Weston Finance Committee authorizes expanded outreach on debt and benefits

WESTON — April 9, 2020 — Weston Finance Committee authorizes a chart-driven public push on the town's debt, benefits and school spending. The committee voted unanimously on April 9 to delegate to Chair Lisa, member John McDonald and member John Sally the content and cadence of upcoming Town Crier articles and Facebook posts drawn from a draft chart deck titled "Weston's Financial Challenges." McDonald told members Weston's outstanding municipal debt, unfunded pension and unfunded OPEB liabilities exceed peer towns in all but one category, per-pupil school spending runs roughly 27 percent above peers, and the town pays 84 to 86 percent of employee health-insurance premiums versus a more typical 70 to 75 percent. "If it really is a four or five million dollar premium we're paying every year, that's enough to build a town center every four or five years," member James said. Town Manager Leon told the committee the Select Board has made no changes to the proposed FY21 budget or warrant and will take them up April 14.