


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227-9538) and CVS at 397 Post Road East in Westport (203-227-7343). For those closer to the north end of town, there is Redding Pharmacy, 73 Redding Road (Route 107) in George-town (203-544-8306).

The nearest 24-hour pharmacies are in Norwalk. CVS (203-847-2351) is at 235 Main Street and Walgreen’s (203-845-0457) is at 55 Westport Avenue.

Who organizes blood drives? How can I give?

With local sponsorship of groups like the Kiwanis Club of Weston and the Weston Women’s League, the American Red Cross Mid-Fairfield County Chapter, 158 Brooklawn Ave., Bridgeport (800-319-9935 or www.sefairfieldco.redcross.org) conducts blood drives.

Is there a flu clinic in the fall?The Westport Weston Health District has flu clinics in the fall

at its Westport office, as well as at various community locations in both Westport and Weston. Sites and times are published in The Weston Forum and are posted online at www.wwhd.org or call 203-227-9571 for more information.

The health district also offers a pneumonia vaccine clinic for seniors that offers a once-in-a-lifetime vaccine, covered by most Medicare plans. Call for details.

Is there a wellness clinic?The Westport Weston Health District (203-227-9571) offers

a walk-in clinic for adults and children on Mondays from 9 to 10:30 at its Westport office. The clinic offers free blood pressure screening, monitoring, and counseling. Blood sugar, and TB testing are available for a minimal charge. No immunizations are given during the wellness clinic.

Can I get my cholesterol checked?The Westport Weston Health District offers cholesterol screen-

ing that includes total, LDL, and HDL levels, blood sugar, and triglyceride levels. Fasting is required. There is a fee, which must be paid in cash. For an appointment, call Monica Wheeler, RN, at 203-227-9571, ext. 242.

I will be traveling abroad. Where can I get necessary immunizations?

The Westport Weston Health District offers immunizations, preventive medications, and travel health counseling. For an appointment call Janet Hanna in the Travel Clinic at 203-227-9571, ext. 243. Fees are payable by cash, check, MasterCard, or Visa.

Where can I get my child’s immunizations?

Most parents bring their child to their pediatrician, but the Westport Weston Health District offers immunizations and boosters to children and adults. There is a fee payable by cash or check, MasterCard, or Visa. Call 203-227-9571 for an appoint-ment.

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but it’s a good idea to call ahead for details.

Where is the closest drug treatment center?

For information about drug abuse and treatment centers, call Social Worker Charlene Chiang-Hillman at 203-222-2663.

Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan (800-899-4455 or www.silverhillhospital.com) has inpatient and outpatient programs for drug and alcohol abuse.

Hall-Brooke Behavioral Health Services in Westport (203-277-1251 or www.hallbrooke.org) also has inpatient and outpa-tient programs.

Norwalk Hospital has a wide range of mental health and sub-stance abuse services on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. Call 203-852-2988 or visit www.norwalkhosp.org.

What type of help or counseling is available for the mentally ill and their families?

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill has a Stamford-Greenwich affiliate at 730 Summer Street, Stamford. Call 203-388-1603.

For information about supervised apartments or for consulta-tions, call the Mental Health Association of Connecticut’s Sup-ported Living Community (203-797-8621 or 798-2527). The as-sociation has a list of support groups throughout the state; call 800-842-1501.

The Care Network, a group of three area health care agen-cies, offers treatment, counseling and help in finding community resources; call 800-898-HOME. Other sources of help include

Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan (203-966-3651); or Hall Brooke Behavioral Health Center in Westport, (203-277-1251).

Where can I get help for an eating disorder?

The Renfrew Center of Southern Connecticut, 436 Danbury Road in Wilton (203-834-5020 or www.renfrew.com) offers an intensive outpatient program for young people and adults with eating disorders. The center also offers nutritional counseling and support groups for individuals (adults and adolescents), families, and couples. A free support group meets every Satur-day morning at 11. The drop-in group is open to anyone strug-gling with eating disorders, their families or friends.

The Wilkins Center (203-531-1909 or www.wilkinscenter.com) is located in Greenwich, but has staff members with of-fices located throughout Fairfield and New Haven Counties. The center provides integrated psychiatric, medical, and nutritional care.

Danbury Hospital (203-797-7000) has an outpatient program. Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan (800-899-4455); and Hall-Brooke Behavioral Health Center in Westport (203-277-1251) offer treatment programs for anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and other eating disorders.

What is radon gas and what can I do about it?

Radon gas is a decay product of radioactive uranium that cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted. In open air it is harmlessly dispersed, however, well water passing through soil with high levels of the gas may be a significant source of radon in a home. High levels of radon occur in Connecticut, particularly in Fair-field County.

Exposure to radon increases your risk of developing lung cancer. According to the U.S. E.P.A., radon causes more cancer deaths than any other single air pollutant except tobacco smoke. When exposure is combined with smoking or inhaling someone else’s smoke, the risk increases dramatically.

Radon gas gets into homes through cracks in foundations, block walls, sump pumps, drains and other openings in cellar floors and walls. It can also be released into the air by running water from faucets and showers if the source of water is a well with high levels of radon.

The simplest way to find out if your home has high levels of radon is through a carbon filter test. Kits are available in stores or may be purchased inexpensively by calling the Radon Hot-line — 800-SOS-RADON — operated by the National Safety Council.

Should I worry about Lyme disease?Lyme disease, spread by ticks, is prevalent. The most common

carrier is the deer tick, which is about the size of a poppy seed. Take precautions when going in the woods and fields. Use in-sect repellent, dress in light-colored clothing, roll pant cuffs into socks, wear long sleeves and a hat. Inspect pets that roam daily.

Insect repellents that contain DEET are quite effective against ticks. Follow the label instructions for use and application. Products containing 15% or less DEET are recommended for children, but products containing DEET should not be used on infants.

If you notice a tick bite or any bite around which a redness forms in the shape of a bull’s-eye target, or if you have flu-like symptoms, see a doctor immediately.


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What about other tickborne illnesses?There are other tickborne diseases found in this area — eh-

rlichiosis and babesiosis. The symptoms of erlichiosis include fever, headache, chills,

malaise, muscle and joint pain, nausea, and vomiting. Acute weight loss, low platelet count, and a low white blood cell count can also occur.

