Politics & Government

Weston's Annual Town Election: What You Need to Know

Annual town election is Saturday, May 5.

 

What: Weston's annual town election is Saturday, May 5. Below is information on what candidates will appear on the ballot, plus the two ballot questions.

When: Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Find out what's happening in Westonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Where: Town Hall

Who: Here's a look at who's on the ballot:

Find out what's happening in Westonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Board or Office # Seats Candidates Moderator 1 Wendy Spector (I) William T. Sandalls, Jr. Selectman 1 Edward H. Coburn Assessor 2 Gary G. Koger (I) Phyllis R. Kominz (I) School Comittee 2 Richard A. Manley, Jr.(I) Rosemary Tomaso Recreation Commission 2 Richard L. Hall (I) Alison Payne Jones Elverkrog Planning Board 1 Pamela W. Fox (I) George M. Gordon, Jr. Library Trustees 2 Joel S. Angiolillo (I) Denise Mosher (I) Board of Health 1 Peter K. Taylor (I) Commissioner of Trust Funds 1 Thomas E. Bator (I) Measurers of Lumber 3 Robin Peakes Coutts Richard L. Hall Susan L. Kannenberg * I = incumbent

 

Ballot Questions: The following questions will also appear on the ballot. This information was gathered from the Town website.

Ballot Question Number 1: Proposition 2-1/2 Debt Exclusion

Shall the Town of Weston be allowed to exempt from the provisions of Proposition two and one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay for the bond(s) issued in order to design, engineer, construct and equip the following, including all costs incidental and related thereto: (1) DPW Drainage Improvement Projects and (2) South Side Drainage Improvement Project?

SUMMARY: State law provides for an exemption from the limits of Proposition two and one-half of those amounts required to pay for the debt service for bonds approved by the voters.  Question 1 would exempt the debt service for the bonds issued for projects to be considered at the May 2012 Annual Town Meeting:

  • DPW Drainage Improvement Projects (Article 20)         $300,000
  • South Side Drainage Improvement Project (Article 21)  $450,000
  • Total                                                                         $750,000

Separate articles will appear in the Annual Town Meeting Warrant to appropriate the funds and authorize borrowing for each purpose. A two-thirds vote of Town Meeting in favor is required for approval. This ballot question is only to exempt the debt service from the limits of Proposition 2½, should these items be approved by Town Meeting.

The debt service for these projects will be approximately $9,375 in fiscal year 2013, $58,750 in fiscal year 2014, then decreasing each year until the bond reaches maturity. Bonds for drainage projects can be issued for up to thirty years. This Proposition two and one-half debt exemption shall be approved if a majority of the persons voting thereon vote “yes.”

Ballot Question Number 2: Approval to Grant Club and Special Licenses for the Sale of Alcohol

Shall an act passed by the General Court in the year 2012, entitled “An Act Relative to the Granting of Club and Special Licenses for the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages in the Town of Weston” be accepted?

SUMMARY: In order for the Weston Golf Club and Pine Brook Country Club to be able to sell alcoholic beverages, they must be duly licensed. In order for licensing to take place in Weston, a special act was authorized under Article 25 of the May 2011 Annual Town Meeting and subsequently approved by the Legislature and Governor as Chapter 27 of the Acts of 2012. This special act allows the Board of Selectmen to issue so-called “club licenses” to the Weston Golf Club and Pine Brook Country Club.

The Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman Tennis Center was also included in this legislation so that they may request a license in the future, which will not be granted unless an amendment to their 1968 special permit, which prohibits the serving or consumption of alcoholic beverages, is approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals. In addition, the special act provides for the issuance by the Board of one-day or special licenses to non-profit organizations to sell alcoholic beverages during special events. The final step in the approval process is acceptance by Weston voters.  

This question shall be approved if a majority of the persons voting thereon vote “yes.”


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