Finance Committee pushes for flat non-school budget against fiscal 2020

WESTON -- April 30, 2020, Weston Finance Committee firms up call for flat non-school budget amid pandemic. The committee on Thursday coalesced around a roughly $4.6 million package, its previously identified $2.63 million in cuts, plus deferral of $1.6 million in fiscal 2021 capital spending and about $350,000 in new positions, that would hold the non-school side of the proposed fiscal 2021 budget at about $52.8 million, essentially flat against fiscal 2020. Members rejected Select Board Chair Chris Houston's suggestion that the town increase OPEB contributions by borrowing for items currently paid from free cash; the committee's existing half-cut to OPEB held. "I think it's a mistake for us to back down," member Jim said. New positions on the chopping block include a sustainability coordinator, two additional firefighters, and a Council on Aging program coordinator. The committee will draft a written statement to the select board and reconvene May 7. No date is set for the postponed town meeting.