Your Top 5 in Town News

The Top 5 is back; an easy digest of Town News that is served monthly.

1 - Know the Issues: Annual Town Election & Town Meeting

In-Person Voting 

The Annual Town Election will occur on May 7, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Weston Town Hall Auditorium. All precincts will report to Weston Town Hall to vote. Learn more about the candidates by visiting: WestonMA.gov/TownElection

Vote by Absentee Ballot

Absentee ballots are currently the only option to vote by mail.  The deadline to submit the application is Tuesday, May 3, 2022, by 5:00 p.m.

lease note, that once your ballot is submitted, it cannot be changed for any reason. Applications are available for download but any written request is acceptable if it has your signature on it. For absentee ballots, a member of your family may also make the request on your behalf. The absentee ballot application form is now available in a fillable PDF format. 

Annual Town Meeting

2022 Annual Town Meeting will be held on Monday, May 9th at the Weston High School Auditorium at 7 p.m. The 2nd night (if necessary) is scheduled for May 11th from 7 p.m.

Electronic voting handsets will be in use. All Town Meeting business will physically take place in the Auditorium. The Gymnasium will be available for additional seating and for residents who would like to maintain social distancing.

Whether you are a seasoned Town Meeting goer or new to the process; learn more about the articles and the procedure, visit WestonMA.gov/TownMeeting

2 - Celebrate Weston

To celebrate the completion of the largest road project ever undertaken by the Town of Weston, a major celebration is planned for Saturday, May 21st, 2022, in Town Center. This is an opportunity to see and celebrate this beautiful new space and to thank the committee members, municipal staff, organizations, businesses, institutions, and residents that made this revival possible.

There will be local music entertainment, antique car displays, interactive historical exhibits, tours, food offerings, a street fair featuring local businesses, clubs, organizations, and the annual Weston High School Spring Fling on the Town Green. Visit WestonMA.gov/Celebrate to learn more about how you can be involved and view the forthcoming event schedule.  

3 - Earth Week Events

5th Annual Town Clean Up

The Sustainable Weston Action Group (SWAG) invites all residents to collaborate on what has become a spring tradition: the Annual Town Cleanup. This year the event will take place during the week of April 23rd through 30th, ending just in time for the Land’s Sake Earth Day celebration on April 30th. Visit Weston Town Clean Up's Facebook page for how you can get involved. 

Arbor Day Festivities: 

Weston’s Arbor Day tree dedication will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 29, 2022, at the Compass Rose, a terrace at the end of the Legacy Trail.

The newly planted Persimmon tree, grown by Russ Cohen in his nursery on South Avenue will be dedicated to the class of 2029. 5th grade Green Team members from Field School will join Select Board Chair Harvey Boshart and the Weston Tree Advisory Group. All are welcome. 

Earth Day Celebration at Land's Sake

What can Weston Residents do to be Green?

In a recent WesTen interview recorded by Weston Media Center, Weston Sustainability Coordinator, Kortni Wroten, describes some easy ways residents can do to be Green.

4 - New Online Payment System & Lockbox Service Provider:

Starting July 1st, the Town of Weston is upgrading two financial services with enhanced features that will benefit residents. These changes will affect payments of excise tax, personal property tax, property tax, and water bills. Residents will be receiving additional reminders and information by mail and email leading up to the implementation. 

New Online Payment System: The Town will be utilizing City Hall Systems, also known as Kelley & Ryan, this system is an improved way for residents to pay bills online. With the new system, residents are able to opt-in and review bills from Fiscal Year 2021 onward. The link to the new online payment system will be available on the Town’s website starting July 1st. 

New Lockbox Service Provider: Internally, the Town is discontinuing the use of Eastern/Century Bank and migrating to Leader Bank. If residents physically mail payments, It is anticipated, that they will not experience any changes. The mailing address that residents send payments to will stay the same.

5 -  Weston Alerts Upgrade:

WestonAlerts is the official emergency notification system used by the Town of Weston so Town Officials can communicate with residents during emergencies.

Soon, Weston Alerts will be shifting to the CodeRED® system. This will provide residents and the Town with enhanced features that will provide accessibility with notifications. Be on the lookout for more information to stay connected.

BONUS NEWS

New Assistant to the Town Manager/Public Information Officer: The Town thanks longtime Public Information Officer, Kara Fleming for her consistent communication efforts and her extensive institutional knowledge of the Town, especially with her efforts on Town initiatives, such as the Town Center Improvement Project and Weston Ahead.

The Town of Weston's newly hired Public Information Officer is Anthony Senesi. Mr. Senesi has a background in communications, most recently, he worked at the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission as a communications liaison. Mr. Senesi strives to make complex municipal systems accessible and welcomes any and all feedback. 

Volunteer Opportunities: Advocate, engage, and make an impact. In the coming weeks, volunteer opportunities on Select Board and Moderator appointed Boards and Committees will be announced. Be on the lookout, openings will be available here: WestonMA.gov/Volunteer

Renew Your Dog License: Dog Licenses expired in December and must be renewed before April 30. State law requires all dogs over 6 months of age to be licensed and tagged. Renewals can be done through the mail, in person, or online. Proof of rabies vaccination is required. To renew or register, visit WestonMA.gov/DogLicense

COVID-19 Vaccine & Booster Clinic: This is sponsored by the Board of Health and Weston Council on Aging. The clinic will occur on Thursday, April 28, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Council on Aging, 20 Alphabet Lane, Weston. For more information and to register for the clinic, visit WestonMA.gov/Health

Successful Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day: In early April, Weston residents participated in the annual Hazardous Waste Collection Day. The Town collected items from over 220 vehicles. The Department of Public Works offers a variety of other programs to properly dispose of/recycle other materials, visit WestonMA.gov/TransferStation to learn more.  

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