In the News
Multi-million dollar defamation suit filed against school board, district officials.
Selectmen vote 2.55% operating budget increase.
Shavees will lose it at St. Baldrick's.
Lang's closes after years of "relentless" difficulties with pharmacy benefits managers.
Calendar Highlights
Saturday: the acclaimed Choral Chameleon Ensemble.
Sunday: Let the People Decide at the Library. And the voting booth.
See details in our Town Calendar about upcoming Weston events.
Weston Weather
Saturday: Clear, high 45°.
Sunday: Clear, high 49°.
Monday: Mostly cloudy, high 51°.
Tuesday: Light rain most of the day, high 48°.
Wednesday: Overcast, rain starts mid-afternoon, goes until morning. High 43°.
Defamation Suit Against School Board, Officials Seeks Millions
David Lustberg, former Transportation Coordinator at Weston Public Schools, has filed a multi-million dollar defamation lawsuit against the Board of Education, Superintendent McKersie, and Human Resources Director Lewis Brey.
Mr. Lustberg says he was defamed in a public email sent by Dr. McKersie last year.
Let the People Decide: The Story Behind the Story
When you see Let the People Decide on Sunday at the Library, you won't see a typical documentary about violent suppression of African-American voting rights in the 1960s. You will see a film that draws a straight line from those times to today.
The path to Gavin Guerra's making of the film started with a bargain-bin book.
Selectmen Approve 2.55% Town Budget Increase
On Tuesday evening, the Board of Selectmen approved a Town budget request with a 2.55 percent increase in funds for operations.
Costs rise due to wage increases, insurance premiums, and pension contributions. Some matters—road maintenance and the fate of the Transfer Station—may not yet be completely resolved.
And This...
Parks & Recreation Column: Current programs, updated weekly.
Infrastructure is the name of the game, and a word about one of Weston's many artists. About Town.
Safe Connect for domestic violence victims.
January property transfers.
Scoreboard
Boys Basketball Weston 58, Bethel 38. (Tue. 2/18.)
Girls Basketball Weston 37, Bethel 56. (Tue. 2/18.)
Indoor Track Weston's girls team won the Class M state championship. The boys did well too, placing fourth.
Wrestling Three Weston wrestlers placed in the SWC championship tournament.
How Volunteer Firefighters Keep Weston Safe
As an eight year-old boy, John Pokorny enjoyed jumping on a fire truck with his father, a Weston Volunteer Fire Department captain.
Since 1996, Mr. Pokorny has led the department, a force of 70 well-trained volunteers who respond to about 550 emergencies every year.
Shavees Lose it at St. Baldrick's, February 29
St. Baldrick's, the big, incredibly fun community head-shaving party, runs this year on February 29th. Think free food from popular providers, an open bar, terrific music, and probably the best silent auction around.
Lisa Bigelow, one of the parent organizers, describes it as a "joyful event."
Rolfing Part 2: Learning to Breathe
By the end of my first Rolfing session, I found myself breathing more deeply, more evenly, and more consistently. The session gave me a new appreciation for the value of high-quality, consistent breathing.
The Real Dogs of Weston
Ally and Charlie are two charming young shih tzus who reside in the home (and laps) of human brother Ian and parents Paul MacShane and Meryl Sia. These two work round the clock fulfilling their duties as Devoted Family Lap Dogs.
The Pharm Stand Opens in Ridgefield
CBD has been all the rage for the past few years. In Ridgefield, The Pharm Stand offers high-quality, reliable CBD products and a special discount for Weston Today readers.
The Co-op: A Natural Path to Learning
The Westport Weston Cooperative Nursery School, fondly known as The Co-op, values play as the natural path to learning.
Each classroom has a wall of window to the outside. Play themes often incorporate nature and the seasons of the year.
Keep Kids Warm & Healthy All Winter
Winter can bring lots of family fun — sledding, skiing, snowboarding, not to mention shoveling snow.
No matter what kind of weather winter brings this year, here are some tips to follow to keep your kids warm, healthy, and safe.
Girls Indoor Track Team State Champions
Weston High School's Girls Indoor Track & Field team won the Class M state championship on Saturday with strong team and individual performances.
A Tea for the Vote, March 8
On March 8, International Women’s Day, Lachat Town Farm is holding a tea.
In an historical context, this is a fitting way to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of ratification of the 19th amendment to the Constitution, which guaranteed women the right to vote.
Lang's Closes, Citing Benefits Managers
Lang's Pharmacy closed suddenly on Wednesday. In all likelihood, co-owner Frank Randazzo saw it coming for some time.
Late last year, Mr. Randazzo said, "In Connecticut, we're probably a year away from not having any independent pharmacies."
Haskell, Hwang Support Sexual Assault Protections
State senators Will Haskell and Tony Hwang joined forces in a bipartisan coalition supporting legislation to give college students added protection against sexual assault.
Kindness Matters Series, in March
Weston Youth Services and the Weston Field Club have teamed up to sponsor Kindness Matters, a series of five weekly sessions about how parents and communities can prevent bullying and promote kindness.
The program's first session is on March 4.
Speak Up: What We Learned
Saturday's annual League of Women Voters Speak Up event drew a capacity crowd, and then some.
Topics ranged from budget pressures and school start times to why the mill rate will never be as low as Westport's, pesticides, and how Hartford could help or at least stop hurting.
