2019 Special Town Meeting

Called to Order: December 3, 2019 - 7:00 p.m.

Meeting Dissolved: 9:30 p.m. - find results below

Warrant (Agenda)

STM19butt

New to Town Meeting?

Refer to the Brief Guide to Town Meeting Procedures (PDF) for the basics of Town Meeting, as well as the Every Vote Counts (PDF) pamphlet. Town Meeting is the legislative branch of Weston's Town Government and is the purest form of democracy. Weston's Town Meeting is typically held twice a year (May and November/December). Town Meeting is its own entity and should not be confused with other open meetings held within Town Government.

Know the Issues & Special Town Meeting Results

Warrant Article Results Additional Info
Articles 1 - 6 Consent Agenda
1 - Water Line Improvements for WFD
2 - Historic Surveys
3 - Emergency Mental Health Response - WPD
4 - Water Tank Study
5 - Rail Trail Plantings
6 - Special Legislation: Detail Officers
Articles 1 & 5 were removed from the Consent Agenda.

Articles 2, 3, 4 & 6 - Passed Unanimously

Article 1 - Failed 
Yes: 112  No: 182

Article 5 - Passed
Yes: 204  No: 109

Articles within a consent agenda are taken under one vote unless a request to remove an article from the vote is received from at least 10 voters

Executive Summary & Presentation: Water System Master Plan (PDF)
Selectmen 7/30 Meeting: Water Tank Study (appx. 2:04:00mm)

Rail Trail Plantings: application and CPC Public Hearing presentation
CPC 10/28 Public Hearing video: Rail Trail Plantings

Selectmen 10/8 Meeting: Detail Officers (appx. 0:51:15mm)
Article 7 - Amend General By-laws: Select Board Passed
Yes: 295   No: 41
see warrant
BOS 9/24 Meeting: Select Board (appx. 1:03:45mm)
Article 8 - Zoning By-laws: Lots on Scenic Roads Passed by 2/3rds Majority
Yes: 311  No: 37
see warrant
Planning Board Public Hearing Sept. 4 (appx. 0:9:10mm)
Articles 9 & 10 - Citizens' Petition: Transit-Oriented Senior Development Article 9 - Failed to get 2/3rds Majority
Yes: 216   No: 149

Article 10 - Passed Over
see warrant
Planning Board Public Hearing: Nov. 6 (appx. 0:1:15mm) and Nov. 12 Review (appx 0:00:54mm)
Article 11 - Josiah Smith Tavern Construction Passed
Yes: 323  No: 42
Weston.org/JST
Article 12 - Community Choice Aggregation
Passed
Yes: 212  No: 6
Weston.org/Sustainability
Nov. 19 Information Meeting - recorded by WMC
Article 13 - Amend General By-laws: Civil Fingerprinting Passed
Yes: 149  No: 20
see warrant
Selectmen 10/8 meeting (appx 0:44:30mm)

Electronic Voting Handsets

Hand-held electronic voting devices are now used at Town Meetings instead of placards or standing counts. This new system allows voters to quickly register their votes.

When you arrive at Town Meetings, you will need to check-in to be confirmed and then you will be issued a handset for your exclusive use during Town Meeting. Please allow enough time to check-in and to receive your handset before the start of Town Meeting. The handset requires approximately 10 minutes to sync-up before it is able to cast a vote.

A practice vote will be taken at the start of Town Meeting in order to get participants comfortable with the new technology.

EV handset

Voting Handset Procedure

  • When voters arrive at check-in, they will receive a handset that is on and ready for their exclusive use
  • The Moderator will announce when it is time to vote and a light in the front of the auditorium will illuminate for 30-seconds to indicate the voting period
  • To vote YES, press the "1" button; to vote NO, press the "2" button; to abstain, do not press anything; if you pressed 1 or 2 and would rather abstain, press the "3" button to clear the vote
  • If you need to change your vote during the 30-second period, simply press 1 or 2. The device will record the last number pressed
  • A help desk will be available if you encounter a problem with your handset
  • If you cannot use the handset, please let staff know so they can accommodate you

Printed instructions will be given with the handset and a practice vote will be taken before proceedings begin. Additional information is available in the Electronic Voting User Guide (PDF)