How to Participate in Town Government - Week of February 26, 2023 (UPDATED)

Image by John Phelan from Wikimedia Commons.

Updated 2/27/2023 at 11:30 p.m.: The in-person meeting of the Finance and Warrant Commission, originally scheduled for Tuesday, February 28th, is moved to Wednesday, March 1st, due to inclement weather. The date reserved for FinCom's unfinished business is now Thursday, March 2nd, instead of March 1st. This article has been updated accordingly.

Highlights of this week's meetings of Westwood's town government include:

Mon. 2/27: Select Board takes action on a Dana Farber Cancer Institute proton therapy facility. It also reviews warrant articles for resident-voter consideration at the upcoming May Town Meeting.

Wed. 3/1: Finance and Warrant Commission (FinCom) holds a public input hearing before it issues its recommendations on the proposals to change elected town treasurer and town collector positions to appointed ones; disposition of town-owned property at 47 Willard Circle; and proposed changes to the Zoning Bylaws.

Thurs. 3/2: FinCom may meet on March 2nd, to discuss unfinished business from its March 1st meeting.

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Select Board Meeting via Zoom, Monday, February 27, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. The board will take action on a community services agreement regarding a Dana Farber Cancer Institute proton therapy facility, a Westwood Poet Laureate nomination, and may vote to amend, accept or remove articles for resident-voters' consideration at the upcoming May Town Meeting.

Select Board will also discuss the retiree cost of living adjustment (COLA) and Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Advisory Committee bylaw revisions, among other items.

In executive session, the board will discuss strategy for collective bargaining with the union, Westwood Permanent Firefighters Association Local 1994.

For information on joining this meeting remotely, click here. This meeting will also be livestreamed by Westwood Media Center on its YouTube Channel.

Youth and Family Services Advisory Board Meeting via Zoom, Monday, February 27, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Items to be discussed include community needs, a staffing update, Recognize a Youth Award, and the proposed FY 2024 budget, among other items. For information on how to join this meeting remotely, click here.

Recreation Commission Meeting via Zoom, Monday, February 27, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. The commission will discuss a new ethics requirement, upcoming events, fields and faciliities, among other items. For information on how to join this meeting remotely, click here.

Finance and Warrant Commission Public Hearing, Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Westwood residents have the opportunity to provide input into proposed warrant articles up for vote at May's Town Meeting, with members of Select Board, Planning Board, Charter Review Committee and town staff in attendance. Westwood's Finance and Warrant Commission holds the first of two public hearings on the issues of:

• Changing the positions of town treasurer and town tax collector from elected to appointed positions

• Disposition of town-owned property at 47 Willard Circle

• Amending Westwood's Zoning Bylaw Sections 4.1.6, 4.3.2, and 7.3 related to Earth Material Movement

• Amending Westwood's Zoning Bylaw section 6.3.5 and 6.3.6 related to dumpsters

• Amending Westwood's Zoning Bylaw Chapters 321 (Retail Stores and Food Establishments0 and 342 (Solid Waste) related to dumpsters

• Housekeeping amendments to correct errors or inconsistencies and to clarify Westwood's Zoning Bylaw.

This meeting will be held in-person at the Westwood Main Library's Community Room at 660 High Street. It will also be broadcast on Westwood Media Center's YouTube channel. As of the time of this posting, no log-in information has been announced for remote participation.

Finance and Warrant Commission Public Hearing, Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. If continuation of FinCom's public hearing from the previous day is needed, a public hearing will be held on March 1st.

This meeting will be held in-person at the Westwood Main Library's Community Room at 660 High Street, if needed. It will also be broadcast on Westwood Media Center's YouTube channel. As of the time of this posting, no log-in information has been announced for remote participation.

West Suburban Veterans' Services District In-Person Meeting, Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. On the agenda are updates regarding district staffing, Memorial Day, outreach and the 2024 budget. This meeting will be held at Weston Town Hall at 11 Town House Road in Weston.

Memorial Day Planning Committee Meeting via Zoom, Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. On the agenda is a discussion to plan the town's 2023 Memorial Day Observation. For information on how to join remotely, click here.

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You may also be interested in:

- OPINION: Pros/Cons of Changing Westwood's Treasurer, Tax Collector from Elected to Appointed Positions

- Feb. 28 Public Hearing: Changing Elected Positions to Appointed Ones, Town Property Disposition, and Amending Zoning Bylaws

- Dedham-Westwood Water District Files a Lawsuit Against 3M, DuPont, and Others Over PFAS Contamination

- Negotiations with Dana-Farber on Constructing Cancer Treatment Facility Continue