Weston Finance Committee endorses water and recreation budgets, debates school spending cap

WESTON — February 26, 2026 — Weston Finance Committee unanimously endorsed the town's Water and Recreation Enterprise budgets for FY27 and voted to let the town moderator fill committee vacancies, while signaling it will support only the lowest of three school budget scenarios. Chair Bharath Venkataraman and members including Maija Cirulis-Gooch pushed back hard against treating 4 percent as a school budget target, with Cirulis-Gooch presenting an analysis showing that when health insurance and workers' compensation costs are allocated to the schools, even the lowest proposed scenario — a $51.36 million operating budget representing a 3.95 percent increase — translates to a roughly 4.97 percent increase on a fully loaded basis. Town Manager Leon Gaumond reported the Water Enterprise budget is tracking toward a 5.15 percent increase, driven partly by updated MWRA costs and a new staff hire to address looming retirements, and disclosed that a second water department employee is unexpectedly departing. The committee deferred votes on a $50,000 playground design-fee article and a field lighting project pending more information, and asked that petitioners behind a citizen's liquor license request for Heirloom restaurant come before the panel with answers to financial and operational questions before any vote.