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Photo courtesy of Hale Education. Pictured is Noanet Dam, one of many areas that Hale Education has advocated to protect through a conservation restriction.
This past year was momentous in many ways, not only locally, but also in news far beyond the Town of Westwood that affected the local community. The year 2025 brought many changes, and with them, sometimes reluctance to embrace the change.
A change in the political landscape of the U.S presidency brought with it a flurry of federal policy changes that some felt they had to scramble to make sense of . . . or protest. While the state's Attorney General and Congressional representatives litigated and strategized, some locals participated in Women's Day and No Kings demonstrations.
When faced with a potential change to the physical landscape, residents organized. After Westwood's Select Board initiated a suit against Westwood Land Trust, asking the Superior Court to compel the land trust to allow the agricultural use of 8 acres of conservation land, Westwood residents made themselves heard. They collected over 300 signatures on a petition, forcing a Special Town Meeting discussion on whether to allow Select Board to continue that suit.
Westwood residents also pushed back against the unanimous approval of several town boards and commissions regarding officials' plans for building a new fire station. Voters twice rejected a funding mechanism necessary to move forward on an approved $38.1 million project design that would have replaced the town's Fire Station 1. Along with cost, residents cited a lack of transparency and lack of community member representation as among the reasons to reject the construction project. As a result, Select Board formed a new advisory board for the project, with each new appointee being a Westwood resident.
A change that is more quietly being implemented in Westwood is compliance with Massachusetts's MBTA Communities Law. The state directive - that communities like Westwood establish a zone of reasonable size for multifamily housing as of right - will change the way some communities look in geography and demography. While Milton, Needham, and Dover appear to have held out on compliance for as long as possible, Westwood in 2025 saw the completion of a mixed-used development project on Everett Street with density of over 15 units per acre. It's the first project submitted by Westwood for state certification under the MBTA Communities Act.
Those are a few of the highlights in local news this year. There's plenty more to contemplate. Below is a sample of more news to review, as we close out the year and look ahead to 2026. What will the new year bring? Certainly more change.
Here's to weathering change in 2026 with all available ease and grace - and to sharing more news, opinions, and events in the coming year. Let's keep building an informed community!
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JANUARY
A popular Westwood establishment gets a new owner. Westwood In A Minute: New Year Brings Changes to BiBi Café & Bakery (Jan. 2, 2025).
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Founder of BiBi Café and Bakery, Fataneh Dowlatshahi (left), passed the torch to entrepreneur Tcheilly Nunes (right).A gas leak and electric outage at Thurston Middle School in January supports Westwood School Committee’s later decision to make the middle school the district’s top priority for replacement or renovation. Westwood's Thurston Middle School Evacuated for Short Time in Response to Gas Leak and Electric Outage (Jan. 3, 2025).
Town officials advance plans for a $38.1 million construction plan for a replacement for Fire Station 1. With Permitting Hurdles Cleared, Town of Westwood Advances Plans for New Fire Station 1 (Jan. 7, 2025).
Image courtesy of Town of Westwood. Pictured is a rendering of the design for a new Westwood Fire Station 1 on High Street, proposed and approved early in 2025, but later rejected for cost reasons later in the year.On the question of whether the state Attorney General (AG) can enforce the MBTA Communities Act against Milton, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court rules that the MBTA Communities Act is Constitutional, AG Has Power to Enforce It, But Not Right Now (Jan. 8, 2025).
The Animal Rescue League of Boston shares the news of its successful advocacy when MA Becomes 4th State in Nation to Ban Feline Declawing. (Jan. 10, 2025).
Needham voters repeal a recently approved Multi-family Overlay District. See Needham Voters Repeal Multi-family Housing Zoning, and Needham Gets Extension of Time to Comply with MBTA Communities Act
(Jan. 15, 2025).
Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D, MA-04) is appointed to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for the 119th Congress. See Congressman Auchincloss Appointed to Energy & Commerce (Jan. 18, 2025).
Photo courtesy of Office of Congressman Jake Auchincloss. Above, Congressman Jake Auchincloss attends his first full-committee meeting.Residents in the Westwood area briefly feel the weak tremblings of a magnitude 3.8 earthquake that was centered about 80 miles away, offshore of York Harbor, Maine. See Westwood Area Feels Quake Centered Off Coast of Maine on Monday
(Jan. 28, 2025).
