The Quarterly NewsletterIn addition to the Top 5 in Town News, find upcoming events and other items of note. |
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Top 5 in Town NewsA snapshot of town government news:
1 - Transfer Station Permits Expire Sept. 30th
The application and annual transfer station materials are available online at Weston.org/TransferStation. The paperwork can also be picked up at the Council on Aging or the Weston Public Library. The completed application can be dropped in the mail or brought to the Treasurer/Collector's Office at Town Hall. If you have the same vehicle as last year, you may also renew your permit online. Visit Weston.org/TSPermit to find the 2019/2020 rates and online renewal portal.
2 - New Water Rates
The following rates are in effect: - Tier 1: 0 - 5,000 cf = $2.00/hcf
- Tier 2: 5,001 - 15,000 cf = $6.00/hcf
- Tier 3: over 15,000 cf = $12.00/hcf
hcf = hundred cubic foot and 1 cf (cubic foot) = 7.48 gallons
For water usage reference, one acre of land irrigated to one inch = 36.31 hcf...or 3,631 cf...or 27,158 gallons...or more than a 5.5' average depth 18' x 24' swimming pool...or approximately 1,600 showers.
3 - Town Hall Hours
The Board of Selectmen has changed the Town Hall business hours until the end of the year and then will re-evaluate. Hours are currently Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:00 am. to 1:30 p.m.
4 - Volunteer Opportunities
Do you have a special interest in a particular area? Do you have a special talent that you would be willing to share? Would you just like to become involved or give back to the community? Be a part of a long-standing Weston tradition and volunteer to serve on one of the following Selectmen-appointed committees: - The Permanent Building Committee is responsible for oversight of the construction, renovation, and major maintenance of all municipal and school buildings. Respond by September 20th.
- The Cable Advisory Committee monitors the cable license arrangements with providers to the Town, Schools and Town subscribers of cable television services and oversees the programming on the Weston community access channel (Weston Media Center) and the operation of the Town’s cable access corporation. Respond by October 11th.
Find more information at Weston.org/Volunteer
5 - Selectmen Open Special Town Meeting Warrant
Residents wishing to submit a Citizens' Petition for an article on the December Special Town Meeting Warrant must submit the appropriate paperwork to the Town Manager's Office by October 10th. To assist Weston voters interested in petitioning the Selectmen to place an article on the warrant, please refer to the "Guide to Citizens' Petitions for Town Meeting" for helpful explanations and procedures, as well as the appropriate paperwork to submit. Consultation with the Town Manager is also strongly recommended for form and procedure. Additional information on how to request an article and what Town Meeting is can be found on the Your Government section of the Town's website.
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Apple Picking in Weston!Did you know there is an apple orchard on Weston Conservation Land? This fall, residents can enjoy picking their own apples (for free!) thanks to some tender loving care over the past few years by several dedicated volunteers.
The orchard is located on the northern portion of Concord Road next to College Pond. The orchard was originally maintained by the priests when the Campion Center was a Jesuit seminary. Depsite conservation efforts over the years since, many of the trees suffered damage due to neglect; however, for the last five years volunteers have worked to bring the orchard back and this year has resulted in a bumper crop of apples ready to be picked. Bring your own bag, park on the shoulder of the road or at Burchard Park, and feel free to use the picker tools in the orchard as you pick what you will eat. Just please do not climb the trees.
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More to Check OutWeston Art and Innovation CenterIt's finally open!!! and there are classes for all interests for adults and teens. Find more information on class offerings, programs, events, and room rentals at Westonaic.org
Low-Pressure Book Groups at the
Weston Public Library
Read and discuss with other adult readers. There is something for every reader. Discussion groups meet monthly, generally mid-month. Refer to the Library’s calendar at WestonLibrary.org for dates and titles. Also look for book groups and activities for younger readers under the “Just for Kids” web page
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September is National Preparedness Month#PreparedNotScaredRegardless of whether the emergencies stem from natural disasters or deliberate acts there are many ways we can prepare ourselves, our families, and our communities to be able to respond to such crises as they occur and recover afterwards. The Weston Emergency Reserve Corp has spent the month highlighting specific steps all of us can take to be prepared for emergencies. Find more detailed information on each of the following topics by clicking on the link: See also Weston.org/Prepare for tips on planning for emergencies and Weston.org/WestonAlerts to update your communication preferences, such as providing your cell phone so you can receive text alerts, and providing household information for first-responders during a personal emergency. |
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Gas Infrastructure Audit:Final ReportAfter a presentation by the Sustainable Weston Action Group (SWAG) detailing the health and environmental issues associated with natural gas leaks, the Board of Selectmen approved the request to have an audit of the Town's gas infrastructure to determine the extent of gas leaks in Weston. The final report was issued late spring and showed that there are 100% more potential leak locations than originally reported.
The report can be found on the Town's website at Weston.org/GasAudit. On this web page, an interactive map showing the locations of all the unrepaired gas leaks can be found. Clicking on a leak location pin will retrieve additional information on the leak, including the exact location, date reported, leak size, trees impacted, and a leak extent report.
