Westwood has moved away from CODE Red and is now using ALERT Westwood for all emergency notifications. Once enrolled, residents have the option to receive phone calls, text messages, emails, or a combination of those three options. It is our hope that with a more advanced software, we will be able to communicate with residents quicker than before.
To enroll in ALERT Westwood, please click here.
The John J. Cronin Public Service Award is named for the late John J. Cronin, Town Treasurer, who for many years selflessly gave his time for the betterment of the community, both as an elected official and in numerous volunteer activities within and outside the community. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2021 John J. Cronin Public Service Award until March 8, 2021. The award will be presented at the 2021 Annual Town Meeting, scheduled for May 3, 2021.
Nominees should possess leadership; exceptional service to the community; years of dedication; strong work ethic; diversity of service; volunteerism; and dedication to the Westwood community.
Please contact the Select Board Office at selectboard@townhall.westwood.ma.us or at 781.326.4172 with any questions. Nomination forms can be mailed to the Select Board Office at 580 High Street, Westwood MA or submitted via email.
Find more information on the John J. Cronin Public Service Award here.
Westwood’s Youth & Family Services department is pleased to pass along a new wellness resource for college, high school and middle school-aged residents: "You are Not Alone,” Mental Health Support Modules for Students and Athletes During COVID-19 and Beyond. These modules are short videos and lessons created by Ivy Watts, a former All-American student-athlete with degrees in Public Health and Psychology, and they cover topics such as self-care, resilience, dealing with uncertainty and how to stay motivated.
This offering is made available free-of-charge to Westwood teens and their families from our regional Community Health Network Alliance (CHNA-18), a coalition of public, non-profit, and private sectors working together to build healthier communities in Massachusetts through community-based prevention planning and health promotion. CHNA 18 serves the towns of Westwood, Needham, Dover, Dedham and additional MetroWest towns. You can get started with the modules by going to http://bit.ly/CHNA18-mentalhealthmodules. Make sure to use the discount code CHNA18 for free access.
For more information, please visit our website:
https://www.townhall.westwood.ma.us/departments/youth-family-services
Dog licensing for 2021 began on January 1, 2021 and is continuing through March 31, 2021
- You may license your dog online, or by mail, provided you include a copy of a current rabies certificate.
- 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, 2021 until December 31, 2021.
- 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. You must initially contact the building inspector at 781-320-1091.
- Failure to license your dog on or before March 31, 2021 may result in a fine of $25.00, per town bylaws §184-10, B. (1).
- Please be sure to include the correct licensing fee. If you are unsure, Please contact the Town Clerk’s office at 781 326-3964 or townclerk@townhall.westwood.ma.us.
Licensing Fees are as follows:
- Online convenience fee : $2.00
- Postage fee: $1.00
- 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(proof of age is required)
- Kennel Fees-please contact the Town Clerk’s office(special permit is required)
The 2021 Annual Town Census will be mailed to each household this month.
- It is extremely important that each household fills out the census form and returns it within 10 days of its receipt.
- The completed, signed form can also be scanned and emailed to census @townhall.westwood.ma.us.
- If you did not receive a form, download here or contact the Town Clerks office and one will be mailed to you.
- Failure to return the Annual Town Census may cause a voter to be designated as inactive on the voting list (M.G.L, Ch.51, § 4).
- You may not register to vote or change your political party on the census form. To register to vote or make changes to your voter registration please click here.
Annual Town Election Information
- The Annual Town Election will be held on Tuesday, April 27, 2021
- Nomination papers are available through Friday, March 5, 2021 for any registered Westwood voter who would like to be a candidate for a town elected position.
- You may contact the Town Clerk at 781-326-3964 or townclerk@townhall.westwood.ma.us to schedule an appointment to obtain nomination papers.
