Home Care In Easton, CT

EASTON — Easton is being celebrated by local legislators as the state's Christmas tree capital.

Located in the state's southwest, Easton is a small community of less than 10,000 residents. The designation was awarded to celebrate the town's agricultural history, boasting over 20 active farms, including 11 that are selling Christmas trees this holiday season.

A news conference was held Friday in front of Town Hall, where town and state representatives celebrated the designation and the farmers who have remained committed to preserving the town's agricultural roots. They stated the importance to buy local to support business owners, noting many historic farms around the state have closed in recent years due to continual struggles to operate and maintain the land.

"Recognizing Easton as Connecticut’s Christmas tree capital shines a deserved spotlight on these farms, but our support must continue long after the holiday season ends," said state Sen. Tony Hwang, R-Fairfield. "These farms are a gateway into a world of environmental stewardship and possibilities. Our efforts to support them are so important to their preservation for the future."

Easton also was recognized as the Christmas tree capital of Connecticut in 2021 by Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and state Agricultural Commissioner Bryan Hulburt.

Many people come from across the state and New York to get trees in Easton as part of their holiday tradition, chopping them down themselves.

“Easton has become a destination for thousands who come to town every year to buy their Christmas trees,” said Jake Conover, chair of the Easton Agricultural Commission. "This event is an opportunity to recognize the farmers who have put Easton on the map as the Christmas tree capital of Connecticut and make such an important contribution to the local economy."

A map of all the local farms selling Christmas trees is available on Easton's town website.

Easton selectmen approve tax refunds, dispatch center plan, emergency service updates and set December meetings.

EASTON, CT — The Easton Board of Selectmen approved tax refunds, advanced several public safety initiatives and set upcoming meeting dates during a special meeting held Nov. 20 at Town Hall and via Zoom, according to minutes filed with the town clerk.

First Selectman Dan Lent called the meeting to order and the board quickly approved minutes from Oct. 16.

Selectmen unanimously authorized a series of local tax refunds recommended by the tax collector, covering vehicle leasing companies, individual taxpayers and several Nissan Infiniti accounts. The board also approved a driveway variance for 63 Sweetbrier Trail and released a driveway bond for work at 63 Staples Road.

The board awarded a $14,100 contract to Wind River Environmental, LLC for septic tank pumping and cleaning at various town buildings.

Emergency Management Director Schuyler Sherwood delivered an update on a previously commissioned study recommending Easton transition to a regional emergency dispatch center. The analysis reviewed regional models using criteria including safety, technology, finances and staffing.

According to the presentation, the town currently has only one dispatcher on duty and outdated communications technology. Officials said joining a regional center would allow 90 percent of calls to be answered within 10 seconds and is projected to save Easton roughly $100,000 per year, compared with spending the same amount annually to update local systems.

A public information session at the library will be scheduled ahead of a Town Meeting. If the proposal advances, an appropriation of $615,000 would go before the Board of Finance.

Selectmen also voted to request funding for increased honorariums for volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel, which were adjusted earlier this year to offset inflation and improve volunteer recruitment.

Fire Chief Robert Klem presented recommended updates to the town’s Fire Commission Ordinance, which were reviewed by outside consultants. The board unanimously accepted the revisions.

The board scheduled a Dec. 2 joint meeting with the Board of Finance and a Dec. 10 Special Town Meeting to consider appropriations for the library project, the regional dispatch center, first responder honorariums and the updated Fire Commission ordinance.

Selectmen also approved the 2026 meeting calendar, with minor exceptions.

The board appointed former Easton first selectman David Bindelglass as a permanent member of the Aspetuck Health District Task Force and extended its charge through Dec. 31, 2025. The number of members was increased from seven to eight.

Lent reported ongoing roof leaks at Town Hall and said additional repair quotes were pending.

The board accepted Gregg Saunders’ resignation from the Board of Finance and thanked him for his service. James Waterbury was appointed to the EMS Commission for a term ending Jan. 2, 2028.

During public comment, residents raised questions about the state’s recent decision to block a water-company acquisition, potential future water infrastructure projects and misinformation circulating online about the proposed dispatch center. Selectmen said new emergency radios would integrate with a regional system, and they urged residents to rely on posted study materials.

The board also encouraged residents to continue using the town’s newsletter and offered holiday well-wishes ahead of Thanksgiving.

PURA rejects Aquarion sale to regional water authority after concerns over rates, oversight, and impacts on Easton's watershed.

