How to Participate in Town Government - Week of January 8, 2023

Image by John Phelan from Wikimedia Commons.

In Westwood's meetings of town government this week:

Monday, 1/9: Select Board closes the FY2023 Annual Town Meeting Warrant, discusses the FY2024 budget and an adaptive traffic control signal system on Route 109

Tuesday, 1/10: Library Trustees give an update on Westwood's Poet Laureate. The application period for this new town position ends on January 15, 2023. Dedham-Westwood Water District discusses a proposed rate increase.

Wednesday, 1/11: Conservation Commission holds a slew of public hearings on concerns at nine different properties and discusses a potential Conservation Land Management Plan and tree policy/ordinance/bylaw.

Select Board Meeting via Zoom, Monday, January 9, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. At this meeting, the board plans to close the FY2023 Annual Town Meeting Warrant and will discuss the topic of warrant articles for the May 2023 Town Meeting. It will continue to hear financial updates and more on FY2024 budget planning from Assistant Town Administrator and Financial Director Stephanie McManus. 

The board will take action on an adaptive traffic control signal system on Route 109. It will also discuss new business related to a licensing agreement concerning 394 Providence Highway, American Rescue Plan Act funding, among other topics. It will also enter Executive Session to discussion collective bargaining for union personnel.

For information on how to join this meeting remotely, click here.

Board of Library Trustees Meeting via Zoom, Monday, January 9, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. The board will discuss an update on Westwood's Poet Laureate, and update from Friends of the Library, and the budget, among other items. For information on joining this meeting, click here.

Dedham-Westwood Water District Hybrid Meeting, Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. At this meeting, the 2023 board officers will be installed, followed by discussion of a proposed water rate increase.There will be reports on financials and warrant, business operations, updates on new and existing projects and executed contracts.

For information on how to join this meeting remotely, click here. Interested members of the public can also attend the meeting in-person at 50 Elm Street in Dedham.

Conservation Commission In-Person Public Hearings and Meeting, Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. The commission will  discuss a potential tree policy/ordinance/bylaw, clarification of oversight regarding Westwood's conservation lands and a potential Conservation Land Management Plan. 

It will take action on DEP issues regarding 48 High Rock Street and 7 Longmeadow Drive. 

The Public Hearings section of the meeting will concern the following properties:

• A Downey Street sidewalk; a new home
• 215 High Street: barn improvements and new arena
• 244 Farm Lane: addition
• 210 Westfield Street: fence in yard
• 510 Far Reach Road: construction of a single family house and landscaping at 510 Far Reach Road
• 490 Gay Street: wetland boundary confirmation at 490 Gay Street
• 131 Bay Colony Drive:  In-ground swimming pool at 131 Bay Colony Drive
• 110 Arcadia Road: clearing of trees and brush
• 7 Little Boot Lane: addition

This in-person meeting will be held in the Champagne Meeting Room at 50 Carby Street. For more information on this meeting, click here.

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Related articles:

- Town Warrant Open, Petition Articles Accepted Until January 2023 for May Town Meeting

- Momentum to Change Westwood’s Town Treasurer and Collector from Elected to Appointed Positions

- Westwood Follows Dover in Recommending Preservation of Open Space at Hale

- The Search Is On for Westwood's First Poet Laureate

- DWWD Holding Discussion on Proposed Increase to Water Rates (Updated)