The symptoms of babesiosis include a gradual onset of mal-aise, loss of appetite, and fatigue, followed by intermittent fe-ver, with temperatures as high as 104 degrees. Usually one or more of the following occur: Shaking, chills, sweats, headache, muscle aches, and anemia.

Does anyone test ticks for Lyme disease?

The Westport Weston Health District will identify ticks for residents for $10. There will be no additional fee to send en-gorged ticks to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment station

for testing. Call 203-227-9751 for details.The Connecticut Veterinary Diagnostic Lab will examine

ticks for the presence of the pathogen that causes Lyme disease. The fee is $35. Wrap ticks in a moist towel sealed in a zip-lock bag and bring or send to Connecticut Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, University of Connecticut, 61 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269-3203. Results will be received in one to two days.

How can I get information about Lyme disease?

The Westport Weston Health District has extensive informa-tion aout Lyme disease on its Web site, www.wwhd.org; click on Target Lyme Disease.

The following Web sites also are recommended: www.time-forlyme.org; www.ilads.org; www.columbia-lyme.org; www.cdc.gov. Color pictures of several variations of the Lyme rash may be viewed at the Lyme Disease Foundation Web site, www.lyme.org.


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Is there a support group for those with Lyme disease?

Adult and teen groups meet regularly at the Comstock Com-munity Center in Wilton. For either group, call Yvonne at 203-762-2437 or e-mail [email protected]. Time for Lyme also of-fers support group meetings at Greenwich Town Hall on the first Thursday of each month. Call 203-969-1333.

How prevalent is rabies in this area?According to the state Department of Public Health, two of

the eight raccoons that tested positive for rabies in Fairfield County in the first four months of 2010 were found in Weston. Statewide, 36 animals (25 of them raccoons) tested positive for the disease in the first quarter of the year. However, Weston’s animal control officer reports that he disposes of scores of wild animals every year that he is fairly certain were rabid.

Rabies is a fatal disease caused by a virus that travels through the body to the brain via the nervous system. Once it reaches the brain, it causes encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, which results in neurological damage and cannot be treated.

During the last 15-20 years, there has been an outbreak of rabies along the East Coast. Raccoons, skunks, and bats are the most common carriers of the rabies virus.

The best way to protect yourself against rabies is to not ap-proach or handle wild animals (dead or alive) or strange pets and to keep your own pets vaccinated.

What should I do if I have been exposed?

Consult a doctor immediately and report the incident to the local health district (203-227-9571) and animal control officer (203-222-2642). Because the rabies virus is carried in saliva, the wound should be washed thoroughly with soap and water. This decreases the chance of infection. If possible, the animal should be captured for testing. The Veterinary Medical Association sug-gests trapping the animal under a large box, but do not try to handle it. Because the testing procedure for rabies involves dis-secting the brain, the animal must be euthanized in order to be tested.

Once rabies has been contracted, it is nearly always fatal. (There has been only one known survivor.) However, prophy-lactic treatment in the form of a series of injections is available for people who have been exposed to the virus. The procedure involves administering a dose of immunoglobulin, followed by a vaccination. This is succeeded by a series of four injections given in a 28-day period after the initial treatment.

What is West Nile virus?West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne infection that can cause

encephalitis. Mosquitoes trapped in Weston have tested positive for West Nile virus.

Although most mosquitoes do not transmit the virus, the one most commonly associated with it is the Culex pipiens mosqui-to, also known as the common house mosquito. These mosqui-toes can reproduce in any stagnant water that lasts more than four days. People can best protect themselves by eliminating any such pools of stagnant water around their home, such as birdbaths, old tires, kiddy pools, and clogged gutters. Minimize outdoor activities between dusk and dawn. Consider the use of mosquito repellent.

Viral encephalitis may not have any symptoms at all; mild cases may include a slight fever and/or headache. Severe infec-tions are marked by a rapid onset of high fever, head and body aches, and usually occur five to 15 days after exposure. There is no specific treatment for viral infections, other than to treat the symptoms and provide supportive care. Those who may be most susceptible to encephalitis are infants, the elderly and people with damaged immune systems.

Where is smoking banned?Smoking is banned in all public buildings in Weston. A state

law bans smoking in all restaurants, bars, health care institu-tions, schools, retail stores, elevators, and private businesses.

How can I find an Alcoholics Anonymous chapter?

The local AA help line is 203-227-2496, the Web site is www.ct-aa.org. Many alcohol abuse hotlines are listed in the phone book. Al-Anon, for families of alcoholics, and Alateen, for young people affected by a drinking problem, may be reached at 888-825-2666. The Web site is www.ct-al-anon.org.

Does anyone offer HIV/AIDS testing?The Westport Weston Health District offers anonymous or

confidential HIV/AIDS testing and counseling. There is no charge, but a $10 donation is suggested. For details or an ap-pointment, call 203-227-9571.


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RecreationWhat local parks are there? What do they offer?

Weston has three municipal parks. They all open at sunrise and close at dusk.

Bisceglie-Scribner Park on Newtown Turnpike has a picnic area with a pavilion and picnic benches; a half-mile, 22-station fitness trail; a swimming pond with lifeguards; a playground; and three Little League fields. Dogs are allowed on leashes on the trails only, not on the fields.

The 32-acre Morehouse Farm Park is also on Newtown Turnpike. It is an active recreation area with five fields for soc-cer, softball and baseball. It, too, has a picnic pavilion with ta-bles, and there is plenty of parking. No dogs allowed.

Keene Park is on River Road. This is a more natural park with a path to the Saugatuck River and a sandy area. There is a toddler playground for preschool age children and a small park-ing area.

Where is the parks and recreation de-partment?

The offices are in Jarvis House on the corner of Weston and Norfield roads. The parks and recreation director is Dave Ungar. Office hours are 9 to 4:30. The number is 203-222-2655.

The recreation department publishes information on seasonal programs, which it also maintains on its Web site. Go to www.westonct.gov and click on Municipal Departments, then Parks & Recreation.

Are there any nature preserves?There are quite a few.The largest is the Devil’s Den Preserve (203-966-9577),

which is in Weston and Redding. A 20-mile trail system winds through the preserve’s 1,756 acres past numerous rocky crests and cliffs and more than 500 types of trees and wildflowers. More than 140 bird species and mammals such as red fox, bob-cats, and coyotes call the Den home. There are a number of pro-grams for all ages and guided hikes, or you can strike out on your own. Parking is at the end of Pent Road. The preserve is owned and managed by the Nature Conservancy.

