It is a busy time of year in the real estate market, as home sellers list their properties, potential buyers line up at open houses, and renters step up their housing search before fall. Whether you are a homeowner, renter, landlord, agent, or lender, it is important to know your rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act. 

What is the Fair Housing Act? Why is it important?

The Fair Housing Act turns 50 years old this year! Prior to the passage of this crucial civil rights legislation, it was legal to participate in housing related discrimination. For example, refusal to rent/sell on the basis of a person’s race was legal, restricting the ability of entire groups to live in communities of their choice. Mortgages were denied to people of color in certain communities, which unfairly limited the ability of people to fully appreciate the economic advantages of homeownership. The impact of this discrimination, known as redlining, would go on to impact the financial stability of individuals and families for generations. In 1968, after the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Fair Housing Act was finally signed into law, and continues to work towards equal access to housing not just on the basis of race, but other protected groups as well. 

Click Here for More Information on Fair Housing 

The Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Green Communities Division has awarded $250,000 for projects in the Town of Westwood’s Green Communities Competitive Grant application. 

List of projects funded include:

• High School - LED Lighting
• Recreation Pool - Thermal pool cover and reel 
• Recreation Pool - Lighting 
• Thurston Middle School - LED lighting, hallway
• Thurston Middle School - Unit ventilator motors
• Martha Jones School - Building management system controls, phase 2

Thank you to Tom Philbin, Energy Manager and Tish Healey for their work with the DOER to apply for and secure these great benefits for the Town.  Since Tom and Tish began working with the DOER the Town has received over $1 million dollars  in grant money and close to $1 million dollars in incentives to make energy efficient updates at various municipal buildings in the community.

•  Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio for critical updates from the National Weather Service (NWS).
• Never leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
• Eat small meals and eat more often.
• Avoid extreme temperature changes.
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.
• Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
• Postpone outdoor games and activities.
• Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat.
• Take frequent breaks if you must work outdoors.
• Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.
• Check on your animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat.

Click here for a Heat Wave Safety Checklist 

 The Westwood Health Department has installed sunscreen dispensers at the School Street Playground, Morrison Field and the Tot Lot. We were able to secure the dispensers free of charge as a pilot program from SunStations, USA. If the project is successful we will be expanding to other parks and fields in Westwood. Please supervise children in sunscreen use, so there will be enough available for all.

Questions?  
Contact the Westwood Health Department
 mrc@townhall.westwood.ma.us or 
call 781-320-1027

The Westwood Health Department urges residents to use precautions to avoid mosquito bites by using repellant and preventing stagnant water around the yard.  West Nile Virus has been identified in Norfolk County this summer.  

If you would like mosquito control please go to the Norfolk County Mosquito Control District’s web site at www.norfolkcountymosquito.org to request that your property be sprayed.

Contact the Health Department at mrc@towhnall.westwood.ma.us for more information.

Town Clerk, Dottie Powers, recently had the pleasure of visiting the Downey School and speaking with Ms. Emmanouilidou’s and Mrs. Shea’s Kindergarten classes about her role as the Town Clerk, how important voting is,and licensing dogs.  

The children participated in a fun activity which would gave them their first opportunity to vote by choosing a dog license tag for the 2019 licensing period.

Each student was given a ballot with a dog house, heart, bell and a fire hydrant.  Students checked off the box next to the shape they liked best.  They incorporated their math lesson with voting by working with their teacher to add up the votes.   

The dog house tag won with the majority of the votes! There was lots of excitement from the students and they were happy to hear that their choice will be used next year!