The following Elected Offices will appear on the Ballot:
- Board of Assessors - 1 Seat - 3 Year Term
- Housing Authority-1 Seat- 5 Year Term
- Library Trustee - 2 Seats - 3 Year Terms
- Moderator - 1 Seat - 1 Year Term
- Planning Board-1 Seat-1 Year Term to fill a vacancy
- Planning Board - 2 Seats - 3 Year Terms
- School Committee - 1 Seat -3 Year Term
- Select Board - 1 Seat - 3 Year Term
- Sewer Commission - 1 Seat - 3 Year Term
- Town Treasurer-1 Seat-3 Year Term
The Westwood Senior Center will be closed throughout the winter of 2021.
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).
Below is our cable schedule (and please call us if you are interested in any of the Zoom classes).
Cable Classes this spring:
Monday
9:00-9:45 - Cardio Strength & Stretch
Tuesday
8:00-9:00 - Floor Yoga
9:30-10:30 - Chair Yoga
Wednesday
9:00-9:45 - Sit and Get Fit
10:00-10:45 - Line Dancing
Thursday
8:00-9:00 Floor Yoga
9:30-10:30 - Chair Yoga
Friday
9:00-9:45 - Cardio Strength and balance
10:00-10:45 - Line Dancing
Special Cable Programming - VIRTUAL LUNCH AND LEARNS
In March, we will be hosting an Audubon Discussion about Winter Bird watching as well as a discussion about Trusts with Elder Attorney Maria Baler. These programs will rotate every Tuesday and Thursday at lunchtime.
All THESE PROGRAMS CAN BE FOUND ON LOCAL CABLE Comcast 8 & 12, and Verizon 32 & 42
Meals on Wheels continue to grow; any Westwood resident 65 or older needing a daily 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. PLEASE NOTE: If you are feeling food insecure, please let us know, we can confidentially help you!
Transportation Update: We now grocery shop on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, offer medical rides on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and errands on Fridays. A COA spring newsletter will go out in late February and can be found on the Town’s website or call us and we will send you a copy. 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.
AARP TAX HELP for Low and Moderate Income Seniors
Due to COVID 19 restrictions, we have filled all appointments and will not be taking any more.
Stay safe! Together we will make it through this health crisis!
Didn't receive the 2021 Trash & Recycling Brochure in the mail?
Click here to view and print your own copy.
December 1st – March 31st Overnight Parking Ban/Restrictions
Starting December 1st – March 31st, there is a Town wide overnight parking ban. In order to ensure snow plows can efficiently clear roads and emergency vehicles can quickly reach their destinations, it is imperative that you do not park on the street. The Public Works Assistant Director or the Chief of Police, for the purpose of removing or plowing snow, or removing ice, from any way, may remove or cause to be removed any vehicle interfering with such work. If you violate this ban you are subject to ticketing and towing. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
With inclement weather, please check the DPW Website or Recycle Coach App or Social Media for Trash & Recycling delays.
Snow Removal Information and What You Can Do to Help
Snow Clearing and Clearing of Hydrants:
Please do not lay, throw, place any snow or ice on any town street, sidewalk or on top of Hydrants as this can create a hazardous condition of public safety concern.
- 355-5 Placement of snow or ice; penalty.
- No person other than an employee in the service of the Town of Westwood or an employee in the service of an independent contractor acting for the Town of Westwood shall pile, push, plow, or blow snow or ice onto or across a public way which is plowed and/or sanded by the Town or deposit snow in such a way as to obstruct the operation of any fire hydrant. Violations of this section shall be subject to a written warning for the first offense; a fine of $50 for the second offense; and $100 for third and each subsequent offense.
Town Layout:
Nothing damaged by the Town that is constructed, built or placed on Town layout will be repaired or replaced, i.e.: driveway pavers, fences, stonewalls, etc.
*Please remove all basketball hoops, sports nets, etc. from the roadway!*
Storm Drain Cleaning:
There are over 2200 catch basins (storm drains) in the town, making it almost impossible to clear snow and debris from all. It would be much appreciated if you could keep the drain in front of your property clean as to not cause street puddling or ice hazards.
When plowing, our crews do their best to make sure they minimize the amount of snow that gets plowed into your driveway (please know, snow is not purposely placed at the end of your driveway). In order to keep the street clear, snow must be pushed from the center of the road to the curb line.