Everett B. Flodeen, 88
Everett B. Flodeen, age 88, a long time resident of Weston, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, February 6, 2020.
He is survived by his devoted daughter Cindy Friedrichsen and her husband Ken of Weston and his 3 grandchildren.
Valley Forge Road Re-Opens
All of Valley Forge Road is open again, as work to rebuild a dangerously eroded slope is complete. The road had been closed since mid-December between Old Stage Coach and Davis Hill roads.
Construction finished fairly close to schedule, and may have come in slightly under budget.
Shaban Announces State Representative Candidacy
Former State Representative John Shaban announced his candidacy to once again represent Weston, Easton, and Redding in the General Assembly's House of Representatives.
Mr. Shaban, a Republican, held the 135th district seat from 2011 to 2017. “I will continue to focus on sensible solutions rather than symbolic gestures,” he said.
Public Safety Appropriation Approved
By unanimous voice vote at a Special Town Meeting, an appropriation was approved for renovations to Weston's public safety facilities, including an expansion of Firehouse No. 1 on Norfield Road.
Weston Hosts Robotics Competition
On February 1, over 65 student-led teams from middle and high schools throughout New England competed in a robotics tournament at Weston High School.
Teams sent into battle robots that they designed, built, and programmed. The all-day event was the first of its kind hosted in Weston.
Haskell to Tackle Age Discrimination
Age discrimination against a potential new hire is illegal, says State Senator Will Haskell in an op-ed. But the law has a loophole.
Sen. Haskell pledges to co-sponsor legislation championed by AARP in the upcoming legislative session.
School Board Approves 2.89% Increase
On Thursday evening, the Board of Education approved an operating budget that increases 2.89 percent.
The Board signaled an intention to seek additional savings, with an apparent focus on the district's administrative structure, possibly extending into reductions at senior levels.
School Board Considers Budget Cuts
Reductions that directly "touch the classroom" were the core of a no-growth budget scenario presented to the Board of Education. Superintendent William McKersie made clear the scenario was not a set of recommendations.
School Board, Administration Clash on Budget
In a tense Board of Education workshop last week, the Weston School District administration presented a revised budget request, increasing by 2.86 percent instead of the initial 5.55 percent.
Boys Basketball on a Roll
After opening league play on January 13 with an overtime win over Kolbe Cathedral, Weston's boys basketball squad kept the drama going with late-game heroics against Masuk, Stratford, and Brookfield, adding three to the win column.
Weinstein Running for State Representative
Former Weston First Selectwoman Gayle Weinstein announced her candidacy to represent Weston, Easton, and Redding in the State House of Representatives.
"I had promised my family that the 2015 election would be my last," said Ms. Weinstein. "That changed in the last year."
Hughes Launches Re-Election Bid
State Representative Anne Hughes launched her campaign for re-election at Silverman's Farm in Easton on January 12. Ms. Hughes represents the 135th House district, consisting of Weston, Easton, and Redding.
Recycle at the Onion Barn, Help Fund Sports
Every Saturday morning at the Onion Barn, you can enjoy the company of neighbors, feel good about helping the environment, and support Weston athletics.
Safe Connect for Domestic Violence Victims
Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz announced a major upgrade to Connecticut's domestic violence hotline this week in Hartford. The system, Safe Connect, gives victims of domestic violence confidential assistance at no charge.
School District Requests 5.55% Budget Increase
On January 6, Schools Superintendent Dr. William McKersie presented a budget request for next fiscal year that calls for an operating increase of nearly $3 million, plus capital projects.
"There's going to be some hard decisions to make," said Board of Education chair Tony Pesco.
Health District Offers Flu Vaccinations
It is not too late to get the flu vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control encourages everyone six months of age and older to get vaccinated. You can do so at the Westport Weston Health District.
OT Win for Boys Basketball
Down by two in the waning seconds of regulation, Weston's varsity Boys Basketball team notched a 60–55 overtime win on Monday evening against Kolbe Cathedral.
Aspetuck Land Trust Wins Fromson-Strassler Grant
The Aspetuck Land Trust has been awarded a $625,000 State grant that may make it possible for the Trust to acquire Weston's Fromson-Strassler property and preserve it as open space.
Farewell to Westport Pizzeria
Our neighbors in Westport are about to say goodbye to a town fixture when Westport Pizzeria closes next week after 51 years in business. State Senator Tony Hwang arranged a farewell party on Friday afternoon.
Gertrude “Trudy” Chandler, 92
Yarmouth, Maine: Gertrude “Trudy” Chandler, 92, our beloved Oma, passed away peacefully at home on December 30, 2019 surrounded by her family. Born July 6, 1927 in Brunnen, Switzerland, she eventually married Lee Chandler and moved to Weston, where she lived for almost 40 years.
Victor Escandón Appointed to School Board
Victor Escandón, a career corporate finance executive, was appointed on January 2 by the Selectmen to fill a vacancy on the Board of Education.
Mr. Escandón and his wife have lived in Weston since 2008, and have three children in the public school system.
2019: The Year in Review
We go back, back in time to January of 2019, then step forward month-by-month, recapping all the highlights and events.
It was an interesting year in beautiful Weston.
Enjoy.
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Other Recent News
State funds released for an overdue Library grant.
Weston Trojans win State football title.
AT&T proposes a new cell tower.
Our story and video report: Veterans Day ceremony.
Links to all previous articles can be found in our Previously section. Thanks for reading Weston Today.