Weston Finance Committee recommends $348,000 in CPA spending, defers three recreation requests

WESTON -- February 5, 2026, Weston's Finance Committee unanimously recommended two Community Preservation Act articles totaling $348,000 at its February 5 remote meeting while leaving three recreation proposals unresolved. The committee voted 8-0 to recommend a $300,000 CPA grant for Phase 1 of a Town Green tree rehabilitation plan, 53 new trees along Townhouse Road and Church Street, the first phase of a three-part project eventually totaling roughly $695,000, and a $48,000 renewal for the Regional Housing Services Office, down slightly from the current year's $51,000. A motion to table a $400,000 field lighting request, a $50,000 Burchard Park playground design, and an $18,000 dog park feasibility study pending Recreation Commission prioritization failed on a 4-4 tie. Recreation Master Plan member Trevor MacDonald told the committee that private donors including Weston Boosters have committed $125,000 toward the $525,000 Field 1 lighting project, with fundraising continuing; member Zachary Sadek argued the committee should apply a 75-percent private-funding threshold consistent with a standard set for the Train Depot project. The three recreation articles remain without a Finance Committee recommendation with the Annual Town Meeting set for May 4.