Weston Finance Committee approves $278,000 in year-end transfers

WESTON — July 9, 2020 — Weston Finance Committee clears year-end deficits and previews fight over late IT request. The committee on July 9 unanimously approved a $10,000 water enterprise transfer and $268,000 in reserve fund transfers covering Board of Health salaries, $50,500 in legal expenses tied largely to four affordable housing cases, replacement voting booths and a $170,000 snow and ice deficit. The town manager told members the reserve fund's $611,910 balance will close fiscal 2020 with $343,910 returning to free cash, with CARES Act and FEMA money expected to reimburse COVID-related costs. Members spent the longest stretch of the meeting on a late IT network upgrade request, with member Jim saying "I don't like surprises. I don't like good surprises. I don't like bad surprises" and urging department heads to stay within budget. The committee is targeting July 28 for a final budget vote ahead of September 14 Town Meeting.