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5-24-2026 11:01pm
Changes in Key Leadership Positions of Town of Westwood Staff
Darlene Cancell
Editor
A few key staffing changes in Town of Westwood leadership positions have taken place or are in the works.
With the retirement of Westwood Police Chief Jeffrey Silva on May 8, Lieutenant Michael DiLalla has stepped into the position of interim chief of police. Interim Chief DiLalla is the sole internal candidate to advance to the pool of finalists for the police department's top position. A search committee, with the assistance of a consulting firm, is casting a net to include external candidates before presenting finalists to Westwood Select Board for review.
After giving his notice on May 11, Town Counsel Patrick "Pat" Ahearn will be retiring later this summer. At Select Board's meeting that same evening, Town Administrator Connor Read acknowledged Mr. Ahearn's role in assisting the town through the COVID pandemic, three town administrators, and "incredible changes in the way we do business as public entities," as well as his many years of public service, and his assistance in Mr. Read's own transition to the role of town administrator. A succession plan and celebratory event will be forthcoming, Mr. Read said.
Lina Arena-DeRosa, Westwood Council on Aging director, has announced her retirement at the of June, following 11 years in that position. At Select Board's May 11 meeting, Chair Marianne LeBlanc Cummings thanked and credited Ms. Arena-DeRosa with bringing expansive community connection and programming to the community, advocacy for seniors and veterans, leadership, and a culture of humor, gratitude and care.
