Weston, Connecticut

Weston is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 10,354 at the 2020 census.[1] The town is part of the Western Connecticut Planning Region. The town is served by Route 57 and Route 53, both of which run through the town center. About 19% of the town's workforce commutes to New York City, about 45 miles (72 km) to the southwest.[3]

Weston, Connecticut
Town
Town of Weston
The Onion Barn, where community bulletins are posted
The Onion Barn, where community bulletins are posted
Official seal of Weston, Connecticut
Seal
Official logo of Weston, Connecticut
Logo
Weston's location within Fairfield County and Connecticut
Coordinates: 41°13′32″N 73°22′14″W
Country United States
U.S. state Connecticut
CountyFairfield
RegionWestern CT
Incorporated1787
Government
 • TypeSelectman-town meeting
 • First selectmanSamantha Nestor (D)
 • SelectmanAmy Jenner (R)
 • SelectmanMartin Mohabeer (D)
 • Town administratorJonathan Luiz
Area
 • Total20.7 sq mi (53.6 km2)
 • Land19.8 sq mi (51.3 km2)
 • Water0.9 sq mi (2.4 km2)
Elevation
315 ft (96 m)
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total10,354
 • Density491.7/sq mi (189.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP codes
06883, 06829
Area code(s)203/475
FIPS code09-83430
GNIS feature ID213531[2]
Websitewww.westonct.gov

In 2017, SafeWise ranked Weston the safest town in Connecticut and the 6th safest town in the country.[4]

Weston is the closest Connecticut town to New York City without a train station. Aside from a handful of stores that form the town's center, Weston has little commercial development and residential development is limited by two-acre zoning.[5] Most of Devil's Den Preserve, a 1,746-acre (707 ha) nature reserve, which gets 40,000 visits a year, is located in the town.

History
Town sign for Weston (front)

In the 17th century, Weston's first English settlers were mostly farmers living in the town of Fairfield, Connecticut, the boundaries of which extended to Weston until the late 18th century.[6] The Norfield Parish was created in the area now occupied by the towns of Weston and Easton. In 1787, the area was formally incorporated as the Town of Weston. It is believed to be named after Weston-super-Mare, which was a small fishing village surrounded by countryside farmland, which many of the early British farming settlers originated from.[7] In 1845, the Town of Easton was split off from Weston.

A meteor exploded above the town on December 14, 1807.[8] Six pieces, totaling 28 pounds (13 kg), were recovered and examined by scientists, who issued a report. This experience provided information that expanded the contemporary thinking about meteors for many.[9][10]

Despite rocky soil, farmers in town grew apples, onions, and potatoes. Grist, cider, lumber, and fulling mills were built. The town had nine manufacturers by 1850, but two decades later only the Bradley Edge Tool Company still thrived. That factory burned down in 1911.[11]

Unlike other nearby towns, Weston never had a railroad built through it, which stifled the development of non-agricultural businesses. Between the Civil War and the Great Depression, the town's population dropped from approximately 1,000 to a low of 670, by 1930. Artists, writers, and actors from New York became attracted to the community in the 1930s and began settling in it. Construction of the Merritt Parkway, which arrived to the south of Weston in 1938, resulted in further population growth.[11]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 20.7 square miles (54 km2), of which 19.8 square miles (51 km2) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km2), or 4.39%, is water.

The Saugatuck River begins to the north in Redding. It flows through the town and ends in Long Island Sound in neighboring Westport.

Weston is bordered by Westport to the south, Wilton to the west, Redding to the north, Easton to the east, and Fairfield to the southeast.

