Weston approves fiscal 2022 budget, life sciences rezoning and fur sales ban

WESTON -- May 21, 2021, Weston approves fiscal 2022 budget and Riverside life sciences rezoning, kills Ash Street walkway. The May 21 outdoor annual town meeting passed a 2.7 percent operating budget increase, restoring full OPEB funding and adding $315,000 for road maintenance, with Select Board member Harvey Boggs presenting and School Committee Chair John Henry defending a $43.8 million school budget that cuts 8.5 staff positions. Finance Committee Chair Lisa Raitano backed the budget but warned that combined debt, pension and OPEB obligations now total $228 million. Voters approved $1.02 million in CPA funds for a two-unit Weston Affordable Housing Foundation rental on Birch Lane over Finance Committee objections, and by two-thirds rezoned the former Liberty Mutual campus for life sciences use, which Greatland's Kevin Sheehan said would generate $1.2 million in new annual taxes. A $400,000 Ash Street walkway and the sale of the historic Louise's Wall both failed.