Town of Westwood officials hold the first of three public information sessions on details of the proposed design for a new fire station. See Westwood Officials to Hold February 4th Community Discussion on Proposed New Fire Station 1 (Jan. 28, 2025).
In a fatal accident that left no survivors, Norwood residents and spouses Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, along with four other fellow Skating Club of Boston members, were passengers of a commercial airplane that crashed into a military helicopter. See Norwood Residents Among Passengers of Flight 5342, Which Crashed in Incident with No Expected Survivors (Jan. 30, 2025).
FEBRUARY
Congressman Stephen Lynch counsels constituents on handling the Trump Administration’s offer of a deferred resignation or “early buyout” to employees of the federal government. See Congressman Lynch’s Advice on Federal “Early Buyout” Offer: “Don’t Sign This” (Feb. 4, 2025).
Photo courtesy of Hale Education.The Trustees of Reservations announces it will acquire a conservation restriction on land owned by Hale Education, a culmination of years of advocacy by Hale Education to protect its land from development. See Hale Education CR to be Acquired by The Trustees, DLCT is Major Milestone in Conservation of More Than 1,100 Acres (Feb. 5, 2025).
Westwood Chinese School's 2025 New Year Celebration Draws Largest Crowd in the Annual Event's History (Updated) (Feb. 7, 2025).
Photo courtesy of Westwood Chinese School. A marital arts student demonstrates the kick that he has learned at Westwood Chinese School.Westwood Street Intersection is Dedicated to Officer William E. Sheehan on 50th Anniversary of His Death (Feb. 13, 2025).
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell joins a coalition of state attorneys general to counter the flurry of President Trump’s federal policy changes, shortly after his inauguration in 2025. See Campbell Is Among 16 State AGs Issuing Multi-State Guidance to Business, Organizations on Status of DEIA in States
(Feb. 16, 2025). See also MA AG Joins 17 States to Sue Trump Administration Over Order Ending Birthright Citizenship (Jan. 21, 2025).
Westwood celebrates its oldest resident. See Centenarian Eddie Germano is Boston Post Cane Recipient and Westwood's Oldest Resident (Updated) (Feb. 18, 2025).
Photo courtesy of Town of Westwood. Award recipient Eddie Germano (seated) holds the Boston Post Cane which he will return to the town. He will keep a replica on a lapel pin presented by Town Clerk Dottie Powers (right).Norfolk County Registry of Deeds reports that overall real estate activity has increased in 2025 compared to 2024. See 2025 Real Estate Market Off to a Promising Start in Norfolk County (Feb. 21, 2025).
As Westwood's inaugural Poet Laureate Lynne Viti concludes her duties, Westwood Names Beth Swinning as its Second Poet Laureate (Feb. 25, 2025).
Photo courtesy of Lynne Viti. Westwood resident Beth Swinning has been named the second poet laureate for the Town of Westwood. Her duties will begin on June 1, 2025.Following a June 2024 conviction on forced labor charges, a Westwood Resident Pleads Guilty to Making False Statement to Secure Small Business Pandemic Relief Loan (Feb. 26, 2025).
In February, Westwood’s elementary school children help to meet the needs of Westwood Food Pantry. See Youngest Pupils Lead the Way: Results of WPS Elementary Schools' 100th Day of School Donation Drive for Westwood Food Pantry
(Mar. 22, 2025).
MARCH
Resident environmental and energy experts Maria Constantini and John Isberg explain the Westwood Community Choice Electricity program as it enters its second year. OPINION: Prices to Compare, in Westwood Community Choice Electricity Program's 2nd Year (Mar. 2, 2025).
Westwood’s newest school building was initially designed to earn LEED Silver certification, but is awarded Gold level status by the U.S. Green Building Council. See Pine Hill Elementary School "Goes Gold" with LEED Certification (Mar. 4, 2025).
Westwood Public Library offers a literary experience to be shared, townwide. See Library Builds Community with One Book, One Town in One Month of Programming (Mar. 5, 2025).
Following flooding that destroyed medical equipment and facilities at Norwood Hospital that resulted in its closure in 2020, a Task Force for Reopening Norwood Hospital is Formed
(Mar. 6, 2025).
Locals report bobcat sitings in Westwood and the surrounding area. See Possible Bobcat Sighting in Dedham, and Animal Control Officer Gives Advice to Residents (Mar. 9, 2025) and Norwood Animal Control Reports Bobcat Spotted in Norwood and Westwood (Mar. 7, 2025).