The Aspetuck Land Trust manages a number of properties in Weston. They are detailed on the Web site www.aspetuck-landtrust.org. One of the most diverse is the 1,009-acre Trout Brook Valley Conservation Area with trails for humans and horses. (Part of Trout Brook Valley is owned by the state.) There are a number of places to park, including Bradley Road and Elm Drive. There is better parking at the land trust’s Crow Hill and Jump Hill Preserves in Easton, from which you can access Trout Brook Valley.

The Elizabeth Luce Moore Nature Preserve encompasses 28 acres in Weston. There are four trails. Parking is on Hill Farm Road.

The Stonebridge Waterfowl Preserve is traversed by the Saugatuck River. There are also numerous wetlands and a pond on this 21-acre property. Parking is just off Newtown Turnpike north of Stonebridge Road.

The 38-acre Honey Hill Nature Preserve is on the Weston-Wilton border. Although Wampum Hill Road leads to the pre-serve, there is no parking. Park at the end of Mayapple in a cul-de-sac and walk to the Honey Hill entrance at the end of Wampum Hill Road.

Where can I go hiking?Weston is one of the greenest towns in Fairfield County, with

hundreds of protected acres and miles of trails. Some trails rec-ommended by the Aspetuck Land Trust include:

Trout Brook Valley off Bradley Road;Stonebridge Waterfowl Preserve, Newtown Turnpike and

Stonebridge Road;Elizabeth Luce Moore Nature Preserve, entrances on Hill

Farm Road and Davis Hill Road;Honey Hill Preserve on Wampum Hill Road (park on May-

apple);Benjamin Wildflower Preserve on Old Stagecoach Road;Walter Wagner Preserve at the intersection of Pleasant Hill

Road and Partridge Lane.The land trust offers printable trail maps of these properties on

its Web site at www.aspetucklandtrust.org. Maps are also avail-able at town hall.

There is also wonderful hiking at the Devil’s Den Preserve on Pent Road (see above).

Bisceglie-Scribner Park has walking trails.Aquarion offers a hiking permit that allows access to the five-

mile Saugatuck Nature Trail along the shore of the Saugatuck Reservoir and 35 miles of scenic trails in Weston and Redding. Call the watershed management department at 203-452-3510.

Where can I go swimming?You have two choices for municipal swimming.During the summer, you can swim at the pond at Bisceglie-

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Scribner Park. Seasonal passes are required. Call parks and recreation at 203-222-2655 for details.

During cooler weather, Weston residents may swim at the pool at Weston Middle School. Swim permits are good from Sep-tember through mid-June. The pool is open early in the morning on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; Monday and Wednesday evenings; and Saturday and Sunday afternoons. For information, check the parks and recreation Web site or call 203-291-1560.

The town also sells beach stickers for Compo Beach in Westport at the town clerk’s office in Weston Town Hall. Beach stickers are required from May 1 through Oct. 1. For Westonites, the stickers cost $200 per car, or $100 for seniors. The drop-in cost is $15 per day on weekdays, and $30 per day on weekends and holidays.

Several private clubs in town offer swimming facilities to members; these include The Weston Field Club (203-227-8487 or www.westonfieldclub.com), which has a fresh water lake and an outdoor pool, and the Aspetuck Valley Country Club (203-226-9989) has an outdoor pool.

Where is the nearest public beach?Sherwood Island State Park (203-226-6983) on Long Island

Sound in Westport has changing rooms and eating areas, two large picnic grounds, space to play beach sports, and a conces-sion stand in season. The park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset. There is a parking fee from Memorial Day through September. No pets allowed.

There is also Jennings Beach in Fairfield and Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk.

Where can I play tennis?There are six municipal tennis courts at the Weston High

School athletic complex behind the football field and track. They have hard courts with a four-layer rubberized cushion coating. The courts are open for play on a first-come, first-served basis with priority during the school year going to the high school ten-nis teams and physical education classes. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, there is a pass required for play, which can be purchased at the parks and recreation office.

The Weston Racquet Club is a private tennis club at 405 Newtown Turnpike (203-226-3349). The Weston Field Club, 38 Ladder Hill Road South (203-227-8487 or www.westonfield-club.com) has several types of individual and family member-ships, and facilities include outdoor courts.

Are there any races in town?The Weston Memorial Day 5K Road Race is an annual event

at Weston High School. There is also a Children’s Fun Run. Visit www.hitekracing.com/weston5k/ for more information.

Are there any running clubs in the area?

The Lightfoot Running Club, based in Norwalk, offers a little social activity and a newsletter, but primarily the club runs races, sponsored by the Norwalk Parks and Recreation Depart-ment, every other weekend from late spring through the fall. For details, visit www.lightfootrunners.com.

The Wolfpit Running Club in Ridgefield is open to runners and walkers of all abilities. For information, check online at www.wolfpitrunningclub.org.

Is there an adult softball league in town?

Parks and recreation runs softball teams for men and women. Call Paul Schaeffer at 203-222-2655.

What public golf courses are in the area?

Public golf courses include the Ridgefield Golf Course at 545 Ridgebury Road, Ridgefield (203-748-7008); Richter Park Municipal Golf Course, Aunt Hack Road, Danbury (203-792-2550); and Oak Hills Golf Course, 165 Fillow Street, Norwalk (203-853-8400).

The Aspetuck Valley Country Club, 67 Old Redding Road (203-227-9989) is a private, members-only golf club in town.

Are there any driving ranges in the area?

There are no driving ranges in Weston. Belmont’s Ridgefield Golf Complex (203-431-8989) is on Ethan Allen Highway (Route 7). Golf Quest (203-775-3556) in Brookfield has a driv-ing range, a putting and chipping area and practice bunkers. In Bethel, the Stony Hill Long Drive (203-778-2777) is on Stony Hill Road.

Are there any miniature golf courses in town?

Belmont’s Ridgefield Golf Complex (203-431-8989) is in

56 Reacreation The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut May 27, 2010

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Ridgefield on Route 7, at the intersection with Picketts Ridge Road. It has both miniature golf and a driving range. Weather permitting, the complex is open daily year-round. There is also Golf Quest (203-775-3556) in Brookfield.

Is there an ice rink or public skating in town?

