Top 5 in Town News

An easy to digest, digest of Town News to help Weston residents stay informed more easily with happenings in Town Government.

1 - Public Comment: Draft Open Space & Recreation Plan

Residents are encouraged to review the Draft 2017 Weston Open Space and Recreation Plan Update (OSRP) during the public comment period, which ends February 3rd. The OSRP will help to guide decisions regarding the use, acquisition, and management of Weston’s treasured open spaces, conservation areas, and recreation resources over the next 7 years. Weston’s OSRP was last updated in 1996 and expired in 2002; the current draft will be valid through 2023 and is available at www.weston.org/OSRP.

Highlights of the OSRP include:

• an inventory of Weston’s open spaces and recreation facilities
• a 7-year action plan based on 5 overarching goals 
• descriptions of key scenic resources 
• background on our community’s natural resources and conservation history
• an evaluation of how our open spaces and recreation facilities serve people with disabilities
• accompanying maps

2 - Recycling & Solid Waste

Yikes! The holidays were NOT good for average household tonnage of solid waste! The goal weight is 0.8 and we're on track for 1.08 - that's more than last year!

As we start cleaning out our closets, think about what can be left OUT of the bag. Can it be recycled? Textiles (like ripped jeans, old shoes, holey socks) and electronics (like chargers and old peripheral AV and computer equipment) can and are accepted at our transfer station. Learn more at www.weston.org/RSW. 

3 - Fiscal Year 2018 Recommended Budget

The Town Manager has presented her recommended budget for fiscal year 2018 to the Selectmen and the Finance Committee. It is available in its entirety at www.weston.org/Budget. The Finance Committee will be meeting weekly to discuss the separate pieces of the budget before the Budget Hearing is held on May 1st and the budget is voted upon at Annual Town Meeting on May 8th. To follow the budget process, subscribe to receive notification of Finance Committee agendas and minutes.

4 - Annual Town Caucus

At this open public meeting, residents who are interested in running for elected office are nominated by the caucus attendees to be placed on the ballot for the Annual Town Election. The elected offices in Town, such as the Selectmen, School Committee Planning Board and Recreation Commission, have available seats annually.  

The duties of Weston's elected officials are explained on the Town's website. Attend the Caucus to nominate the ballot candidates - or to be nominated yourself. The caucus will be held March 6th at 7:00 p.m. in Town Hall. Learn more on the Town's website.

5 - Next Steps in the WPS Superintendent Search Process

The Weston School Committee, at its meeting on January 30th, developed a process and timeline for filling the Superintendent position.  The Committee expressed a preference that the position be posted and filled internally by a qualified member of the administrative team.  The position will be posted during the next week, with applications due to the School Committee by February 7th.  The School Committee will announce all applicants on February 8th, at 7:30 a.m., at the Case House.  

An opportunity for parents/guardians, faculty, staff, administrators, and community members to meet and ask questions of the candidates and to provide feedback will be on February 9th and 10th (schedule to be determined). Subscribe to receive notification when the School Committee meeting agendas are posted. The School Committee anticipates holding public interviews of the candidates on Monday, February 13th, beginning at 6:00 p.m., followed by a vote.

BONUS NEWS!

104 and 133 Boston Post Road

See Current Proposals for additional information.

Boston Properties, which owns 133 Boston Post Road (Biogen/Monster site) has filed a site application with MassHousing for a friendly 40B project. This project was identified in the state-approved Housing Production Plan and the Board of Selectmen has given its conditional support to this project because it will substantially address Weston's affordable housing shortfall and provide mixed-family rental units - both of which were identified in the housing needs assessment. However, traffic, school and financial impact studies must be conducted and total unit counts must be addressed. These studies are currently underway. Furthermore, Boston Properties has requested additional commercial office space as a part of the development on the site. Comments from various Town departments and boards/committees are due to MassHousing in early February. Residents may watch for progress through the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals, which must issue a comprehensive permit for this project.

The developer of the proposed housing development at 104 Boston Post Road (corner of Sibley Road) has filed a site application with MassHousing. This development, as proposed, has been opposed by various Town departments and boards/committees, as well as the Selectmen; however, the Trustees of the Affordable Housing Trust support the project due to the mixed-family affordable rental housing that would be created. If MassHousing approves the site application, residents may follow progress of this development through the Zoning Board of Appeals as the developer seeks its comprehensive permit for construction.

Stay informed by subscribing to receive Selectmen and Planning Board meeting agendas, as well as Zoning Board of Appeals. See also: www.weston.org/AffordableHousing

Proctor Field & Josiah Smith Tavern

Get a head start on Annual Town Meeting by following two projects that will be requesting funding in May. The School Committee will be requesting construction funds for a major renovation of the track and Proctor field complex. A public information meeting was held on January 19th and the video and presentation materials are online at www.weston.org/Proctor. Another public information meeting will be held in March. To follow progress of this project, subscribe to receive School Committee agendas.

The Friends of the Josiah Smith Tavern have submitted an application for Community Preservation Act funds for design and engineering fees. This application will be reviewed by the Community Preservation Committee on February 6th. The Friends of the Josiah Smith Tavern will also be presenting their proposal for the reuse of the building at a League of Women Voters coffee on March 25th at the Weston Public Library. Follow progress by subscribing to receive Latest Town News.

Weston Wins Municipal Website Award

• intuitive navigation and organization of materials
• robust search function
• timely information
• availability of public records, such as meeting minutes and financial information
• functionality, interactivity and convenience
• information about departments
• visual appeal and experience, and more

The new www.weston.org site was launched in September of 2015 and was designed to help residents find information more easily, as well as to conveniently follow important town business and news, so feedback is welcome. If you have suggestions for the website or would like to see additional features, please send comments to webmaster@westonmass.org

Annual Town Meeting Warrant Open

The Board of Selectmen opened the warrant to Citizens' Petitions until February 28th. Any resident wishing to petition Town Meeting may file the appropriate paperwork with the Town Manager's office before that date. Town Counsel will be available on February 14th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in Town Hall to help develop the appropriate petition language.