WestonArts Receives $50,000 from Daniel E. Offutt III Charitable Trust
Top row (L-R): Christine Walder, Sally Eiler, and Adria Belport. Bottom row (L-R): Aline Weiller, Allison Lisbon, Cindy Wagner, Casey Lerner, Patricia Perez-Goodrich, Susan Young, Erin Gorman. Not pictured: Marc Fontaine, Hanna Przada, Debbie Rehr, Amy Borowik, and Agata Tria. Contributed Photo by Veronica Hauresz. WestonArts, Inc. WestonArts, Inc. (westonarts.org), announced the award of a $50,000 grant from the Daniel E. Offutt III Charitable Trust. WestonArts (WA) is grateful for this significant grant and similar gifts provided by the Trust in past years. In 2017, WestonArts received a $104,000 grant from the Daniel E. Offutt III Charitable Trust that funds WestonArts Scholarships ‒ annual awards for graduating Weston High School seniors to support their continuing education in the arts. This additional $50,000 grant will enable the creation of the “WestonArts Offutt Enrichment Fund,” and will be applied towards the organization’s mission to support and develop the arts in Weston.
Daniel E. Offutt lived in Weston for over three decades in a home he built. This property proudly displayed many of his own large, beautiful, steel sculptures. He had a career as a stockbroker after obtaining an MBA from Columbia University in 1965. Richard Orenstein, trustee of the Offutt Charitable Trust, said of Daniel, “Those who knew him would remember him as a tennis player, traveler, sailor, metal sculptor, woodworker, fixer of anything, collector of everything, lover of projects, stock market investor, and good friend.”
Specifically, the “WestonArts Offutt Enrichment Fund” will provide need-based financial support to Weston youth to pursue advancement and enrichment in all facets of the arts. Providing need-based grants has been a critical part of WA’s mission since its formation in 2005. WA partners with the Town of Weston Social Services Department, led by Allison Lisbon, Director of Social Services. Ms. Lisbon identifies youth in need of financial support for art-based education, instrument rentals, and event and program participation fees.
“WestonArts is thrilled to be the recipient of this generous gift which specifically supports our organization’s vision. The newly established fund will help countless students pursue artistic education without bearing a prohibitive financial burden. The fund will nurture the arts in Weston and, in turn, benefit our community at large. Art stimulates the imagination, opens the heart and mind to possibilities, and fuels the soul,” said Patricia Perez-Goodrich, WestonArts Chair.
To make these arts-based enrichment opportunities as impactful as possible, WestonArts also facilitates reduced rates for classes, rental services, and instruction with educational institutions and individual artists. Some of the generous organizations WA has partnered with include: The Westport Country Playhouse, The American Classical Orchestra, Suzuki School of Music, The Dance Academy of Westport, The Music Shed with David Morgan, The School of Rock in Fairfield, MOCA Westport, the Wilton Dance Studio, Jodi Stevens Bryce (voice lessons), SBE Performance & Productions, Leslie Giuliani (art classes), and Westport-based Atelier Constantin Popescu music instrument rentals. Individuals or organizations interested in partnering with this community effort or joining WestonArts, should contact info@westonarts.org.
In addition to raising funds for local scholarships and grants, WA also supports the arts in many other meaningful ways, including hosting events such as this past July’s first Weston Fine Arts Festival held in partnership with Gordon Fine Arts. The festival featured over 100 fine art vendors, along with a full weekend of live entertainment performed by a talented array of local performers including José Feliciano.
“WestonArts pulled off a Herculean feat with the first annual Weston Fine Arts Festival. With the Offutt Trust as one of its sponsors, the organization gathered willing volunteers and orchestrated an upbeat outing that simultaneously built community and celebrated the arts.” said Samantha Nestor, Weston First Selectwoman.
Additional updates regarding WestonArts, its members, and the organization’s endeavors can be found in the WestonArts Spotlight, a new column in Weston Today featuring WestonArts news and happenings.
Through the years, WestonArts, a 100% volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, has raised and disbursed over $600,000 in funds to support its mission in the arts. The Daniel E. Offutt III Charitable Trust’s generous grant to WestonArts will enrich the community of Weston well into the future.
Governor Enacts Executive Order for Retired Teachers as Shortages Continue
Governor Ned Lamont’s Office: Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has signed an executive order related to the COVID-19 emergency declarations (Executive Order No. 14E) that modifies certain state laws in order to provide school districts with greater flexibility to address the current teacher shortage caused by the recent spike in COVID-19 infections by relaxing certain statutory limits on the availability of retired teachers.
The order takes two actions:
It allows school boards to reemploy or continue to employ retired teachers, even if they reached the maximum limit permitted under state law while receiving retirement benefits by excluding the period between July 1, 2021, and February 15, 2022, from the salary determination.
It modifies certain statutes that allow school districts to hire retired teachers for a maximum of two school years in districts designated as a subject shortage area or identified as a priority school district by excluding the period between July 1, 2021, and February 15, 2022, from being included when calculating that two-year maximum eligibility period.
