In this issue:

1 - The Annuals are here: seems just like clockwork

2 - What does 40B mean in Weston?: meeting our responsibilities while providing housing diversity

3 - Road construction is upon us: it's a pain now, but the payoff is really great

4 - Spring cleaning: it's not just for your closets

5 - Rain barrel program: savings falling from the sky

BONUS NEWS!
'Tis but a wafer-thin more

Your Top 5 in Town News

An easy to digest digest of Town Government news to help Weston residents stay informed more easily.

1 - The Annual Town Events: Budget Hearing, Town Election & Town Meeting

The Fiscal Year 2020 Recommended Operating Budget has been developed, analyzed and approved by the School Committee, Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee. The Annual Budget Hearing will be held on April 29th at 7:00 p.m. in Town Hall. The budget will be presented by the School Committee and Selectmen with comment from the Finance Committee. All residents are welcome to attend and ask questions or make comments about the budget prior to it going to Annual Town Meeting for final approval.

On May 4th from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., all precincts are to report to the Town Hall auditorium for the Annual Town Election to vote for the elected officials of the Town and the single ballot question regarding the debt exclusion. There is one contested race for School Committee. The League of Women Voters is hosting Candidates' Night on April 23rd at 7:30 p.m. in the Middle School.

Annual Town Meeting will be called to order on May 6th at 7:00 p.m. in the High School. The annual Know the Issues web page has been updated with the warrant (agenda), budget book, and additional information voters need before the evening.

In order to participate in the Town Election and Town Meeting, you must be registered to vote in Weston. The deadline to register is April 12th.

2 - What Does 40B Mean in Weston?

The Town's website has a lot of information on Ch. 40B. Find links in the summaries below to find additional information on 40Bs and affordable housing.

In the simplest of terms:

Of Weston's total housing stock, less than 4% is deemed affordable. Per MGL Ch. 40, that percentage needs to be 10. If a town is under that threshold, then the town would have little say to developers wanting to construct large developments or overdeveloped lots that do not adhere to Weston's Zoning By-laws. The Town can comment only on stormwater, septic, and wetland impacts - not traffic, school, or aesthetics.

Weston has 149 units that are deemed affordable. It needs approximately 275 units more to reach the 10% threshold (approximated for 2020 census count).

Current proposals:

Currently, there are two 40B projects that are seeking a Project Eligibility Letter (PEL) through a state subsidizing agency.

Once the agency issues the PEL, the developers are anticipated to apply for a comprehensive permit through the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA).

There are also three other 40B projects that have gone through the comprehensive permit process with the ZBA. These are currently on hold as they have all been appealed:

The road ahead:

Until the Town achieves safe harbor, which will allow us to deny applications for large developments or overdeveloped lots, the town will remain vulnerable to similar projects. The Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Affordable Housing Trust, and other Town Departments and Committees have been working hard to find the correct path to safe harbor with the entire town's interest at heart.

Working with a developer does have the benefits of reducing the cost to build for the Town. This is why 133 Boston Post Road was identified in the Housing Production Plan as a public/private development agreement. Unfortunately and very recently, this did not come to fruition, which leaves Town officials in a position to keep looking and to try to mitigate impacts by working with current developers.

Resident interested in following any of the above-mentioned boards or committees can sign up to receive email/text notification of when meeting agendas have been posted to the website.

3 - 2019 Road Construction Season

Local Projects

Anticipate construction on the following roads (now through June):

Cherry Brook Road - water gates and reconstruction
Pollywog Lane - water, gas main, and reconstruction
Glen Road (Wellesley St. to Shady Hill) - drainage and reconstruction
Gail Road - gas main, drainage at Oak St., and reconstruction
Pembroke Road - gas and reconstruction
Bogle Street - gas main and chip seal treatment
Brown Street - chip seal treatment
Cliff Road - chip seal treatment
Newton Street - gas and drainage
Loring Road - drainage
Merriam Street - reconstruction
Lantern Lane - water main
Highland Street at Black Oak Road - generator relocation and landscaping

Larger Projects

Town Center - improvement project anticipated to begin late spring
Concord Road and Church Street (Rail Trail entries) - parking areas to be built at the spurs
Rail Trail - open up the underpass at Conant Road and finish paving towards Church Street
Conant Road (at the Rail Trail) - the road will be closed as the underpass is reopened. Detours will be in place

Work Updates

For more information or updates, subscribe to receive weekly DPW Work Updates at Weston.org/StayInformed

4 - Spring Cleaning

It's time to take care of the streets, hydrants, our yards, and our garages.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

April 6th from 9:00 to 1:00 p.m. at the DPW Facility

Merriam Street Brush Dump

Opens April 13th for four consecutive Saturdays

Street Sweeping

Now through May, weather dependent.

Hydrant Flushing

Now through May, from south side to north side. Check water for discoloration and run until clear.

Weston Town CleanUp

April 21st to 27th, join your neighbors and help pick up trash along your street, parks, conservation trails, and recreation fields. Make a group and dedicate an afternoon. Take pictures of your haul for the big reveal on the 27th at Spring Fling on the Town Green

5 - Rain Barrel Program

Why pay for water when you can tap into a natural resource splashing off your roof? Town officials want to encourage Weston residents to practice water conservation and help reduce stormwater runoff, which is the fastest growing type of water pollution in Mass.

The Town has partnered with the Great American Rain Barrel Company so residents can purchase discounted barrels for home use. The deadline to purchase is April 22nd.

More information about the reasons to use one, purchasing details, and looking at a sample is on the Town's website.

BONUS NEWS!

It's not like you have to eat vegetables, or anything. Just an extra helping of information you can use.

Volunteer Opportunities

Looking to help out the Town? The following committees need new members. Click the link to find more information.

Annual Census Form is Due

The Town Clerk needs the forms back. If you misplaced them, they are available online. If you don't know what the census is, that information is also online.

Arbor Day Celebration

Weston has once again received the Tree City USA designation. Celebrate our trees on April 26th as members from the Tree Advisory Group plant new trees. Look for Latest Town News announcements for time and place.

Spring Fling on the Town Green

This annual tradition will continue on April 27th and is a fun family event from 10:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Looking for other great events in town? Check out the Community Events calendar on the town's website.

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