Members from SWAG will be attending the September 24th Board of Selectmen meeting to discuss the report findings in more detail. SWAG will also be hosting a Gas Forum: Triage & Transportation at the Weston Middle School on October 24th, featuring State Representatives Alice Peisch and Lori Ehrlich, as well as other industry experts, to discuss both short and longer term solutions to the gas infrastructure challenges in Massachusetts.
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Town Center Improvement ProjectThe Town Center Improvement Project is the first opportunity in over 100 years -- since the design and construction of the Town Green -- to enhance the quality of the Town Center by addressing pedestrian and traffic safety, parking availability, and an opportunity for a variety of public activities, as well as the appearance of the Town Center.
This is the largest road construction project in Weston's history. Construction updates are provided on a weekly basis and include anticipated work areas and potential detours. This information is available at Weston.org/TownCenter and is also sent out through a dedicated "Town Center Project" email/text subscription list at Weston.org/StayInformed. |
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Oct. 12th is a Great Day to be in the Weston Town Center!
9:00 - 1:00 p.m. Resident Shredding Day
Weston Police Department is sponsoring a shredding service to help Weston residents safely discard documents with private information such as account or social security numbers
10:00 - 3:00 p.m. Josiah Smith Tavern Open House
Take this chance to see the interior of this historic building in the center of Weston and learn about the plans to fully restore it for public use from the Friends of the Josiah Smith Tavern.
10:00 - 2:00 p.m. Weston Fire Department Open House
Join us for our 3rd Annual Open House! Featuring live demonstrations of the Jaws of Life (11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.) and Fire Extinguisher (noon). Food, drinks, educational giveaways, touch-a-truck, Sparky the Fire Dog, water spray house, and the Police Motorcycle. Fun for the whole family! Parking is available in the rear lot of St. Julia.
12:00 - 4:00 p.m. Pumpkin Fest
Come to the Town Green for the 14th Annual Pumpkin Festival, hosted by Weston High School. Children can carve pumpkins to bring home and the whole family can enjoy special performances, games, food, a silent auction, and a lot more activities geared towards kids. The student organizers of this community service project are excited about the annual event and look forward to seeing you there! |
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Rail Trail Grand Opening Celebration - Oct. 19th10:30 a.m. – Wayland Public Library
12:30 p.m. – Church Street trail head (Weston)
Join the towns of Weston and Wayland for ribbon cutting celebrations of the recently completed Wayside section of the Mass Central Rail Trail. This new recreational asset was completed as a joint project between the State of Massachusetts, Eversource, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Town of Wayland, and the Town of Weston.
The ribbon cutting to celebrate the Wayland section will take place at 10:30 a.m. at the Wayland Public Library. A procession will then follow a 3-mile stretch to the Church Street trail head in Weston. Different sections of the trail will be lead by groups from both towns, including Weston Forest and Trail Association, Weston Council on Aging, and the Weston Community Children’s Association.
The ribbon cutting to celebrate Weston's portion of the rail trail will take place at the Church Street trail head at 12:30 p.m.
Following the Weston ribbon cutting, attendees will be invited to join a guided historical walk or a guided bike ride including intersecting trails. An un-timed 2-mile fun run/walk is also planned, which will include an out-and-back loop to the eastern end of the Weston rail trail section. Other activities are being planned and will be announced closer to the event.
Join us for all or any part of the celebration. Parking in Wayland is available at the Stop & Shop plaza on Rte. 20; parking in Weston is available on Town House Road.
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Brush Dump Hours for Fall Clean-upsThe Town's composting facility, a.k.a. the Brush Dump, will be open six consecutive Saturdays starting October 19th. Weston residents may bring their yard waste including grass, leaves, and brush to the Merriam Street facility from 7:00 to 3:00 p.m. A current Transfer Station Permit or Recycling-only Permit is required to enter. Free wood chips and compost is available free-of-charge. Plastic bags not designed for composting must be emptied of their contents so as not to interfere with the composting process. Please note, large quantities (pick-ups/trailers) of leaves and brush will not be accepted at the Church Street transfer Station when the Brush Dump is open.
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Stay InformedKeeping up with Town Government business can be a daunting task but we do try to make it a little easier for residents because our town is run by residents!
Refer to the Town's website to find information on Visit Weston.org/StayInformed to find various email/text subscription options, including notifications of when meeting agendas are posted. Not sure what committee to follow? Start here: - Board of Selectmen: the executive branch of Weston's government
- School Committee: the executive branch of Weston Public Schools
- Town Meeting Warrants: the legislative branch of Weston's government - where you have a direct impact
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Newsletter Feedback
Did you like what you read or wanted to see more? Maybe something different? Let us know, we're here to please.
Contact webmaster@westonmass.org with comments or suggestions. Past issues of the Town Hall Newsletter is available online.
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If you came across this newsletter through social media or a friend, you can subscribe at Weston.org/StayInformed so you don't miss the next one.
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