Connect with Westwood
Staying on top of what’s going on in Westwood is easier than ever! The Town has several options on a variety of platforms for all residents to find out what is happening in Westwood.
ALERT Westwood
ALERT Westwood is what the Town uses 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.
Westwood Wire
The Westwood Wire is an e-newsletter that goes out monthly. It includes a combination of news provided by the Town as well as news provided by local groups and organizations within the community.
To subscribe to the Westwood Wire, please click here.
Community Newsletter
The Community Newsletter is a quarterly print publication that is created and distributed by the Town. It highlights events, happenings, and news within Westwood through both Town and Community submissions. The Community Newsletter is mailed to all residents of Westwood four times a year.
Social Media
Westwood has two social media accounts that are actively updated. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter.
Follow us on Facebook
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Website Notifications
Residents have the option to sign up for specific email updates of their choice. These email updates include everything as wide as general news or something as specific as a certain board or committee.
To see subscription options, please click here.
Looking to volunteer?
The town often has open positions on various Boards & Committees. If you are interested in any of the posted positions on our website, we encourage you to apply!
Current available positions:
- Conservation Commission
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The Conservation Commission is the official agency specifically charged with the protection of a community’s natural resources. The Conservation Commission also advises municipal officials and boards on conservation issues that relate to their areas of responsibility. The Conservation Commission under the powers of the Wetlands Protection Act, Rivers Act and the Town of Westwood Wetlands Bylaw, functions to regulate work in or near wetlands and river resource areas and encourages and works towards the acquisition and management of Conservation land.
- Recreation Commission
- Housing Partnership Fair Housing Committee
How to Apply
Any person who would like to be considered for an appointment to an open position should submit a resume and application/statement of interest, to the Westwood Select Board at phealey@townhall.westwood.ma.us or via mail to 580 High Street, Westwood, MA 02090
For more information, click here.
WINTER PARKING REMINDER
The Westwood Police Department would like to remind residents of the Winter Parking, and Snow and Ice Emergency bylaws listed below.
It shall be unlawful for the owner or operator of any vehicle, other than one acting in an emergency, to park said vehicle on any public street or place where the traveling public has the right of access between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. of any day during the period of December 1 through March 31.
- In order to facilitate the safe and orderly snow clearing operations, the Emergency Management Director may declare a snow or ice emergency based on existing or expected weather conditions.
- During a snow or ice emergency all parking on Town roads is prohibited.
- Vehicles parked on Town roadways in violation of the ban may be ticketed and/or towed at the owner’s expense.
- When possible, advance notice will be sent out through various media electronic means, including posting on the Town’s website: www.town.westwood.ma.us.
Public Safety 3G Technology Alert
The Town of Westwood is supporting efforts by carriers, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the United States federal government to raise awareness in regard to plans by major cellular providers to phase out 3G coverage as soon as early 2022. The town urges Westwood residents and businesses who rely on older technology to plan for the potential loss of cell and data functions, specifically 911 service availability. Mobile carriers are retiring 3G technology to add bandwidth for faster and more reliable network services, such as 5G.
If you have a mobile phone that is more than several years old (e.g., older than an iPhone 6 or Samsung Galaxy S4), the phone may require an upgrade before mobile carriers eliminates 3G technology. For older phones and devices, the loss of 3G coverage will impact call and data service, including the ability to contact 911. These plans to phase out 3G coverage result from a decision made solely by the major cellular providers.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urges consumers with phones older than the iPhone 6 or Samsung Galaxy S4 to contact their local mobile carrier or visit their carrier’s website to determine if a new device or software upgrade is necessary.
According to the FCC, the transition will also impact many other industries and technologies. A failure to upgrade technology in advance of the shutdown may affect home and commercial security systems, monitored fire alarms, personal emergency alert devices, and vehicle SOS systems, among other advanced technologies.
IMPORTANT LINKS
FCC Alert to Consumers
Plan Ahead for Phase Out of 3G Cellular Networks and Service | Federal Communications Commission (fcc.gov)
AT&T 3G ends in February 2022
Act NOW - 3G is Going Away in 2022 - Wireless Customer Support (att.com)
T-Mobile/Sprint 3G coverage ends March 31, 2022
T-Mobile Network Evolution | T-Mobile Support
Verizon 3G coverage ends December 31, 2022
3G CDMA Network Shut off date set for December 31, 2022 | About Verizon
Winter is fast approaching so here are some tips to help you stay safe. Space heaters must be used on a solid flat surface and keep them at a least 3 ft. from any flammable objects. Make sure the cords are not cracked or broken and never use an extension cord with a space heater. Working carbon monoxide detectors are especially important during the winter months when your heating system is in use. Never use your oven, gas or electric, as a source of heat. Hypothermia is a dangerous, potentially life threatening condition that is the result of your body temperature getting too low. Keeping your thermostat setting between 68 & 70 degrees, wearing loose layers, changing out of wet clothes and limiting the amount of time spent outdoors will help you stay warm and avoid hypothermia.
