Your Top 5 in Town News

An easy to digest digest of Town Government news - dispensed monthly to keep that inbox trim.

1 - Take the Commuter Survey

Where2Weston.com

In an effort to address traffic congestion and improve commutes for our residents, the Town Planner is investigating shared transportation services and programs that aim to reduce congestion, particularly around commuting hours. An online and paper survey is open now to help the Town Planner understand Weston residents’ typical commuting habits and determine what interest there is in five proposed pilot programs that are being considered. A short video PSA was filmed by Weston Media Center for additional information about the survey.

The survey consists of 16 questions and should take approximately 10-minutes to complete. Paper surveys are available at Town Hall, the Community Center and at the Public Library. The online version is available at Where2Weston.com. The survey closes at the end of January. 

2 - Adopt a Fire Hydrant

When fire hydrants are cleared out right after a snow fall, it can save first-responders invaluable time in potentially life-saving emergencies. Now, residents can help our emergency personnel by adopting a hydrant in which they will be responsible for clearing.

The adoption form is available online and the sponsored hydrant can be renewed annually. To learn more and access the online form, visit the Weston Fire Department's hydrant program web page.

3 - FY21 Budget Development Underway

The Finance Committee will receive the Superintendent's recommended school budget and the Town Manager's recommended operating budget at its meeting on January 23rd. This will begin the committee's weekly, in-depth review of the proposed FY21 operating budget. The anticipated Finance Committee schedule with departments is available on the Town's website. The final schedule will be released through the meeting agendas.

The School Committee received the Superintendent’s recommended budget on January 13th and the Select Board will receive the Town Manager’s recommended budget on January 21st. All budget documents will be posted to the Town's website at Weston.org/Budget when they become available.

Residents interested in the deeper details of the Town’s operating budget are encouraged to attend the Finance Committee discussions and review, as well as the meetings of the Select Board and School Committee when the budgets will be discussed. All of these meetings are open to the public and are posted on the Town’s online meeting calendar. Residents can subscribe to receive email/text notifications of when these meeting are posted as well as receive notifications when agendas are posted for the three committees at Weston.org/StayInformed. Weston Media Center will also be video recording the three committees' meetings and posting them online.

4 - Living with Coyotes

John Maguranis, of Project Coyote, will be in Weston on February 6th to discuss the habits and behaviors, and  dispel myths and misunderstandings, of our wild neighbors living among us. Learn how you can coexist with this misunderstood animal and develop an appreciation for it while keeping your family, your pets, and the coyotes safe. This special presentation will be held at the Weston Police Department at 6:00 p.m. and is hosted by the Animal Control Officer.

5 - Run for Elected Office. Get Nominated at the Town Caucus

Weston's Town Government is supported by many volunteer boards and committees, a number of which are elected by Weston voters. The Annual Town Caucus is where residents who wish to run for an elected office are nominated to be placed on the ballot for the Town Election in May. The Caucus this year will be held Tuesday, March 10th at 7:00 p.m. in the Weston Public Library.

Offices with membership up for election are:

• Select Board (1 seat)
• School Committee (1 seat)
• Moderator
• Planning Board (1 seat)
• Board of Assessors (2 seats)
• Recreation Commission (3 seats)
• Board of Library Trustees (3 seats)
• Board of Health (1 seat)
• Commissioners of Trust Funds (1 seat)
• Measurers of Lumber (3 seats)

Visit the Town's website to find more information on the duties and responsibilities for each elected office and the Annual Town Caucus process.

REMINDERS

Town Hall has evening hours on Tuesdays:
Mon., Wed., Thur.: 8-5
Tues.: 8-7
Fri.: 8-12:30

Check your mail or go online: the Annual Census is due and Dog Licenses have expired - both are required to be filed with the Town Clerk.

New voting location: the polling locations for precincts 1 & 2 have moved to Town Hall. The next election is the State Primary on March 3rd. Precincts 3 & 4 remain at St. Demetrios on Brown Street - please do not enter the church. Follow signs indicating the voting area in the building.

Mark your calendars:
Feb. 12th: Deadline to register to vote or change your party enrollment
March 3rd: Presidential Primary
March 10th: Annual Town Caucus (see above)
April 17th: last day to register to vote for the Town Election and Town Meeting
May 9th: Town Election
May 11th: Annual Town Meeting

Town Center Improvement Project - crews are wrapping sub-surface work and connections as project management shifts focus to the upcoming sidewalk and road surface work. Project info at Weston.org/TownCenter. Receive weekly updates by subscribing at Weston.org/StayInformed

40B Updates

• 751-761 Boston Post Road/Modera Weston - public hearings continue with Zoning Board of Appeals. Next hearing is Jan. 27th
• 518 South Ave./Hanover Weston - still in the Housing Appeals Court. Town Planner testimony received
• 104 Boston Post Road/Stony Brook - still in the Housing Appeals Court, City of Cambridge has joined Weston's ZBA

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