Your Top 5 in Town News

An easy to digest digest of Town News, served monthly (with a hefty helping this month).

1 - Changes to the Transfer Station:
Pay As You Throw Begins October 1st

Bags at local retailers September 18th

Visit WestonMA.gov/PAYT to find information on this new household trash program, known as PAYT. The program works similarly to other resources - you pay for what you use. It is a more equitable operation for all users of the Transfer Station and is an excellent opportunity to be more proactive in reducing household consumption, reusing what can be reused, and recycling as much as possible.

Abbreviated points of PAYT:

• access to the Transfer Station will be free - all households are eligible for two free permit stickers
• all household trash will need to go into the specific PAYT trash bag that will be available for purchase at local retailers
• recycling, yard waste, and composting remains free and does not go into the special trash bag - find more of what you can keep out of the trash bag at WestonMA.gov/RSW
• the PAYT bags are available in two sizes - 15-gallon ($2) and 30-gallon ($4) - in rolls of 10 and at local retailers

New Users of the Transfer Station

If you are new to town (welcome!) or have been around for a while and are interested in using the facility, it's easy to get yourself a permit (or two). Print off the Permit Application (PDF) and deliver it along with your vehicle registration information to the Treasurer/Collector's Office at Town Hall, either in person, by mail, or drop it off in the secure drop box outside of Town Hall. 

Find more information at WestonMA.gov/TSPermits

Swap Shed Reopens

Starting on September 18th, the Swap Shed at the Transfer Station will reopen from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. as a volunteer-run operation. If you are interested in helping run the Swap Shed, find more details at Volunteer Opportunities.

2 - Stewardship Saturdays

Join the Weston Conservation Department and Weston Forest and Trail Association (WFTA) on the third Saturday of every month for stewardship and camaraderie as we work collaboratively to manage nearly 2,000 acres of conservation land and over 90 miles of off-road trails in Weston. Both organizations rely on volunteers to assist with the management of these incredible resources. Stewardship Saturday projects include invasive plant management, trail construction and maintenance, boardwalk and bridge construction, trash pickup, stone wall beautification, etc.

Inaugural Event - World Cleanup Day - September 18th

Help celebrate World Cleanup Day by kicking off the Stewardship Saturdays Volunteer Program. On Saturday, September 18th, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, WFTA and Conservation will clean out and install new water bars to improve the drainage on select trails in the Highland Forest. Participants will get an overview of the Weston Trail System, which includes over 90 miles of off-road trails, and enjoy some quality time in one of Weston’s natural gems.

Work will take place between Trail Markers E-F in the Highland Street Forest; please contact conservation@westonma.gov for recommendations on parking. We are looking for 10 - 15 volunteers. Children at least 13 years of age must have parental supervision, ages 16+ do not need parents in attendance.

3 - Housing Production Plan Submitted

On September 14, the Select Board and the Planning Board approved Weston's updated Housing Production Plan to be submitted to the state for its consideration. Find the updated document at WestonMA.gov/HPP

Speaking of Affordable Housing....

Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston is hosting a community information meeting on Sept. 28th at 7pm via Zoom to share with residents its plans to create six new homeownership houses at 0 Wellesley Street (corner of Rt. 20 and Wellesley Street). Resident participation and feedback is encouraged.

4 - Tree Advisory Group: Tree Education

Weston's Tree Advisory Group (TAG) has been pretty busy lately pulling together information on trees to help Weston residents understand their importance in the local landscape.

Right Tree, Right Place

Spring and early fall are great times to plant trees. But how to choose? You may have heard the phrase, “right tree, right place”, sounds simple, but too often a tree that is incompatible for its location gets planted and as it matures becomes a big problem. TAG has this helpful guide to assist you with the Right Tree, Right Place.

Town Center Trees

In the summer of 2021 the utility poles came down, and over 80 trees were planted in Weston Center as part of the Town Center Improvement Project.  As they mature, these trees will enhance the beauty of Town Center, provide shade, help regulate temperature, reduce air pollution, absorb stormwater runoff, and support birds and other wildlife. Learn more about some of the over 15 different species of trees that were planted, many of them native to New England ecoregions.

Tree Concerns?

In Weston, the rules governing trees depend on who owns the tree and where it is located.  A patchwork of state and local rules, laws, and regulations can affect one’s ability to remove a tree or trim its branches.  Know before you cut.   Here are a few tips to get started.

5 - Volunteer Opportunities

News items 1 through 4 involved town residents volunteering their time (same with the Town Center project in the Bonus News section), energy and talents to the greater good of the Weston community.

• Pay As You Throw was carefully studied and analyzed by volunteers
• The reopening planning and the staffing of the Swap Shed are the results of volunteer energy
• Members of the Weston Forest and Trail Association put in countless hours toward the stewardship of Weston's 2,000 acres of conservation land; and the Conservation Commission dedicates countless hours towards the protection of wetlands
• The update of the Housing Production Plan stemmed from the determination of volunteers wanting to make a positive impact for the community
• And volunteers sharing educational information and appreciation for trees in order to protect our environment

If you want to give back to Weston and support Weston's Town Government, there are many opportunities available right now:

• Affordable Housing Trust
• Board of Library Trustees
• Finance Committee
• Permanent Building Committee

Let your interest be known! Volunteer today.

BONUS NEWS

Town Center Final Paving - will be starting on Sept. 19th and will be conducted at night. Crews will mobilize starting at 7 p.m. and will begin construction at 8 p.m. to allow for businesses to close. Work will end at 5 a.m. The eastern side of the project will start on Sept. 19th and the western side on Sept. 20th.  Find maps and detour plans at WestonMA.gov/TownCenter

During 2020, when everything was shutting down, the Recreation Department switched over to electronic program brochures. Watch for announcements for when the program brochures are posted online and registration opens.

Save the Date: Special Town Meeting will be held the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 30th, 7pm, at the High School. Looking for more big town event dates? Check out the schedule online.

The warrant for the fall Town Meeting is open until Oct. 1st for Citizens' Petitions.

New projects added to Town Projects: BSA Expansion and 0 Wellesley Street

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