Are you interested in serving your community? 

The Town of Westwood is looking for residents to volunteer to serve on many of its local Boards, Committees or Commissions.  You can choose your area of expertise from Finance to Environmental, to better serve your community.  Resident participation results in a stronger and more responsive local government.

The following Boards and Committees are actively seeking Members:

• Commission on Disability
• Recreation Commission
• Cemetery Commission
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee
• Westwood Cultural Council
• Westwood Environmental Action Committee (WEAC)

Please see here for more information. 

A message from the Town Clerk, Dottie Powers: 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the voters of Westwood for participating in our Annual Town Election.  The efforts you made to go out and vote at our new consolidated polling location in the Gymnasium at Westwood High School were greatly appreciated. The consolidation provided residents the opportunity to vote in a centrally located public facility and also gave neighbors and friends a means to reunite.  

I would like to thank the School Department Facilities Manager and Staff, Town Facilities Manager and Staff, Public Works Department and Staff, for the delivery and setup of Election equipment as well as our Police Department for helping with the traffic flow and for ensuring the safety of our Voters and Election workers throughout the Election Day.  It takes many staff members to assist in the preparation and execution of Election Day so that our voters have a great experience. 

Many thanks to our dedicated team of Election staff and High School students who assisted on Election day. We are extremely grateful for their time and talents.

We were happy to receive positive feedback from many residents as well as ideas for improvements that we will focus on for future elections. Voting is our greatest privilege and we want the experience for voters in Westwood to be a positive one. 

Dottie

Upcoming Election Information – Mark your calendars

State Primary: Tuesday, September 6, 2022

• Voter Registration Deadline: August 17, 2022
• Vote by Mail Application Deadline: August 30, 2022
• Early Voting in Person: Dates & Times to be determined
• On Ballot: Representative in Congress, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Governor's Council, State Senator, State Representative, District Attorney, Sheriff, County Commissioner (only in certain counties).

State Election: Tuesday, November 8, 2022

• Voter Registration Deadline: October 19, 2022
• Vote by Mail Application Deadline: November 2, 2022
• On Ballot: Representative in Congress, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Governor's Council, State Senator, State Representative, District Attorney, Sheriff, County Commissioner (only in certain counties), statewide ballot questions.* 

• At the present time the legislature has not approved early voting by mail therefore if you qualify and wish to vote absentee by mail please click here to download the application.
• Click here for Absentee ballot eligibility
• Early Voting in Person: Dates, times and location to be determined
• In order to vote in any upcoming elections, you must be a registered voter in Westwood. If you are new to Town welcome and please be sure to re-register at your new address; if you have moved within Westwood, please fill out new voter registration.

Click here to register to vote or make any changes to your voter registration.

Click here to check the status of your voter registration.

Steven was hired by the Town of Westwood in 1995. He began as a Civilian Dispatcher at the Police Department, when the town started a combined Police/Fire communications center, and Steven was one of the first of several dispatchers who worked during the transition. 

During his tenure with the Westwood Fire Department, Steven served as a Firefighter EMT and worked with the department's Fire Alarm Division, which is responsible for installing and maintaining the master box fire alarm system. 

He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and later to the rank of Captain where he oversaw personnel at both the Main Station and the Islington Fire Station. Steven has assumed a leadership position on the State Hazardous Materials Response Team.

In May of 2022, Steven was appointed the department's first Assistant Chief of Operations. 

Please join the town in congratulating Steven Lund on his promotion to Assistant Fire Chief of Operations!

Assistant Fire Chief of Operations, Steven Lund, being sworn in by Town Clerk, Dottie Powers. 

Mark Hedberg was recently promoted to Sergeant and sworn in by Town Clerk, Dottie Powers. 

Mark Hedberg was hired by the town in 2015. He received COBWEB (Cops on Bicycles with Education for Bicyclists) training and worked as a bicycle officer, field training officer, and helped with the town's award-winning Police Explorer Post as an Assistant Post Advisor. 

He became one of the department's less-lethal force instructors and participated in department-wide training with BOLA wrap (remote, non-lethal restraint device). 

