Select Board's Office

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

Westwood uses ALERT Westwood for all non-emergency and emergency notifications. Once enrolled, residents have the option to receive notifications via 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. 

For past copies of the Community Newsletter, please click here

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.

Charter Review Committee

Select Board is seeking residents to serve on the Charter Review Committee

The Town of Westwood is governed by Home Rule Charter. The Select Board appoints a committee to review the Charter and Town By-Laws not less than once every 10 years from the date of the last review undertaken. The committee shall be tasked to make recommendations to a subsequent town meeting to amend the existing Charter and Town By-Laws. The Select Board is seeking to appoint residents to assist with this objective and comprehensive review of the Town Charter and By-Laws. Committee members should be willing to serve for approximately two years, and be available to attend meetings once or twice a month through this review period.  

If you would like to be considered for appointment, please send a copy of your resume and a completed statement of interest via email to the Select Board, or via mail to the Select Board Office at 580 High Street, Westwood MA, 02090.

Statement of Interest Form 

John J. Cronin Public Service Award

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 2022 John J. Cronin Public Service Award until March 7, 2022. The award will be presented at the 2022 Annual Town Meeting, scheduled for May 2, 2022. 

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. 

John J. Cronin Public Service Award Nomination Form

Hale Task Force Update to the Select Board

In 2019, Hale offered the town the opportunity to participate (along with the Town of Dover and private donors) in the purchase of a Conservation Restriction on Hale’s 1,100 acres of open space, over 500 of which are in Westwood. The Hale Task Force (comprised of residents and town staff) met to review the Conservation Restriction (CR) proposal and to familiarize itself with Hale’s plan and its property. The Hale Task Force presented its recommendations to the Select Board at its meeting on January 24, 2022. For more information on the Hale Conservation Restriction and the Hale Task Force recommendation, see here.

Select Board and Human Rights Task Force- joint statement in support of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At its December 20, 2021, meeting, the Select Board approved a joint statement with the Human Rights Task Force in support of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the town. 

Westwood Fire Department

Skating on Ponds Update The Police Department, Fire Department, or the Department of Public Works DO NOT test the ice thickness on ponds in town, to certify that the ice surface is safe for skating. Anyone skating on town ponds is doing so at their own risk, as the Town does NOT certify the ice is safe for skating or other activities.

Westwood Health Department

Starting January 13, 2022, the Board of Health has mandated that face coverings must be worn in all Municipal  Buildings. 

Westwood Youth and Family Services

For more information, please visit our website:

https://www.townhall.westwood.ma.us/departments/youth-family-services 

Westwood Town Clerk

NEWS FROM THE TOWN CLERKS OFFICE

• Dog licensing began January 1, 2022  and will continue 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 four (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, C. (1).
• Please contact the Town Clerks office if you no longer have a dog(s) so we may update our records.

• 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.

Unfortunately due to  unforeseen circumstances we had to cancel our clinic which had been scheduled for January.  We are hoping to reschedule to a date in the near future. 

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 1st of each year. The local census data is used to maintain voting and jury lists as well as aid in school enrollment projections, public safety, senior citizens’ needs, veterans’ benefits and proof of residency.

A census form will be mailed to each household in February. If you do not receive one, please contact the Town Clerks office and we will send you one.

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 your completed and signed form to census @townhall.westwood.ma.us.

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).

It is important to note that you may not register to vote or change parties via a census form.

For information on Registering to vote or changing political parties please click here.

Under a state law passed in July 2021, voting by mail was  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 are currently available  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:

• Board of Assessors - 1 Seat - 3 Year Term
• Collector of Taxes-1 Seat-1 Year Term (to fill a vacancy)
• 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 - 2 Seats -3 Year Terms
• Select Board - 1 Seat - 3 Year Term
• Sewer Commission - 1 Seat - 3 Year Term

Westwood Public Library

Westwood Council on Aging

Westwood Department of Public Works

Westwood Recreation

Trash and Recycling Collection- operating on a one-day delay the week of January 31st

Waste Management has made the decision to delay trash and recycling collection by one-day the week of January 31, 2022. 

Collection Schedule: week of January 31st

December 1^st – March 31^st Overnight Parking Ban/Restrictions       

Starting December 1^st – March 31^st, 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.

1. 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

During inclement weather check the Recycle Coach App or Website for trash & recycle collection delays and updates

No longer miss any collections of events (yard waste, recycle, trash, household/curbside bulk, delays, Recycling Day and Hazardous Waste Day)!

Download the free Recycle Coach App for all calendar schedules, reminders, events, do’s & don’ts and what goes where at your fingertips.

Westwood School Department

Public Notice The temporary special education records for students who graduated, or turned 22 without graduating in the 2014-2015 school year, will be destroyed on March 1, 2022. 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.  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.

If you have questions or would like to learn how to submit to the Westwood Wire, please email westwoodwire@townhall.westwood.ma.us  

Town of Westwood

www.townhall.westwood.ma.us

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