Weston: Your Tax Dollars at Work…Or Are They?
Weston Town Crier, January 21, 2021
The following was submitted by Frank Caine
Weston quarterly tax bills just came out. Now that you’ve paid it, do you have a clear sense of where that money is going? Do you feel like you’re getting your money’s worth?
Unlike in other affluent Boston-area towns, homes in Weston have not appreciated materially in value over the last 5, 10, or even 15 years. However, our property taxes for the average or median home, and per capita, are significantly higher. This is because Weston town spending exceeds the per-household spending of other comparable towns.
Weston’s town debt and generous health care and post-employment benefits are also far higher than those of comparable towns. In addition, several recent projects such as the Town Center Improvement Project, Josiah Smith Tavern renovation, and Weston Art & Innovation Center have added to this debt. If our debt and unfunded liabilities continue to rise, our triple A bond rating could be jeopardized.
Weston’s Public Schools account for about two-thirds of the town budget and a similar proportion of the debt and unfunded liabilities. Our per-pupil spending has grown to almost $30,000 per pupil per year, or roughly 27% higher than comparable area school districts.
Despite declining enrollment, the school budget continues to increase significantly. A declining birth rate, little growth in the Town’s population and a continuing shift away from our public schools to private schools means that enrollment will continue to decline. Even potential 40B developments will not reverse the trend.
While Weston’s schools are still highly regarded, the objective performance metrics such as third-party rankings and MCAS, AP, and other test scores are mostly in line with other comparable school districts which spend much less per pupil. This unexceptional performance is itself a cause for concern, regardless of the cost differences, in a town dedicated to excellence.
Weston prides itself on having high community involvement in schools, churches, and clubs. Surprisingly few residents pay much attention to the town’s municipal and financial affairs. Of Weston’s roughly 8,600 registered voters, fewer than 30% voted in the last town election and only a few hundred (3-4%) attended the Annual Town Meeting. In contrast, more than 7,000 residents (over 80%) voted in the 2020 national election.
Weston’s Town Meeting is a critical part of our town’s democratic process. It is ultimately where the Town’s $100 million budget and its major projects are considered and approved, and also where our individual property taxes – averaging over $20,000 per household – are determined. Low citizen attendance at Town Meeting means that thousands of people and votes are not part of the decisions that affect our taxes and debt levels.
Over the coming weeks, you will see a series of articles aimed at increasing municipal transparency. We hope this spurs broader involvement in the decisions that can enhance the excellence of our schools and town services while also improving the effectiveness and efficiency of our spending, and therefore the value of our tax dollars.