Staying on top of what's going on around Westwood is easier than ever! The town has several options - on a variety of platforms - for all residents to stay on top of public safety information, school, and town business. Residents can visit the town website, and click on "stay connected" on the main page.
ALERT Westwood
ALERT Westwood is used for all emergency and non-emergency notifications. Once enrolled, residents have the option to receive notifications via phone, text message, email, or a combination of the three. To enroll in ALERT Westwood, please click here.
Westwood Wire
The Westwood Wire is a monthly e-newsletter that includes news provided by the Town and information from local groups and organizations within the community. To subscribe to the Westwood Wire, please click here.
Westwood Word
The Westwood Word is the town's print publication mailed to all residential homes three times per year, April (Spring/Summer), September (Fall), and January (Winter). Westwood Word highlights events, happenings, and news within Westwood through town and community submissions. To see the latest Westwood Word, please click here.
Social Media
Westwood has two social media accounts that are actively updated.
Follow us on Facebook
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Website Notifications
Residents have the option to sign up for specific email updates of their choice to stay up-to-date on all town news or just specific information from a particular town board or committee.
To see subscription options, please click here.
  
Fill a vacancy until December 31, 2023, and a
Subsequent Three-year term to expire in 2026
The Dedham-Westwood Water District (DWWD) was created by the Massachusetts legislature in 1985 to operate as a self-supporting unit of local government.
The Water Commissioners are responsible for the Public Water Supply System which serves the Towns of Dedham and Westwood. This consists of securing adequate and pure water supplies, financing and construction of all facilities, buildings, tanks, pipes, and any works necessary to ensure the collection, pumping, treatment, and distribution of water for domestic purposes and fire protection. The Water Commission establishes and collects rates for metered water services and for fire sprinkler lines and hydrants as necessary so as to maintain the financial stability of the Water System.
The Dedham Westwood Water Commission is comprised of six (6) members: three (3) of whom shall be inhabitants of and registered voters in the Town of Westwood, and three (3) of whom shall be inhabitants of and registered voters in the Town of Dedham. No such member shall hold any elective or appointed office, or be an employee of, either of said towns.
The Dedham Westwood Water Commission generally meets on the first and third Tuesday evenings of the month.
For more information, contact Dedham Westwood Water District, Executive Director Blake Lukis at 781.461.2776.
How to Apply
Any person who would like to be considered for appointment for this 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.
Applications must be received on or before June 23, 2023.
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Did you know...
...that June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month and National Immigrant Heritage Month and that June 19th is Juneteenth?
The Town of Westwood values and seeks to recognize the diversity of our community. Please reach out to westwoodwire@townhall.westwood.ma.us with any suggestions for these monthly highlights.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Are you ready for new challenges and new opportunities?
For a list of all openings, please visit www.townhall.westwood.ma.us and click on “Jobs”.
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Annual Town Meeting Results
Snapshots from Annual Town Meeting, May 1, 2023
Snapshots from Memorial Day, May 29, 2023
Information on COVID-19 Booster for Those 65 and Older
Below are additional recommendations from MA Department of Public Health and Food and Drug Administration regarding COVID-19 boosters for those 65 and older to receive an additional bivalent mRNA vaccine dose.
People age 65 years and older have the option to receive one additional bivalent mRNA vaccine dose if it has been at least 4 months after their first bivalent mRNA vaccine dose. The option to receive one additional bivalent mRNA vaccine dose may be informed by the clinical judgment of a healthcare provider, a person’s risk for severe COVID-19 due to the presence of underlying medical conditions and age, and personal preference and circumstances.
The monovalent Covid-19 vaccines are no longer being used, therefore the recommendation is for people over 65 to have at least one bivalent mRNA vaccine dose.
See the FDA website for more detailed information
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 or 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.
TRASH, RECYCLING and YARD WASTE COLLECTION UPDATES
- June 12, 2023 week is Yard Waste collection
- June 19, 2023 will have NO-DELAY for trash & recycle collections
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NEVER MISS ANY COLLECTIONS OR EVENTS
Download the free Recycle Coach App for all calendar schedules, reminders, events, "do’s & don’ts" and "what goes where" at your finger tips!
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Clapboardtree Street
Coach Lane
Meadowbrook Road
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Everything (trash/recycle/yard waste/bulk, etc.) to be collected must be at curbside by 7 am on your scheduled day.
Any missed pick-ups (that were at curbside by 7 am) need to be reported to dpw@townhall.westwood.ma.us or (781) 251-2587 within 24 hours of your scheduled day.
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Dedham-Westwood Water District has implemented voluntary water restrictions, Stage I. Stage I requests the public to refrain voluntarily from non-essential outdoor watering, including watering lawns or other vegetation, washing vehicles, unnecessary washing down driveways and sidewalks, and other uses of water hoses, and to conserve water from affected public water supplies in all other practicable ways. Dedham is requested to water on Mondays and Thursdays and Westwood on Tuesdays and Fridays. Voluntary water restrictions are being implemented in accordance with the District’s water conservation plan.
