Weston CPC Approves Five Projects, $5.3 Million Heading to Special Town Meeting

WESTON — October 23, 2017 — Weston Community Preservation Committee unanimously backs five projects totaling roughly $5.3 million for November Special Town Meeting. The largest item, a $4.6 million renovation of the town's 1900 former library building into the Weston Art and Innovation Center, drew extended debate after filed sub-bids came in higher than estimates and the committee recalculated a 20 percent Permanent Building Committee contingency against a gross project cost of roughly $4.1 million; general contractor bids are not due until November 15, about ten days before Town Meeting. The committee also approved $73,000 for Wayside Rail Trail amenities conceptual design, $62,325 to repair two 1920-era cattle passes that Phyllis Halpern, Chair of the Historical Commission, warned "will be lost forever" if Eversource fills them in before the trail opens, $205,000 for Phase 2 cemetery restoration at Central Cemetery, and $428,600 to complete the affordable housing renovation at 66-68 Warren Avenue, bringing the town's total CPA investment in that project to $3,415,600.