Positions

Support of the following proposals to improve assessment practices in Weston:

1. Assessors should oversee, guide and evaluate any appraisers throughout the valuation process.

2. Assessors should consult regularly with other town boards and utilize outside sources of expertise such as realtos,and bankers who give mortgages.

3. Properties whose sales ratios are out of line with the norm should be revalued. Sales ratio data and other available information such as trends in the marketplace or conservation land purchases should be used to help identify unsold properties whose evaluation may be out of line.

4. Information on abatement, conservation easement, agricultural easement, etc., should be simplified and standardized by publishing guidelines. (1976)

Support of capital improvement to achieve and maintain at least minimum standards for Weston Library space and facilities. (1963)

Support of continuation of at least the current level of service of the Library, the Recreation Commission, the Youth Commission and the Conservation Commission. The Recreation Commission, however, should increase dependence on user fees, allotting the larger proportion to the cost of the badge. In addition, with reference to proposed non-mandated services, support of the concept of a community center and an ongoing investigation of its feasibility. (1979)

Support of adequate and appropriate facilities and continued services in Weston for young children, such as: publications listing these services, toddler playgrounds, a drop-in center for parents and young children, and daytime child care. To the extent possible, these facilities and services would be self-supporting, but could use public space (1981, amended 1993)

Supports the formation of a cross-community commission to evaluate the after-school needs of residents and to recommend solutions. The League supports after-school programs with increased capacity and supports the development of fee-based transportation options and a fee-based drop-in center for short-term usage and for unstructured, but supervised activity, homework, and snack space. (1997)

Support of a variety of approaches in teaching styles to accommodate differences among teachers and children, efforts to give teachers opportunities for further development and professional training, and periodic evaluation of academic and affective learning. (1972)

The League should work to increase understanding and awareness of special education and its relationship to regular education. (1978)

Support of local action taken to provide more housing alternatives for the elderly residents of Weston. Studies of the feasibility of options should not presume that they are mutually exclusive. Options could include new constructions, conversions of existing housing and other zoning by-law amendments, control of town expenditures, and supportive services for the elderly. This includes the following specific recommendations:

1. The town should play a role in this effort. Town officials should articulate the need for more housing alternatives and explore and evaluate in detail as soon as possible, various means for meeting these needs.

2. The LWV should plan an active role in this effort in the following areas:

• publicizing of idenified needs,
• cooperation with an evaluation of efforts of town officials and other groups, and
• continuation of studies where appropriate. (1975)

Support of a zoning by-law amendment allowing single family homes to include one apartment. The procedure to be used would be a special permit from the Board of Appeals with the following stipulations:

1. That the premises contain only one apartment.

2. That the dwelling or the accessory building was in existence before the filing of the application for the special permit.

3. That the owner or owners of the premises reside in either the dwelling (or part thereof other than the apartment) or in the apartment.

4. That only limited exterior alterations to the dwelling or accessory building should be allowed. They should be in keeping with the character of the building and the determination of what would be "in keeping" should be made by the Board of Appeals Review Process. (1977, amended in 1988)

The League supports the concept of a mixture of owned and rented multiple family housing units with a variety of design features present, including consideration of some one story units. The League supports weighing factors of appropriateness of setting, visibility from the road, traffic impact, density, siting, and landscaping in considering any multiple family housing proposal. The League supports greater availability of housing in Weston that would meet varied needs and be withing reach of varied income levels. (1983)

Support of acquisition by the town of appropriate land and land rights for recreation and conservation. (1960's)

The League supports the position that payment for solid waste disposal be made by a combination of property taxes and user fees.

Incentives should be established to promote recycling and responsible disposal of hazardous waste.

The League supports the professional administration and operation of the Town's solid waste disposal, including recycling and hazardous waste disposal. (1990)

The League supports the consolidation of some town services, including the Highway Department, the Park and Cemetery Commission, the Water commission, and the Transfer Satation. (1991)

Support of the improvement and enlargement of existing transportation facilities which provide an alternative to individually occupied cars, and development of new forms of community transportation as the need becomes more urgent. (1973)

Support of the following measures in seeking a solution to traffic problems in Weston:

1. and expanded and coordinated metropolitan transportation system.

2. Sufficiently current and adequate origin and destination surveys to accompany any proposal.

3. a policy that curvature and width of roads should maximize both safety and aesthetics.

4. a system of foot and bicycle paths throughout the town.

5. a policy that residential roads should not be built as connectors between secondary roads. (1974)

Support the use of seat belts in Weston school buses when they are designed specifically for school buses and complement comparmentalization.

In addition, the LWVW supports the following improvements in school bus safety, including, but not limited to:

• additional interior padding
• automatic grill bars, electronic sensors, and other exterior safety measures
• reduced time pressure on bus runs
• increased public education and enforcement of bus traffic laws. (1986)