Weston Finance Committee unanimously backs scaled-back $1.53 million fire station study

WESTON — November 20, 2023 — Weston Finance Committee unanimously supports scaled-back $1.53 million fire station study. The committee voted 8-0 Monday to back a revised town meeting article that cuts the original $4.5 million request by two-thirds and reconstitutes the fire station working group with new members and a Finance Committee liaison. Member Matthew Seltzer said he felt the committee "was heard" after the Select Board restructured the proposal, while member Karen warned against approving a design fee that puts "the train leaving the station" without real cost-tiered alternatives at the $10 million, $20 million, and $30 million levels. Chair Bharath Venkataraman and member Zachary Sadek flagged that adding a $60 million fire station buildout, the water tank project, and a school renovation placeholder of up to $200 million could push the average household tax bill up by roughly $1,000 annually. The committee also revoted 8-0 to support an affordable housing grant program article, reversing a prior 6-2 split after the Select Board confirmed the funding would come from proceeds of a moderate-housing program home sale, not from free cash.