There was a wide-ranging discussion on the Weston Facebook page earlier this week surrounding the new group Focus On Weston, and the group’s first of several planned Town Crier articles. In particular, some questioned the statement, “Unlike in other affluent Boston-area towns, homes in Weston have not appreciated materially in value over the last 5, 10, or even 15 years.”

Weston quarterly tax bills just came out. Now that you’ve paid it, do you have a clear sense of where that money is going? Do you feel like you’re getting your money’s worth?

Unlike in other affluent Boston-area towns, homes in Weston have not appreciated materially in value over the last 5, 10, or even 15 years. However, our property taxes for the average or median home, and per capita, are significantly higher. This is because Weston town spending exceeds the per-household spending of other comparable towns.

As follow-up to last week’s article by the Weston Finance Committee, “Fincom Perspective on Weston’s School Budget”, which detailed our lack of support for the proposed Fiscal Year 2021 town budget as recommended by the Town Manager, we want to provide a revised exhibit and some additional perspective on the issues it raises with respect to the town’s many recent amenity projects, and especially the proposed 2020 Recreation Master Plan.

As noted last week, we do not oppose the school budget increase of 3.5%, which is 1.7% after adjusting for accounting changes and legally mandated special education expenses. Rather, we are concerned by the remaining proposed municipal budget in this unprecedented environment. We have recommended deferring all significant discretionary spending and all proposed budget increases which are not absolutely necessary until after the current crisis has subsided. When the duration and economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic is better understood, it may be appropriate to restore discretionary expenses and investments on which there is already broad agreement, and debate other initiatives as may be prudent at that time.

As follow-up to last week’s article by the Weston Finance Committee, “Fincom on Town’s Debt and Unfunded Liabilities”, which detailed our lack of support for the proposed Fiscal Year 2021 town budget as recommended by the Town Manager, we want to provide some additional perspective on Weston’s public school spending.

​As noted last week, we do not oppose the school budget increase of 3.5%, which is 1.7% after adjusting for accounting changes and legally mandated special education expenses. Rather, we are concerned by the remaining proposed municipal budget in this unprecedented environment. We have recommended deferring all significant discretionary spending and all proposed budget increases which are not absolutely necessary until after the current crisis has subsided. At that point, we may be able to restore discretionary expenses and investments on which there is already broad agreement and debate other increases as may be prudent at that time.

From the Weston Town Crier, April 16, 2020

​As follow-up to last week’s article by the Weston Finance Committee, “Finance Committee Perspective on FY 2021 Budget and Taxes”, which detailed our lack of support for the proposed Fiscal Year 2021 town budget as recommended by the Town Manager, we want to provide some additional perspective on Weston’s debt and unfunded liabilities.

As noted last week, we do not oppose the school budget increase of 3.5%, which is 1.7% after adjusting for accounting changes and legally mandated special education expenses. Rather, we are concerned by the remaining proposed municipal budget in this unprecedented environment. We recommend deferring all significant discretionary spending and all proposed budget increases which are not absolutely necessary until after the current crisis has subsided. At that point, we may be able to restore discretionary expenses and investments on which there is already broad agreement and debate other increases as may be prudent at that time.

Submitted by the Weston Finance Committee

​As follow-up to last week’s article by the Weston Finance Committee, detailing our lack of support for the proposed Fiscal Year 2021 town budget as recommended by the Town Manager, we want to provide some additional perspective on Weston’s taxes and spending.

​We do not oppose the school budget increase of 3.5%, which is 1.7% after adjusting for accounting changes and legally mandated special education expenses. Rather, we are concerned by the remaining proposed municipal budget in this unprecedented environment. We recommend deferring all significant discretionary spending and all proposed budget increases which are not absolutely necessary until after the current crisis has subsided. At that point, we may be able to restore discretionary expenses and investments on which there is already broad agreement and debate other increases as may be prudent at that time.