Letters to the Editor

As abutters to the proposed development at 300 Wellesley St., we and our neighbors read with interest your recent coverage, “Planning board hears proposal for Regis land” (Jan. 2). While we recognize the need for senior housing, we do not believe that this location is appropriate given the sheer scale of the HYM Investment Group’s proposal and the resulting potential impact on traffic, safety, and the environment. Placing 215 units and a 300,000 square foot massive for-profit facility on land currently zoned as Single Family Residence District A sets a dangerous precedent for future rezoning and threatens to erode Weston’s…

Coyote column was refreshing and appreciated I am writing to commend a recent article by Michael Pappone. The writing was the “Song-dog season is nigh upon us”. I thought it was so beautifully written. I was so pleased to see a positive piece about such a fascinating animal that is all too often given an unfair reputation, condemnation, and cruel treatment. We live across the street from the Mill Creek Project Site where 172 units are being built on Boston Post Road. Before that project started – before trees were torn to the ground and farm land was destroyed –…

First, I would like to address the stewardship of our Select Board and the dynamics between the SB and the Town Manager’s Office. With the understanding that TMO handles the day-to-day operation, SB taking the back seat, we are still mandated by the state, and reasonably expected by the town folks, that the Select Board performs the functions of making important decisions; functioning as the stewardship of the town folks–monitoring and coordinating all town functions as the trustworthy caretakers of the town’s interests.  We are privileged that our previous and current SB and the TMO have provided top-notch services to…

I will be voting to retain a three member Select Board on January 13. Back in the 1980’s I served on the then Board of Selectmen for nine years.  There was not a town manager.  Ward Carter was the highly respected executive secretary.  The Selectmen had additional responsibilities such as approving the weekly warrant to pay the town’s bills and negotiating across the table with the unions.  We had a regular meeting every week. Each of us was responsible for developing and maintaining a strong relationship with one of the department directors. With the addition of a town manager to take over…

Voice in favor of Select Board expansion I’m writing to support increasing Select Board membership to five, based on my own experience. I’m a 54 year resident of Weston currently serving on the Historical Commission (41 years, 4 as chair), Crescent Street Historic District Commission (32 years, all as chair), and Planning Board (23 years, 20 as chair), as well as the Friends of Josiah Smith Tavern and Friends of the Weston Depot boards. I earlier served on the School Facilities, Open Space, and Long Range Planning Committees, Historic District Study Committee, HPP Steering Committee, and the Lands Sake and…

Last evening I saw Weston High School’s presentation of Mamma Mia! I can’t rave enough about it! The stage set was well done for each theme and the orchestra was excellent. The actors could’ve been professionals! They didn’t miss their lines; their gestures were right on. The choreography, and actors’ execution of it was phenomenal! Those moves were not easy, yet they were performed with precision, even toward the end, when the actors should’ve been exhausted. No, the joy and energy they exuded never flagged! Because they seemed to be enjoying themselves, we were caught up in their enthusiasm! Next…

Friends of Josiah Smith Tavern responsible for management The Weston Observer’s Nov. 3 article reported on the October Select Board meeting and Brian Piccini’s plans to open The Woods restaurant in the Josiah Smith Tavern. The article noted Select Board member Lise Revers’ concern with the project’s timeline and requests to review Mr. Piccini’s financials. Mr. Piccini, a Weston resident, explained his deep commitment to the project and the reasons for selling two of his other restaurants. He also noted that the timeline was significantly delayed since the liquor license had to be reissued by the State Legislature. Mr. Piccini…

Thanks to the Weston Observer, Weston once again has an easily accessible forum for public discourse. This is a privilege and one that all the hard-working volunteers who brought the Observer to life have provided. Accordingly, I’d like to exercise this privilege and use this as an opportunity to respond to the recent article about the Weston Art & Innovation Center (“What is the future of the Weston Art and Innovation Center?” Oct. 9, 2025). Reporter Addison Antonoff did an admirable job summarizing a lot of the history and some complex financial information into one article, and I can add…

The best reason to vote yes is to protect our residential areas from apartment complexes. The 3A proposal, unanimously supported by the Planning Board, Select Board, and Finance Committee, is clever in that it only realistically allows new housing on existing commercial property (133 Boston Post Rd, aka Boston Properties) and up to 38 additional apartments of badly needed affordable elderly housing in Merriam Village, which has a very long waiting list. The new Boston Properties housing will be invisible to abutters, and its traffic will flow out of town and not through town since it’s adjacent to the Rt.…

In 2022, Town Meeting voters spoke clearly: 76% (417-129) voted to study preservation options for the historic Weston Depot at 55 Church St.. The town approved $30,000 but only spent about $12,000 due to access issues with the building’s then-owner. Now there’s a path forward. New owner John Corcoran plans to donate the 144-year-old depot to the Friends of the Weston Depot, a newly formed nonprofit made up of long-term and public minded volunteers. We want to complete the structural analysis and soil testing voters already approved—and aim to transform the building into a community asset serving the Mass Central…

Weston High School 10th grader Sahana Krishnan advocates for the Nature for MA ballot initiative.