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The Town of Westwood uses Code Red to stay connected with its residents. They collect publicly available contacts and phone numbers. Clicking on the link below allows you to provide additional contact information. We normally send out an email version of any announcement to resident's email addresses, which normally has more detail, since we try to keep any calls sent out to under a minute.
You can also use this form to opt out of receiving calls, or choose any of the groups we are setting up for special notifications.
There are two kinds of notifications. General notices will go to the primary telephone number only, emergency notifications will go to all contact numbers, and an email will be sent with a clickable link to the message.
https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BFFB4057368B
The Annual Town Election will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Nomination papers will be available at the Town Clerk’s office, Westwood Town Hall, 580 High Street, on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 for those registered Westwood voters who wish to run for Town positions.
Please contact the Town Clerk at dpowers@townhall.westwood.ma.us or 781-326-3964, if you have any questions regarding the Election process.
The following elected offices will appear on the Ballot:
Board of Assessors - 1 Seat - 3 Year Term
A board of assessors of 3 members shall be elected for 3-year overlapping terms. Members may receive such compensation as may be appropriated by the town meeting (4-2-1).The board of Assessors is responsible for the assessment and Administration of all local taxes provided for by Mass.General Laws. The primary function is to determine the value of all real and personal property located the Town of Westwood.
Housing Authority-1 Seat- 5 Year Term
Housing Authority-1 Seat-2 year Term (to fill a vacancy)
A board of 5 members, 4 shall be elected for 5 year overlapping terms; 1 shall be a state appointee. Members shall serve without compensation. The board shall be responsible for exploring various financing alternatives for the development of affordable rental housing units, identify sites for redevelopment of affordable rental units, develop and manage affordable rental housing owned and operated by the Westwood Housing Authority and the WAHA.
Library Trustee - 2 Seats - 3 Year Terms
A board of 6 library trustees shall be elected for 3-year overlapping terms. Members shall serve without compensation.
The board shall be responsible for the administration and operation of the town library, including staffing, acquisitions, maintenance and the promulgation of library rules and regulations (4-5-1,4-5-2).
Moderator - 1 Seat - 1 Year Term
A Moderator shall be elected for a term of 1-yearand shall preside at all sessions of the town meeting; shall serve without compensation (138-13)
Planning Board - 2 Seats - 3 Year Terms
A planning board of 5 members shall be elected for 3-year overlapping terms. Members shall serve without compensation.
The board shall meet regularly and shall maintain a public record of its proceedings, resolutions and determinations. It shall be responsible for the general, physical, economic and environmental planning of the town under the general laws, town charter (4-4-1, 4-4-2) and town by-laws.
School Committee - 2 Seats -3 Year Terms
A school committee of 5 members shall be elected for 3-year overlapping terms. Members shall serve without compensation. The committee shall have general charge of all public schools in the town, under the General Laws, town charter (4-1-1,4-1-2)and town by-laws.
Selectman - 1 Seat - 3 Year Term
A board of selectmen of 3 members shall be elected for 3-year overlapping terms. Members may receive such compensation as may be appropriated by the town meeting. The board shall have the power to establish, in the performance of its duties, rules and regulations not otherwise governed by the General Laws, town charter (3-1-1-3-6-1) and town by-laws.
Sewer Commission - 1 Seat - 3 Year Term
A board of sewer commissioners of 3 members shall be elected for 3-year overlapping terms. Members may receive such compensation as may be appropriated by the town meeting. The board of sewer commissioners shall be responsible for the development of general goals and long-term plans for the town's sewer system and shall also establish the fees, user charges or rates necessary to fully fund the sewer system operations (4-3-1, 4-3-2).
Important dates for candidates to remember:
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Nomination papers available in the Town Clerk’s office.
Friday, March 8, 2019, 5:00 p.m.
Last day to obtain nomination papers. (MGL.ch.53§.9A)
Tuesday, March 12, 2019, 5:00 p.m.
Last day to submit nomination papers to Registrar of Voters for certification.
Thursday, March 28, 2019, 5:00 p.m.
Last day to object or withdraw nomination papers.