Photo by Maria Costantini. Westwood residents (L to R) Marilyn Bogue, Claire Galkowski, and Janice Wright attended the Women's Day march in Boston last Saturday, March 8th, in support of women and in protest of Trump Administration policies.Westwood resident Claire Galkowski shares her experience of joining the Women’s Day Demonstration, held to protest what participants believe is the Trump Administration’s dismantling of democratic government and institutions. See Westwood In A Minute: Residents Join Women's Day Demonstrations in Boston, Tesla Protest in Dedham (Mar. 12, 2025).
A court rules that federal probationary workers who were fired by the Trump Administration must be reinstated to their roles. See Federal Workers Fired by Trump Administration Must Be Reinstated by March 17th, Court Rules (Mar. 15, 2025).
Elementary School Students compete in the 17th annual inter-elementary math meet of Westwood Public Schools. See Elementary School and Individual Winners of Westwood's 17th Annual Inter-Elementary Math Meet (Updated) (Mar. 31, 2025).
Photo by Ishani Tewari. Lucas Wu took first place in 5th grade individual competition.
APRIL
Westwood Public Library announces the winner of its One Book, One Town Writing Contest, as part of its month-long series of activities to promote a shared, townwide experience. See Announcing the Winner of Westwood Public Library's One Book, One Town Writing Contest (April 5, 2025) and Read the Short Story that Won Westwood Public Library's One Book, One Town Writing Contest (April 5, 2025).
Photo courtesy of Caitlin Anne/Westwood Public Library. This photo inspired writer Caitlin Anne to pen her short story, "Prom at the Waldorf Asteria, 1951," which won Westwood Public Library's One Book, One Town Writing Contest held in March 2025.Dedham Savings undergoes a change of leadership, as Mark Ingalls retires from his position as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. See Replacement Announced as Dedham Savings CFO, COO Mark Ingalls Retires (April 9, 2025).
A Westwood resident is sentenced after pleading guilty to making false statements to obtain a U.S. Small Business Administration loan. See Westwood Owner of Boston Area Pizzerias Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Defrauding U.S. Small Business Administration
(April 11, 2025).
Westwood officials draft a policy for electric vehicle charging stations and their use by the public and municipal employees. See Electric Vehicle Charging Station Draft Policy Under Review in Westwood (April 16, 2025).
Westwood High School adds a Boys Volleyball team to its roster. See Boys’ Volleyball Debuts at Westwood High School
(April 16, 2025).
Photo courtesy of Westwood Public Schools. The members of the new Westwood High School varsity and junior varsity boys volleyball teams are pictured above.Four Westwood quilters are awarded ribbons for second and third place finishes at the 40th Anniversary “A Ruby Celebration” of the Rhododendron Needlers Quilt Guild (RNQG). See Westwood Quilters Earn Awards at A Ruby Celebration Quilt Show (April 13, 2025).
Finish Norwood Hospital Task Force Offers a View into Hospital's Construction (April 18, 2025).
Photo courtesy Town of Norwood. Finish Norwood Hospital Task Force held a tour of the hospital construction site for media outlets.Town of Westwood Makes the Case for Funding a New Fire Station 1 in Advance of Imminent FinCom Public Hearing (April 23, 2025).
Hale Education’s long journey toward protecting its land from development, is explained. See Hale's Conservation Restrictions: Nearing the Finish Line . . . How We Got Here and What Comes Next? (April 23, 2025).
Westwood holds its annual election of town officers. See Unofficial Town of Westwood Election 2025 Results: Collins-White and Derderian Win Seats on Planning Board (April 29, 2025); Write-In Candidate Tina Bronkhorst Elected as Westwood Library Trustee (May 1, 2025).
MAY
Xaverian Student Secures First Place Finish at British Taekwondo International Open (May 1, 2025).
Photo courtesy of Xaverian Brothers High School. Pictured above is Xaverian Junior Páraic Kelly at the British International Open after securing first place in the junior (14-17) -73 kg division.The Town of Westwood clears the path for the proposed new fire station by settling disputes with 23 residents and abutters. Westwood Settles with Abutters to FS1 Project, and Withdraws Support of Article 15 Proposed Zoning Amendments (May 1, 2025).
Contributor Lynne Viti describes how an audience numbering over 100 turns out for a high school poetry competition. Westwood High Poets Shine at the Fourth Annual Teen Poetry Slam (May 2, 2025).