In March of 2021, Mark earned the assignment of Detective, and served as Prosecutor and Evidence Officer, assisting with investigations in his detective role. Mark, became the primary Firearms Licensing Officer in charge of processing, maintaining, and preparing all firearms licenses for the Chief's issue. As well as responsible for processing suspensions and revocations, and preparing case files for appeals. 

Please join the town in congratulating Mark Hedberg on his promotion to Sergeant and wish him well as the newest member of our command staff. Congratulations Sergeant Hedberg!

Kindia Roman was recently promoted to Detective/Court Prosecutor. 

Kindia started her law enforcement career working for a city police department in Titusville, Florida. She returned home to Massachusetts where she worked on Martha's Vineyard as a patrol officer, detective, court prosecutor, sexual assault investigator, and sergeant.  

Looking to get back to the mainland, she took a job as a campus police officer at Simmons College in Boston. Kindia further honed her investigative, interpersonal, and law enforcement skills in yet another environment, where she interacted with a wide range of people from students, educators, and administrators to community members from both inside and outside of the school community. 

Kindia is bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish, and before her career in law enforcement, she worked as a paralegal while furthering her education by obtaining her law degree (Juris Doctor). 

As a historical milestone, Kindia is only the second female detective in Westwood Police Department history and she is the first detective of color in the history of the department. 

Please join the town in congratulating Kindia Roman on her promotion to Detective and her historical accomplishment. Congratulation Detective Roman!

Department of Public Works receives the MassDOT Annual Innovation Award: 

Congratulations to the Town of Westwood on receiving the MassDOT Annual Innovation Award for the Route 109 Traffic Calming Project. Selected for its incorporation of MassDOT's core values of safety, reliability, accessibility, sustainability and resiliency, and equity, the project has made a widespread impact. Kudos to Todd Korchin, Brendan Ryan, and the entire Public Works Team!

Westwood's Facility Director, James McCarthy, chosen for a National Award: 

Congratulations to James McCarthy for being selected as the National Facility Director of the Year by the American Public Works Association. James will be recognized this August in Charlotte during the annual National Summer Conference. Congratulations to Jimmy and the Facilities Team!

Update from the Health Director: 

Permits for Public Food Events

The Board of Health protects the general public by promoting safe food handling for public events. Any event where food is sold or given away to the general public requires a temporary food permit from the Board of Health.

Non-profit organizations often use food sales as a way to raise funds for their organization; several factors are evaluated to determine the food safety of these events. No foods for a public event or fundraiser should be made in a home kitchen (except baked goods such as cookies, brownies, or cakes - potluck is exempt from this requirement) A bake sale is the only public event that does not require a temporary food permit.

Food trucks have become popular for one-day social events and they also are required to obtain a Temporary Mobile Food Truck permit. The Health Department is here to answer any questions and assist you with information to clarify when a  food permit is needed, please contact us at health@townhall.westwood.ma.us

Mosquito Control

The Town of Westwood is a member of the Norfolk County Mosquito Control District which provides mosquito control activities. The District conducts monitoring to detect disease, water management to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes in existing drainage swales and systems, larval control to control mosquitoes before they become flying adults, and adult control to manage mosquitoes. Aerial larval applications are conducted over wetlands for nuisance control in the spring. Adult Control (Adulticiding) is conducted from truck-mounted equipment (mosquito spraying) and is conducted on a weekly basis, weather permitting in the evenings after sunset by request only. 

Visit the District’s website at www.norfolkcountymosquito.org  for more information.  

Westwood Private Well Regulations

Please be advised that this regulation requires that a water quality test be conducted and a copy of the results forwarded to the Board of Health office prior to a change in ownership of the property on which the private well is located. This applies to both drinking water and irrigation wells. Please refer to our website for the Private Well Regulations for more information on the required tests. If you have any questions please call Jared Orsini, Health Director (781) 320-1026.

Sharps Collection Program

The Westwood Board of Health Sharps Collection Kiosk is located at the entrance to the Municipal Building, 50 Carby St., residents can bring their sharps in the appropriate container for disposal in the kiosk.  The Health Department provides the red one-liter sharps containers free of charge to residents, please do not put loose needles or any other size container in the kiosk.  Containers are also available at Town Hall and the Senior Center.

