L W V   O F    W E S T O N    A C T I O N    A G E N D A
Does this seem to sound like what the LWV of Weston has been doing these past years?



AT ANNUAL MEETING 2012, DIRECTION TO THE STEERING COMMITTEE WAS TO EMPHASIZE OUR POSITIONS ON WATER SUPPLY PROTECTION AND TAKE ACTION!

Specifically, direction was given for item #6 of Water Supply Protection in Weston (1987 amended 2006):

"Education of the local residents regarding their responsibility to safeguard the quality and quantity of Weston's water supply"

Here is a link to the entire Weston LWV local action agenda as presented at Annual Meeting May, 11, 2012.

-----------------

Preliminary Research Sources:

BACKGROUND
The Weston Water Study:  http://www.aboutweston.com/WestonWaterResourcesGuide.pdf

DOES THE TOWN PLAN ADDRESS THIS?
What does the 2010 Town Plan say? 

BETTY HILL FORUM IN 2008 ADDRESSED THE TOPIC OF WATER SUPPLY:
http://www.lwvweston.org/bulletin.html#bhf2008

LEAGUE HAS HOSTED NEMO IN WESTON...N.E.M.O. GENERALLY...
From N.E.M.O. in the past:  http://www.aboutweston.com/imp.html

LEAGUE MORE RECENTLY (WWHD):
WATER SUPPLY PROTECTION

GOVERNMENTAL LINKS:
U.S.G.S. CT:  http://ct.water.usgs.gov/
U.S.G.S. USA:  http://waterwatch.usgs.gov/?m=real

DROUGHT NEWS



CHARTER REVISION 2011-2012
UPDATE:  Last Charter Revision Public Hearing, April 25, 2012, brings our informed citizenry thanks to excellent coverage by Weston Forum and other news outlets.

LEAGUE PRESENTS LATEST POSITION ON TOWN MEETING TO 2011 TO CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION...WHAT DID LEAGUE DO IN 2003?

Charter Revision Commission recommendations approved November 4, 2003:  ATBM now starts at 8pm and end at 11:30pm...#3 now accomplished beyond the LWV's study scope in earlier Charter Revision.

SINCE 2003...VOTER PARTICPATION:  #6 - Provide full and current information on the subject of upcoming Town Meetings on the Town's Web site.  In addition, explore use of List-Serve (voluntary  e-mail) to remind voters of upcoming Meetings:  an idea whose time has come - for members only? The LWV of Weston will sponsor community forums encouraging informal citizen discussion of issues facing the Town and will continue to take action on existing local positions (only short summary of purpose here provided

Since 2003 - #9 - Encourage TV coverage of Town Meetings -(for example, all meetings of Charter Revision Commission on TV in 2011):
 
  1. Regularly use secret ballots (i.e. paper ballot, machine vote, and/or, if permitted by the state, on the Internet).
  2. Provide an additional opportunity to vote, for example, on a Saturday following the Town Meeting.
  3. Start Town Meetings at an earlier time (other than the Annual Town Budget Meeting [ATBM], which, is restricted by Town Charter to begin at 8:30pm).
  4. Send a town-wide mailing in preparation for Town Meeting (e.g. a postcard).
  5. Increase signage around town to publicize Town Meetings.
  6. Provide full and current information on the subject of upcoming Town Meetings on the Town's Web site.  In addition, explore use of List-Serve (voluntary e-mail) to remind voters of upcoming Meetings.
  7. Work to improve coverage of upcoming Town Meetings in The Weston Forum and other local area newspapers.
  8. Consistently make use of Weston Public Access cable television channel to publicize upcoming Town Meetings.
  9. Encourage public access television coverage of Town Meetings.

Weston Town Plan of Conservation and Development 2010 APPROVED!

June 28, 2010 P&Z MEETING TO OK TOWN PLAN - right to left:  In the audience, Frank Valone (WFFR), Tracy Kulikowski (Land Use Director), Chair. Stephan Grozinger, Vice-Chair. Jane Connolly, Joe Limone, Don Saltzman, Ridge Young, Tom Failla (Conservation Commission's representative on Town Plan Committee for rewrite), Katie Gregory, and last but not least, David Allen (partially obscured).