An iconic symbol of Westwood, the steeple of First Parish of Westwood, undergoes repair. Repair and Restoration Begins for an Iconic Westwood Structure (May 4, 2025).
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. A steeplejack climbs the spire of First Parish of Westwood to make repairs on April 22, 2025.Westwood Fifth-Grader Avery Li places first in Massachusetts and second in the nation in an essay competition. Westwood Fifth Grader’s "Investments" Pay Big Dividends (May 19, 2025).
Westwood resident Allison Drescher raises concerns over taxes and spending. OPINION: Resident Urges a "No" Vote to Excessive Spending and Charter Changes at Westwood's Town Meeting
(May 18, 2025).
The result of votes cast in-person at Town Meeting in May is the approval of costs for a new $38.1 million Fire Station 1 (FS1) project. Westwood Voters Approve Costs of Construction of a New Fire Station, along with FY26 Operating Budget (May 19, 2025).
Voters reject a proposal to change the quorum requirement for Town Meeting. See At Annual Town Meeting, Residents Vote to Keep Quorum Requirement of Town Meeting Intact and Unchanged (May 20, 2025).
Westwood Police arrest the Chief of Lincoln Police on a domestic assault and battery charge. Police Log: Westwood PD Arrests Chief of Lincoln Police, Mysterious Phone Call, and Other Stories (May 22, 2025).
Westwood High School students show off their finery at prom. See Westwood In A Minute: Promenading Their Way to Prom
(May 23, 2025).
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Four graduates revisit the stage and podium of Westwood High School's Commencement on Sunday, June 1, 2025.Westwood’s high school seniors graduate. See Westwood High School Class of 2025 Graduates and Where They are Headed (June 1, 2025); Xaverian Celebrates Commencement for Class of 2025
(May 24, 2025) .
PHOTO GALLERY: Westwood Holds Annual Memorial Day Parade
(May 27, 2025).
JUNE
Residents offer opposing views on whether voters should approve funding for a new fire station that exceeds limitations of Proposition 2-1/2. Compare OPINION: Voting "Yes" to Move Forward with New Fire Station 1 is Fiscally Responsible and Critical to Public Safety
(June 1, 2025) with OPINION: Voting "No" on the Fire Station Override Is a Vote for Fiscal Responsibility and Affordability in Westwood (May 30, 2025).
Following much public comment, Westwood Residents Vote to Put Brakes on Funding New Fire Station 1 (UPDATED) (June 3, 2025).
Westwood residents learn that the town’s administrator will be leaving for another job. See Westwood Town Administrator Coleman is Announced as Next City Manager of City of Milford (June 4, 2025).
Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Makes $10 Million Gift Commitment to Xaverian, Largest in School's History (June 5, 2025).
Photo by Westwood Minute/Maddie Mulligan.Hundreds attend Westwood Pride in its third year. See Westwood Pride Event Attracts Large Crowd for Third Annual Celebration (June 10, 2025).
After 13 Years as WHS Athletic Director, Matt Gillis is Retiring (June 12, 2025).
Westwood Boys’ Volleyball Team Wraps up First Official Season
(June 15, 2025).
Charles Goodman Named Westwood’s Youth Poet Laureate for 2025–2026 (June 16, 2025).
Photo courtesy of Beth Swinning. Charles Goodman, a junior at Westwood High School, has been appointed as Westwood's Teen Poet Laureate.The Karen Read murder trial comes to an end. See Following Acquittal of Karen Read, Canton Select Board Urges "Civil, Constructive Dialogue" (June 18, 2025).
Dr. Allison Sanders retires after more than 40 years of music and education. See ‘Doc’ Sanders Retiring After Decades Making Music at the Westwood Public Schools (June 20, 2025).
Photo courtesy of Westwood Public Schools. Thurston Middle School Principal Mike Redmon presents Allison Sanders with a custom Bruins jersey, with the number 40 for her 40 years teaching in Westwood.Westwood’s Kierstin Khoury completes her year of being Miss Massachusetts. See Westwood Native Passes on Her Miss Massachusetts Crown
(June 24, 2025).
Photo courtesy of Steve Smith Photography. Westwood native Kiersten Khoury passed on the title of Miss Massachusetts on Saturday night, June 21, 2025.JULY
PHOTOS: Independence Day Celebrations in Walpole, Norwood
(July 4, 2025).
Westwood sixth-grader Grace Li captures first place in the nationwide InvestWrite Competition. See Westwood Excels Again in National Essay Competition
(July 18, 2025).
