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Residents split over $50M Vista Park plan as budget hearing draws lengthy testimony
Summary
Hundreds of residents and community groups turned out to comment on the proposed Vista Park Phase 2 project and FY2026 budget, with supporters citing unmet facility needs and opponents calling the project too costly and urging delay or alternative funding.
The proposed Vista Park Phase 2 package — described by city staff as a roughly $50 million project that includes a new indoor recreation building (estimated $28–30 million), splash pad, playground, two artificial turf fields, expanded parking and other site work — was the central flashpoint of the City of Weston’s Sept. 15 tentative budget hearing.
Opponents raised cost escalation, the timeline of prior plans, and the impact on homeowners who may be on fixed incomes. "It's gonna take away green space... It's gonna take away areas for kids to play," long‑time resident Fred Burton told commissioners, asking that the project be removed from the budget. Others, including Diana O'Malley and Alexandra Patino, asked what alternatives were being pursued and whether private fundraising or partnerships could reduce taxpayer burden.
Supporters representing sports leagues, arts organizations and other user groups urged the commission to move forward. Lou Moret of the Weston Music Society and leaders of the Weston Sports Alliance emphasized the lack of indoor year‑round space and argued the project would serve thousands of participants and expand programming. Eric Dobransky, president of the Weston Sports Alliance, told the commission the improvements would "expand field availability, reduce cancellations, and improve scheduling flexibility for all leagues."
City staff said the cost reflects a comprehensive package: Don Decker, the city manager, said the $50 million figure covers the building plus site work; Daryl Thomas, the city’s CFO, explained financing assumptions and the rationale for using reserves, grants and longer‑term debt to manage annual impacts. Thomas said staff estimated an annual debt‑service impact of about $144 a year on a median single‑family home if financed over 20 years, or about $115 a year over 30 years on a declining schedule, and noted the city’s AAA credit rating would support favorable borrowing terms.
Commissioners emphasized different priorities. Several (including Commissioner Byron Jaffe and Vice Mayor Henry Mead) pointed to participation data, park usage and the potential to protect property values by investing in infrastructure. Others urged more public outreach and detailed cost‑benefit analyses before final approval.
The budget calendar means the commission must decide whether to include the project in the final FY2026 budget at the hearing on Sept. 29. Staff committed to provide additional debt‑service tables and funding‑source details ahead of that meeting.
