SPEAK UP 2017, the 26th such annual event, now history.
Although it ran over (until 12:17pm) it was action packed not to mention packed!
Please enjoy our mini-tour of beautiful library. WIFI available, FWIW.
GO DIRECT TO SPEAK UP REPORT
THAT'S TOWN HALL
As we noted above, WIFI available with new renovations! Can you spell "WIFI" backwards? It starts with Rudyard Kipling title "IF..."
ULTIMATE IN GOOD TASTE AND WESTON PREFERENCE FOR NATURAL COLORS
Coffee "bar" tucked away (cork flooring) with newspapers and
periodicals...but what you really are hit with is the sensitivity of the
rehab job! True to the original inside/outside concept and
details of materials for flooring, furniture and...
EARTH TONES, STUDY CARRELS, "MAKER" SPACE AND DID WE MENTION COFFEE?
Bravo
Library Building Committee - we note that on the game table is, we
think, 21st century..."Monopoly" - Weston even tries to sneak land use
into game-playing time! And did we mention the coffee "bar?"
CONFERENCE ROOMS AND POWER POINT CAPABILITY? NOT THAT POWER POINT IS A LITERARY TOOL IMHO.
Space planners/architects can find space where you didn't
think you had any - now three conference rooms instead of two! The
new furniture is accompanied by what looks to be a video screen...
CHILDREN'S WING
The first addition to the original structure, if memory serves. And then it was...
TIME TO SPEAK UP
And did the people ever speak up - not limiting themselves to
CT and local issues for a while in the beginning and near the end.
FRONT AND CENTER
The questions ran the gamut. In between charged polemics there
were...many topics on the people's mind. And we will expand the list once we review the tape...
HOT TOPICS
Planning and Zoning questions, both on Town Plan, Strategic Planning and
changes to zoning for open space subdivisions. And why isn't this
important set of meetings on Town TV?
THOUGHTFUL EXCHANGES RE: GETTING MORE ON TOWN TV - SHOW OF HANDS ABOUT CHANNEL 79 VIEWING BY THOSE PRESENT
Future
think questions and questions of better public meeting access on Town
TV on hot issues locally. Related to why this is a budget
question that just can't wait...
FUNDING DISAPPEARING
School questions related to what the State is doing - in regard to passing off 30% of cost of teacher pensions to towns.
BEAUTIFUL RENOVATION
What next?
NEW TOWN ADMINISTRATOR ATTENDS
The underpinnings for Weston - relationship to legislature Housing and
Planning & Development Committees plus Education and
Transportation - Weston fortunate to have Senators on and/or
Co-Chairing all
ASSORTED COMMENTS
Left to right:
- Value of citizenship (those who emigrated in previous generations);
- Complaint against the way the State of Connecticut is dragging its feet - making the
Route 57 project into something that takes longer than it took to build
the Intermediate School (our choice of descriptive);
- Why do we want to play with the scheme of development since everyone likes it?
- Individual who came from Hong Kong to (eventually) Weston is sensitive to present suggested changes in policy;
THEWESTONWAY.COM is up and running!
It has received nice comments from tourism folks:
http://connecticut.crains.com/article/news/weston-reveals-its-%E2%80%98secret%E2%80%99-amid-connecticut%E2%80%99s-regional-tourism-push.
TWO IMPORTANT COMMENTS
-
Reflections on what it is like to live in Weston after kids have
graduated.
- Followed by woman what said online trashing of
neighbors is worse than school "bullying." Curious that we got
such a report - but very meaningful for League. Speak Up is where
people come to be sure they are heard.
LEGISLATORS WERE ASKED TO TAKE A "LOYALTY OATH"
Re: support of their Republican Party's President...they're
not. (FWIW Sen. Hwang was CT Chair. for Ohio Governor John Kasich
in Primaries.) Senator Boucher represents 7 towns, 4 of which are "D"
POLICE GIVE THE SPEED HUMP ANSWER - PRIVATE PROPERTY BUT...
What can be done about the Weston Center "speed bumps" that are claimed
to be excessive in height and damaging to the undercarriages of
cars.
And Police Sgt. Brodacki responded that the Center is private property
so there is nothing the Police Department can do. But he reminded
people that they should ...SPEAK UP!
WHICH REMINDED EVERYONE...
What is going to happen to little town Weston (as buzz of OMG what was
that the Governor will recommend)? First Selectman: Weston
is doing fine on its own - unfortunately we are in CT, which isn't.
QUESTION ABOUT HOW AND WHY WILTON DEVELOPMENT GREW AND WESTON'S DIDN'T
How did Wilton develop, and the answer was it was farmland outside of metropolitan Norwalk...Senator Boucher responded.
We assume this was asked in order to compare to Weston?
We didn't understand exactly why this was asked but the answer was -
"they have water and sewer in the center of town as well as Route Seven
running from Norwalk to Danbury."
A late question asked what's up with the police station renovation,
answer nothing yet but the decisions will be made by Selectmen, Board of
Finance and the final word is up to Special Town Meeting.
The display of quilts was quite remarkable and beautiful and the League
of Women Voters of Weston is so grateful that it was still up for SPEAK
UP!!! Bravo on a wonderful display!!!