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Westwood Voters Approve Costs of Construction of a New Fire Station, along with FY26 Operating Budget
At Westwood Town Meeting on Monday evening, May 19th, with over 600 registered voters in attendance, residents voted to fund the $38.1 million Fire Station 1 (FS1) project, along with the proposed $120.3 million operating budget for FY26.
Fire Station Costs Approved
The vote approving construction costs for the fire station occurred after residents heard debate raising arguments for the necessity of the facilities for safety reasons along with arguments against the station for what was mainly characterized as excessive size and costs.
The vote followed a video presentation from Select Board Clerk Marianne LeBlanc Cummings on behalf of the board as proponent of Article 14. Remarks were also offered by Westwood Fire Chief Lund and Select Board Chair Joe Previtera in favor of the construction. Public comment came afterwards, and it included both arguments in favor and against FS1.
On the pro side, arguments were made that the current facility on High Street is deteriorating, unsafe for fire department personnel, and to fail to act now would incur the town higher project costs and liability in the future. On the con side, commenters noted that costs should be reduced and that a useful and effective facility is what is needed, not a beautiful or best facility.
Although additional members of the public were lined up to provide comment, a motion to call the question was made, and seconded. It passed, ending further discussion and bringing Article 14 to a vote.
In a voice vote, both the ayes in favor and the nays against were loud enough that when Moderator Jim O'Sullivan determined passage of Article 14 by a 2/3 majority via voice vote, there were audible reactions of disapproval. The moderator then proceeded to take a standing count, noting that electronic voting devices were not working. (Apparently, not all devices could transmit a voting signal to be tabulated.)
With the help of designated "counters" assigned to count votes as indicated by voters who stood at the appropriate time - given the moderator's call for standing yes votes, and then his call for standing no votes - the moderator declared Article 14 had passed, with 2/3 vote in favor. Over 500 voters were counted in favor of funding FS1, and over 100 voters were counted as being against the article.
Immediately following the vote, there was a motion to reconsider, which was seconded. After brief discussion, the question was called for a vote on reconsideration. This vote for reconsideration failed, being less than 2/3 vote in favor, allowing the initial vote approving Article 14 and funding for FS1 to stand.
FY26 Operating Budgets Approved
Voters also approved Westwood Select Board's proposed FY 2026 operating budgets of $120.3 million in Article 3, which represents a $4.69 million growth over the FY25 budget.
The vote on the town's operating budget preceded the discussion of FS1. Like the voting on FS1, an initial voice vote was determined by Moderator O'Sullivan to have approved the article; however, in apparent response to concerned murmuring of a disagreeing crowd, the moderator quickly decided to have a standing vote.
The moderator then amended his decision to try electronic voting, after people having trouble with reception for their electronic voting moved to the front of the room for better reception.
In the end, the vote was tabulated as 455 in favor and 149 against Article 3, allowing the operation of municipal departments and public schools to be funded as proposed by Select Board.
These votes and voting on all other articles at Town Meeting of May 19th can be viewed on Westwood Media Center's YouTube channel, here.
