9-05-2022 4:31am

How to Participate in Town Government - Week of September 4, 2022

Darlene Cancell Editor

Image by John Phelan from Wikimedia Commons.

Below are meetings of Westwood's town government this week. Of particular interest:

Wednesday 9/7: Hale Education gives a presentation on its proposed conservation restriction at Wednesday's Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee meeting.

Thursday 9/8: A reconstituted and reconvening Finance and Warrant Commission holds its "Kick-off Meeting." School Committee meets and provides information about the METCO elementary program, safety and security changes, and updates on the new school building.

Planning Board Meeting via Zoom, Tuesday, September 6, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. The only agenda item for this meeting is to continue public hearings and agenda items, without discussion, to a September 20, 2022 meeting at 7:00 p.m. Public hearings and discussion items are being continued to avoid a conflict with Election Day on Tuesday.

To join, click here. Or visit Zoom, click "Join a Meeting" and enter Meeting ID 874 2435 8551 and passcode 289936. Alternatively, join by phone by dialing, toll-free: 833-548-0282 or 877-853-5257 or 888-475-4499 or 833-548-0276. Or for better calling quality, dial by your location: +1 312-626-6799 or +1 646-931-3860 or +1 929-205-6099 or +1 301-715-8592 or+1 669-900-6833 or +1 253-215-8782 or +1 346-248-7799 or +1 386-347-5053 or +1 564-217-2000 or +1 669-444-9171.

Audit Committee Meeting via Zoom, Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. The committee will review a FY 2022 draft student activity audit and discuss upcoming audit work.

To join, click here. Or visit Zoom, click "Join a Meeting" and enter Meeting ID 876 8852 6695 and passcode 279500. Alternatively, join by phone by dialing, toll-free: 833-548-0282, or 877-853-5257, or 888-475-4499 or 833-548-0276. Or for higher quality, call by your location:
+1 301-715-8592 or +1 309-205-3325 or +1 312-626-6799 or +1 646-931-3860 or +1 929-205-6099 or +1 253-215-8782 or +1 346-248-7799 or +1 386-347-5053 or +1 564-217-2000 or +1 669-444-9171 or +1 669-900-6833 or +1 719-359-4580.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee, Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. This in-person meeting will be held in the meeting room at 50 Carby Street in Westwood. Hale Education will make a presentation on its proposed conservation restriction and updates will be provided from Police, Public Works and Planning Board. There will be discussion of the Gay Street sidewalk and information about the Moving Together Conference.

West Suburban Veterans' Services District Quarterly Meeting, Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. This in-person meeting will be held in the Great Plain Room of Needham Town Hall at 1471 Highland Avenue in Needham.

The director will provide an update on district staffing, Veteran's Day, outreach, and the FY 2024 budget.

School Committee Meeting, Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. This in-person meeting will be held in Westwood High School's Little Theater at 220 Nahatan Street in Westwood.

The superintendent's report will include information about the elementary METCO program, safety and security changes, ESY and intervention, and recognition of the high school's Girls Lacrosse team.

The committee chair will provide an update on the new school building, an upcoming parent forum on school start times, and an upcoming meeting of the Policy Review Committee.

Other discussion items include a first reading of the anti-bullying policy and a vote on a proposed solar project.

Finance and Warrant Commission Meeting, Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. This in-person meeting will be held in the Community Meeting Room of Westwood Public Library. This "Kick-off Meeting" for a newly reconvened and reconstituted FinCom will include an introductions to new Administrator Victoria Wong and committee members, and a presentation by Town Clerk Dottie Powers on MA ethics and the Open Meeting Law. Also on the agenda are "Topics of Interest/Concern/Priorities for 2022-2023."