“This executive order is a critical step to providing much-needed resources to ensure we keep students in the classroom and provide them with an in-person education,” Governor Lamont said. “We are fortunate to have retired teachers available to provide some relief for their colleagues who continue to do great work for school children across our state. We will continue to utilize all tools at our disposal to provide for a safe and meaningful classroom education for students.”
Free, Volunteer Tax Assistance Program Begins January 24th
From the Town of Westport Department of Human Services: The Department of Human Services has announced that it is once again offering the no cost, full-service AARP/VITA/IRS Volunteer Tax Assistance Program, with special attention to seniors and low to moderate income households, via on-site personal counseling by appointment at Town Hall or Westport’s Center for Senior Activities or virtually through a secure internet site.
On-site counseling at Town Hall will be available on Mondays from 1-7pm and at Westport’s Center for Senior Activities on Wednesdays from 9am- 4pm and Thursdays 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm starting January 24, 2022 and ending April 15, 2022. Appointments are required and can be made by calling 860-590-8910. The virtual option can be accessed via https://simplifyct.org .
The free Tax Assistance Program is the nation’s largest, free volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service and is available to all individual filers regardless of income or age. During the last full tax season across the nation some 65,000 IRS-certified volunteers provided this service at more than 9,000 sites. Some three and a half million taxpayer returns were prepared and filed via this service throughout the country. In Connecticut about 52,000 federal returns were processed, in addition to an equal number of State returns and many amended filings from prior years.
More than 5,000 of these returns were prepared and filed – almost all electronically - by the counselor group that services the Town of Westport. Federal refunds totaling $4,500,000 were received by these clients, more than 80% of which were from tax credits such as for education and earned income.
Before starting either the on-site or virtual filings taxpayers must have the following types of information available:
Identity Documentation
Government Issued Photo ID.
Social Security or ITIN numbers for all taxpayers and dependents.
Bank account/routing numbers (blank check preferable), if expecting a refund.
All 2021 income report forms received
SSA1099 if you were paid Social Security benefits.
W-2(s) from your employer(s).
W-2G from gambling winnings.
1099G from unemployment compensation payments.
1099s: Bank interest, stock dividends, retirement distributions, broker statements.
Other Important Documents
If itemizing deductions, receipts for expenses such as taxes paid (real estate, vehicle) and charitable contributions; and verification of the original purchase price of sold assets (home, stocks).
Form 1095-A if health insurance was from the Access Health Connecticut Marketplace.
Verification if applicable, including notices from the IRS, of stimulus payments and/or advanced Child Tax Credits received.
And preferably, for Reference, A Copy of last year’s (TY 2020) Return
Many of the same IRS-Certified volunteers who have been serving the Town of Westport’s sties for years will be available to prepare taxpayer returns; Westport Human Services and the Center for Senior Activities are pleased to again partner with these IRS-certified preparers to offer this valuable service to the community.
Tax Amnesty Program Ceases with January’s End
From the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services: The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services’ (DRS) 2021 Tax Amnesty program offering individuals and businesses the opportunity to pay back taxes at a reduced interest rate and no penalties will end January 31, 2022.
Launched November 1, 2021, the program offers a 75% reduction in interest and waives penalties and the possibility of criminal prosecution to those who have not filed, have under-reported or have existing liabilities related to taxes owed to the State for any tax period ending on or before December 31, 2020.
“Many Connecticut taxpayers have already taken advantage of the benefits of the Tax Amnesty program, but time is running out. Those who owe the state money, still have a way to get right. This is a true lifeline for many,” said Department of Revenue Services Commissioner Mark Boughton.
“Taxes paid to the Department of Revenue Services support critical functions, and flow directly to all of our communities in the form of roads, schools, parks, healthcare, and other state-sponsored programs,” stated Commissioner Boughton. “It is the responsibility of every single citizen and business to pay their fair share. Those who don’t will be subject to penalties, paying full interest and could face criminal prosecution. The time to act is now.”
Taxpayers seeking amnesty can access all program information, including a link to myconneCT, the secure online payment portal, via the Tax Amnesty program website at GetRightCT.com. Tax Amnesty applications must be filed electronically, and payment made in full by January 31, 2022. Once Tax Amnesty ends taxpayers will be liable for the full tax, penalty, and interest on any amount owed.
All taxes administered by the Connecticut DRS, except for Connecticut motor carrier road tax (IFTA), are eligible for Tax Amnesty.
For more information about the program and application requirements, visit GetRightCT.com. Also, stay up to date on this and other programs and services offered by DRS on Facebook.com/CTDRS or Twitter.com/CTDRS.
About the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services
The mission of the Department of Revenue Services is to instill public confidence in the integrity and fairness of tax collection; achieve the highest level of voluntary taxpayer compliance; continuously improve agency performance; contribute to the fiscal and economic well-being of the state; and provide a positive and professional workplace.