Weston CPC approves three CPA projects, rejects church clock bid

WESTON — October 21, 2024 — Weston CPC funds three projects totaling roughly $89,000 and turns down a church clock bid. The Community Preservation Committee on Oct. 21 unanimously approved up to $50,000 to update the Open Space and Recreation Plan, $20,000 to seed a Historical Commission fund for drafting donated preservation deed restrictions, and $19,000 for a permanent cricket pitch at Cherry Brook Field — with the explicit condition that none of the cricket money pay for artificial turf, which administrator Leon Gaumond said state law prohibits. A $84,000 First Parish Church clock restoration failed 2-3 after member Gwen Smith said the bid gap with a $37,000 competing quote needed explanation and warned that referencing church finances "muddy the water" under the Caplan-Acton decision. Applicant Nancy Pietro was invited to resubmit by the Jan. 17 deadline.