Weston Voters Reject Old Library Proposal

Town meeting voters rejected a zoning amendment on Monday that would have paved the way for the proposed Old Library project.

After approximately two hours of debate, voters rejected Article 1, which was intended to give the town greater flexibility in rehabilitating the historic library. Urbanica had proposed to develop the site into residential condominiums. 

The vote count was 206 in favor and 155 against the article. However, it required two-thirds to pass. As a result of the ballot, residents passed over voting on the remaining two articles related to the project.

Disagreement on the proposal centered around whether the town should take more time consider details of it until the December town meeting.

• Richard Sher, a Weston resident, said he believed other proposals would surface for the site. “There are plenty of other alternatives,” he said. Several other residents supported having additional time for the proposal. 
• Selectman Michael Harrity, however said, he believed Urbanica would withdraw its proposal if the zoning amendment was rejected.
• Planning Board Chairman Alfred Aydelott said the board would be willing to bring the proposal back to the town in the fall but that he would have to discuss the consequences with other town officials.
• Town Moderator Tom Crane said if the proposal was rejected, it could be revisited at the winter town meeting. However, any new proposals would have to go through the public bidding and request for proposal process, Harrity said.
• Selectmen Chairman Ed Coburn made an impassioned plea to pass the article saying that although it did not meet all of the goals, voters should accept it. 
• Several voters spoke in favor of the project, but ultimately, the zoning amendment failed to gain enough support.