In this issue:

1. Annual Town Election and Town Meeting - The dates have been called and the process will be different.

2. Vote by Mail/Absentee Voting - the safest and convenient way to cast your ballot during the public health emergency

3. Weston Ahead - join the conversation in planning for Weston's sustainable and resilient future

4. An Updated FY21 Recommended Operating Budget - a compromise just may have been reached

5 - Volunteer, Weston! - your town needs you

BONUS NEWS &
REMINDERS

PLEASE SHARE!!

Your Top 5 in Town News

An easy to digest digest of Town Government news, served monthly.

1. Annual Town Election and Annual Town Meeting - Save the Dates

These two events are annually held in May but were postponed due to uncertainty from the growing public health concerns surrounding the coronavirus, as well as economic uncertainty that could impact the fiscal year 2021 operating budget. With more clarity and guidance from the state, the Select Board called for both to be held in September, after Labor Day weekend.

The Annual Town Election will be held on Thursday, September 10th; however, voters can request a Vote by Mail application to avoid in-person voting on the 10th. The deadline to submit the application is September 3rd by 5:00 p.m. For residents who want to cast their ballot on the day of the election, please note the following:

if you are sick or under quarantine, you need to request a vote by mail or absentee ballot; please do not attend in person
all precincts report to the Town Hall Auditorium
a facial covering (e.g. mask, neck gaiter) is required
expect longer than usual wait times, including the possibility of waiting outside, due to social distancing and other public health modifications to the polling space
polls are open from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Annual Town Meeting will be held on Saturday, September 12th at 3:00 p.m. on Proctor Field at the Weston High School. The proceeding will be conducted outside. Special accommodations will be made to assist physically challenged voters needing to travel between the parking lot and the field. Details will be available in the Warrant and Budget Book, as well as future announcements. Residents who are sick or who are under quarantine are asked not to attend in the interest of public safety. Facial coverings will be required. If needed, the rain date is Sunday the 13th.

Residents who participate in either the Town Election or Town Meeting must be registered to vote in Weston. The deadline to register for both is August 31st.

For additional information on the Town Election, please visit Weston.org/TownElection. The Town Meeting warrant (agenda) will be posted shortly to Weston.org/TownMeeting (which will also be updated) and will be mailed to every household.

2. More on the Vote by Mail/Absentee Application and Ballots

To receive a ballot in the mail for the September 1st State Primary and/or the September 10th Annual Town Election, you will need to submit a Vote by Mail Application. By selecting "All 2020 Elections," you will be covered for the primary and Town Election, as well as the Presidential Election in November. The application is available online for download or through the Town Clerk's office by calling 781-786-5010 to have one sent to your home. The deadline to submit the application for the state primary ballot is August 26th by 5:00 p.m. and for Town Election September 3rd by 5:00 p.m.

Residents who want to physically deliver their application or ballot rather than mailing it can drop it (within the supplied envelope) in the secured drop box next to the double-glass doors at Town Hall. The box is checked throughout the day. Applications are due by the deadlines listed above. Ballots for the Primary should be dropped off before Sept. 1st by 8:00 p.m. and for the Town Election before Sept. 10th by 2:00 p.m.

If you have already submitted an absentee or municipal election mail-in ballot application, you do not need to resubmit an application. For additional information on mail-in voting, please visit the Town News section at Weston.org.

In-person voting will be available for the remaining 2020 elections; however, voters should anticipate a longer than usual wait time due to required physical distancing and other health protection measures due to the ongoing public health emergency. In-person early voting will be available for the State Primary but not the Town Election. Residents who want to vote in person but are sick or are under quarantine, are asked to submit a mail-in ballot application in the interest of public safety.

3. Introducing, Weston Ahead

Weston is committed to a sustainable future. As we face the surging threats of climate change, it’s clear that our Town needs to take bold action in the face of the climate crisis. That action is Weston Ahead.

Weston Ahead will start with a Climate Action and Resilience Plan. We’ll take a look at what aspects of the town are most vulnerable to climate change, how we are contributing to a changing climate, and what opportunities we have for positive change – as residents, students, organizations and town government. To learn more about the planning process, visit westonahead.org.

Make your voice heard! We need input from Weston residents and business owners to identify your highest priority for climate action and resilience. Is it bike lanes, energy efficient buildings, composting, land use management, or something else? Take our online survey by August 28th to share your input.

4. An Updated FY21 Recommended Operating Budget

Given economic uncertainty in the face of the ongoing public health emergency, the Finance Committee and the Select Board have held many budget discussions since April. At the July 28th Select Board meeting, a consensus on how to move forward appears to have been achieved between the Finance Committee and the Select Board, and the recommended operating budget will be presented to residents at the Sept. 12th Annual Town Meeting for final approval. The revised budget and the approved 1/12th budgets for July and August can be found at Weston.org/Budget

On July 30th, Town Officials learned that annual local aid from the state to the town and the schools will be level-funded and not decreased.

5. Volunteer Opportunities

The Select Board would like to hear from Weston residents wishing to serve on the Town’s Housing Production Plan Steering Committee to assist the Town in updating its Housing Production Plan for affordable housing. Two at-large positions are open. Additional information and application online.

Bark Ranger - The Town of Weston is actively seeking volunteers to assist the Conservation Commission and the Animal Control Officer in spreading awareness of the Town’s rules and regulations for dogs and dog owners. Volunteer responsibilities will include hiking our trails, greeting visitors at a trail head, engaging and educating visitors about their dog walking habits, and collecting data, all while modeling good dog walking behavior. Additional information and application online.

BONUS NEWS

The next hearing for 751-761 Boston Post Road is Aug. 11th at 7:00 p.m.
The Notice of Intent wetlands permit hearing with the Conservation Commission for 518 South Ave. was continued due to weather-related issues. It'll be held August 18th at 7:30 p.m.
The Traffic & Sidewalk Committee will be meeting on Aug. 19th at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the Rt. 30 improvement "complete streets" project

REMINDER

Weston's Emergency Management Team urges residents to not get complacent with the ongoing public health emergency. Despite Massachusetts numbers dropping over the last two months, there is now some wavering with the numbers in the wrong direction. It is important to remain vigilant in preventing the spread of the coronavirus.

Continue reviewing Weston.org/Covid19 for the latest updates and reminders. Also, check Mass.gov Covid-19 to find information on the state's travel order and the updated safe states list (goodbye Rhode Island).