Principal communities

Other minor communities and geographic areas are Devil's Den, Norfield, Upper Parish, and Valley Forge.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
17902,469—
18002,6808.5%
18102,618−2.3%
18202,7675.7%
18302,9978.3%
18402,561−14.5%
18501,056−58.8%
18601,1175.8%
18701,054−5.6%
1880918−12.9%
1890772−15.9%
19008408.8%
1910831−1.1%
1920703−15.4%
1930670−4.7%
19401,05357.2%
19501,98888.8%
19604,039103.2%
19707,41783.6%
19808,28411.7%
19908,6484.4%
200010,03716.1%
201010,1791.4%
202010,3541.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
See also: List of Connecticut locations by per capita income

As of the 2010 census,[13] there were 10,025 people, 3,289 households, and 2,811 families residing in the town. The population density was 506.0 inhabitants per square mile (195.4/km2). There were 3,629 housing units at an average density of 178.4 per square mile (68.9/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 95.75% White, 0.88% African American, 0.11% Native American, 1.94% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.05% of the population.

There were 3,289 households, out of which 49.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.4% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.1% were non-families. 11.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.28.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 31% under the age of 18, 4% from 18 to 24, 31% from 25 to 49, 23% from 50 to 64, and 11% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.

As of 2017, the median income for a household in the town was $219,868. Males had a median income of $168,472 versus $103,345 for females. The per capita income for the town was $95,534. About 2.6% of the population were below the poverty line.[14]

In 2019, The National Council for Home Safety and Security ranked Weston the 4th safest town in the state of Connecticut. The National Council for Home Safety and Security ranked the safest towns and cities in Connecticut based on the most recent FBI Uniform Crime Report statistics and population sizes.[15]

Government
Entrance to Town Hall

Like many other New England towns, the government of Weston consists of the Town Meeting, and elective and appointive boards. First among the elective boards is the Board of Selectmen. Samantha Nestor is the First Selectwoman. By charter, the First Selectman is the Chief Executive and Administrative Officer of the town. The town's legislative powers are divided between the Board of Selectmen and the Town Meeting. Among other elective boards are the Board of Education, the Board of Finance, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and the Board of Police Commissioners.[16]

On August 19, 2021, Martin Mohabeer became the first African-American to become a member of the Board of Selectmen when the Board voted to appoint him to fill a vacant seat. His subsequent election to a new two year term in November 2021 marked the first time an African-American was elected in Weston.

In the 2008 presidential election, Weston residents voted for Democrat Barack Obama with 62.21%. Republican John McCain received 37.33%.[17] In 2016, Democrat Hillary Clinton carried Weston over Republican Donald Trump.[18]

Budget and taxes

For the fiscal year of 2023-2024, the Town of Weston’s net budget is about $80-million. About 73% of the town’s budget is spent on the Weston Public Schools.[19] Weston raises taxes on the basis of property value. With real estate assessed at 70% of market value, the mill rate evolved as follows:

Fiscal year Mill rate
2004–2005 24.07*
2005–2006 26.21*
2005–2007 27.04*
2007–2008 27.81*
2008–2009 28.58*
2009–2010 28.90*
2010–2011 29.21*
2011–2012 29.31*
Fiscal year Mill rate
2012–2013 29.41*
2013–2014 29.25*
2014–2015 30.02*
2015–2016 30.48*
2016–2017 30.36*
2017-2018 30.73*
2018-2019 31.24*
2019-2020 32.37[20]
Fiscal year Mill rate
2020–2021 32.37[21]
2021–2022 32.92[22]
2022–2023 32.97[23]
2023–2024 33.06[24]

To make the mill rates comparable, the asterisked numbers are adjusted to account for the real estate revaluation of 2018-2019. The revaluation decreased the grand list by 6.3 percent.[25] The numbers for 2013-2014 and prior years are also adjusted for revaluations in 2014 and 2009, respectively.[26][27]

Town Center

Commercial development in Weston is limited to the Town Center area located at the intersection of Weston Road and Norfield Road. The Town Center contains a grocery store, community bank, liquor store, casual restaurant, dry cleaner, realtor, gas station, pharmacy and a post office.[28][29]

On the National Register of Historic Places

Education
Weston Intermediate School entrance

There are four public schools in the Weston Public Schools district,[30] all located on School Road:

