Finance Committee reviews $950,000 IT capital plan, debates sustainability hire

WESTON — March 5, 2020 — Weston Finance Committee weighs new sustainability coordinator and $950,000 IT capital plan. Town Manager Leon presented the new sustainability coordinator position in his draft fiscal 2021 budget, citing Natick's program — which generates 11 times its salary in grants and energy savings — and recent bond-rating-call questions about climate response. Sustainability Committee Chair Katarina Wilkins said Weston has received roughly $380,000 in Green Communities funding since 2011, compared with $570,000 to $1.2 million at peer towns. Member John pushed back, calling sustainability "everybody's job" and proposing a contractor pilot before committing to a permanent FTE. The committee also reviewed a $950,000 IT capital Phase 1, a 12.5 percent information systems operating increase driven by $45,000 in hosted Munis costs, and Conservation Administrator Michelle Grosenda's requests totaling roughly $34,000 plus a separate $10,000 wetlands-bylaw warrant article.