Weston governance committee maps path to expand Select Board to five members

WESTON — January 2, 2025 — Weston committee charts compressed path to expand Select Board from three to five members. The Town Governance Study Committee on Jan. 2 fixed plans for a Jan. 28 update to the Select Board and tentatively eyed a public hearing the week of Feb. 24. Chair Harvey Boshart and Town Moderator Ripley Hastings said any change requires a Special Act of the state Legislature plus a ratifying ballot vote, with Hastings noting it is "possible to compress all this into a single cycle" only if the Select Board commits to a clear proposal. Member Michael Harrity will consult Town Counsel Lauren Goldberg of KP Law on whether the 2022 town meeting vote remains usable. Members also reviewed Belmont's 151-61 Nov. 22 vote to table a similar article and Sharon's successful second attempt. Town Manager Leon Gaumond said a citizen's petition for a special town meeting on water tank articles may be circulating.