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4-19-2022 12:30am
Select Board Reduces Number for a Quorum, Reiterates Support for DEI, Approves Two High-Speed Electric Car Charging Stations
Darlene Cancell
Editor
Updated 4/20/22 at 10:21 a.m. A reference to “Ms. Plotkin” has been clarified to “School Committee Chair Maya Plotkin.”
Below are the highlights from Select Board's meeting last week:
Town Meeting Quorum Lowered From 175 Registered Voters to 45
At the last meeting for Mr. John Hickey before he leaves his seat on Westwood’s Select Board, Select Board voted unanimously to reduce the number of registered voters required for quorum from 175 to 45 registered voters.
Select Board Chair Michael Walsh and Select Board Member Robert Gotti both emphasized that the reduced number represents a floor, not a ceiling, for resident participation and presents a solution to the problem of getting work done at Town Meeting. Mr. Walsh explained that residents tend to leave the meeting after voting for budget items, with the result that a quorum may be failed to be reached for non-budget decisions.
Mr. Hickey noted that news on the pandemic fluctuates daily, and that there is little risk to reducing the number. In contrast, a failure to achieve a quorum could have ramifications to the funding and operations of the town.
Select Board Restates Support for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
Select Board Chair Michael Walsh read the board’s recently adopted statement in support of diversity, equity and inclusion in his remarks which opened the Select Board meeting. Later, he also took care to acknowledge an objection to how DEI measures are being implemented in town.
"The Town of Westwood strives to be for all residents and community members a safe place where one is free from discrimination and able to grow into the best, most authentic version of oneself, and where we are committed to continuously learning and evolving through our connections to and mutual respect for each other and our community," he read from Select Board's statement in support of DEI.
Mr. Walsh later noted that Mr. Brian Camenker, chair of the Westwood Republican Town Committee, had submitted a comment in response, inquiring whether Select Board was aware of One Westwood’s statement about “the DEI agenda in our town.” Mr. Walsh read Mr. Camenker's statement which noted that many town residents share One Westwood's point of view and that Select Board is “catering to a vocal group of radical people” on the topic of DEI.
Mr. Walsh responded that he personally disagrees and that he does not view including rather than excluding people as “catering.” However, he noted that Mr. Camenker is entitled to his opinion and stated his belief that it was necessary to read Mr. Camenker’s statement into the record.
High Speed Electric Charging Stations Coming to Police Station, Wentworth Hall
Westwood’s Energy Manager, Mr. Thomas Philbin, gave an update and overview of his energy efficiency efforts through the year. A new electricity supply contract was signed by the town for the next five years, resulting in an anticipated $22,000 annual savings for the next few years. