Weston Finance Committee approves $605,000 in reserve transfers, installs new chair

WESTON -- July 11, 2024, Weston Finance Committee approves $605,000 in year-end reserve transfers and seats new chair. The committee voted unanimously at its July 11 annual meeting to transfer funds from its $679,615 reserve to cover three deficits: a record police overtime shortfall, described by Finance Director Leon as driven by vacancies, medical leave, and a presidential visit the town was required to staff; record-high legal costs tied largely to active 40B litigation over 518 South Ave.; and ongoing Josiah Smith Tavern operating expenses pending a handoff to the Friends of the JST. The committee also unanimously appointed Sarat Pothuri, a business strategy consultant and Weston resident since 2016, to fill a mid-term vacancy, and elected Bharath Venkataraman as its new chair, succeeding the outgoing chair who had held the post for six years. A representative of the Town Governance Study Committee asked the panel to weigh in by September on questions of Finance Committee composition and appointment method ahead of a report due before the May annual town meeting.