Select Board Adopts DEI Statement, Discusses Financial Update, Votes to Enter Opioid Settlement

Image of Inclusion by UNDP Ukraine from Flickr

Following are highlights of determinations and actions by Select Board at its latest meeting on December 20, 2021. Notably, Select Board:

• adopts a statement in support of diversity, equity and inclusion;
• approves entering a multi-million dollar statewide opioid settlement;
• questions Citizens Bank's follow-through on a commitment to Westwood; and
• approves an agreement with the police union. 

Adopting Statement Supporting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Select Board unanimously voted to adopt a Joint Statement with Westwood’s Human Rights Task Force, drafted by the Human Rights Task Force, stating its support of diversity, equity and inclusion in the town and its schools. A copy of the Joint Statement will be attached to Select Board’s meeting minutes.

Reviewing Town Charter for Changes

Every ten years, the town reviews its town charter, and Westwood is due for a review. The last review occurred from 2009 to 2010 with the town vote in 2011, according to Town Counsel Pat Ahearn.

Select Board will consider appointing a total of five to nine members to a Charter Review Committee. Chair Michael Walsh noted that Select Board members should pass their selections to Town Administrator Christopher Coleman to check for duplications. Select Board will discuss choices for the committee at its next meeting.

Mailing Residential Tax Bills

Westwood’s tax rate was approved by the Department of Revenue, said Assistant Town Administrator and Financial Director Pam Dukeman. Ms. Dukeman presented a financial update and noted that tax bills will be mailed out to residents at the end of the month. The average residential homeowner will see an approximate one percent increase in taxes.

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Financial Update and FY 2022 Budget

Ms. Dukeman noted that school and municipal operating budgets are the largest part of the town’s spending each year, with about $72 million in spending this year in those two areas. For FY 2022, the total expenditures are $108.3 million, an increase of 2.5 percent from the previous year. The FY 2022 operating budget is $101.3 million, a 3.1 percent increase from the prior year.

While the town and its schools experienced added costs related to the pandemic, the town experienced no cuts in state aid and was also able to access additional funding resources such as from the CARES Act and FEMA. Going forward, the town may continue to see some cost increases from COVID-19, such as continuing costs for mental health services for Youth & Family Services, schools, and the Department of Public Health.

Revenue that the town has collected from meals tax and hotel tax had decreased, but there has been an encouraging upswing in meal taxes. At the close of FY 2021, there is $1.2 million in revenues from meals and hotel taxes which can be applied to the town’s capital needs. This revenue has been kept separate from the operating budget. Therefore, fluctuations in meal and hotel taxes revenue have not negatively impacted the operating budget.

Ms. Dukeman noted that the goal of the upcoming budget will be to maintain funding for the high quality of town services, maintaining the town’s capital assets and addressing public health needs, while balancing tax impact. Her office plans to have a budget prepared for Select Board’s review by February 1, 2022. She plans to present the budget to the Finance & Warrant Commission on February 8, 2022.

Examining Whether Citizens Bank Has Fulfilled Its Commitment to Westwood

Following a review of meals taxes, Select Board Clerk John Hickey inquired whether there had been any “bump” from “the new stuff online, particularly the Citizens project." This was an apparent reference to the new Citizens Bank Regional Headquarters at 200 Station Drive at University Station and the bump in meal tax revenue that additional people in the Citizens building would bring to Westwood. Mr. Hickey noted that Citizens made a commitment to the town to bring 600 people onsite. This is a commitment which Select Board has not yet excused, he noted. Mr. Hickey asked that Select Board receive an update on the situation, which Mr. Coleman stated he will provide in January.

Entering Statewide Opioid Settlement

Select Board unanimously agreed to give Mr. Coleman the authority to sign participation forms for Westwood to enter a statewide opioid settlement, where a response is due by January 2, 2022. The settlement is a “massive undertaking” negotiated by the Massachusetts Attorney General and outside counsel, said Town Counsel Patrick Ahearn.  Mr. Ahearn estimates the statewide settlement figure to be in the range of $80 million to $537 million, with the settlement amount increasing as more towns and municipalities join.

Acceptance of $58,000 Information Technology Grant

Select Board unanimously voted to accept an information technology grant from Community Compact Cabinet in the amount of $58,218 to enhance operational efficiency and emergency response of Westwood Police Department.

Approving Contract with Police Union

Select Board unanimously voted to enter into a one year agreement with the police union, Westwood Police Association MA Coalition of Police, AFL-CIO, Local 174. The agreement that was negotiated between town staff and the police union, as very briefly described by Mr. Coleman, includes a 1.5 percent cost of living adjustment, “a one-time payment being made to them,” gender neutral language, one additional holiday, and “some changes to the detail rate.”

Police Explorer Presidential Service Award

Westwood Police Detective Sergeant Paul Sicard announced the award of the Police Explorer Presidential Service Award to Mr. Billy Barr, a recent graduate of Dedham High School. The award is given to volunteers who put in a certain number of hours. Det. Sgt. Sicard remarked that rather than abandoning the effort to earn the required number of hours in the context of a pandemic where volunteer opportunities were limited, Mr. Barr took initiative to seek out ways to help. He was of particular help to Town Clerk Dottie Powers, said the detective sergeant, assisting with the election process and mail-in ballots. Mr. Barr plans to attend George Washington University in the fall.

Reappointment to DWWD Commission

Mr. Gary Yessaillian has been reappointed as a member of the Dedham Westwood Water District Commission, with a term that expires on December 31, 2024.

Closing Verizon New England Cable Ascertainment Hearing, But Comments Still Welcome

The Verizon New England cable ascertainment hearing, continued from the last Select Board meeting, was closed with no additional public comment. Chair Michael Walsh noted that written comments had already been received which will be incorporated into the record. Further public comment on Verizon New England’s performance as a cable provider and on public needs in cable service continues to be welcome, however, and Select Board has the option of holding additional public hearings. Residents can email written testimony on the subject to selectboard@townhall.westwood.ma.us
or mail comments to Select Board’s address at 580 High Street in Westwood.

Holiday Tree and Cardboard Disposal/Recycling Schedule

A cardboard-only dumpster will be available for resident use at 50 Carby Street between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Monday, December 27, 2021 to Thursday, December 30, 2021 and also from Monday, January 3, 2022 to Friday, January 7, 2022. Only cardboard and no other materials should be discarded there.

Additionally, residents can leave their Christmas trees at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on their scheduled trash day for pick-up and disposal from Monday, January 3, 2022 through Friday, January 14, 2022. Trees should be free of tinsel, hooks, ornaments or other materials.

Next Meeting

The next Select Board meeting is Tuesday, January 12, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.

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