For more information about restrictions, please visit www.dwwd.org/waterrestrictions.
Thank you for your efforts to conserve water!
For further information, contact: Allyssa Jewell ajewell@dwwd.org or call 781-461-2782.
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Special Programs - Sign-up in Advance
Don't Wait for Crisis
Sponsored by the Women's Business Network of Norwood
Monday, June 5th at 1:00 pm
Travel with Trish
Loring Greenough House
Wednesday, June 7th at 9:45 am - 2:30 pm
Friends Against Fraud
Sponsored by Dedham Savings Bank
Monday, June 12th at 10:00 am
Movie with Greydon
Wednesday, June 21st at 1:00 pm
Dinner Club for Seniors
One Bistro Restaurant - 1125 Providence Turnpike, Norwood
Wednesday, June 21st at 5:00 pm
Legal Clinic
WIth Attorney Ochea of MetroWest Legal Services
Wednesday, June 28th, by appointment
Community Spotlight
With Town Clerk Dottie Powers
Thursday, June 29th at 1:00 pm
For more information, contact the Senior Center at 781-329-8799.
COA Hiking Club - Moose Hill Farm to Bluff Hill Hike
 Join Hike Leaders Maria & Angie on their next adventure!
Call the Senior Center for details at 781-329-8799.
Photos taken and submitted by Bill Selles.
Westwood Council on Aging is on Facebook!
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Lucie Sechler, Westwood High School class of 2024, is Westwood’s first Youth Poet Laureate. She was formally appointed at the May 8 Westwood Select Board meeting by a unanimous vote. A selection committee composed of Library Director Elizabeth McGovern, Friends of the Library member and poet Karen Michaelson, and Westwood Poet Laureate Lynne Viti reviewed applications of several applicants and interviewed three finalists before formally recommending Lucie to the Select Board. Her term runs for one year, beginning June 1, 2023.
Lucie will be working closely with Westwood Poet Laureate Lynne Viti over the next year.
Stay tuned for more on upcoming poetry events in town.
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The Westwood Recreation Department held a “Sneak Peek” of the newly renovated pool deck for the Select Board, Town employees, residents, pool patrons, in late April, ahead of the offical reopening. Light refreshments were offered in the Pool Lobby and the Recreation staff welcomed visitors to see the sparkling, new pool deck.
Progress Photos of the Reconstruction of the Pool Deck on Display at the Pool Lobby
The Recreation Department has displayed photos of the stages of reconstruction of the pool deck from start to finish. These are a "must see" to really appreciate the transformation!
The Westwood Pool
Pool Information
Membership information
Spring Pool Schedule
Westwood Recreation Staff
Left to right: Richard Adams, Director of Recreation; Susan Perry, Assistant Director of Recreation; Angela Lassig, Recreation Assistant; Sarah Leonard, Aquatics Specialist; Holly Coots, Aquatics Manager; Joseph Bertone, Program Manager; and Brian Macdonald, Aquatics Assistant Manager.
School Street Playground renovations have begun thanks to the hard work of the members of the Commission on Disability and assistance from Town Officials. Rania Kelly, Anne Berry Goodfellow, and Jette Meglan worked with Town Administrator Chris Coleman, Recreation Director Richard Adams, and Human Services Director Danielle Sutton, last summer to initiate accessibility improvements in the School Street playground landscape. When complete, the playground will be accessible to individuals with disabilities and their families and will accomplish the goal of incorporating universal design into this loved neighborhood playground.
"TJ" Tedeschi, Deputy Director
West Suburban Veterans' Services District
Mondays 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Westwood Council on Aging
(781) 489-7509
ttedeschi@westsuburbanveterans.com
Westwood Veterans may call or email Mr. Tedeschi to schedule an appointment.
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Nominations for the R.A.Y. Award are accepted year-round. For more information on the program and a nomination form please go to the WY&FS page at https://www.townhall.westwood.ma.us/departments/youth-family-services
2023 Recognize A Youth (R.A.Y.) Award Recipients
Left to Right: Sreemayi Reddy, Hank Murray, Greydon Gavin and Bridget Sullivan
Westwood Youth & Family Services would like to thank all of the high school students who volunteered with our 2022-2023 Mentor Program, providing over 1,600 hours of community service hours to the Town of Westwood. We would also like to thank our school and community partners who helped make this year a success!
2022-2023 Mentor Program Volunteers
The Town of Westwood assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this e-mail. The information contained in this e-mail is provided on an "as is" basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness. The Town of Westwood does not condone, agree with and or support all contents contained in this e-mail and should be viewed as information only.
Westwood Youth Soccer Opens Fall 2023 Online Registration for Grades K-8
Registration for Grades K – 8 for the FALL 2023 Westwood Youth Soccer season is now open online through Wednesday June 20, 2023.
There is also a separate skills program for Pre-K soccer players on Wednesdays this fall!