READ NEW TOWN PLAN HERE
PLANNING AND ZONING HOLDS TOWN PLAN SPECIAL MEETING JUNE 28, 2010 - UNANIMOUSLY VOTES 'YES' AND WESTON HAS A NEW PLAN!  The text is approved, and layout w/pictures is ready to go to press (as a pdf, too?)!

Now P&Z is up to the step in the process that is really, really tricky...figuring out a way to see their implementation suggestions take hold!   Can League play a part?  Tune in for Fall program "What Happened While You Were Away" Sept. 25th...

T H E    L A S T    F E W    S T E P S    B E F O R E    N E W    P L A N   I S    D E C L A R E D    D O N E . . .

HOW DID JOINT P&Z-SELECTMEN PUBLIC HEARING ON THE NEW TOWN PLAN DRAFT GO?  WHAT WAS THE FINAL DECISION ABOUT THE SELECTMEN'S  COMMENTS?
JOINT SELECTMEN/P&Z TOWN PLAN PUBLIC HEARING Monday, May 10th in the evening went 90 minutes, 16 speakers, reminded us of why we moved here!  What a great town - its the people!!!   Yes, the peace and quiet, beauty and 1940's look of Weston Center (a remark made by a young resident who brought his mother to see his Weston home) here in the 21st century makes us special, too!

IDEAS/QUESTIONS: 
Track use, bicycle plan, how much land is left to subdivide, cost of development v. benefits, some need to relieve tax burden, economic development, bus to train, neighborhood parks, tree removal ordinance and ENFORCEMENT, against chicken coops and goats, litmus test on development or tax relief ideas, schools willing to work with town to use facilities, gathering place needed, no sense of community - we need more, CONSERVATION & Development this time, Weston "best kept secret" the individual saying this, who's mother was visiting, had made the "1940's - look" remark, CLUB WESTON idea picked up!!!

WHAT'S NEXT?
Formal P&Z Public Hearing on June 24th, adoption on June 28th.  Read the Plan online and let P&Z know what you think!  Ideas not questioned but explained at the end included the concept of renting town-owned land - which would require a Town Meeting to approve the contract.

Weston's Plan of Conservation and Development: Board asks for 'three little words'
Weston FORUM
Written by Patricia Gay
Wednesday, 23 June 2010 12:03

The Board of Selectmen and the Planning and Zoning Commission spent nearly two hours Monday night wrangling over numerous changes the selectmen want to see made to the draft Plan of Conservation and Development before it is finalized.

However, the change that consumed most of the discussion involved “three little words.”

A sentence in the plan’s introduction says one of the questions raised time and again by Weston homeowners is “How can Weston control property taxes?”

The selectmen took exception to the statement and asked P&Z to add three words so it says, “How can economic development help Weston control property taxes?”

During a lengthy exchange, P&Z members defended the sentence as originally written, while the three selectmen pressed for the change.

“I think the subject of taxes is outside your purview unless it relates to economic or commercial development,” said First Selectman Gayle Weinstein.

Selctmen Dave Muller and Dan Gilbert agreed and said the sentence needed to tie in with something related to conservation or development.

“This shouldn’t be about how Weston can control taxes, but how commercial development affects taxes,” Ms. Weinstein said.

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


Katie Gregory, P&Z, Clem Malin and Stephan Grosinger, Chair., P&Z

LWV OF WESTON morning review and luncheon
The Chair., Vice-Chair., and the member in charge of Plan update met with the League on April 9, 2010 to discuss what's up, what we may expect and when re:  the new Plan.  We thank these officials for spending time with us, and look forward to attending meetings/Public Hearings by both the Board of Selectmen and the P&Z prior to approval of the new Plan.

Weston P&Z: Survey says...
Weston FORUM
Written by Patricia Gay
Tuesday, 29 December 2009 11:53

The results of the Planning and Zoning Commission’s townwide survey are in, and more than 740 Westonites responded to topics ranging from commercial development to the creation of a town cemetery.