Photo courtesy of Westwood Public Schools. Pictured with sixth-grader Grace Li (second from left) are Teacher Jared Jones (left), Instructional Technology Teacher Mark Goguen (second from right), and Superintendent of Schools Timothy Piwowar (right).A strike of Republic Service waste company workers disrupts normal life for Canton residents. See Decision Pending in Canton, Municipalities' Request for Court to Order Republic Services to Fulfill its Duties Amidst Worker Strike
(July 24, 2025).
Westwood is among over a thousand locations nationwide where citizens gather to protest what they called authoritarian developments in federal government. See Residents Stir Up “Good Trouble” in Westwood
(July 24, 2025).
Westwood Young Women’s Club continues its tradition of family-friendly summer concerts. Outdoor Summer Concert Brings Community Together with Family-Friendly Tunes (July 26, 2025).
The public visits Elm Bank in Wellesley to view a once-in-a-decade foul-smelling bloom of the Titan Arum (corpse flower). See Corpse Flower Displays Its Rare Bloom at The Garden at Elm Bank in Wellesley (July 28, 2025).
Beginning This Fall, 80 Percent of Town of Westwood's Energy Will Be from Renewable Energy (July 28 2025).
AUGUST
The community meets new members of Westwood Police Department’s K9 unit. See Meet Your Westwood Neighbor: K9 Scout and His Handler, Officer Collier (Aug. 3, 2025).
Photo courtesy of Westwood Police Officer Casey Collier. K9 Scout graduated from the Boston Police Department Canine Academy in July this year.A court rules that evidence is insufficient to force Republic Services to resume normal waste collection services during a workers’ strike. See Court Rejects Request for Injunction by Canton for Republic to Resume Normal Trash Collection Services (Aug. 4, 2025).
Contributor John Aram studies local government structures and recommends procedural/process changes to increase voter turnout. See Local Governance Study Suggests Limited Impact of Governing Structure on Voter Participation (Updated) (August 7, 2025).
911 Dispatch Flooded with Calls about 100+ Lowrider Cars Spinning Tires, "Racing" in Westwood
(Aug. 15, 2025).
Westwood, Dover, and Medfield have high schools ranked in the top 25 of Massachusetts’s public high schools. See How Westwood Area Schools Fared in U. S. News's State, National Rankings of Public High Schools (August 19, 2025).
SEPTEMBER
Dedham-Westwood Water District Awarded More Than $4.9 Million from 3M Company PFAS Drinking Water Settlement (Sept. 5, 2025).
In a revote on the same question that Select Board presented to voters in June, twice the number voters turned out to cast votes with almost the same outcome, with the majority rejecting the funding mechanism necessary to move forward on constructing a new $38.1 million fire station. See Westwood Residents Reject Funding Request for Proposed Fire Station 1, Again (UPDATED) (Sept. 9, 2025).
Image by Westwood Minute.September's Special Town Election Drew High Number of Westwood Residents to Cast Votes (Sept. 10, 2025).
Richkaard Verrier announced as Westwood High School's New Athletic Director (Sept. 14, 2025).
The strike of waste collection service workers which has disrupted daily life of Canton residents for over two months finally comes to an end. See Republic Services Workers' Strike Comes to an End
(Sept. 21, 2025).
Dover hires a new fire chief. See Dover's New Fire Chief Has Long History with Westwood Fire Department (Sept. 23, 2025).
Westwood Public Schools introduces a new guide for student competencies: communication and collaboration, thinking critically and creatively, integrity, and engaging locally and globally. See WHS Students Help Design Portrait of a Graduate Report that Will Be Rolled Out, Districtwide (Sept. 23, 2025).
Image source: Westwood Public Schools. Westwood Public Schools will soon be rolling out student-designed graphics that summarize a long school community process of examining desired qualities of a WPS graduate.OCTOBER
Archbishop of Boston visits Xaverian Brothers High School (Oct. 4, 2025).
Photo courtesy of Xaverian Brothers High School. On behalf of Xaverian, Head of School Dr. Jacob Conca (right) and Principal Michael Nicholson (center) gift Archbishop Richard Henning (left) with a custom No. 7 Xaverian Football Jersey.Select Board restarts a renewed, more transparent discussion on building a new Fire Station 1, following voters' rejection in September of funding a $38.1 million fire station project. See Fresh Start to Plan for a New Fire Station 1: Residents Share Ideas with FS1 Working Group (Updated 10/10/2025).