Monthly Focus:
The pandemic spiked a huge demand for aluminum cans as Americans bought record amounts of canned beverages (food, as well) to consume at home while local bars and restaurants were forced to close their doors.
The Right Way to Recycle Your Aluminum Cans:
- Empty & rinse your cans before you put them in the recycling bin.
- Don’t crush aluminum cans. A crushed can may get mis-sorted at the recycling facility and could end up in the trash.
- To get your nickel deposit back, return deposit cans to the retailer where you bought them.
Down load the free Recycle Coach App for all trash & recycling reminders, schedules, events, do’s & don’ts at your fingertips https://www.townhall.westwood.ma.us/departments/public-works/recycling-waste-management/sign-up-for-recycle-coach
Please visit https://www.townhall.westwood.ma.us/departments/public-works for more information and any updates
Sadly, we lost a very valued, committed, and much loved member of The Westwood Department of Public Works Family
William J. “Billy” Troiano
August 14, 1965 - January 27, 2021
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TROIANO, William J. "Billy" Age 55 of Norwood passed away on January 27th, 2021. Born August 14th, 1965 to the late Mary Troiano (Lally) and Arthur Troiano. He was survived by his wife of 26 years Patti Troiano (Fisler) of Norwood. Cherished father of Meaghan and her husband Shane McBride and Kevin Troiano, all of Norwood. He was also the proud papa to Finn McBride of Norwood. Beloved brother of Nick Troiano and his wife Joanne of Walpole, Linda Troiano of Weymouth; as well as the late Michael Troiano, Maryann Troiano and Frances Ciardi (Troiano). He was also survived by his children Melissa, William, Daniel, and Joseph Troiano and their children; as well as many nieces and nephews. He worked for the Town of Westwood for over 20 years and was involved throughout his life in the towing industry; working at Mike's Automotive and eventually owning Bill and Mike's Automotive in Dedham. He loved working on cars in his spare time, especially rebuilding his 1985 Chevy C-10 truck. He also enjoyed vacationing with his family, spending time with them at home in his backyard, cooking for them on Sundays and hosting his infamous pig roasts during the summer.
Public Notice
The temporary special education records for students who graduated, or turned 22 without graduating in the 2013-2014 school year, will be destroyed on March 1, 2021. Any students interested in receiving their special education records must call (781) 326-7500, x1345 to make an appointment to pick them up before this date. Due to COVID protocols, District Administration Offices are open by appointment only. Records can be picked up from the Westwood Public Schools Administration Building at 220 Nahatan Street once a mutually agreed upon time is scheduled and the records are retrieved.
 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
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Our last program this spring will be on March 9th – and will again be held via Zoom – through a wonderful collaboration with the Westwood Public Library. Please visit the library website at https://www.westwoodlibrary.org/calendar (or call 781-320-1045) to register. (Find the program on the calendar and use the “Click to Register” button to sign up.) You will receive an e-mail the day before the event with the information you need to join the program.
Tuesday, March 9, 2021 (7:30 to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom), Dr. Nancy Milner Kelly, PhD
Program: A Legacy of Colonialism via Literature from Those in Exile
Nancy will focus on today’s increasingly diverse world and how the pain of those displaced from their respective homelands manifests itself in their writing, with special attention to writers who have relocated from Asia and Latin America as well as Africa and Caribbean countries. Images and themes of geographical, cultural, emotional, and linguistic exile are prevalent in this literature. These writers talk about the solace they seek (and receive) in writing, with writing becoming a new kind of “homeland” for them. Nancy also uses paintings, photos, and quotes from some of these novels and poems to illustrate how these themes play out in the written word.
Submitted by June Cassidy, Westwood Historical Society Board member
COMING SOON!
NEW Temple Beth David Shalom Corner Early Learning Center in Westwood! Opening September 2021! Inquiries and interest are welcome. To learn more go to:
https://www.templebethdavid.net/shalom-corner-early-learning-center.html
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