Weston Finance Committee backs cemetery gate restoration in 4-3 vote

WESTON -- March 13, 2025, Weston's Finance Committee recommended approval of a $561,000 Central Cemetery gate restoration project and unanimously backed a $102 million fiscal year 2026 operating budget at its March 13 meeting. The cemetery gate vote passed 4-3 with two abstentions after an extended debate over whether prevailing wage and state procurement rules made private funding or a simpler wall design preferable to the historic restoration plan that qualifies for up to $100,000 in mass historic grant money and Community Preservation Committee funding. Member Rebecca Kantar, who said she had "seen what I was hoping to see" after presenters provided four cost scenarios, cast one of the four yes votes alongside member Michael Wilberton; members Zachary Sadek and Rui Zhang were among the three no votes. The operating budget, at $102,047,407, reflects a 4.6 percent increase and includes a $150,000 cut to the roadway improvements line offset by a projected jump in Chapter 90 state funds to over $700,000; the median single-family tax bill is projected to rise by approximately $708. A water tank rehabilitation article was withdrawn following action at a prior town meeting, and the committee deferred any position on MBTA Communities Act zoning compliance until at least April.