EASTON, CT — Connecticut utility regulators on Wednesday rejected a proposal to sell Aquarion Water Company to a quasi-public regional authority, ending months of debate over potential rate hikes and the future oversight of the state’s largest water utility.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority voted 4-0 to deny the $2.4 billion transaction between Eversource, Aquarion’s parent company, and the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority. The deal called for $1.6 billion in cash and $800 million in debt and would have created a new Aquarion Water Authority governed by representatives from communities served by the utility.

In its decision, PURA cited concerns about the structure of the proposed quasi-public entity and whether it could meet its “managerial responsibility” to roughly 250,000 customers. The ruling also reflected apprehension about shifting Aquarion from an investor-owned utility—subject to PURA rate oversight—to a publicly owned authority that would operate outside the regulator’s jurisdiction.

Filings before PURA projected Aquarion customers could face annual rate increases of 6.5 percent to 8.35 percent over the next 10 years under the new authority. Critics argued that the absence of PURA oversight, combined with the financial obligations associated with the sale, would result in escalating costs for consumers.

Local leaders in Easton, where Aquarion owns significant watershed land, welcomed the decision. In a joint statement, First Selectman Dan Lent and state Sen. Tony Hwang described the ruling as a “watershed moment” for communities reliant on strong oversight of natural resources and stable municipal revenue.

Newly-elected First Selectman Lent said he ran on a commitment to “protect the watershed” and has long raised concerns about both environmental and financial impacts tied to the proposed sale.

“The odds were against us, but we needed to fight to ensure the protection of our watershed areas and to protect the municipal revenues and property taxes that Easton relies on,” Lent said. “I am so happy to see the denial of this sale. It would have been a total disaster for Easton.”

Hwang said Aquarion’s land holdings play a crucial dual role for the town, safeguarding water quality while contributing millions of dollars in property taxes that support education and infrastructure.

“Losing this funding would place an undue burden on families and disrupt the stability of the town,” Hwang said. “We must protect both our environment and our financial resources for the long-term well-being of Easton.”

Both leaders applauded PURA for acknowledging concerns raised by Easton and other affected communities and said they plan to continue advocating for policies that prioritize sustainable water management and municipal stability.

Eversource announced the proposed sale in January.

Easton Board of Education ties three times in chair vote, adopts K-8 social studies curriculum and backs $18,750 math program review.

EASTON, CT — The Easton Board of Education was unable to elect a new chair last week after three tied paper-ballot votes, prompting the board to postpone the decision.

The board convened at 7:01 p.m. on Nov. 11 at Helen Keller Middle School, where members nominated Devon Wible and Jeffrey Parker for the position. After both candidates delivered brief remarks, the board repeated the vote two more times with identical results. Under state statute, if the board cannot choose a chair within 30 days, the Easton Board of Selectmen will make the appointment.

Members approved the Oct. 14 meeting minutes 4-0-2, with two members abstaining because they had not yet joined the board at that time.

Two parents from Samuel Staples Elementary School raised concerns about classroom behavior, class size and increased computer use during “What I Need,” or WIN time. Several board members echoed concerns about screen time and asked for more information on second-grade classroom needs.

Superintendent Jason McKinnon said the administration will review enrollment, class composition and staffing as it develops next year’s budget. He noted there are 100 second graders and that class sizes of about 20 students align with District Reference Group averages. The district has 16 paraeducators, up from nine budgeted, and 13 behavior technicians, slightly more than planned.

Assistant Superintendent Sara Scrofani said the district is awaiting updated figures for its health benefits and budget summaries as preparations begin for the 2026–27 budget cycle.

Parker reported that the Board of Finance has requested a 10-year summary of school maintenance costs. A follow-up meeting with finance officials was scheduled for Nov. 12.

The board unanimously approved its 2026 meeting calendar, including an early start time for its Feb. 10 meeting.

Members then voted 6-0 to adopt a Restorative Practices Policy previously approved by the Redding Board of Education.

A new K–8 social studies curriculum was approved 5-0-1. Assistant Superintendent Alisha DiCorpo said the curriculum was developed by district staff and aligns with state standards across a 120-day instructional calendar. Several members praised the work, while others said they would like families to have more time to review the changes.

The board unanimously authorized an $18,750 consulting proposal to assess math programming in grades 5–9. The Phase I plan includes analyzing instructional minutes, staffing levels, test scores, iReady data and curriculum alignment, with recommendations expected by May 2026.

DiCorpo also outlined a proposal to introduce a new sixth-grade unit from the American Reading Company, with potential expansion to seventh grade.

McKinnon and school administrators highlighted districtwide Veterans Day activities, noting student participation and shared photos across school social media accounts.

The meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m.