Certainly don't need all 8 reasons. Clear to see that I'm being asked to fund a project that has yet to be designed, let alone bid on. For $2,000,000 more than last years actual $38,000,000 to build.
The majority of school and municipal buildings are built based on 100 percent schematic design so that a town doesn't waste millions on design fees if voters do not approve the design.
I spoke in support of the project at the May 2025 town meeting and had the same time limit as everyone else. Not quite following what you're trying to say.
Why would we vote for $40 million when we voted against $38 million?
I don't think the town should be paying this. But even if you thought they should, how could you possibly justify such an amount when the Town itself paid ~$16k in legal bills according to the Select Board?
The Landtrust complained about how much the Town spent on the legal costs and never brought up the cost of a special Town Meeting and yet they spent $175K on legal fees to fight the Town. Very disappointing!
Sooner or later, Westwood residents will recognize that the WLT is an elitist organization who do not act in the best interest of the Town and all of its residents.
I think this is unnecessary when it comes to the Select Board. My kids go to Westwood public schools and will graduate from them. I would probably prefer someone who shared that experience to be on the School Committee but don't see that as a requirement.
All residents are paying for the schools and should have an right to serve on the School Committee without having to have children in the Westwood School System; the same as any other board in Town.
I think asking about whether a candidate chose to use the Town’s public school system is a fair question. It’s an issue of transparency.
The Westwood Select Board should finish what has been started and let the judge ejudicate the law. What would be the harm in settleing the disagreement on the rights of the Town?
Very well said!
There is one thing I agree with in your post:
1. I suggest you see the actual CR (Sec IV B) rather than referencing someone's opinion. Lynne Viti also spells it out in plain English in a recent post if that would be helpful
Kevin – I appreciate your consideration and reasonable tone. I think that Ms. Sibley’s petition success largely flowed from people that were upset with Select Board’s handling of the FS-1 situation and the perceived lack of transparency. The in-person meetings of the Select Board are a positive result.
Dear readers, I have deleted two replies to this post, which appeared to have a primary intent to promote a particular candidate.
I wholeheartedly agree that our next Select Board member must show respect for all viewpoints and a genuine willingness to work collaboratively to reach the best solutions for our town.
I agree; compromise is a lost skill of late. Polarized in our opinions about what is correct or righteous, we unwittingly stop hearing (and caring about) the “other”. We become negative versions of ourselves. Angry, pointing blame outward for all the world’s ills.
66° and Clear
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Thank You to the entire FS1 Steering Committee for volunteering your time and energy into this critical project. The Town is very lucky to have residents like you that put the community first.