Medication Collection Program

The Westwood Board of Health and the Westwood Police Department have joined forces to collect expired prescriptions 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. 

The Islington Branch Library is located at 273 Washington Street (Wentworth Hall). 

Islington Branch Library hours are as follows:

Mondays:       10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Tuesdays:      10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Wednesdays: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Thursdays:     10:00 am to 6:00 pm

We look forward to seeing you at the new space!

Please join us for any of our exciting programs! Check our most current newsletter for a complete list of our activities and transportation details.  It can be found on the Town’s website or call us and we will send you a copy.

So come join us! We are warm and welcoming and would love to meet you!

MEALS ON WHEELS continues to grow; any Westwood resident 65 or older needing a daily meal please call HESSCO at 781-784-4944.  PLEASE NOTE: If you are feeling food insecure, please let us know, we can confidentially help you!

TRANSPORTATION AT THE CENTER

We offer rides to grocery stores on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, medical appointments on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and errands on Mondays and Fridays.

FREE MASKS AND TEST KITS

ARE STILL AVAILABLE AT THE CENTER

We have partnered with the Westwood Fire Department and Board of Health to offer two free N95 masks and one COVID test kit (each box has two tests) per household.  You must be a Westwood resident over 60 to receive these supplies from the Center and you must sign a register so we can keep track of any household who accepts these supplies. Stop by the Center and ask the receptionists for your two free masks and COVID test kit.

HOME SAFETY – COA Partnership with the Westwood Fire Department

The Westwood Fire Department‘s Fire Safety and Fall Prevention program offers free home safety inspections to seniors in town.  The program was developed by the National Fire Prevention Association in order to help seniors live safely at home for as long as possible.

Westwood Firefighters (adhering to all proper COVID precautions) will do a quick safety check of your home and provide you with tips to keep you safe.  They will assist you in replacing old smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, or batteries.  Detectors and batteries are paid for through charitable donations and are free of charge to you.  To take advantage of this great opportunity, please call the Council on Aging at 781-329-8799 to sign up for your free home safety inspection.  Someone from the Fire Department will then contact you to schedule your appointment.

SPECIAL JUNE PROGRAMMING AT THE CENTER

SILK SCARF TIE – DYEING with Connie Jo

Monday, June 6^th at 10:00 a.m.

$15 donation (includes all materials)

Space is limited so you must sign up in advance

Tap into your inner artist and make a wonderful gift for yourself or some else by designing your own silk scarf. Even if you have limited artistic talent, this time will be filled with relaxed fun and you will bring home a beautiful piece of wearable art.

ARMCHAIR TRAVEL WITH BARRY PELL

Thursday, June 9^th at 10:00 a.m. at the Library 

A Trip to Antarctica - $3 donation - please sign up in advance

Join us as Barry takes us on an adventure to the coldest, windiest, and driest place on earth.  Barry’s slide show and discussion will transport you to the world's greatest concentration of wildlife. 

THE HISTORY OF HOWARD JOHNSON’S

Historian Anthony Sammarco

June 13th at 1:00 p.m.

$4 donation (includes an ice cream social after the lecture). Please sign up in advance as space is limited

Howard Johnson created an orange-roofed empire of ice cream stands and restaurants that stretched from Maine to Florida, and all the way to the West Coast. With a reputation for good food at affordable prices, hungry customers would regularly return for more. The attractive white Colonial Revival restaurants, with eye-catching porcelain tile roofs, illuminated cupolas, and sea blue shutters, were described in "Reader's Digest" in 1949 as the epitome of "eating places that look like New England town meeting houses dressed up for Sunday." Boston historian and author Anthony M. Sammarco recounts how Howard Johnson introduced twenty-eight flavors of ice cream, the "Tendersweet" clam strips, grilled frankfurter, and a menu of delicious and traditional foods that families eagerly enjoyed when they traveled

CHORUS CONCERT

June 16^th at 1:00 p.m. 

No cost but please sign up in advance.

Join us as we enjoy the music from our own COA Chorus. Light refreshments will be available after the concert.

