Weston School Buildings Committee Appoints Phil Memot to At-Large Seat

WESTON -- April 16, 2026, Weston's School Buildings Committee voted 4-1 to appoint Phil Memot to its at-large seat and is targeting a $3 million town meeting appropriation for the upcoming MSBA feasibility study. The committee heard from construction member Dan that anything below $3 million risks attracting only lower-tier design firms, citing comparable designer fees of $1.2 million for Revere High School and $1.4 million for Everett High School, with OPM costs, wetlands assessment, and contingency on top. Town Finance Director Leon said the town is projected to walk out of spring town meeting with roughly $5 million in free cash, making a majority-vote appropriation, rather than a two-thirds borrowing authorization, a realistic path. Superintendent Karen briefed the committee on the MSBA educational profile questionnaire, with Section 3 due June 30 and a final draft expected at the May 7 meeting. The committee also learned that the MSBA has reversed a prior policy and will now permit pools and field houses in school projects, provided the town funds those elements at 100 percent, a change that resolves a long-standing source of confusion with the Recreation Master Plan Steering Committee.