There is no ice rink and no public skating. Skating is not al-lowed on area reservoirs. However, there are many ponds in Weston where people skate at their own risk. Crystal Lake is one of the more popular ponds.

The Winter Garden ice rink at 111 Prospect Ridge Road, Ridgefield, is open from October to late May, with public skat-ing, hockey leagues and figure skating. Call the rink at 203-438-4423 for information on memberships.

Where are some good places to go sledding?

One of the more popular spots for school children is the hill behind the Weston Public Library. Otherwise, Weston’s public areas are pretty flat.

Where can I fly a kite?What’s not good for sledding is good for kite flying. There are

plenty of open fields at the parks and school campus. Be careful of power lines, buildings, trees, and bird nests.

Are mountain bikes allowed in open spaces?

Mountain bikes are allowed on some trails at Trout Brook Val-ley Conservation Area. Check the map online at www.aspetuck-landtrust.org.

Is there a helmet law for bicyclists?Children age 12 and under must wear a helmet when bicycling

in Connecticut.

Are there any good bicycling routes?There are many fine roads for bicycling in the area. The

Weston Forum has a free guide to 19 trips ranging from five to 45 miles, in Fairfield County and nearby Westchester. For a copy send a self-addressed, stamped, business-size envelope to Bi-cycle Trips, Hersam Acorn Newspapers, Box 1019, Ridgefield, CT 06877.

Are there any bicycling clubs in the area?

The Tokeneke Road Club, 151 Tokeneke Road, Darien, is a road-racing team. For details: 203-655-2600 or www.tokeneke.org.

Sound Cyclists runs group rides throughout Fairfield County year round. There are special events, a newsletter, and members are entitled to discounts at more than a dozen area bicycle shops. For information, visit www.soundcyclists.com.

Where can I go boating?Although the Saugatuck River goes through Weston, it is

not navigable at that point. There is a public boat launch on the Saugatuck River on Underhill Parkway off Bridge Street in Westport. It is a paved launch, good for large or small boats. It is a popular spot for canoeists and kayakers to convene. From the launch, you can paddle about a mile north to a dam or you can paddle south to Long Island Sound. Since the Saugatuck is a tidal river, you might want to check the tide tables. Kayakers report it’s more fun at high tide.

Is there a rowing club?The Norwalk River Rowing Association offers youth and

adult programs, instruction, and recreational and competitive activities. For information, call 203-299-5467 or visit www.nor-walkriverrowing.org.

Where can I go fishing in town?Fishing is available in all public ponds and lakes if you have a

state fishing license. For privately owned ponds and lakes, per-mission from the owner must be obtained. Particularly popular is the Saugatuck Reservoir off Route 53 (a permit is required, see below), and the Aspetuck River off Route 58.

Aquarion offers fishing permits that allow access to reservoirs in Weston, Redding (including the Saugatuck), Monroe, and Shelton. Call 203-452-3510 for details.

What kinds of fish can you catch here?

Brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, northern pike, striped bass, white perch, yellow perch, walleye, brown bullhead, chan-nel catfish, and whitefish are typical to the area, including in Long Island Sound. Check the latest Connecticut Angler’s Guide descriptions of these fish — free copies of the guide may be found in the town clerk’s office in town hall.

When does fishing season start?You may fish year-round in Long Island Sound but for most

inland locations, the season begins the third Saturday in April and continues through November.

Where do I get a fishing license?Inland fishing licenses are $28 (free to seniors and the dis-

abled) and are required for anyone 16 and older. They are avail-able at the town clerk’s office and many tackle shops. Fishing licenses are not needed in the marine district unless you are taking lobsters or menhaden. For details, check the Connecticut Angler’s Guide, available free at the town clerk’s office or on-line at www.dep.state.ct.us.

What do I need to get a hunting license?

To obtain a hunting license, you must have had a resident li-cense within the last five years or have proof of successful com-pletion of a hunter safety course. A firearms hunting license costs

58 Recreation The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut May 27, 2010

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$19, $11 for a junior (age 12 to 15) firearms hunting license. An archery license is $41, $19 for juniors. Hunting licenses may be purchased at town hall, archery licenses must be applied for by mail. Permits for hunting specific animals are extra. For details, consult the Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide, available free at the town clerk’s office, call DEP at 860-424-3011, or visit the Web site at www.dep.state.ct.us.

Where can I go hunting in town?While the Aspetuck Land Trust does not allow hunting on

its property, you may hunt on the state-owned portion of Trout Brook Valley Conservation Area in Easton. It is open for turkey hunting in the spring and deer hunting in the fall. Check on spe-cific requirements.

You may hunt on private property. All hunters are required to have permission from the landowner when hunting on private lands. Verbal permission for the hunting of animals other than deer and turkey is sufficient.

Deer and turkey hunters must carry the written permission of the landowner for the current season on official DEP forms. A landowner must have a minimum of 10 acres to authorize the use of a rifle for deer hunting.

For further information on game law issues, bowhunting, or conservation, refer to the latest issue of the state Hunting and Trapping Guide, available at the town clerk’s office or online at www.dep.state.ct.us.

Who teaches firearms safety courses?

Try firearms dealers or call the state’s Conservation Education Firearms Safety office in Burlington at 860-675-8130.

What are the hunting seasons here?Depending on the game, hunting seasons begin and end at dif-

ferent times. Check the latest state Hunting and Trapping Guide, available in the town clerk’s office or online at www.dep.state.ct.us.

Bowhunting deer seasons are from Sept. 15 to Nov. 14, and Dec. 20-30 on state land; Sept. 15 to Dec. 31 at state bowhunt-ing-only areas; and Sept. 15 to Jan. 31 (except Dec. 31-Jan.1) on private land. The shotgun-rifle season for deer on private land is Nov. 15-Dec. 5. For landowners it is Nov. 1-Dec. 30.

The spring turkey season is May 3-27. Fall turkey bowhunt-ing season is Sept. 15 to Nov. 14 and Dec. 20-30. The firearms season is Oct. 7-31.

Hunting on Sunday is prohibited in Connecticut.

Can I shoot a gun on my property?You may shoot for target practice on your property as long as

the projectile doesn’t leave the property.Hunting regulations stipulate that hunting, shooting or carry-

ing a loaded firearm within 500 feet of any building occupied by people or domestic animals is illegal. Hunting or shooting from or across the traveled portion of a public roadway, or from motor vehicles, is also prohibited. Shooting toward a person, building or domestic animal when within range is illegal.

