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Selectboard flags competing capital needs as town weighs accepting flood grant
Summary
Selectboard members warned that Weston faces multiple large expenses—possible fire station and garage additions, a middle school bond, equipment replacement, and higher taxes after appraisal—and cautioned against taking on new borrowing if grant funds do not fully cover project costs.
Selectboard member Denis Benson told the public hearing that Weston faces several competing capital needs that could affect the town’s fiscal capacity to absorb additional borrowing or costs not covered by a grant.
Benson listed a potential fire station and town garage addition, a possible bond for a new middle school, replacement of aging town equipment, and increased property taxes following a recent town-wide appraisal. He urged residents to “carefully consider whether Weston should proceed with new capital projects that could lead to deficit spending” given inflation and economic uncertainty.
Board members said they would proceed with the application but reiterated that any costs above the grant award would need to be covered by the town or declined.
