Weston Planning Board backs joint signage guidelines project, reviews 168 tree removals

WESTON — July 24, 2019 — Weston Planning Board agrees to partner with Selectmen on a new town signage guidelines project. Planning Board Chair Leslie Glynn and board members gave informal approval Wednesday to a joint initiative proposed by a Selectmen's representative, who said consultant costs for the project are expected to run under $10,000, split between the two boards' budgets. The board also heard a presentation from Eversource arborist Chris Nadal on the utility's request to remove 168 trees along scenic roads on the 282-H1 circuit and others, with Nadal citing state scrutiny of repeated outages; field site visits with a town-hired arborist, Tree Advisory Group members, and two Planning Board volunteers are planned for late summer. Residents on Crescent Street and Cochrane Road challenged Eversource's pruning contractor practices, with one resident describing contractor crews as having told neighbors "the town had no voice" in how trimming was done. The board voted unanimously to approve certificates of action for 15 Evergreen Avenue, Coding with Kids, the Jesai Smith Tavern at 358 Boston Post Road, a Merriam Street wetland and floodplain matter, and an amendment at 80 Highland Street, and continued the 41 Glen Road site plan and a 96 Love Lane flexible subdivision application to September 4.