Where can a person practice shooting?

There are the Ramapoo Rifle and Revolver Club in Ridgefield (203-438-2095), and Shooting Sports Limited Indoor Range (203-847-2767) in Norwalk. The Wooster Mountain Shooting Range on Route 7 in Danbury is open for public shooting sea-sonally. The range phone number is 203-794-9821.

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ClubsHow can I find somewhere to volunteer?

Many of the civic groups and organizations listed through-out the pages of The Weston Answerbook welcome volunteers. Some are listed below. Volunteer Solutions (www.VolunteerSo-lutions.org), a United Way initiative, lists area nonprofits look-ing for volunteers. Specific projects are listed. Another is Volun-tev er Match of Stamford-Norwalk (www.volunteermatch.org).

The Voluntary Action Center of Mid-Fairfield County (www.hscct.org/vac), a Human Services Council of Connecticut initiative, promotes, coordinates and recognizes volunteerism in Norwalk, Westport, Weston and Wilton and offers ways for volunteers to connect with their community by exploring vol-unteer opportunities that match their interests, skills and time availability.

Locally, groups that invite or depend on volunteers include the Weston Warm-Up Fund, Weston Food Pantry, Meals-On-Wheels, the Weston Women’s League, and the Women’s Club of Weston.

Check with the town Social Services Department (203-222-2663 or e-mail Charlene Chiang-Hillman at [email protected]) and with local churches for suggestions and contact information.

How can I get a guide to the town’s government and community-minded organizations?

The Weston Forum has an extensive list of links at www.

theWestonForum.com. Click on “Links.”A list of community groups also appears on the town of Weston

Web site, www.westonct.gov, under Important Links.

How can I get involved in a political party here?

To help the Republican party, call RTC Chairman W.Glenn Major at 203-226-7120.

To help the Democrats, call Barbara Reynolds, 203-227-5074.

What does the League of Women Voters of Weston do?

The League of Women Voters promotes citizen awareness of civic issues in town. Each February it presents the Speak Up program, enabling citizens to air their concerns to local officials. Each May, it hosts the Betty Hill Forum on International Af-fairs.

The league produces a directory of town and school district elected and appointed officials and staff. It offers an online guide to the town budget process and a series of educational meetings on topics of local interest.

The Web site, www.lwvweston.org, also offers links to state and national issues. For membership and other information, e-mail [email protected].

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Is there a women’s club?The Weston Women’s League promotes a sense of commu-

nity through civic services, raising money for local charities, and sponsoring social and cultural activities. Membership is open to Weston women over age 21. The group meets the sec-ond Tuesday of each month at Norfield Congregational Church Parish Hall.

For information, visit www.westonwomensleague.org.The Women’s Club of Weston is open to all women who live

in Weston. The club sponsors activities and discussion groups that appeal to a variety of interests, such as book discussion groups, gardening, antiques, theater trips, needlecraft, invest-ments, volunteering, and pot luck suppers. For more informa-tion, call Eileen Buckley, chairman, at 203-227-5698.

The Y’s Women of Westport/Weston is a club affiliated with the Westport Weston Family Y. The club meets the second and fourth Monday of the month, September to June, at the Y. Meet-ings feature speakers on various issues. There are also smaller group activities. For information, call Arlene Bloom, 203-254-9096, or visit www.yswomen.org.

The Westport/Weston chapter of Hadassah is one of the larg-est volunteer women’s organizations in the United States. Ha-dassah supports the Hadassah Medical Organization in Israel and works to enhance the quality of life in the U.S. and Israel by initiating and supporting health care, education and youth programs. For information, e-mail Leiba Lander at [email protected], or visit www.connecticut.hadassah.org.

Is there a men’s club?The Y’s Men of Westport/Weston is an organization of re-

tired and semi-retired men. Meetings are every Thursday, from

September to May, and feature guest speakers on a wide variety of topics. Club members may also participate in numerous ac-tivities such as golf, bowling, camera club, bridge, chess, sing-ing, investments, sailing, and hiking, as well as organized trips. Members also volunteer for community programs. Any retired or semi-retired man in Weston is invited to join. For informa-tion, contact Bill Balch, 226-3228 or [email protected], or visit www.ysmenwestportweston.org.

What about a Kiwanis Club?The Kiwanis Club of Weston supports local causes through

community service and fund-raising. While it serves citizens of all ages, there is a special emphasis on youth services. The Weston Key Club, a youth services organization, focuses on community service, good citizenship, and friendship. The Ki-wanis Club has more than 80 members and raises money for causes like Make A Wish Foundation and other local charities. The Web site is www.westonkiwanis.org.

The Kiwanis Club meets every Saturday for breakfast at the Norfield Congregational Church parish hall. For details, contact William Barron, president, at 212-907-9715, or visit www.we-stonkiwanis.org.

Is there a veterans organization?Many Weston veterans are members of the Georgetown Area

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10190. The post espouses a long tradition of honoring veterans and embraces all of the ef-forts of the national VFW. It raises money to benefit veterans and the community. Area residents who fought in any foreign war or campaign are invited to attend one of the post’s meet-ings, held the second Wednesday of every month, 8 p.m., at the Georgetown Firehouse, 6 Portland Avenue (203-544-8800).

Is there an organization devoted to the arts?

WestonArts, Inc. was formed in 2005 with the broad mission of raising funds to support and develop the arts in Weston. Its first project was to raise money toward the refurbishment of the Weston High School auditorium, a project that was completed at the end of 2008. It works in cooperation with the Board of Edu-cation and the town to promote a mindset of on-going enhance-ments to the arts facilities and programs in Weston.

The Web site is www.westonarts.org; e-mail is info @westonarts.org.

Is there an organization dedicated to open space?

The Aspetuck Land Trust is devoted to preserving open space in Weston, Easton, Westport, and Fairfield. Since it was formed in 1966, it has preserved more than 1,700 acres of land. The land trust is managed by a board of directors from the four towns.

Land is obtained in one of three ways: Outright gifts, ease-ments (in which the owner gives up development rights), and through purchases. For information, visit the Web site at www.aspetucklandtrust.org or e-mail [email protected].