For more winter safety tips visit www.usfa.fema.gov
Public Health Nurse
The Public Health Nurse, Margaret Sullivan, RN, MSN, can be contacted by email: msullivan@townhall.westwood.ma.us or call 781-251-2576. Office hours are at 50 Carby St and the COA.
Information on COVID19 Vaccine & find out when/if you are eligible for a Booster
COVID Vaccine Boosters
Cold Weather Safety tips
When your body temperature gets very low you can suffer from Hypothermia. For an older person, a body temperature of 95°F or lower can cause many health problems, such as a heart attack, kidney problems, and liver damage. Here are some cold weather safety tips to follow.
- Set your heat to at least 68–70°F. Keep the basement door closed. Place a rolled towel in front of all doors to keep out drafts.
- Make sure your house isn't losing heat through windows. Keep your blinds and curtains closed. If you have gaps around the windows, try using weather stripping or caulk to keep the cold air out.
- Dress warmly on cold days even if you are staying in the house. Throw a blanket over your legs. Wear socks and slippers.
- Make sure you eat enough food to keep up your weight. If you don't eat well, you might have less fat under your skin. Body fat helps you stay warm.
- Alcoholic drinks can make you lose body heat, so drink in moderation.
- Ask family or friends to check on you during cold weather. If a power outage leaves you without heat, try to stay with a relative or friend.
You may be tempted to warm your room with a space heater. However, some space heaters are fire hazards, and others can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Be sure to use with caution and follow the manufacturer’s instruction manual to make sure you are using it correctly.
Sharps Collection Program
The Westwood Board of Health provides a Sharps Collection Program for Westwood residents. Residents can dispose of their sharps 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the sharps collection kiosk that has been installed outside the building at 50 Carby Street. The Health Department provides red one-liter sharps disposal containers free of charge to residents. They are also available at Westwood Town Hall and the Senior Center during regular business hours.
Medication Collection Program
The Westwood Board of Health and the Westwood Police Department have joined forces to collect expired prescription and over the counter medications for proper disposal. The Medication Collection Box is located in the lobby of the Police Station and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for residents.
Review these Food Safety Tips for your Holiday Celebrations!
Holiday Food Safety Information
 
   
- Due to Waste Management equipment issues, Yard Waste collection is POSTPONED for Thanksgiving week (11/22-11/27) and RESCHEDULED for December 6th-10th
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2021 Remaining Yard Waste Collection Weeks: November 1-5, November 8-12, November 15-19, 29-December 3 & December 6 -10
- There will be a one-day delay for Trash & Recycle collections for Thursday and Friday during Thanksgiving week (11/25 will be picked up on 11/26 and 11/26 will be picked up on Saturday 11/27)
- During inclement weather check the Recycle Coach App or Website for trash & recycle collection delays and updates
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Please remove all basketball hoops, sports nets, etc. from the roadway
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.
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.
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.
Town Layout:
Nothing damaged by the Town that is constructed, built or placed on the Town layout will be repaired or replaced, i.e.: mailboxes, fences, stonewalls, etc.
Please remove all basketball hoops, sports nets, etc. from the roadway
- Trash and Recycle barrels are the property of the Town of Westwood and cannot be moved from the residence (it is the property owner’s responsibility to maintain and clean).
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Everything (trash/recycle/yard waste/bulk, etc.) to be collected must be at curbside by 7am on your scheduled day. Any missed pick-ups (that were at curbside by 7am) need to be reported to dpw@townhall.westwood.ma.us or 781-251-2587 within 24 hours of your scheduled day.
NO LONGER MISS ANY COLLECTIONS OR EVENTS
- Dog licensing will begin January 1, 2022 through March 31, 2022
- You may license your dog online, in person, 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, 2022 until December 31, 2022.
- 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, 2022 may result in a fine of $25.00, per town bylaws §184-10, B. (1).
- Please contact the Town Clerks office if you no longer have a dog(s) so we can update our records.
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
- Postage (if licensing by mail): $1.00
- 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.
More information to follow regarding holding a clinic in January 2022.
What is the purpose of the annual town census/street list?
Massachusetts General Laws require that cities and towns conduct an annual census of its residents as of January 1 of each year. The local census is used to maintain voting and jury lists as well as aid in school enrollment projections, public safety, and senior citizens’ needs and for certain privileges such as veterans’ benefits and proof of residency for state colleges and universities. The census information does not register anyone to vote, but failure to answer the census may result in a voter’s name being removed from the voter’s list.
A census form will be sent to each household in January.
It is extremely important that you fill out the census form 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.
Under a state law passed in July 2021, voting by mail is only allowed in local and state elections through December 15, 2021, however if you qualify you may vote by absentee ballot for elections occurring in 2022. You must file a new application annually which is good for a calendar year.
