LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WESTON 'SPEAK UP 2007' and 'SPEAK UP 2008' page
Our report here;
"Speak Up 2007" reports of others (most recently published first);
Photo story.


Weston makes itself heard at Speak Up
Weston FORUM
by JAN HOWARD
Feb 7, 2007

Additional tax relief for senior citizens and veterans, funding and maintenance for the Lachat property, use of school facilities, traffic, global warming, and the time line for a vote on renovation of the high school roof and auditorium — these were some of the issues raised at the 16th annual Speak Up, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Weston on Feb. 3 at Norfield Congregational Church.

Approximately 100 residents attended to discuss local and other issues with the town’s elected and appointed officials and state legislators Senator Judith Freedman (R-28), Senator John McKinney (R-26), and Rep. John Stripp (R-135).

Tax relief for seniors

A forum or roundtable was suggested by resident Harold Mathews to address additional tax relief for senior citizens. Most of the attendees raised their hands when asked by First Selectman Woody Bliss if they would attend such a forum.

Mr. Mathews said his concern was to maintain community diversity by helping seniors remain in town and to prevent those houses from being sold to families with children. According to the 2000 census, he said, there are 700 senior households in Weston.

“We need more tax relief programs to encourage them to stay,” Mr. Mathews said.

Mr. Bliss said the town currently offers tax abatement and deferment programs for residents 65 years of age and over.

Paul Friia, the town’s assessor, said the town should look into what other towns are doing to address tax relief for seniors. It was noted that only eight people take advantage of the tax deferment program while more than 100 receive tax reductions under the tax abatement program.

In addition, resident Norman Henderson raised concerns about the increased cost of living and, as a result, the burden of the town budget on middle class residents.

“Nobody likes to pay taxes,” Mr. Bliss said. While tax reduction programs exist for senior citizens, he added, “there is less opportunity for help for people under 65.”

[Please read the rest of this article at the Weston FORUM website]



Weston residents Speak Up
By JEREMY SOULLIERE, Hour Staff Writer
February 4, 2007

WESTON — Weston residents got a chance to air their questions and concerns about a variety of town issues Saturday morning at the 16th annual Speak Up at Norfield Congregational Church.

Roughly 25 town and state officials were on hand to field questions at the event — which was sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Weston — with the day's discussion topics ranging from the town's elderly tax relief program to its energy consumption.

Harold Matthews, one of the roughly 75 Weston residents who attended the event, said Weston's escalating property taxes are forcing elderly residents with fixed income to move, and the town needs to create a more comprehensive elderly tax relief program to ensure this doesn't continue.

"I'm asking you to introduce a more inclusive senior tax program," he said . "The empty nesters in their 50's and 60's might see the handwriting on the wall."
First Selectman Woody Bliss said the town's present program offers both tax abatement and deferment provisions for eligible residents over age 65, but Matthews contended the program's abatement and deferment limits could be increased and town officials could introduce a senior tax freeze.

Bliss later said town officials would organize a public forum to discuss the town's elderly tax program, along with any Weston tax policy issues.

Residents also raised concerns about the excessive number of speeders on the town's residential roads, the amount of graffiti appearing on town stop signs and residential fences, and the number people using cell phones while driving.

Police Chief Anthony Land said the police department's two patrols are regularly on the lookout for speeders, but the department is limited by its numbers, with one officer presently on leave and serving in Iraq.

"Our ability to enforce is limited by our manpower," he said

[Please read the rest of this article at THE HOUR (Norwalk, CT) website]



"SPEAK UP 2007" AND THEY DID...
LWV of Weston counted more than 80 in the audience plus Town Board and Commission members on stage!!!
NEWS OF UPCOMING SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - LEAGUE WANTS TO KNOW, PERHAPS, WHEN IS THE PUBLIC HEARING PRIOR?

Detail of plans for the campus project - Weston High School to have doubled in size (more or less)!

SPEAK UP 2007 STANDING ROOM ONLY (NEEDED MORE CHAIRS FOR THE AUDIENCE!)
The high school roof (above left - white part is old roof) will cost most of what is left in Question #3 of the 2001 Referendum to replace and the Town will be asked to move those funds (no extra $$) soon at a @ March 15th (?) Special Town Meeting.  Below please find some backgrounders on some of the subjects asked about this year!

Reporters from the Weston FORUM, Norwalk HOUR  (who commented that Speak Up reminded him of his own experience in northern Vermont, didn't catch the importance of high school roof announcement) and Westport NEWS attended.  (Photographers, too--only Channel 12 wasn't present - LWV of Weston had cameras rolling and the DVD will be forthcoming!)

ISSUES RAISED:




The Speak Up 2007 picture story ...

Traffic questions were one of the major features (see story above in FORUM) and Global Warming Committee announced program.