Weston Finance Committee approves opioid fund, splits on Route 20 sidewalk

WESTON -- March 9, 2023, Weston Finance Committee unanimously backs opioid settlement fund, debates $26.2 million water tank overhaul. The committee voted 9-0 at its March 9 meeting to support the creation of a stabilization fund for incoming opioid lawsuit settlement payments from distributors including CVS and Walgreens, with Town Administrator Leon Gaucher noting annual receipts are expected in the $10,000 range. Select Board member Lori Bent presented a $26.2 million request to replace the town's three water tanks, the youngest 70 years old, warning that without higher-elevation replacements the town cannot maintain adequate water pressure or fight fires effectively; the Paines Hill estimate alone rose from $4.6 million last year to $5.5 million. Member Matthew Seltzer argued the town should pursue all three tanks at once rather than risk being unable to secure a third appropriation later, while member John Sallly pressed Bent on whether aggressive conservation could reduce demand and defer costs. The committee also voted to support a roughly $1.8 million free-cash capital package by a 5-2 margin on a contested Route 20 sidewalk design item, and deferred action on a $1.9 million CPA request for pickleball, tennis, and basketball courts at Burchard Park pending a Community Preservation Committee hearing.