To qualify for an absentee ballot, you must:
- Be away from your city/town on Election Day; or
- Have a disability that keeps you from voting at your polling place; or
- Have a religious belief that prevents you from voting at your polling place on Election Day
Click here to download an Absentee Ballot application
- The Annual Town Election will be held on Tuesday, April 26, 2022
- Nomination papers will be available on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 for those registered Westwood voters who wish to run for town elected positions.
- Last day to obtain nomination papers will be on Friday, March 4, 2022. The Town Clerks office will be open until 5:00pm.
The following elected offices will appear on 2022 Annual Town Election Ballot:
 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
Westwood Youth Soccer Spring 2022 Online Registration for Grades 3-8
Registration for players in Grades 3-8 for the Spring 2022 Westwood Youth Soccer season is open online November 1 - November 30. Just click through the Registration link featured in the article on the home page at www.westwoodsoccer.org. Please consider volunteering to help coach your child’s team! Soccer knowledge a plus, but not a requirement.
Registration fee waivers for financial hardship are available if requested during the open period. Players must be residents of Westwood or attend a school in Westwood.
If a child in Grades K through 2 played in the fall season, there is NO NEED to RE-REGISTER for the spring, as these programs are full-year programs. If a child DID NOT play in the fall, and wishes to play in Spring 2022, please contact the registrar separately at registrar@westwoodsoccer.org.
As we did all fall, Westwood Youth Soccer will continue to follow the advice and directives of our local, state, and federal officials, as well as guidance from health and medical authorities and our sanctioning soccer league. The safety of our entire community is paramount.
To find out more about our planned Spring 2022 soccer programs please visit www.westwoodsoccer.org.
Hometown Hero Westwood Community Chest Prepares for Annual Gala, Welcomes Applications for Financial Assistance
Westwood Community Chest (WCC), has recently been honored as a Boston 25 News Hometown Hero. The recognition is bestowed to people and their organizations for courage, outstanding achievements and contributions in making the community a better place to live.
WCC is a community based, non-profit organization that supports residents in financial difficulty with confidential, short-term financial support in the form of grants. A WCC grant may be applied to medical expenses, utility bills, housing, clothing, and transportation. Grant recipients may be awarded up to $1,250 per year. WCC also issues Campership Awards of up to $800 per child per year to assist families with sending their children to summer camp.
WCC is currently accepting online applications for assistance at westwoodcommunitychest.org. Applications are accepted throughout the year for financial assistance and the Campership Awards period begins in March of each year. WCC maintains strict confidentiality in its review and award process. Westwood residents who need assistance are encouraged to apply.
To fund its grant-giving activity, WCC will hold the Gala of Giving, its annual fundraiser, on March 6, 2022. The Gala is a chance for the community to enjoy a night of fun and entertainment at Chiara Bistro while supporting neighbors in need.
WCC’s Gala is known for a fun wine pull, unique Silent Auction offerings, and a raffle of the latest trendsetting items. The Gala’s Premier Sponsor, Roche Bros., presents inspired wine pairings to go with delicious food tastings from Chef LaCount. Gala tickets will go on sale January 15, 2022. Community members who are interested in learning how to support WCC or apply for assistance can go to westwoodcommunitychest.org
St. Margaret Mary & St. Denis parishes will be hosting a fundraising social to benefit Haitian refugee families in the Boston Metropolitan Area on Saturday, December 4 starting at 5:30pm in St. Margaret Mary lower church. A catered dinner buffet will be served. There is not admission fee; however, all are asked to bring a donation to help the Haitian Refugee families in the Archdiocese of Boston. We are looking for new clothing for both adults and children, especially winter clothing; gift cards and monetary donations will also be gladly accepted.
All donations will go to families who have recently arrived as refugees or people who are currently fleeing the extremely difficult conditions in Haiti, all donations will be given to families within our local area. In addition to the dinner, there will be a silent auction and possibly a live auction for bigger ticket items such as Celtics tickets. If anyone would like to donate items for the silent auctions, including gift baskets, tickets to sports or cultural events, or other items, please contact the parish office. St. Denis 781 326 5858 or St. Margaret Mary 781 326 1071
If anyone would like to volunteer to help with the planning and or help at the event itself, you can also contact the parish office. Some of the Faith Formation classes from both parishes will be actively involved in the event, so let’s also show our support for them.
Finally, all of us who are involved in planning or working on this event hope this will be a nice social event to help bring both parishes together. We all need to begin to re-establish social connections post COVID. What better way to do that than to have a meal together, mingle with friends, meet new people, and do some good for people who really need our help. I hope you will join us for this event. We will need a count to make sure we have the right amount of food, so please RSVP by calling the parish office for either parish, or by signing up on the sheets we have at the back of the churches.
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