“The number of responses was amazing and far exceeded our expectations,” said Stephan Grozinger, P&Z chairman.

In November, P&Z distributed bright yellow surveys in The Weston Forum asking Westonites their opinions on a variety of land use topics.  The results of the survey will be used to guide P&Z as it prepares the Plan of Conservation and Development in 2010.

P&Z also distributed the survey results to other town boards and commissions for their use.

Surprises

Some of the survey answers came as a surprise to the commission.

Westonites have expressed interest in having a concert stage or community center in town at various planning meetings and workshops, but the survey showed much more opposition to those projects than support.

By a vote of 528 to 140, respondents were strongly opposed to using taxpayer dollars to build a concert stage or pavilion on town property.

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

Planning survey results
FORUM
 Written by Patricia Gay
Tuesday, 29 December 2009 11:49

Planning survey results

There were 14 questions on a townwide survey for the 2010 Town Plan of Conservation and Development.

For the first nine questions, respondents were asked to check whether they favored, opposed, or had no opinion about the statement.

1. Use of taxpayer dollars to purchase land for conservation: Favor, 441. Oppose, 243. No opinion, 55.

2. Use of taxpayer dollars to build a concert stage or pavilion on town property: Favor, 140. Oppose, 528. No opinion, 89.

3. Use of taxpayer dollars to build a community center: Favor, 238. Oppose, 426. No opinion, 69.

4. Providing daily bus service between Weston and the Westport train station: Favor, 343. Oppose, 287. No opinion, 101.

5. Dedicating town land for a cemetery or memorial garden: Favor, 330. Oppose, 282. No opinion, 117.

6. Development of town sponsored affordable housing for qualified persons: Favor, 199. Oppose, 462. No opinion, 80.

7. Development of town sponsored senior housing: Favor, 298. Oppose, 359. No opinion, 84.

8. Enacting regulations restricting tree removal from private properties: Favor, 199. Oppose, 471. No opinion, 75.

9. Permitting a stand alone building to be used as an apartment or guest house: Favor, 331. Oppose, 310. No opinion, 93.

10. In your opinion, are Weston’s residential lots overdeveloped (i.e., excessively invested with pools, recreational courts, pool houses, sheds, etc?) Yes, 134. No, 473. No opinion, 104.

11. Turning to the question of further commercial development in Weston, which one of the following statements best reflects your opinion:

• There should be no more commercial development in Weston. 146 agreed.

• New commercial development should only take place within the existing Town Center. 54 agreed.

• New commercial development should only take place within the existing Town Center and the property behind it. 141 agreed.

• New commercial development should only take place within the existing Town Center and the property adjoining it and across the road from it. 190 agreed.

• New commercial development should be allowed anywhere in Weston. 42 agreed.

12. Do you favor additional resources and services at the Weston Public Library? Yes, 309. No, 182. No opinion, 107. Don’t use, 76.

13. Please check which, if any, of the following equipment or facilities you would like to see put in place at Bisceglie, Morehouse and/or Keene parks:

In-ground outdoor pool (189), picnic tables (262), barbecue pits (152), picnic areas (226), walking trails (347), children’s biking trails (248), dog run/park (204), additional play equipment (i.e. swings, slides, climbing apparatus, etc.) (122), no additional equipment or facilities (146). No opinion, 73.

14. Do you conduct a business in your home? Yes, 117. No, 603.


RESPONSES TO SURVEY HERE

Venues so far for Plan activities...left to right, above.
"Kinderland" - discussions before regular P&Z meetings;  W.H.S. cafeteria: open meeting here;  Weston Library for technical open meeting on natural resources - and next meeting to come.

OBSERVER CORPS:  activity on Town Plan update...PLANIMETRICS' REVIEW WITH P&Z & "OPEN MEETING" REPORT HERE

WESTON FORUM REPORTS:  press coverage before and/or after the three scheduled "public meeting" events, reverse chronological order.

 NEXT AND LAST IN THIS PUBLIC MEETING SERIES April 30, 2009 at the Library on community facilities, and other topics...50+ in attendance, lots of input and split between those who want Weston to retain its character and those who want to develop a "Village District."