The Nature Conservancy’s Connecticut chapter has its largest preserve in Devil’s Den Nature Preserve in Weston and Redding. For Nature Conservancy information, call 860-344-0716, e-mail [email protected], or go online to www.nature.org. For Devil’s Den information, see the section on Parks and Recre-ation.

64 Clubs The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut May 27, 2010

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ReligionWhat houses of worship are in town or nearby?

The following churches are in Weston:Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 285 Lyons Plain Road, 203-

227-8565, www.emmanuelweston.orgNorfield Congregational Church, 64 Norfield Road, 203-

227-7886, www.norfield.orgSt. Francis of Assisi Church, 35 Norfield Road, 203-227-

1341, www.sfaparish.com

The following are in nearby towns:Georgetown Bible Church, Main Street and Route 107, 203-

544-8673First Church of Christ, 55 Compo Road South, Westport,

203-227-4357Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Church Street, Georgetown,

203-544-8154.Christ & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Church Lane and

Myrtle Avenue, Westport, 203-227-0827Hope Church, 240 Wolfpit Road, Wilton, 203-762-0706United Covenant Church, 68 Westport Road, Wilton, 203-

834-0644Bethlehem (ELCA), 44 Portland Avenue, Georgetown, 203-

544-8858St. Paul Lutheran Church, 41 Easton Road, Westport, 203-

227-7441Wilton Presbyterian Church, 48 New Canaan Road, 203-

762-5514Wilton Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends

(Quaker), 317 New Canaan Road, Route 106, 203-762-5669The Unitarian Church, 10 Lyons Plain Road, Westport, 203-

227-7205Georgetown United Methodist Church, 33 Church Street,

Georgetown, 203-544-8394United Methodist Church, 49 Weston Road, Westport, 203-

227-4707Temple Israel, 14 Coleytown Road, Westport, 203-227-1293Temple B’Nai Chaim, 82 Portland Avenue, Georgetown,

203-544-8695The Conservative Synagogue, 30 Hillspoint Road, Westport,

454-4673Beit Chaverim Synagogue of Westport/Norwalk, 85 Post

Road West, Westport, 203-227-3333Adat Torah Conservative Congregation, Wilton, 203-762-

5210For information on when services take place, call the church

or temple or look in The Weston Forum under Religious Ser-vices.

Are there Bible study programs?Emmanuel Episcopal Church offers Bible study following

services on Wednesday morning at 9:30.Georgetown Bible Church offers small group home Bible

studies, and a men’s Bible study on Saturday mornings.Norfield Congregational Church offers Bible study Wednes-

day mornings at 9:30.St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church offers Bible study

most Wednesday mornings. Call 203-938-0874. The Scripture Network meets the second Tuesday of each month, 10 to noon to explore different books of the Bible. Call 203-544-8942 or 203-226-3389.

Is there a Jewish center?The Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, 8 Webb Road,

Westport (203-226-5451; www.humanisticjews.org) is a wel-coming, supportive community, for secular Jews and their fami-lies to enrich Jewish identity and values. Events and programs take place throughout the area.

The Wilton Jewish Center-Nefesh Yehudi is a multi-denom-inational center for Jewish study and worship. Creative rituals include shabbat and holiday services, monthly women’s Rosh Chodesh celebrations, healing services, etc. For information, call 203-762-7089, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.wiltonjewishcenter.org.

The Chabad Jewish Center of Ridgefield, 10 Sarah Bishop Road, offers Hebrew school, adult education, and holiday events. Call 438-4421, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.chabadridgefield.com.

Other temples and synagogues are listed above under houses of worship.

May 27, 2010 The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut Religion 65

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Web SitesWeston Web Sites

About Town - www.aboutweston.comADAP (Alcohol & Drug Awareness Program) of Weston - www.westonadap.orgAspetuck Land Trust - www.aspetucklandtrust.orgEmmanuel Episcopal Church - www.emmanuelweston.orge-Watch - www.westonpolice.com/Ewatch1.htmFirst Night Westport Weston - www.firstnightww.comKiwanis Club of Weston - www.westonkiwanis.orgLeague of Women Voters of Weston - www.lwvweston.orgNorfield Congregational Church - www.norfield.orgSt. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church - www.sfaparish.comTown of Weston - www.westonct.govWeston Arts - www.westonarts.orgWeston Baseball Association - www.westonctbaseball.comWeston Basketball Association - www.westonbasketball.comWeston Boy Scout Troop 788 - www.westontroop788.org

Weston Community Service Coalition - www.wcscct.netWeston Education Foundation - www.westoneducationfoundation.orgWeston EMS - www.westonems.comWeston Fire Department - www.wvfd.comWeston Forum - www.theWestonForum.comWeston Historical Society - www.westonhistoricalsociety.orgWeston Lacrosse - www.westonlax.comWeston Little League - www.westonll.comWeston Music Center - www.westonmusiccenter.orgWeston Police Department - www.westonpolice.comWeston Public Library - www.biblio.org/westonWeston Public Schools - www.westonk12-ct.orgWeston Soccer Club - www.westonsoccer.comWeston Swimming - www.westonswimming.orgWeston Women’s League - www.westonwomensleague.orgWestport/Weston Chamber of Commerce - www.westportchamber.comWestport Weston Health District - www.wwhd.orgWestport Weston Family Y - www.westportymca.org

Area Web Sites

American Red Cross - www.westernct.redcross.orgCL&P Power Outages - www.cl-p.com/stormcenter/outage.aspxConnecticut General Assembly - www.cga.state.ct.usNature Conservancy - www.nature.orgNorwalk River Watershed Association - www.norwalkriver.orgNursing & Home Care - www.visitingnurse.netRepresentative John Stripp (State) - www.housegop.state.ct.us.members/stripp.htmSenator Toni Boucher (State) - www.senaterepubli-cans.ct.gov/sen_info/Boucher.aspxSenator John McKinney (State) www.senaterepubli-cans.ct.gov/sen_info/mckinney.aspxRepresentative Jim Himes (U.S.) - www.himes.house.govSenator Christopher Dodd (U.S.) - www.dodd.senate.govSenator Joseph Lieberman (U.S.) - www.lieberman.senate.govState of Connecticut - www.ct.govUnited Way of Coastal Fairfield County - www.unit-edwaycfc.org

66 Web Sites The Weston Answerbook, Weston, Connecticut May 27, 2010

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� atherine Revzon didn’t start out to be a blogger.

