With Halloween and additional Holidays approaching, we are encouraging all residents to continue practicing social distancing and observe CDC guidelines. It is imperative to listen to these guidelines to protect ourselves, our families, and our community.
Please click here to view all CDC Holiday guidelines
We are pleased to announce that planning has begun for the Westwood Youth & Family Services Holiday Giving Program. Having taken place since 1999, this is a confidential process in which gifts are donated to Westwood families who may not be financially able to purchase gifts on their own for the holidays. Last year the program provided gifts to 68 Westwood children. The program will look a little different this year due to the public health crisis. Instead of choosing physical gifts, recipients will be asked to choose gift cards that they can then use towards holiday gifts for their children.
The Holiday Giving program is open to any resident of Westwood with children between birth to 18 years old, with no requirements as to the level of the need. If a Westwood family identifies themselves to us as being in need of this program, we will include them.
If you or someone you know is interested in registering for the program please contact WY&FS directly at youth@townhall.westwood.ma.us or 781-320-1006. The deadline to register is Friday, November 6th.
The Westwood Senior Center will be closed to the public through the end of 2020; this is not surprising but we wanted to make sure you all knew. Please know staff is still available remotely (in the office Monday through Friday 8-2pm) if you need us; just call us and let us know how we can help you.
The good news is we continue to grow our virtual programs. Cable classes include yoga, exercise, line dancing, music; our zoom classes include current conversations, cooking classes, Pilates, book group, drawing, bereavement, and tai chi. And we now have special programming every Tuesday and Thursday from 12-1, a virtual lunch and learn (bring your own lunch).
Here are a few cable programs you might enjoy. ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS CAN BE FOUND ON LOCAL CABLE Comcast 8 & 12, and Verizon 32 & 42 daily. More will be added this Fall:
Monday
9:00-9:45 - Cardio Strength & Stretch
10:00-10:45 - Line Dancing
11:00-12:00 - Music Matters
Tuesday
8:00-9:00 - Floor Yoga
9:30-10:30 - Chair Yoga
11:00-12:00 - Music Matters
Wednesday
9:00-9:45 - Sit and Get Fit
10:00-10:45 - Line Dancing
11:00-12:00 - Music Matters
Thursday
8:00-9:00 Floor Yoga
9:30-10:30 - Chair Yoga
11:00-12:00 - Music Matters
Friday
9:00-9:45 - Cardio Strength and Balance
10:00-10:45 - Line Dancing
11:00-12:00 - Music Matters
A few samples of our Zoom programs that might interest you while you are staying safe in your home:
Drawing with Brenda
Tuesdays 10-12pm 1-3pm Via Zoom
Have fun with art on ZOOM! This is an 8 week interactive class starting September 8, but all are welcome to join at anytime. All skill levels are welcome. All you need to get started is some sketch paper, pencil and eraser! Learn basic techniques and explore different media. Let’s make art! Please call the Center to sign up with your email address … space is limited to six students per class.
Pilates with Mary
Thursdays at 10am VIA Zoom
Pilates is a collection of deliberate movements and controlled stretches designed to improve flexibility and strengthen your core. This class is practiced on a yoga mat, on the floor and the pace is moderate so even those new to Pilates can easily follow. Some of the benefits of regular Pilates participation include improved balance and posture, increased joint mobility, and stronger back and abdominal muscles. Please call the Center to sign up with your email address.
Thai Cooking with Roberta
Monday October 26 at 1pm VIA Zoom
Roberta will explore fresh interpretations of traditional Tai Recipes filled with aromatic herbs and spices. Recipes include coconut soup, Pad Thai and chicken satay with a peanut sauce. Please call to sign up with your email address and we will send you the recipes and Zoom information.
Meals on Wheels continues to grow and are delivered daily; any Westwood resident 65 or older needing a meal please calls HESSCO at 781-784-4944. We are also available to grocery shop for homebound at risk elders, just give us a call at the Center and we can set this up for you.
Transportation Update: We now grocery shop with our van, on a very limited basis (Tuesdays and Wednesdays only) and offer medical rides on Mondays only. A COA fall newsletter went out with all details and can be found on the Town’s website or call us and we will send you a copy; a winter newsletter is being written and will be available in November. Our goal is to keep everyone safe (seniors and staff) during this pandemic.
Fuel Assistance: If you need help filling out your application or need more information, please call the Center and speak directly to Karen Segreve. If she is not in the office, you can leave her a voicemail or write her an email.