P&Z  Town Plan (Working) Meeting Schedule 2009
(approved as of 10/30/08, all meetings at the Town Hall Annex on School Road)

January 5          Monday, 6-7:15pm - Town Plan
January 15th     Thursday meeting – 6 pm to 8 pm Town Plan
February  2       Monday, 6-7:15 pm  - Town Plan
February 12th   Thursday meeting – 6 pm to 8 pm Town Plan 
March 2            Monday, 6-7:15 p.m. - Town Plan
March 12th      Thursday meeting – 6 pm to 8 pm Town Plan  
April 6              Monday, 6-7:15 p.m. - Town Plan
April 30th        Thursday meeting – 6 pm to 8 pm Town Plan
May 4              Monday, 6-7:15 p.m. - Town Plan
May 14th         Thursday meeting – 6 pm to 8 pm Town Plan
June 1              Monday, 6-7:15 p.m. - Town Plan
June 11           Thursday meeting – 6 pm to 8 pm Town Plan
July 6              Monday, 6-7:15 p.m. - Town Plan
July 16            Thursday meeting – 6 pm to 8 pm Town Plan 
 
AUGUST RECESS
 
September 8      TUESDAY      6-7:15 p.m - Town Plan
September 17th  Thursday meeting – 6 pm to 8 pm Town Plan
October 5          Monday, 6-7:15 p.m. - Town Plan
October 15        Thursday meeting – 6 pm to 8 pm Town Plan
November 2      Monday, 6-7:15 p.m. - Town Plan 
November 12    Thursday meeting – 6 pm to 8 pm Town Plan  
December 7       Monday. 6-7:15 p.m. - Town Plan
December 17     Thursday meeting – 6 pm to 8 pm Town Plan
 
R E A D   I T    N O W   -   C L I C K    B E L O W
THE TOWN PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT 2000

Above is the cover of the Town Plan of Conservation and Development 2000 (with credit to the LWV of Weston for permission to use the Mary Sowinski print). 

Link here to an unofficial website where information about the GOALS AND OBJECTIVES of the Town Plans of Conservation and Development 2000 & 1987 are located on the Internet.  Link here to the most recent Town Plan (2000) , in an unofficial PDF version.
WESTON FORUM ARTICLE POST-NATURAL RESOURCES FORUM
Natural resources review on tap for Wednesday       
Weston e-FORUM
Written by Patricia Gay  
Monday, March 23, 2009

How will the town of Weston sustain its clean water and air over the next 10 years?  That is the subject of a public focus group meeting about the town’s natural resources, being held Wednesday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m., in the Community Room at the Weston Public Library.  The meeting will be presided over by Tom Failla of the Conservation Commission, and Dan Gilbert and Ridge Young of the Planning and Zoning Commission, who are working on the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD).

Weston’s POCD was last prepared in 2000. Based on state legislation, every town in Connecticut must come up with an updated POCD every 10 years.  With a new plan due in 2010, planning officials are holding a series of public information meetings during the plan’s “scoping” phase to gather input about what residents want to see in the new POCD.

The natural resources meeting follows a well-attended initial public workshop held Feb. 26.

“We want people’s comments and suggestions. We’re all ears,” said Mr. Failla.

The 2000 POCD states that maintaining the quality of Weston’s natural resources is central to preserving and maintaining the overall quality of life for its residents.  Weston is set in a temperate forest environment, with hilly topography and a high proportion of glacial deposits and shallow subsurface bedrock.  The 2000 plan stresses the importance of water to the community. “Water resources, both surface water and groundwater, should be protected,” according to the plan.

Weston has a healthy supply of water resources. The Aspetuck River and two branches of the Saugatuck River provide about 30 miles of river frontage in town.  The Saugatuck Reservoir, a manmade lake, dominates the northeast section of town and includes approximately three miles of Weston shoreline along its boundaries.  In addition, there are numerous streams, small lakes and ponds throughout town.

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

Observer Corps Reporting on Town Plan update
PLANNING AND ZONING NOW MEETING AT FORMER KINDERLAND PORTABLES

This is the location of Planning and Zoning Commission meetings on the Town Plan (and recently the place where P&Z meets on a regular basis).  The old "Kinderland" portable is shared by the Board of Education and all land use related town departments. 


