Weston Finance Committee appoints Latha to open seat in 5-2 vote

WESTON — November 17, 2021 — Weston Finance Committee splits 5-2 on Latha appointment after sharp debate over what the panel most needs. The chair argued the committee required analytic capacity and a current public-school parent's perspective, given that schools account for two-thirds of the town budget; member Bharath Venkataraman agreed, calling IT and analytics "a shortfall" he is glad to see filled. Members John Sally and John McDonald pushed back hard for Diana Chaplin, a Weston real estate agent with PTO, League of Women Voters, SWAG and Agricultural Commission ties and a substitute-teaching record in the schools. "This isn't the welcome wagon," Sally said, objecting to appointing a three-year resident whose Weston volunteer record is limited to middle school robotics. A motion to substitute Chaplin's name failed for lack of a second. Four candidates had applied for the single opening.