  • Weston High School (WHS) – grades 9–12, with about 800 students. Most Weston High School (WHS) seniors go on to attend selective colleges and universities. Recently the high school underwent a significant building expansion, which included construction of a new science department and playing fields. The high school auditorium was also updated in 2008.
  • Weston Middle School (WMS) – grades 6–8, with about 600 students.
  • Weston Intermediate School (WIS) – grades 3–5, with about 600 students. The school opened in September 2005 as the town's newest school.
  • Hurlbutt Elementary School (HES) – pre-kindergarten-grade 2, with about 600 students

In June 2012, 24/7 Wall St. ranked Weston as the second wealthiest school district in the United States.[31]

In 2013 and 2014, U.S. News & World Report ranked Weston High School as the third best high school in Connecticut and the 240th best high school in the United States.[32]

Weston High School was awarded the gold medal for its high level of student performance. The methodology of ranking this honor is based on student performance on standardized tests as well as participation in Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. AP programs are offered across a variety of subject matters, with sixty percent of WHS students participating.

In August 2015, Newsweek ranked Weston High School number 47 for America's Top High Schools in the country, public and private.[33]

In August 2015, Weston High School was ranked the best in the state and 47th best in the country according to a survey conducted by Newsweek magazine. Each year, the magazine ranks the top 500 high schools in the country based on which institutions do the best job of preparing students for college. According to the study, Weston High School has a 97.2% college enrollment rate, a 100% graduation rate, an AP/IB/Dual Enrollment Composite of 73, a weighted SAT/ACT score composite of 69.4, a student retention rate of 91.7% and a counselor-to-student ratio of 1:156. In addition, the average SAT score at Weston High School is 1784, the average ACT score is 26.6, and the average AP test score is 3.87. [[34]

In April 2019, U.S. News & World Report ranked Weston High School second best high school in the state and 169th best high school in the country out of 17,245 high schools ranked. In addition, Weston High School was also ranked 65th in STEM High Schools with a town graduation rate of 100%. U.S. News gave Weston a scorecard of 99.02% out of a possible 100. The Best High Schools rankings identify the country's top-performing public high schools. The goal is to provide a clear, unbiased picture of how well public schools serve all of their students—from the highest to lowest achieving—in preparing them to demonstrate proficiency in basic skills as well as readiness for college-level work.[35]

The Connecticut State Department of Education has ranked the Weston schools in District Reference Group A (formerly the Educational Reference Group A), the nine most affluent and low-need-for-extra-assistance districts among the 162 school districts in Connecticut.[36]

Several pre-schools in town are run by various churches, including Emmanuel Nursery School and Norfield Nursery School.

Parks

The landscape of Weston is characterized by open spaces. Almost one quarter of the town is permanently devoted to open space use,[37] including:

  • Devil's Den Preserve, with a wide variety of flora and fauna, and with a 20-mile (32 km) trail system that connects with the extended 70-mile (110 km) Saugatuck Valley Trails System;
  • Bisceglie Park, with baseball fields, a swimming hole, a two-mile (3 km) jogging trail and fitness stations, along the west branch of the Saugatuck River;[38]
  • Morehouse Farm Park, with eight, partially overlapping ball fields;[39]
  • Sixteen preserves of the Aspetuck Land Trust, for a total of 645 acres (2.61 km2), scattered all around town;[40]
  • Katherine Ordway Preserve, with 62 acres (250,000 m2) of woodland, three miles (5 km) of trails and an arboretum;[41]
  • Keene Park, with 6 acres (24,000 m2), with a small playground and park is along the each branch of the Saugatuck River;[41]
  • Lachat Town Farm
  • Open land around the Saugatuck Reservoir, with trails and opportunities for fishing.[42]

