Weston Select Board hires Collins Center for fire department operational review

WESTON — December 8, 2020 — Weston Select Board hires UMass Collins Center for first fire department study since 1952. The board voted 3-0 Tuesday to engage the Edward J. Collins Jr. Center for Public Management for a five-to-six-month operational review of fire department staffing, deployment, data use and processes, with work starting in late January. Town Manager Leon Gaumond Jr. said the study grows out of last year's budget compromise after the Finance Committee questioned a request for two added firefighters. Finance Committee Chair Lisa Reitano objected that she had not seen the proposal: "It just seems a little disingenuous to be collaborating with us and not even showing us that you have a proposal." The board also adopted a residential tax factor of 1.00 for fiscal 2021, with the rate rising 10 cents to $12.93 per thousand on a projected $82.6 million levy, and waived its Chapter 61B right of first refusal on a 6.47-acre parcel at 576 North Ave. selling for $2,580,000 for a six-lot flexible subdivision.