Weston ZBA unanimously approves amended fire tower variance after three-year legal fight

WESTON — November 14, 2022 — Weston ZBA votes 3-0 to end three-year tower dispute, clearing 90-foot monopole at 150 Highland Street. Acting Chair Winifred Lee presided over the November 14 meeting alongside members Alan Rose Jr. and Sujit Sitoli, approving an amended variance for the Weston Fire Department's municipal communications tower on town-owned land. The original 2019 variance had been appealed by abutters Thomas and Jennifer Seaman of 100 Highland Street; their attorney Mark Horner told the board the family now supports the revised design, calling it a "greatly improved project." The amended approval replaces a lattice-style tower with a slimmer monopole capped at 80 feet with two pencil antennas reaching 90 feet total, and incorporates a September 30, 2022 settlement allowing up to six public-safety antennas — covering fire and police radio channels, a water-meter reading system, and school buses — while barring any commercial antenna and limiting the property to one permanent tower. The decision is subject to final review by town counsel as to form.