Please know we are still here (in the office Monday through Friday 8-2pm) if you need us; the Center staff is working remotely as well as rotating coming into the office.
Stay safe!
Save The Date:
- Yard Waste Collection will resume the week of September 14, 2020 and then
- November 2 – 6
- November 9 – 13
- November 16 – 20
- November 23 – 28
- *Yard waste/ Trash & Recycle delayed 1 day due to Holiday
- November 30 – December 4
For more details, please visit our website.
Monthly Focus:
Ask restaurants to skip the straws, disposable utensils and condiment packets.
To-go orders traditionally come with disposable utensils, straws, and individual condiment packets so you can eat on-the-go. But since you're most likely eating at home, do you really need that flimsy plastic fork? Next time you order food to go, ask the restaurant to skip these single-use items (or put them in the trash).
The Town of Westwood encourages all residents to follow state guidelines as much as possible (https://recyclesmartma.org/results-materials/#). Thank you or doing your part and helping to stop recycling contamination in our town!
All administrative staff will be working remotely until further notice. Any questions or concerns can be emailed directly to:
lfiske@townhall.westwood.ma.us - Administrative Assistant
khiggins@townhall.westwood.ma.us - Interim Administrative Assistant
cbarenth@townhall.westwood.ma.us - Office Manager
jmccarthy@townhall.westwood.ma.us - Facilities Manager
bryan@townhall.westwood.ma.us - Assistant Director of Public Works
tkorchin@townhall.westwood.ma.us - Director of Public Works
For more information, please visit:
https://www.townhall.westwood.ma.us/departments/public-works
Important Information from the Town Clerk:
VOTER REGISTRATION
EARLY VOTE BY MAIL
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FAQ’S
- In July, a new law was passed to allow all registered voters in Massachusetts to (Early) vote by mail in any 2020 election, with no excuse needed.
As required by the new law, an (Early) Vote by Mail application was recently mailed to all voters who had not already applied for an (Early) Vote by Mail ballot for the November election. The applications were pre-addressed to your local election official (Westwood Town Clerk) and no postage is necessary.
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(Early)Vote by Mail applications must be received in the office of the Town Clerk no later October 28, 2020 in the office of the Town Clerk.
- If you wish to (Early)Vote by Mail, you are strongly encouraged to return your application as early as possible, to ensure that you will receive your ballot in time to return it and have it be counted
- If you do not receive an (Early) Vote by Mail application please click here to download one or click here to request one online.
- Applications for mail-in ballots are acceptable if they are submitted by US Postal Mail, online, Email: votebymail@townhall.westwood.ma.us or Fax: 781-948-4573 provided the signature is visible and it is signed in substantially the same manner as a handwritten signature. This includes applications signed with a mouse, stylus, or finger. Applications with typed signatures are not acceptable.
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EARLY VOTING IN PERSON
Jaillet Meeting Room, Westwood Police Station, 588 High Street
Continues through October 30, 2020
- Thursday, October 22, 2020-9:00AM-4:00PM
- Friday, October 23-9:00AM-1:00PM
- Saturday, October 24-12:00PM-4:00PM
- Sunday October 25- 11:00AM-3:00PM
- Monday, October 26-9:00AM-4:00PM
- Tuesday, October 27-9:00AM-7:00PM
- Wednesday, October 28-9:00AM-4:00PM
- Thursday, October 29-9:00AM-4:00PM
- Friday, October 30-9:00AM-1:00PM
When you arrive to vote, we would appreciate your patience as we continue to follow all COVID-19 precautions for the safety of Staff and Voters. Only three people will be allowed in the inner lobby of the police station and only four (4) voters will be allowed in the polling location at one time.
Once you complete your ballot, you will place it in the AV7 envelope given to you upon check-in and place it in the secure ballot box. At the end of each session, ballots are delivered to the Town Clerk’s office and securely stored until they are processed on Sunday, November 1, 2020 during the Advance Processing and Tabulation session. Results of the Advance processing and tabulation of Early voting ballots will not be tallied until the close of polls, 8:00p.m., on Election day, November 3, 2020 and will be added to the Election Day results.
Returning Mailed Ballots
- Your ballot can be mailed, or dropped off in a Secure Ballot Drop Box that is located in front of the Westwood Police Station, 588 High Street.
