Welcome to Westwood Minute’s annual roundup of local and hyperlocal news we covered on this publishing platform over the past year. In 2024, Westwood Minute maintained its ranking as the #1 Google ranked news source for the Westwood area! Here's a look back at some of the stories that we covered:
In January, residents were vocal in their concerns over rising property taxes in Westwood, and debated priorities for spending.
Also in January, Boston Celtics Honored Amelia Zai of Westwood as a Hero Among Us.
In February, Westwood Poet Laureate Lynne Viti and Teen Poet Laureate Lucie Sechler organized a Children’s Poetry Festival, and managed to convince acclaimed American poet Richard Blanco to participate as the headliner.
Also in February, Westwood Minute published reaction to the break-down in negotiations between the Town of Westwood and Hale Education for a conservation restriction.
In March, community members and elementary school alumni bid farewell to the Paul R. Hanlon School, which made way for construction of Westwood’s new Pine Hill School.
The month of March also marked the return of the annual local community tradition, Eddie’s Food Drive.
In town government, Select Board moved forward on improving traffic signalization in Islington Center and Westwood Department of Public Works implored residents to be more careful with recycling, to avoid contamination charges.
At state level, legislators reacted to the precarious financial position of Stewardship Health, whose parent company operated Norwood Hospital.
Other stories of special note in March:
The month of April was a busy time for local news. While the world, including Westwood, prepared to view a total solar eclipse, Westwood Police investigated multiple break-ins of resident’s vehicles and made an arrest on a kidnapping charge.
Westwood Select Board adopted a flag policy and Planning Board proposed siting for high-density multi-family housing, a hot-button issue in communities across the state of Massachusetts. Select Board also officially announced the news, following hints of what some residents had already heard in February, that the town was no longer negotiating with Hale Education to obtain a conservation restriction on Hale’s land in Westwood.
With newly re-elected town officials in place in May, Westwood residents continued discussion on the issue of siting multi-family housing development in town, and approved zoning to comply with the state's MBTA Communities Act:
Westwood also put into place its first appointed Treasurer Collector, following voters’ approval in 2023 to do away with the elected town Treasurer and Collector positions in favor of making those positions appointed ones.
April was also a time of special recognition of Westwood’s youth, while Westwood's Poet Laureate recognized the town's 127th anniversary:
In June, local concerns intersected with a larger statewide picture. The 911 emergency call system temporarily became inoperable in Westwood and throughout the state of Massachusetts. A Westwood 5th grader won a statewide competition while also placing fourth nationally. And Westwood native Kiersten Khoury won the title of Miss Massachusetts 2024.
Stories of national interest also became local concerns. New federal regulations to address PFAS in water supply would affect local water suppliers. The U.S. Attorney (Massachusetts District) announced a guilty verdict for a Westwood resident who was convicted of forced labor charges in federal district court.
Following local elections a few months earlier in April, where the entire slate of candidates for election ran unopposed, Westwood resident John Aram examined the value of encouraging local volunteerism:
On the employment and schools front, Westwood Public Schools announced the hiring of a new assistant superintendent and the district’s first human resources director.
In the feel-good summer, Westwood Public Schools staff surprised a rising sixth grader with the news that he had won a statewide essay contest, Canton Fire Department delivered a baby in the back of an ambulance, and a scout completed a 6-month service project of building steps on an eroded hiking trail:
In other news of special note in July:
The month of August was one of change, surprise and the unexpected.
A change - after 23 years, Hale Education would have a new executive director.
A few surprises – Westwood saw hail the size of quarters fall; number of Westwood and Dover residents discovered they were victims of multiple vehicle break-ins appearing to have been perpetrated by the same actor(s); and the proposed design for a new Westwood Fire Station headquarters is announced.
The unexpected – Locals along with the world learned that Needham High School graduate and NASA astronaut Sunita Williams would have an unexpectedly longer stay in space due to safety concerns with her ride home.
And Westwood, like other towns around the Commonwealth, continued to monitor the state’s position on enforcing a multi-family housing production mandate, with the Town of Milton as a test case of defiance. Followers of the case would wonder at an outcome.
While the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds reported a healthy real estate market, it had concerns over foreclosures. Westwood Minute continued to follow the news on local developments in multi-family housing.
Also in September, some Westwood area residents experienced the widespread email phishing scam that many others in the extended local area were experiencing.
And Westwood’s Catholic community reacted to the firing of a popular religious educator.
There was a good share of controversy in October. Westwood’s Catholic community continued to react to the controversial firing of Karlene Duffy, a long-time church staff member, and residents debated the cost of the proposed new design for Fire Station One.
But the community also came together.
The Town of Westwood announced observance of Indigenous Peoples Day, in contrast to past years of observing Columbus Day.
Other news of special note:
In a prolonged and serious drought, Westwood and surrounding towns banned outdoor fires, and a 40 acre fire broke out in Blue Hills Reservation in Milton. Westwood Zoning Board helped clear away permitting hurdles for construction in accordance with the proposed design for Westwood Fire Station One.
In athletics, Xaverian Brothers High School football met with Needham High School football in the MIAA Division 1 championship, with Xaverian coming out on top. Westwood Public Schools also announced eight athletes signing collegiate letters of intent to continue their career in sports.
In a month full of local holiday activity, Westwood community groups held their second annual Holiday Walkabout, and Westwood Community Chest holds its annual Luminary Night. Also, a generous donor gifted free trees to community members in need.
Locally, Select Board continued to move forward with improving traffic signalization in Islington, while at national level, Congressional representatives introduced a bipartisan bill to regulate pharmacy benefit managers to cut drug costs.
In other December news of special note:
That’s it for 2024. Welcome 2025, and the good news we hope it may bring, which Westwood Minute will be sure to share with you. May you and yours have a Happy New Year!
Updated 1/1/2025 at 12:00 p.m. An incorrect reference to Select Board has been changed to "Planning Board" in the description of news for April 2024. Additionally, a few typographical and clarifying edits and been added.
Sunny, with a high of 40 and low of 29 degrees. Sunny for the morning, clear during the afternoon and evening,
So nice that an event could be held for Ms. Duffy. I never dealt with her in my time at the parish that was then St. Denis, but I did want to recommend Boston’s St. Cecilia’s parish for folks looking for a non-Joan of Arc Catholic parish. My household has attended it since leaving St Denis about a decade ago.
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