Weston Finance Committee demands AIC sustainability plan before approving FY27 funding

WESTON — January 8, 2026 — Weston Finance Committee demands a concrete AIC sustainability plan before committing FY27 town funds. Chair Bharath Venkataraman opened the January 8 remote meeting with a review of the library and Art and Innovation Center budgets, where Library Director Jennifer Warner reported AIC Square payment revenue grew more than 30 percent in the first six months of FY26, rising from $48,378 to $64,543 compared with the same period the prior year. Library Board member Chris Welles cited a July projection of $139,500 in total library support to the AIC for FY26, while committee member Zachary Sadek pressed for a formal revenue forecast and deficit-coverage strategy, warning the committee against treating the AIC as "a sort of forever cost center." Town Manager Leon Gaumond said no funding decisions have been made but committed to helping develop a fiscal plan ahead of the January 27 Select Board budget hearing. Venkataraman also announced this will be his final year as chair, with a vote to select a successor set for July 2026.