Town Center Upgrades Up For Vote At Weston Special Town Meeting

WESTON, MA— A special town meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, at Weston High School asking residents to pay for a $6.8 million town center upgrade and a $500,00 pumper truck for the Weston Fire Department. The articles are among nine being voted on at the meeting.

Article 5 asks voters to appropriate $6.8 million to pay for the construction costs for improvements to the center located along Boston Post Road between Linwood Ave. and School Street, along Church Street between Boston Post Road and Town House Road, and along Town House Road. The price tag includes reconstructing roads to make them handicapped compatible, as well as streetscape designs such as increased green space and lighting.

"The intent of the urban design masterplan is to create public spaces that are historically
sensitive; that are contextual to the existing street scale; that enhance public safety; that improve the economic viability of local businesses; and that make the town center more robust and a desirable destination for Weston citizens," explained The Board of Selectmen in the warrant article.

Related to town center improvements, Article 6 asks voters to approve funds to bury utilities in the area specified in the town center master plan in Article 5. The estimate for this project is between $5 and $6 million and would allow for burying utility poles underground.

The town holds an information session prior to Special Town Meeting about the town center project at the Town Hall on Nov. 17 at 11 a.m.

Other projects on the Special Town Meeting warrant include an appropriation of $500,000 to replace a 2008 pumper truck for the Fire Department. The current truck has significant frame deterioration and other motor problems, and the department said it is now spending more money to repair the current truck than it would cost to replace it.

A full list of special town meeting articles is below:

Photo via town of Weston