Politics
Weston town vote
by party in presidential elections[43]
Year Democratic Republican Third Parties
2020 72.57% 4,733 25.76% 1,680 1.03% 234
2016 66.65% 3,807 28.59% 1,633 4.76% 272
2012 53.27% 2,947 45.84% 2,536 0.89% 49
2008 62.21% 3,571 37.33% 2,143 0.46% 26
2004 55.90% 3,136 42.96% 2,410 1.14% 64
2000 52.07% 2,767 43.88% 2,332 4.05% 215
1996 46.69% 2,252 45.97% 2,217 7.34% 354
1992 41.56% 2,306 42.65% 2,366 15.79% 876
1988 37.89% 1,901 61.43% 3,082 0.68% 34
1984 32.68% 1,639 66.92% 3,356 0.40% 20
1980 23.73% 1,117 59.91% 2,820 16.36% 770
1976 36.55% 1,608 63.06% 2,774 0.39% 17
1972 36.73% 1,500 62.24% 2,542 1.03% 42
1968 38.14% 1,246 59.35% 1,939 2.51% 82
1964 57.36% 1,473 42.64% 1,095 0.00% 0
1960 30.51% 655 69.49% 1,492 0.00% 0
1956 26.41% 455 73.59% 1,268 0.00% 0
Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 26, 2021[44]
Party Active voters Inactive voters Total voters Percentage
Democratic 2,902 273 3,175 39.51%
Republican 1,455 158 1,613 20.07%
Unaffiliated 2,873 303 3,130 38.95%
Minor parties 104 14 118 1.47%
Total 7,288 748 8,036 100%