Image source: Westwood Media Center Programming YouTube Channel, Public Safety Community Forum 10/07/25. Pictured is the presentation slide for Option 4 of eight options presented by Fire Station 1 Working Group to the Westwood community for a new FS1.State and local police cooperation pays off in deterring a planned street takeover. See Police Log: Westwood PD Foils Possible "Street Takeover," Juvenile Arrested for Stalking and Other Stories (Oct. 27, 2025).
Local, State Police Cooperate to Stop Street Takeovers in Communities Like Westwood (Oct. 16, 2025).
Westwood Police’s drone unit successfully locates a missing child. See Police Log: Drone Finds Missing Child, Driver Injured after Running Red Light, 6 Arrests and Other Stories (Oct. 21, 2025).
NOVEMBER
As the federal government ends SNAP benefits, The Conversation explains who depends on SNAP. See Who Gets SNAP Benefits to Buy Groceries and What the Government Pays for the Program - in 5 Charts (Nov. 1, 2025).
Following resident complaints of lack of input and transparency, Westwood Select Board announces it will form a new Fire Station 1 advisory group made of residents. See Westwood Select Board Will Disband FS1 Working Group and Create New Advisory Committee (Nov. 4, 2025).
While SNAP beneficiaries are unsure of federal government assistance, the Westwood Food Pantry Urges Struggling Residents to Reach Out for Assistance (Nov. 6, 2025).
Westwood resident Connie Rizoli describes her experience at a “No Kings” rally. See Local Resident Describes What She Calls the "Spirit of the No Kings Rally" (Nov. 8, 2025).
One year after ground was broken on the first project submitted by the Town of Westwood for state certification under the MBTA Communities Act, the 160 unit development opens. See Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll Joins Westwood Officials, Developer, for Opening of Completed MBTA Communities Act Project (Updated)
(Nov. 28, 2025).
Photo courtesy of Sinna Studios. Developer Giorgio Petruzziello (center) is joined on his left by Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Rep. Paul McMurtry, Select Board members Robert Gotti and Marianne Cummings at the opening of an MBTA Communities Act development.Westwood Community Chest enjoys success from a new fundraising venture. See Westwood In A Minute: Westwood Community Chest Hosts First Magic Show, Drawing Crowd of 200+ (Nov. 30, 2025).
DECEMBER
Photo (modified) of Westwood Town Hall by John Phelan from Wikimedia Commons; Inset photo of Connor Read courtesy of Connor Read.Come February, the Town of Westwood will have a new town administrator. See Westwood Select Board Finalizes Contract for New Town Administrator Connor Read (Dec. 11, 2025).
Principal Kristen Evans retires from her position at Sheehan School. See A Legacy of Leadership: Celebrating Kristen Evans as She Retires after 18 Years in Westwood Public Schools (Dec. 17, 2025).
Photo courtesy of Meghan Walsh. Sheehan School Principal Kristen Evans is described as a cheerleader who inspires and supports students and staff.A survey shows overwhelming support for prioritizing a Thurston Middle School construction project over changes at Sheehan Elementary School. See Westwood School Committee Votes to Prioritize Thurston Middle School Construction Project (Dec. 18, 2025).
Westwood High School, Police Investigate Swastika Graffiti Discovered on First Day of Hanukkah (Dec. 20, 2025).
Hundreds of signatories to a petition request a community conversation and vote on whether to continue Westwood’s litigation against Westwood Land Trust. See Westwood Residents' Petition Could Force Special Town Meeting Over Town Lawsuit Against Land Trust (Dec. 23, 2025).
Petitioners successfully force a community conversation and vote on deciding what direction to take in the Town of Westwood’s litigation against Westwood Land Trust. See Special Town Meeting to Be Held after Citizen Petition Successfully Clears Hurdle of Certification (Dec. 24, 2025).
Image by Canva with modification by Westwood Minute.A life is lost in a four-alarm fire in Needham. Preliminary Evidence Points to Accidental Cause of Fatal Needham Christmas Eve Fire (Updated) (Dec. 27, 2025).
Westwood Environmental Action Committee members urge Select Board to end the town’s litigation against Westwood Land Trust. OPEN LETTER from WEAC to Westwood Select Board: Agricultural Practices on Conservation Land Will Destroy Fragile Ecosystems and Wetlands (Dec. 27, 2025).