- Ballots delivered to the Secure Ballot Drop Box must be done no later than 6:00PM on Election Day (Nov.3) in order to be processed and brought to the polling locations on Election Day (Nov.3).
- Any Ballots put in the drop box after 6:00PM on Election Day(Nov.3)will be counted on Saturday, November 7, 2020 during Post election tabulation, along with any ballots that were mailed by US Postal Mail and received up until 5:00p.m. Friday, November 6, 2020, with a postmark on or before Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
- Please make every effort to return your ballot as soon as possible for timely processing.
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Click here to track the status of your returned Ballot.
- Any voter who has returned an Early or Absentee ballot that has been received in the office of the Town Clerk cannot vote in person on Election Day.
I want to ensure each Westwood Voter that your votes are important. It is the fundamental right of all citizens to be able to vote safely and feel confident with the process. This Election has seen many challenges brought on by incorrect information in the media. Voting by mail is safe and secure and it has allowed those who are not comfortable going to a polling location due to the current pandemic to vote in the comfort and security of their home.
Whichever way you choose to return your ballot, once received, it is kept sealed and secured until processed and the privacy of your ballot is always maintained.
Continuously maintaining the integrity of Elections is my top priority and I am confident in the processes we have in place and the dedicated Election team and volunteers who are working diligently to assist in facilitating all aspects of this most important Democratic right.
Please contact Town Clerk Dottie Powers with any questions or concerns.
dpowers@townhall.westwood.ma.us
781-326-3964-Office
774-263-8233-Cell
Westwood’s Comprehensive Plan Update is nearing completion. The Plan is a long range policy document setting a vision for Westwood and steps to reach that vision. After two years of work by the resident committee the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee voted to forward the draft Plan to the Planning Board. The Committee will be presenting the updated Comprehensive Plan at a public hearing to be held at the Planning Board’s Tuesday, November 17th meeting. The meeting will begin at 7:00 pm and will be a remote zoom meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting and there will be an opportunity for public comment.
For more information please visit the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee’s webpage at www.bit.do/WWComprehensiveplan. The draft Plan can be found under the “Documents & Materials” tab. The volunteer resident group created this plan after public input from a survey, visioning session, stakeholder interviews, public meetings, and open houses.
To receive the meeting agenda for the Planning Board’s November 17th public hearing with the final meeting details and zoom information please sign up to receive email notifications for Planning Board meetings. Please subscribe at https://www.townhall.westwood.ma.us/our-town/stay-connected/website-e-notification Or visit the Town’s calendar on the homepage at https://www.townhall.westwood.ma.us/.
The Town thanks all residents that participated in this process, particularly the committee members that dedicated a significant amount of time to this important effort. The committee was led by Jack Wiggin and Steve Olanoff. This Plan could not have been possible without the commitment from the committee members: Charlie Donahue, Nancy Donahue, Paula Jacobson, Pam Kane, Peter Kane, Trevor Laubenstein, Sheila Hanley Longval, Janica Midiri, Peter Neville, John Rogers, Barbara Shea, Tom Viti, Linda Walsh, and Katye Wynne.
The Westwood Veterans Department is pleased to announce that the American Legion will be hosting a 2020 Veteran’s Day Ceremony. The ceremony will take place on Veteran’s Day, November 11th, and will occur at 11:00am at Veteran’s Park.
Please join us as we honor those who have served our country.
 The following sections are submissions provided by organizations within the community. If you have questions or would like to learn how to submit to the Westwood Wire, please email westwoodwire@townhall.westwood.ma.us
Our November Program
We will be hosting a genealogy program – via Zoom – through a wonderful collaboration with the Westwood Public Library.
November 10, at 7:30 p.m. Tracing Your Family History
Joy Marzolf has always had a passion for genealogy. Join Joy on a virtual adventure through the past, following what she thought was her mother’s early family history through to Nova Scotia and England. In pursuing one family line, Joy discovered more about her ancestors and much about herself. Joy will also talk about her methodology and the resources she used in her search.
Please visit the library website at https://www.westwoodlibrary.org/calendar (or call 781-320-1045) to register for this program. Look for the date and find the program. Then use the “Click to Register” button to sign up. You will receive an e-mail before the event with the Zoom information you need to join us.
As always, if you can suggest potential presenters (including yourself), do let us know! Just send an e-mail to westwoodhistorical@comcast.net.
Contributed by June Cassidy, Board member
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