Notable people

Notes

    References
    1. "U.S. Census Bureau". Retrieved July 28, 2023.
    2. "Town of Weston". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
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    4. "Weston, Connecticut named the 6th safest town in America". Weston Connecticut. April 24, 2017. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
    5. "Two acre residential and farming district" (PDF). Zoning regulations. Town of Weston. June 12, 2008. pp. 9–14. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
    6. "Weston - Connecticut History | a CTHumanities Project". Connecticut History | a CTHumanities Project - Stories about the people, traditions, innovations, and events that make up Connecticut's rich history. October 31, 2011. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
    7. The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly. Connecticut Magazine Company. 1903. p. 335.
    8. "The Weston Meteorite" (PDF). lpi.usra.edu.
    9. Lerner, Edward M. (November 2009). "Rock! Bye-Bye, Baby". Analog. New York, NY: Dell Magazines. p. 43.
    10. The Weston Meteorite | Meteorites and Planetary Science: Collections: Yale Peabody Museum. Peabody.yale.edu. Retrieved on 2013-08-16.
    11. Radomsky, Rosalie R., "If You're Thinking of Living in: Weston", Real Estate section, The New York Times, March 15, 1992, accessed October 27, 2007
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    13. "Community Facts — [Weston, Connecticut] — Population — 2010 Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
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    19. "Annual Town Budget Meeting, Fiscal Year 2023-2024". Town of Weston. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    20. "What happened in the process of developing FY'20's budgets?". Retrieved June 30, 2019. Board of Finance sets FY'20 mill rate: 32.37
    21. "No Mill Rate Increase, Budgets Approved". Weston Today. June 9, 2020. Retrieved June 16, 2020. In a 4–3 vote on Thursday evening, Weston's Board of Finance left the mill rate unchanged and approved the Town and Board of Education operating budget requests as presented.
    22. "Town of Weston, Budget History". Town of Weston. May 6, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
    23. "Update: Mill Rate". Weston Today. May 10, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
    24. "Finance Board Sets Mill Rate". Weston Today. May 6, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    25. "Grand List Falls". Retrieved February 10, 2019. After a 2018 town-wide revaluation, Weston's Grand List — the total taxable value of properties in town — has fallen 6.3 percent, according to figures presented to the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance at a joint meeting on January 28th. The unadjusted mill rates are: 28.24 (2014-2015), 28.67 (2015-2016), 28.56 (2016-2017), 28.91 (2017-2018), and 29.39 (2018-2019).
    26. The 2014 revaluation caused a 12.43 percent decrease in the grand list. Source: The Weston Forum, 2014-01-30, 2013 grand list shrinks by 12.43%. The unadjusted mill rates are: 23.61 (2009-2010), 23.86 (2010-2011), 23.94 (2011-2012), 24.02 (2012-2013), and 23.89 (2013-2014).
    27. "Because of [the 2009] revaluation, the grand list (the total assessed value of taxable property in town) will change by 3.67%. However, the 'normalized' grand list – what the change would have been if the town had not done a revaluation this year – is just a 0.75% increase." Source: The Weston Forum, 2009-02-05, Officials expect the mill rate to dip. The 2.92 percent adjustment is the difference between 3.67 percent and 0.75 percent. The unadjusted mill rates are: 20.25 (2004-2005), 22.05 (2005-2006), 22.75 (2006-2007), 23.39 (2007-2008), and 24.05 (2008-2009).
    28. "Weston, CT - About Weston". www.westonct.gov. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
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    33. "Weston Ranks in Top 50 of the Nation's Best High Schools". August 19, 2015.
    34. "America's Top High Schools". Newsweek. August 19, 2015.
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    37. "Forever Green". About Weston. Town of Weston. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
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    40. "Weston Maps". Aspetuck Land Trust. Archived from the original on May 21, 2006. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
    41. Radomsky, Rosalie (March 15, 1992). "If You're Thinking of Living in: Weston". The New York Times. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
    42. "Recreation Program". Aquarion. February 1, 2007. Archived from the original on October 4, 2000. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
    43. "General Elections Statement of Vote 1922".
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    45. Dannatt, Adrian, "Obituary: Paul Cadmus" The Independent of London, February 4, 2000 ("Paul Cadmus, artist: born New York December 17, 1904; died Weston, Connecticut December 19, 1999")
    46. "John J. Curran, 59". WestportNow. July 8, 2013. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
    47. Elder, Janet, "If you're thinking of living in: Weston, Connecticut", article, The New York Times Real Estate section, July 7, 1985, ("Perhaps it is Weston's discreet anonymity that has attracted such entertainment figures as Robert Redford, Bette Davis, Rodney Dangerfield and Brent Musburger, as well as Erica Jong") accessed March 30, 2008
    48. Google cache of Home page, "News Around Our Town" feature, Town of Weston website("World-renowned guitarist, composer, singer, and long-time Weston resident, Jose Feliciano, will perform a benefit concert Sunday"), accessed September 25, 2007
    49. Yarbrough, Tinsley E., "John Marshall Harlan, Great Dissenter of the Warren Court" Oxford University Press, 1992
    50. Kelly, Kevin, "Mariette Hartley takes a turn at Center Stage", article in The Boston Globe, January 23, 1994 ("Hartley was born in Weston, Conn., on June 20, 1940")
    51. Grimes, William (September 2, 2016). "Fred Hellerman, Last of the Weavers Folk Group, Dies at 89". The New York Times. p. A17.
    52. "Transitions: Passings", feature in The San Diego Union-Tribune, July 10, 2005 ("EVAN HUNTER, 78: Also writing under the name Ed McBain, died Wednesday at his home in Weston, Conn."), accessed September 24, 2007
    53. Chamoff, Lisa, "Eartha Kitt no stranger to local stages", The Advocate of Stamford, Connecticut, December 26, 2008, retrieved same day ("Eartha Kitt, who moved to Weston in 2002"); Thomas, Jack, "The importance of being Eartha", article, The Boston Globe, August 11, 2005 ("WESTON, Conn. – Waiting for Eartha Kitt in her living room [...]"), accessed September 24, 2007
    54. Google Books page for Sagolla, Lisa Jo, The Girl Who Fell Down: A Biography of Joan McCracken, published 2003, UPNE, ISBN 1-55553-573-9 page 160 ("Lawrence Langner and his wife, Armina Marshall. Residing in the nearby town of Weston, Connecticut, Langner and Marshall purchased "), accessed September 25, 2007
    55. Jayne Moore (2005). "Hit Writer/Producer Billy Mann Discusses His Hits With Pink, Jessica Simpson And Other Artists". Songwriter Universe. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
      Shirley Halperin (January 6, 2011). "Billy Mann Named President of Creative at BMG North America". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
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