But after she left behind a career as a pediatric pharma-cist to be a stay-at-home mom,

she knew she needed something else to do

as well.Then one day her husband suggested she

combine her pharmacy expertise with her

experiences as a mother — and voilà, a blog

was born.The site, www.babiesrx.blogspot.com, is

written by Ms. Revzon and contains the lat-

est information about vaccines, prescription

medications, and over-the-counter medica-

tion for infants, children and adolescents.The blog — shorthand for Web log, a

frequently updated editorial column on the

Internet — has been running for about a

year and a half, and has proven to be so

successful that Ms. Revzon was appointed

coordinator of www.KidsMeds.info, a Web

site for families about pediatric medicines.One might think that being a full-time

wife, raising two young children, and work-

ing on both a pediatric blog and Web site

might be enough stimulation for anyone ��

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Beautiful homes built before 1978 may be carrying a secret hazard — lead.

Lead paint, which can cause lead poisoning, was commonly used in housing construction before it was banned in 1978 because of health risks.

In 2010, more than 30 years since the ban, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is still trying to grapple with the dangers of lead paint.

On Earth Day, April 22, the EPA enacted a regulation called the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule, requiring remod-elers working in homes built before 1978 to follow practices designed to minimize the expo-sure of residents to lead haz-ards.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, lead is a harm-ful substance for both adults and children, and can attack every system in the body.

For adults, lead inhalation can lead to hypertension, muscle and joint pain, fatigue and nausea among other symptoms.

In pregnant women, it can cause miscarriage or prema-ture birth. Even with just short exposure, lead poisoning can cause memory loss and mental decline.

Even more than adults, chil-dren are at risk for lead poison-ing. The Connecticut Department of Health ranks lead poisoning as the number one most com-mon environmental hazard for young children.

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The Planning and Zoning Commission and

the Board of Selectmen will hold a joint

meeting on Monday to get public input on

proposed changes to the town plan.The selectmen will review a draft Plan of

Conservation and Development (POCD) pre-

pared by P&Z members and members of the

Conservation Commission at the selectmen’s

meeting tonight, Thursday, May 6. A public

hearing on the POCD is set for Monday, May

10, at 7:30 p.m. at town hall.The plan sets out the policies, goals, and

standards for the physical and economic

development of Weston.State law requires each town in Connecticut

to generate a new POCD every 10 years. ��

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When Revson Field on School Road in Weston offi-cially opened on May 14, 2005, there was a ribbon-cutting cer-emony and much excitement about the two new baseball diamonds that were about to emerge.

But unlike real diamonds, any sparkle and brilliance the ballfields had quickly faded. It is doubtful there will be much of a fifth year anniver-sary celebration for Revson next week.

Responding to complaints from organizations that use Revson Field, First Selectman Gayle Weinstein met last week

with members of the Board of Education, Parks and Recreation, and other town officials to come up with a strategy for dealing with Revson’s future.

She plans to discuss the meeting further with the other selectmen tonight, Thursday,

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The question of whether the town will build

a new cemetery is still up in the air, but at least

now officials know exactly what the sites look

like that are under consideration.On Saturday, the selectmen and members

of the town Cemetery Committee, as well as

some members of the public, walked three

town-owned pieces of property that have

been identified as possible locations for a

cemetery.First Selectman Gayle Weinstein said on

Monday that all three sites — the Jarvis prop-

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Reader Index

2-1-1, 30, 489-1-1, 35Absentee ballots, 15Accident reports, 41Adult education, 28Alarms, burglar, 42Alarms, fire, 41Alcoholics Anonymous, 54Ambulance service, 35, 38Animal control, 17, 54Annual Town Budget Meeting, 19Apartments, 46Aquarion, 58Arts, 64Aspetuck Land Trust, 55, 64Aspetuck Valley Country Club, 56Assessor, 13, 14, 17Babesiosis, 53Banks, 44Banks Tavern, 6Beach stickers, 56Beaches, 55Benjamin Wildflower Preserve, 55Better Business Bureau, 44Bible study, 65Biking, 58Birth certificates, 20Birth to Three, 27Bisceglie Pond, 55-56Bisceglie-Scribner Park, 55Board of Education, 17, 23Board of Finance, 17, 21Boarders, 46Boating, 58Bond rating, 10Book clubs, 30Bradley Edge Tool Company, 6Budget, 12, 21Budget, school, 27Building department, 46Building inspector, 20Burning, 47Buses, school, 26Business district, 44Camelot Realty, 44CAPT, 24Cars, 10, 15Catering, 45Chamber of Commerce, 44Chess, 30Cholesterol, 51Churches, 65Citizen Police Academy, 42CL&P, 43 Class size, 23Clinics, 48CMT, 24Cobbs Mill Inn, 10, 45Code enforcement officer, 20Coffee, 45Coley Cemetery, 6

Coley House, 6Coley Mill, 6Colleges, 28Community calendar, 33Counseling, 30, 52CPR training, 48Crime, 42Daniel Godfrey House, 8Death certificates, 20Deeds, 19Democrats, 15, 19, 62Demographics, 10Devil’s Den, 4, 55, 64Directory, town, 12, 62Doctors, 48DRG, 24Driving ranges, 56Drug treatment, 52Dry cleaners, 45Early Learning Center, 27Eating disorders, 51Ehrlichiosis, 53Elections, 18, 19Emergencies, storm, 43Emergencies, townwide, 43Emergency plan, 43Emergency rooms, 35Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 65Emmanuel Nursery School, 28Employment, 10Enrollment, 23eWatch, 42Executive session, 22Fairfield County Bank, 44Farmers market, 44Fences, 46Finance director, 17, 21Fingerprinting, 42Fire department, 40, 41,Firehouses, 30Fireworks, 47First selectman, 12, 17, 21First Student, 26Fishing, 58Flu clinics, 51Food Pantry, 30, 62Freedom of Information, 22Friends of the Weston Library, 30Garbage, 32 Garden supplies, 44Gas station, 44Golf, 56Governor, 22Grand list, 10, 13Grocery store, 44Guns, 43, 60Hamilton Toll House, 6Handicap services, 50Hardware store, 44, 45Hazardous waste, 34Health department, 48Health services, 48Helmet laws, 58