Registration and season information can be found at www.westwoodsoccer.org. Please consider volunteering to help coach your child’s team! Soccer knowledge a plus but not a requirement. We cannot do it without volunteer coaches, plus it is a great experience to share with your child! Westwood Youth Soccer is open to all children enrolled in Grades K-8. Kindergarten soccer players must be entering Kindergarten this coming fall. Players must be residents of Westwood or attend a school in Westwood. Please note the June 20, 2023 deadline for open registration for the Fall 2023 season. Any Grade 1-8 registrations received after this date will be charged a $25 per player late fee. No late fees are charged for Kindergarten. Late registrations are placed on a space available basis. Registration fee waivers for financial hardship are available if requested during the open period.
Visit www.westwoodsoccer.org for additional information.
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Saturday, June 3rd, 11am until 3pm
Senior Center - 60 Nahatan St.
This event will feature watercolors, pastels, oils, photography, pottery, jewelry, and handbags made from recycled materials- all locally made by residents of Westwood.
Participating makers include:
- Carol Ahearn - Watercolor & acrylic painting
- Karen Cagan – Photography
- Elidi Chan – Watercolor & digital art
- Lexi Jackson - Handmade jewelry
- Amy Keith – Upcycled handbags
- Maureen Obey - Oil painting & pastels
- Cindy Senerchia - Handmade jewelry & acrylic painting
- Jane Wojick – Pottery
The newest participant is Amy Keith. Amy fashions handbags from recycled materials including dungarees and upholstery fabric. She might even accept donations of such material. Come talk to her at the show if you are interested.
Westwood Artists is an informal organization of makers living in Westwood. Any artist or artisan residing in Westwood is encouraged to take part in the increasing number of events and projects hosted by this group. Join as an artist or patron to hear about shows, markets and development workshops in Westwood. Contact us at westwoodartists@gmail.com,
on Facebook, or www.westwoodartists.com
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WestwoodWinds Board is pleased to announce, after a three year hiatus, WestwoodWinds Community Band will be returning this year for in-person rehearsals and concerts.
Registration to join is already available, and the band will be hosting an open rehearsal on Monday, June 5, from 6:30 - 8:30PM in the Westwood High School Band room, and invites any interested musicians to join.
This year’s concert will take place on Monday, August 7th, from 7:00 - 8:00PM in the Westwood High School Cafeteria Courtyard, and a second performance will be held at Fox Hill Village at a date and time to be announced. The band’s founding member, Jim Giurleo, former K-12 director of performing arts for the Westwood Public Schools, is retiring as Band Director this year, and Melissa Laurencio, current Prodigy Program music teacher and Roma Band Director, will be the joining as the new Band Director. One other change starting this year is that band members will be asked to pay a membership fee, which will be included as part of the registration process. WestwoodWinds will also be utilizing its Facebook page more frequently to provide timely information and updates to all previous and new members, as well as their audience. WestwoodWinds’s membership includes musicians from Westwood, neighboring communities and states. Most have connections to Westwood either as a WHS graduate or as a current resident. The age of the band members ranges from early teens to retirees, and the skill level covers amateurs through semi-professionals. The band is open to amateur musicians with no audition.
More information about WestwoodWinds may be found on its website westwoodwinds.org, and for any questions, please reach out to westwoodwinds.org@gmail.com
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For the first time in three years, Westwood’s third graders have resumed their annual field trip to the Fisher School. Located on High St., the Fisher School is a fully restored one-room schoolhouse steeped in Westwood history. As part of the Social Studies curriculum in Westwood, third graders learn about Massachusetts and local history, from the first indigenous people to live near Hale to the European settlers and their descendants who contributed to the town as we see it today. During their trip to Fisher School, the students step back in time for a simulated 1800s school day. They sit at antique desks and use chalk on slates to solve arithmetic problems written by Westwood’s own Warren Colburn. They dip quill pens in ink wells to practice cursive penmanship. While they don’t get to wear the dunce cap for breaking a rule, the students enjoy learning about the rules children were expected to follow in the 1800s. Students spend time exploring artifacts and antiques around the schoolhouse, asking the kinds of questions historians ask, such as: Who made this? What was it used for? What can it tell me about the community or time period? The crowd favorite is usually recess, where the third graders go outside to play colonial games like Ring Taw (marbles), Hoop and Stick, Japanola, and bean bags. Visiting the Fisher School provides a meaningful, authentic learning experience for Westwood’s third graders as they explore local history.
Thanks to the Westwood Historical Society, Charles Donahue, the Elementary PTOs/PTAs, the WPS Teachers and Operations Crew, and the many volunteers who helped to make these field trips possible: Maryanne LeBlanc Cummings, Robert Gotti, Joanna and Patrick French, Pat Keyo, Nora Loughnane, Tony Mullen, Dori Parmelee, Amanda Philips, Dottie Powers, Joseph Previtera, Maria Ryan, and Stephen Springer.
Submitted by Sarah Cronin, Elementary Social Studies Coordinator
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