Weston Governance Panel Holds Public Hearing on Select Board Expansion to Five Members

WESTON — March 27, 2025 — Weston's Town Governance Study Committee held a public hearing on whether to expand the Select Board from three members to five, presenting research on peer communities but stopping short of any recommendation. Member Kara Fleming chaired in the absence of Chair Harvey Boshart, while member Michael Pappone walked attendees through more than a year of comparative data showing no single defining factor that drives towns to expand their boards. The committee noted that Ayer is the only Massachusetts town known to have reverted from five members back to three, citing board infighting, and that communities including Wayland and Groton experienced significant dysfunction after expanding without first making internal governance adjustments. Town Counsel Lauren Goldberg confirmed that the general court has consistently approved home rule petitions of this type in her firm's experience with roughly 135 cities and towns, but that a local acceptance ballot is required and a prior citizen's petition vote has lapsed. A town meeting vote is set for May 5, with the committee expected to decide on a formal recommendation at its April 3 meeting.