Your Top 5 in Town News
A snapshot of Weston's Town Government news.
1 - Kendal Green Commuter Lot Parking Changes
Effective January 29, 2018, half of the parking spaces at the Kendal Green commuter rail lot will be designated as “Weston Resident Parking Only.” Residents wishing to use these spaces, available on a first-come/first-served basis, will need to have a current Transfer Station permit or a Resident Only Parking permit displayed. Weston Police will take notice.
To obtain a Resident Only Parking permit, the car must be registered in Weston and a current census form must be filed with the Town Clerk (Weston.org/TownClerk). There is no charge for the permit and it is valid through December 31, 2019. These permits may also be used for the Drabbington Way resident-only parking spaces and any other future resident-only designated parking.
Please visit the Treasurer/Collector’s Office at Town Hall, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Requests may also be made via email to collector@westonmass.org. Please include your full name and address, the make and model of your car, and the registration number. Online requests are not available at this time.
Questions regarding the resident-only parking permit may be addressed to the Board of Selectmen/Town Manager’s Office at 781-786-5020. If resident and non-resident parking spaces are filled at Kendal Green, neighboring stations include Lincoln (160 Lincoln Road) and Waltham (1 Sawyer Rd & 75 Carter St.). Please see www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Fitchburg/line for further information.
2 - Selectmen to Open Annual Town Meeting Warrant
The Board of Selectmen will be opening the warrant to receive Citizens' Petitions for the 2018 Annual Town Meeting on January 18th. To learn more about how to request an article by petition, a guide is available on the town's website, which includes a petition template. As an added convenience to residents, Town Counsel will be available on February 6th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. to assist with the language of the petitioned article. The Selectmen will close the warrant on February 27th. Petitions must be submitted to the Town Manager's office by that date.
3 - New Year's Resolution: Step Up Your Recycling
Used textiles are recyclable
Every year in Massachusetts, over 260,000 tons of textiles are thrown away when 95% of that can be reused or recycled for its scrap value. Torn shirts, paint-stained pants, back packs, old purses, belts, stuffed animals (even without stuffing), blankets, pillows, and even a single shoe or sneaker can be recycled in the used clothing collection containers.
It’s possible to recycle almost 100% of all the above items. They just need to be dry before you place them into the collection container. Textile recycling creates jobs, funds charitable organizations, promotes small businesses and encourages recycled product development. Many local textile recyclers offer meaningful employment to special needs workers.
In fiscal year 2017 Weston’s Transfer Station recycled 141,327 pounds of textiles, which equates to 71 tons diverted from the solid waste stream. This saved the Town of Weston $4,686 in disposal fees. Residents' recycling efforts also make it possible for the Solid Waste and Recycling Facility to sell good-quality recyclables for the best possible market prices. In fiscal 2017, total sales of recyclables were over $19,000. The more revenue received from recyclables, the less likely the permit fee will increase.
Please take a few moments to separate recyclable materials from the trash. Keeping recyclables out of the solid waste compactors can save our natural resources, protect the environment, and help keep the permit fee cost from increasing.
More information about how and what to recycle is available at Weston.org/RSW
4 - New Website Feature: Community Voice
The Town's Animal Control Officer, Rachel Hoffman, wants to hear from you about a proposed initiative: DNA testing of dogs. Why? As ACO Hoffman wrote in her last blog post, "Dog Doo Problems," she discussed the health and environmental issues that arise when dog owners leave their pet's business on the trails. The problem has become so pervasive on Weston's trails that she is exploring this idea of testing dog DNA in order to catch the culprits and curb the issue.
The Community Voice feature allows residents to vote an initiative (proposal) up or down and to make comments or ask questions. Read more and comment on the proposal on the Town's website. Sign in with your email address to vote and leave comments.
5 - Vacancy on the Board of Health
This elected board has a recent vacancy, which must be filled by appointment of the Board of Selectmen and the remaining members of the Board of Health. More information on the responsibilities of this elected office, can be found on the town's website. Residents with an expertise in civil engineering are especially encouraged to apply. A volunteer application or a letter of interest can be submitted to selectmen@westonmass.org by January 31st. Residents must be a registered voter and will need to appear on the Annual Town Election ballot in May.
If an elected position is not your cup of tea, the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Recreation Master Plan Steering Committee are also seeking new members, which are appointed by the Selectmen. Learn more at Weston.org/Volunteer
BONUS NEWS
Upcoming Dates:
Town Caucus - March 5th - Run for an elected office (learn more)
CPC Public Hearing - March 26th - CPC requests coming to May Town Meeting (receive notification of Community Preservation Committee meeting agendas)
Budget Hearing - April 30th - FY19 Proposed Operating Budget (receive notification of Finance Committee meeting agendas)
Annual Town Election - May 5th
Annual Town Meeting - May 7th and 9th
Completed Projects:
Winter Weather:
- Snow Policy and FAQ
- Trail etiquette - when enjoying the snowy trails, take care not walk or ride bikes in the ski tracks. Also, please clean up after your dog and take the bags with you
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