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Last day to register new voters for Town Election and Town Meeting.
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Annual Town Election, 7:00AM - 8:00PM
Monday, May 6, 2019
Annual Town Meeting
Check-in: 7:00PM, Meeting Begins: 7:30PM
 All are welcome.
For more information, please contact the Martha Jones School.
Visit the Westwood Public Library’s shower of flowers during our very first “Art in Bloom” week, which will be held at the Library from February 4th through the 10th. Award-winning photographer, Kira Seamon, will be our featured gallery artist, and you will be charmed and enchanted by her photographs of Machu Picchu and Peru.
Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Kira traveled to Machu Picchu and Peru this past October with members of her high school alumni group. This was a once-in-a-lifetime trip for many reasons – including the fact that Hiram Bingham III, the individual often recognized as the person who brought the Machu Picchu site to world attention, also graduated from the same high school, although about 100 years earlier! Hiram Bingham is also often credited as being the inspiration for the character of Indiana Jones. The alumni trip was titled "Following in the Footsteps of Hiram Bingham III" and Kira has brought back a fascinating photographic display of Peruvian archaeological sites, Peruvian food, people, alpacas and those very famous lines in the sand of animals and images, the Nazca Lines, from her magical journey there last year.
A special “Bloom Party” event will be held on Monday, February 4th from 6 pm – 8 pm. Participants will have access to dozens of freshly delivered flowers courtesy of Rick Canale and Exotic Flowers of Roslindale, MA. Groups will collaborate on creating a variety of arrangements to accompany some of Kira’s beautiful photographs, and these arrangements will be on display throughout the library during the week of February 4th through the 10th.
Please note individuals of all ages and abilities are invited to join us for the “Bloom Party.” However, space is limited and pre-registration is required. To sign up please contact the Adult Reference Staff at 781-320-1045.
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For additional information, please contact the Westwood Public Library: 781-320-1045
The Westwood Fire Department has created a new program that will give citizens the chance to help the Fire Department. The Adopt-A- Hydrant program was created to help keep our 615± fire hydrants clear and available during the winter season. This will ensure hydrants are visible and will greatly speed the response time in case of an emergency. Time spent by firefighters searching for and clearing hydrants buried in drifts or plowed snow is precious time lost could be spent saving a victim’s life or fighting a spreading fire. Citizens and civic groups (Boy Scouts, local youth groups, local High School teams, etc.) can "adopt" a hydrant or hydrants in their neighborhood.
The people who adopt hydrants will help the Fire Department by keeping them clear of snow in the winter, as well as reporting blocked or damaged hydrants year round. Sign up online here.
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This hydrant is not cleared appropriately. |
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This hydrant is cleared appropriately. |
Dog licensing has begun for 2019 January
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You may license your dog online, in person, or, by mail, provided you include a copy of a current rabies certificate and a self-addressed stamped envelope. If you are licensing your dog for the first time, proof of spay or neutering is also required.
- Licenses will be valid from January 1, 2019 until December 31, 2019.
- You must license your dog on an annual basis.
- If you own more than 4 dogs this is considered a “Personal Kennel” per MGL c. 140 §136A.
- You must go through a special permit application process through the Zoning Board of Appeals to license a kennel.
- Failure to license your dog on or before March 31, 2017 may result in a fine of $25.00, per town bylaws §184-10,B.(1).
Licensing Fees are as follows:
- Dogs not Neutered or Spayed: $15.00
- Dogs Neutered or Spayed : $10.00
- Residents ages 70 or older the fee is waived for one dog per household
- Kennel fees-please contact the Town Clerk’s office
Please be sure to include the correct licensing fee. If you are unsure, Please contact the Town Clerks office at 781 326-3964.
The Annual Town Census has been delivered to each household
It is extremely important that you fill this out and return it within 10 days of its receipt. You may also scan and email it to census @townhall.westwood.ma.us provided you have filled it out and signed it. Failure to return the Census may cause a voter to be designated as inactive on the voting list (M.G.L, Ch.51, § 4). Also please note that you may not register to vote or change parties via a census form.
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