Westwood MA
10-06-2025 1:02pm

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: No "Gaming the Process" by Town Officials on Fire Station 1

A recent letter run in Westwood Minute about the future of Fire Station 1 has included several statements that deserve clarification. While it’s healthy for our community to debate important issues, it’s also important that those discussions are based on accurate information and shared respect for the people involved.

The Select Board, town staff, and many subject matter experts, especially our very own public safety officials, have been working together to evaluate what the Westwood Fire Department truly needs to operate safely and effectively. These needs are not arbitrary wants. They are based on current building and fire safety codes, the space required to house existing apparatus and equipment, and the need for appropriate training and living quarters for the people who protect our community every day.

Suggesting that the Select Board is “gaming the process” is both unfair and inaccurate. Their goal, shared by many residents, is to ensure that Westwood’s first responders have facilities that meet modern safety standards and can support the town for decades to come. It is simply unrealistic to think that rebuilding a station to the same size as a facility last expanded 50 years ago would serve the community’s long-term needs or represent a sound investment.

We all share the same ultimate goal: keeping Westwood safe and well-served. Let’s focus on facts, listen to the professionals who dedicate their lives to public safety, and work together—respectfully and constructively—to find a solution that reflects the best interests of everyone in our town.

Respectfully,

Nancy Hyde

Thanks to Nancy Hyde for contributing these comments to Westwood Minute. Ms. Hyde is the chair of the Westwood Board of Assessors, and has in the past served as a member of  Westwood's Select Board and Westwood's Charter Review Committee.

Share your comments with our community by registering for a free account to self-post, or email your thoughts to the editor at WestwoodInAMinute@gmail.com.

You may also be interested in reading:

- LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Brian Camenker Argues for Keeping Existing Size of Fire Station

- PRESS RELEASE: Town of Westwood Announces Community Forum to Explore Options for Fire Station 1

- Dover's New Fire Chief Has Long History with Westwood Fire Department

- September's Special Town Election Drew High Number of Westwood Residents to Cast Votes

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10-06-2025 11:15pm

Thank you for your thoughts, Nancy.

My comments are not a direct response to you, but rather about a larger topic that impacts almost every issue in town: overdevelopment. 

It's the elephant in the room that no one seems to talk about. In fact, town and elected officials don't just avoid talking about it, but they make the problem WORSE! Just look at a recent decision by the Planning Board: instead of doing the reasonable thing and complying with the bold (and arguably intrusive) MBTA Communities Law by approving the new Everett Street apartment or condo building, they allowed the developer to build MORE units that required! And then (I might be misremembering or misunderstanding here), I recall the Planning Board allowing the developer to proceed in building more units that originally agreed upon after it was brought to the board's attention that the developer was accidentally constructing an additional unit. 

Now, let's consider how overdevelopment (both residential and commercial) is impacting emergency services. Of course, when you add a MASSIVE shopping center such as University Station, you're gonna have increased police and fire calls! However, elected and town officials keep arguing that commercial development is good for residents because it alleviates the residential tax burden due to our split tax rate. But does this really matter??? Sure commercial development brings down residential taxes, but they shoot right back up in order to pay for the increased emergency services and other expenses associated with development! 

And consider the threats of imposing a fee on Westwood due to contaminated recycling. Stickers were put on residents' trash and recycling bins, but did anyone think that the contamination could have been caused by improper recycling practices by major business and retailers in town? 

When residents dare question overdevelopment, they're labeled as not wanting to fix the housing crisis. Well, the housing crisis is an injustice, but so is outpricing elderly residents and shaming residents who ask important questions. 

I try to watch all of the board meetings and understand what is discussed. If you disagree with me or believe my comment contains inaccuracies, please let me know! I'm not opposed to development, but I am opposed to avoiding important questions and considerations.

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