Hiking, 55Historian, town, 8Historic districts, 6Historic points of interest, 6Historical society, 8Histories, town, 8HIV/AIDS, 54Home health care, 49Homeless, 30Homes with Hope, 32Honey Hill Nature Preserve, 55Hospice, 50Hospitals, 48House calls, 49House district, federal, 22House district, state, 22Houses, historic, 6Hunting, 58, 60Hurlbutt Elementary School, 23, 24, 25, 26Ice cream, 45Ice skating, 58Immunizations, 51Income, 10Indian Point nuclear power plant, 10Infoline, 30, 48Jarvis House, 6, 55Jewish centers, 65Jonathan Taylor House, 8Justice of the peace, 20Keene Park, 55Kites, 58Kiwanis Club, 51, 64Landfill, 46Lang’s Pharmacy, 44, 50League of Women Voters, 62Legal notices, 21Library, 8, 12, 15, 20, 23, 25, 30, 58License, civil union, 20License, fishing, 58License, hunting, 58License, marriage, 20Liquor store, 44, 45Lost and found, 33, 42Lunch Box, 44, 45Lyme disease, 52-54Malls, 45Meals-on-Wheels, 30, 62Meteorite, 4Mill rate, 11Mini golf, 56Morehouse Farm Park, 55Name, 4National Merit Scholars, 25National Registry of Historic Places, 8Nature Conservancy, 55, 64Nature preserves, 55Newspapers, 44Norfield Children’s Center, 26, 28

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Reader Index

Norfield Congregational Church, 6, 64, 65Norwalk River, 47, 58Notary public, 20Nursery schools, 28Nursing homes, 49Old Weston Post Office, 6Open space, 64Paramedics, 38Parks and Rec. Department, 55Parks, 55Paugussett Indians, 4Permits, building, 46Permits, business, 47Peter’s Spirit Shop, 44, 45Peter’s Weston Market, 44Pharmacies, 50-51Police activity, 42Police Department, 41-42Political parties, 15, 20, 62Population, 4, 10Post office, 44Precipitation, 10Primaries, 19PTO, 25, 28, 44Rabies, 53-54Races, 56Radon, 51Real Estate, 10Records, 21Recycling, 34Red Cross, 48Referendum, 19Registered voters, 15Registrars, 17, 18Republicans, 15, 19, 62Restaurants, 44, 45Revaluation, 13Rowing, 58Running, 56Samuel Senior Dam, 6SAT, 24-25Saugatuck Nature Trail, 55Saugatuck River, 6, 45, 55, 58School, art, 28School, calendar, 24School, dance, 28School, extracurricular, 26School, hours, 23School, registration, 25School, tests, 24School, transportation, 26School, vocational, 28Schools, private, 28Senate district, state, 22SEPTA, 27Septic, 47Setbacks, 46Signs, 46Sledding, 58Smoking, 54Social Services, 12, 30, 49, 50, 51, 62Social worker, 17, 30Softball, 56

Special education, 27SPED*NET, 27Sports, 25-26St. Francis of Assisi Church, 65St. Francis of Assisi Preschool, 28Stonebridge Waterfowl Preserve, 55Superintendent, 23Swimming pools, 46Swimming, 55-56Synagogues, 65Tag sales, 46Tax abatement, 14Tax collector, 14, 17Tax deferral, 14Taxes, 11, 32,Temperature, 10Tennis, 56Therapeutic riding, 50Ticks, 53Town administrator, 17, 21Town clerk, 6, 20, 22Town engineer, 20Town Hall Annex, 20Town hall, 10, 55Town meeting, 19Town officials, 6, 17, 19Transfer station, 32Trout Brook Valley, 55U.S. Senator, 22United Way, 30UPS, 44Valley Forge, 4, 6Veterans, 14Veterans, 64VFW, 64Visiting nurses, 49, 50Volunteering, 62Voting, 15, 18, 19, 22Walter Wagner Preserve, 55Water, 47Web sites, 66Weddings, 20West Nile virus, 54Weston Center, 44Weston Education Foundation, 27Weston EMS, 35, 38, 48Weston Field Club, 56Weston Gardens, 44Weston Hardware & Houseware, 44, 45Weston High School, 23-25Weston Intermediate School, 23Weston Middle School, 23, 26, 55Weston Open Learning, 28Weston Racquet Club, 56Weston Service Center, 44Weston Warm-Up Fund, 30, 62Weston Women’s League, 62WestonArts, 64Westport Weston Health District, 48, 49, 51, 53, 54Wetlands, 46Women’s Club of Weston, 62Zoning, 20, 46

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ABC Man With a Van . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63American Wanderer Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . 48Ancona’s Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11BBM Home Improvement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63Blackbird Yoga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Camelot Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72Camelot Real Estate/Carrie Shea . . . . . . . . . . 25Carolton Rehabilitation Center . . . . . . . . . . . . 59Castelli Construction & Landscaping . . . . . . . 63Cesar’s Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63Coldwell Banker/Gail Zawacki . . . . . . . . . . . . 52D’Amico Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63Edward Zawacki, Attorney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54Emmanuel Nursery School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Exteriors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66The Greens at Cannondale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29Greg’s Driveway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63Gutierrez Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63Landmark Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Lang’s Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Lima Tile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49Little People Learning Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55Lock Install . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63Lucci Electric. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45Lunch Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56Maritime Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61Mercedes-Benz of Fairfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Mr. Handyman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57Michael DeMattio Landscape Contractor. . . . 65

Norfield Children’s Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31Northeast Generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62Norwalk Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Omega Custom Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Optical Alternatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Prudential/Mary Ann & Gerald Laurita 32, 33, 37Redding Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64Ridgefield Academy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Riverside Realty/Alex Chingas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Riverside Realty/Barbara Babcock . . . . . . . . . . 3Savoy Rug Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Scap Chrysler/Jeep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71Service Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63Shepherds, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38United Way of Coastal Fairfield County . . . . . 43Unquowa School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42Village Pediatrics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49Weston Arborists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Weston Arborists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Weston Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Weston Hardware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Weston Historical Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Weston Music Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Weston Service Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce . . . 23William Pitt/Wright & Kelley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41Wonderland of Ice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46Yankee Doodle Stove & Fireplace Center . . . . . 39Y.Z. Jewelry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50, 51

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From Cottages To Castles...where legendary service is no myth!

Exclu s i v e ly l o ca t ed in Wes ton Town Center

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Documents

Weston Answer Book 2010