This is where NATURAL RESOURCES "conversation" was held, but old photo!

March 25, 2009
OBSERVER CORPS REPORT ON MARCH 25 SECOND PUBLIC EVENT:

League members and others present discussed, as individuals, possibilities for environmental zoning.  Former Chairs. of Conservations Commission discussed limitations of tertiary treatment and desire not to have sewers and water service.  Former Chair. of P&Z submitted written comments and also spoke as a former Vice-Chair. of the Weston Water Study effort.

Dominski-Oakrock Report maps introduced by Conservation Commissioner working with P&Z on the Plan.

One citizen discussed "sewer avoidance" policy, another speaker suggested that some zones might be larger than 2 acres (not allowed anymore - another speaker pointed this out).  Emphasis by DEP representative for education of commissioners about environmental planning.

Meeting was videotaped and microphone was used by most speakers.

Perhaps two-dozen residents attended.  FORUM not present, but will seek to view the video, we think.

Photos from March 12, 2009 P&Z (at Annex) discussion above, first, of the affordable housing topic as it might be included in the new Town Plan, options explained by the town attorney.

March 12, 2009
OBSERVER CORPS NOTES:

Present: Katie Gregory, Chr., Dan Gilbert, Stephan Grozinger, Ridge Young, Don Saltzman, Paul Heifetz; Tom Failla;  also Land Use Coordinator Tracy Kulikowski and First Selectman Woody Bliss and Selectperson Gayle Weinstein;  Town Attorney Pat Sullivan;  Weston FORUM;  LWV Observer Lucy Bowden.

Town Attorney stated that no sewers and no public water was the critical thing that stands in the way of major changes in land use in Weston - including affordable housing.

Woody Bliss is finalizing his written statement, but he favors looking into Energy Improvement Districting.  Gayle Weinstein submitted a written statement, and also remarked on the small town characteristics of Weston that she would not want to lose.  Her statement is here.


Video of Big Open Meeting  with Planimentrics in charge...at Weston High School cafeteria.

OBSERVER CORP REPORT:
Big, Open Meeting Feb. 26, 7:30pm to 9:30pm at W.H.S. Cafeteria was well attended (we think 150 people participated, altho' the official number was lower than that). 

From all parts of town, Westonites converged on the W.H.S. Cafeteria.  There was an open-ness and willingness to participate;  people gave their ideas for the new Plan after participating in some exercises to show where people resided, (the whole town was represented) what they thought were the more important parts of town (the Schools and the Nature Conservancy), the biggest problem (traffic bottlenecks and dangerous places) and what was most important:  first was "busines development."  Applause for individual who suggested duplicating the "Club Weston" experiment to create a "Central Park" effect in the "heart of town" (School Road closure). 


CLUB WESTON 1994:  Some surprises, couldn't hear folks from the other side of the Cafeteria very well but Moderator of the event had a microphone and repeated questions/comments;  member of the audience volunteered to be scribe (he had lots of experience, having done the same function for the school planning project some years back).
Jan 15, 2009
OBSERVER CORPS NOTES

Present: Katie Gregory, Chr., Dan Gilbert, Stephan Grozinger, Ridge Young, Tom Failla;  Also Land Use Coordinator Tracy Kulikowski

A Public meeting to discuss Weston’s long range plans is set for Feb 26, 7:30PM-9:30PM, at the WHS Cafeteria.

The topic of this meeting was an interview of Fire Department Chief and Weston Fire Marshall, John Pokorny.  He was asked to look into the future and discuss with the commissioners the items of concern he has for his department’s work.

Chief Pokorny had the following comments:
Jan. 11, 2009
OBSERVER CORPS GENERAL NOTE:  it was reported to this website that in January P&Z is moving ahead toward consultation with other Boards and Commissions related to the chapters of the Plan, assigned to each Commissioner.
P&Z Commission - Nov. 20, 2008
OBSERVER CORPS NOTES

Those in attendance: Dan Gilbert, Katheryn Gregory, Paul Heifetz, Don Saltzman, Stephan Grozinger, Ridge Young, Jane Connolly and Tom Failla from Conservation Commission.
Tracy Kulikowski, Land Use Director.

