Dear Canton Residents,

Season’s Greetings!

As 2017 draws to a close, I want to thank the community for its support of the Year of Mental Wellness and the Call to Action calendar. We have shared information about the widespread opioid crisis, stress relief, healthier eating, community connectedness, suicide prevention, and other topics. The Mental Health Task Force, comprised of stakeholders from throughout the community, is facilitated by the Farmington Valley Health District, and I am grateful for their dedication to this project. The Task Force meets regularly, and with great enthusiasm recently decided to continue the Call to Action, with its focus on good mental health practices and addiction prevention. Therefore, the Year of Mental Wellness is now an ongoing initiative, and you will continue to see updates from the Mental Health Task Force throughout the coming year.

Shifting to another important topic, as we do every year, Canton will begin 2018 with the Annual Town Meeting. In accordance with the charter, this meeting is held on the 3rd Wednesday of January each year. This year’s topic will be a presentation by the Parks and Recreation Commission on their new Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The commission has been undertaking this project for many months and is presently concluding the final version of the Plan. This will be the public’s opportunity to learn about the content of the Plan, its vision for recreation facilities in Canton, and to ask questions and give input. I hope you will mark your calendars now and plan to attend.

Looking ahead, planning for the 2018-2019 town budget is already underway. There will be opportunities for public input throughout the spring months, and I will send reminders of important meeting dates. Please also watch the town website (www.townofcantonct.org) for updates and reminders.

I wish you and your families a holiday season filled with good health and good cheer, and all the best in the New Year.

Best Regards,
Leslee B. Hill
First Selectman