Weston trustees decline immediate termination of town lease; direct staff to renegotiate

The Village of Weston Board of Trustees voted down a motion to terminate the village's lease with the Town of Weston at 5209 Lester Street, then approved a separate motion directing staff to negotiate revised terms and notice with the town.

The initial motion, moved from the finance and human resources committee, would have begun the formal process to end the current lease and later reissue a new agreement. The proposal drew concern from several trustees who said terminating the arrangement abruptly could harm shared services and intergovernmental relationships. Opponents urged negotiation instead of unilateral action.

During discussion trustees warned that a sudden move could jeopardize joint operations, including the merged police services and other shared functions, and stressed the need for a plan before any formal exit. Board comments pointed to fiscal pressures — including an EMS/fire budget shortfall discussed earlier — and the need to make municipal assets work for taxpayers while preserving cooperation.

When the chair called the question, the roll-call showed two trustees in favor and three opposed; the termination motion failed. The board then approved a substitute motion directing staff to work with the Town of Weston on renegotiation and notice so the parties have time to reach an updated arrangement, with the goal of avoiding service interruptions.

The board did not set a final deadline in public session; trustees said staff will return with options and suggested an approximately 18-month horizon in some remarks as the outer bound for any change if no agreement is reached.

What happens next: staff was directed to open discussions with the town and report back with proposed revised lease terms and options for alternative meeting or office space, while the existing lease remains in place.