The Commission has set its schedule of work to insure that the Town Plan of Conservation and Development is completed by May of 2010.

By State Statute 8-23e.1.A: “The plan will be a statement of policies, goals, and standards for the physical and economic development of the municipality.”

The individual members have taken assignments either individually or in teams to tackle the necessary topics: brief history and current conditions, community views, natural resources, development, and other community issues and infrastructure.

The Nov meeting was dedicated to checking through the topics to determine if any outside consultants or other expenses may be necessary. It was determined that SWRPA will be a very valuable resource for the commission.

The first milestone will be Feb 26, 2009, when an initial public hearing will be held. By that time most of the background data on housing, zoning, mapping, and an economic profile will have been completed and the commission will be ready for public input on how Westonites view the future of their community.

Next meeting will be Dec.11 at 6pm in the Town Hall Annex (kinderland).
PREVIOUS OBSERVER CORPS ACTIVITIES:
CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS APPROVED NOV. 4, 2003:  ATBM to now start at 8pm and end at 11:30pm...#3 now accomplished beyond the LWV's study scope.
VOTER PARTICPATION:  #6 - Provide full and current information on the subject of upcoming Town Meetings on the Town's Web site.  In addition, explore use of List-Serve (voluntary  e-mail) to remind voters of upcoming Meetings:  an idea whose time has come - for members only? 
The LWV of Weston will sponsor community forums encouraging informal citizen discussion of issues facing the Town and will continue to take action on existing local positions (only short summary of purpose here provided):
 
    Voter Participation in Weston Town Meeting (2001)Support increasing voter participation in Town Meetings by urging Weston Town Government to take the following measures (testimony by President before Charter Revision Commission public hearing, July 31, 2003;  previous action taken):
    1. Regularly use secret ballots (i.e. paper ballot, machine vote, and/or, if permitted by the state, on the Internet).
    2. Provide an additional opportunity to vote, for example, on a Saturday following the Town Meeting.
    3. Start Town Meetings at an earlier time (other than the Annual Town Budget Meeting [ATBM], which, is restricted by Town Charter to begin at 8:30pm).
    4. Send a town-wide mailing in preparation for Town Meeting (e.g. a postcard).
    5. Increase signage around town to publicize Town Meetings.
    6. Provide full and current information on the subject of upcoming Town Meetings on the Town's Web site.  In addition, explore use of List-Serve (voluntary e-mail) to remind voters of upcoming Meetings.
    7. Work to improve coverage of upcoming Town Meetings in The Weston Forum and other local area newspapers.
    8. Consistently make use of Weston Public Access cable television channel to publicize upcoming Town Meetings.
    9. Encourage public access television coverage of Town Meetings.
    Land Use in Weston(1996)
    Support a process for active implementation of the Town Plan of Development, with special emphasis on long-range land use and acquisition planning.

    Ethics in Government (1995)
    Support adoption of a local code of ethics by ordinance.  A code would create a board of ethics, establish minimum expectations of behavior, clarify public responsibilities, help prevent abuse of public office, and provide a framework for public understanding of proper conduct.

    Affordable Housing in Weston (1991)
    Support efforts to promote and provide affordable housing options within the town.All efforts are predicated on environmental soundness with the understanding that the quality and the quantity of the water supply be protected, and the Town's commitment to sewer avoidance be maintained.

    Alternative Housing in Weston (1989) *
    Support zoning modification within the parameters of two acre zoning to allow for (NOTE: all recommendations are supported with the understanding that the quality and quantity of the water supply in Weston be protected and the character of the Town be preserved):

  1. cluster-zoned housing...density remains the same
  2. cluster homes with common wall...density remains the same
  3. an apartment loosely connected to the main house
  4. an apartment of more than 600 square feet within th structure of the main house
    5. Water Supply Protection in Weston (1987) *
    Support action to protect the quality and quantity of the water supply in Weston.

* = Position Statement Re-Affirmed 2000