HERE ARE SOME OF OUR REGULAR PROGRAMS (just a sample of our many weekly classes – check out our newsletter for further information):

WONDER WORKOUT with Stephanie and Priscilla

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays  8:00 to 9:00 a.m.

$3 donation

Start your morning with this high-energy exercise class that will get your heart pumping and your muscles toned.  Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a water bottle.

PILATES with Mary

Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m./ Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.

$3 donation

 Pilates is done primarily on a mat and will strengthen your core and abs.  Please bring a water bottle and wear comfortable clothing.

MAH JONGG with Cynthia

Thursdays 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Come join this growing group of Mah Jongg enthusiasts.  New players are welcome (but you must know how to play). Hope you can join us!

LOW IMPACT EXERCISE with Alex

Mondays & Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m.

$3 donation

Alex will get your muscles toned and body ready for summer with this low-impact exercise class. 

QUILTING CLUB with Helen

Wednesdays June 8 & 22 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

$3 donation

Do you have a quilting project that you would like to start? Or finish? Or would you like to learn how to quilt? Then stop in and join this fun group!

CURRENT CONVERSATIONS with Susan

A news program for people who want to stay engaged and up to date

Wednesdays June 8 & 22 from 9:30 to 11:00 am

$5 donation 

If you are looking for a friendly group to make sense of the all the world events – or just catch up on the news – then come join us!

DAY TRIPS AND TOURS!

Please sign up soon as these trips fill up fast.

More are being planned so stop by and pick up the flyers!

July 21 - Nantucket Fast Ferry - Transportation and ferry ride to Nantucket - $125.00 pp, $15 non-refundable deposit at sign up.

August 16 - Narragansett Lighthouse Tour - Transportation, lunch, and guided boat tour of lighthouses - $122.00 pp, $15 non-refundable deposit at sign up.

NYC Two Day Trip Sept. 20-21 - Transportation, an afternoon of shopping, two meals, overnight accommodations, tickets to the 9/11 Museum, and tickets to Broadway Show “Come from Away.” $469 pp (single), $399 pp (double), $389 pp (triple). $20 non-refundable per person deposit at sign-up.

TOUR OF EVA’S GARDEN

With Chef Didi Emmons

Tuesday, June 14

$20 Donation

Walking tour of Eva’s Garden in Dartmouth, a small family-owned farm that prides itself in organic farming since the 1970s.  Learn techniques of organic gardening and come home with fresh herbs.  Please bring your own bag lunch with a beverage. 

We will share a fresh-picked salad from the farm. You must sign up in advance. Leave Center at 10 am.

COOKING PROGRAMS AND MORE!

HESSCO NUTRITIONIST AT THE COA

Come meet with Nutritionist, Kelsey, for her monthly office hours at the Center.

• Tuesday, June 14
• 1:30-3:30 by appointment only
• No cost to this program.

Open to discussing the following topics: overall healthy eating and recipes; diabetes education; heart disease education and anything else you would like to discuss!

COOKING CLASS WITH CHEF ROBERTA HING

Thursday, June 30 at the Center

No take-home food will be allowed

Also, we cannot accommodate food allergies or dietary restrictions

11:30 am $20 donation

You must sign up in advance as space is limited

Dim Sum Delights:  The Chinese tradition of dim sum dates back to the days of the Silk Road.  In this class, you will learn to make a few classic dishes from the dim sum menu so you can recreate them at home.  We will begin with one of the most popular items on the dim sum cart: Shumai - the mouthwatering steamed pork and shrimp dumpling. Next, we will make another favorite--Sticky Rice with Chinese Sausage and Mushrooms. This dish could be a meal in itself.  Our finale is the popular Hong Kong Custard Tarts with a creamy filling and flaky crust. At the end of class, everyone will enjoy eating their creations.

HIKING CLUB with Maria and Angie

Tuesdays at 9:15 am

You must sign up in advance. Angie and Maria will get in touch with you

Senior hikes will continue to be offered in the spring every Tuesday at 9:30 am. Participants will need to have insulated and waterproof boots. Leaders will send the information about the next hike to the distribution list the week before.  If you are interested in joining the group, please contact the Center, and Angie or Maria will contact you. Our hikes take place in Westwood and surrounding towns and are from 2 to 3.5 miles in length.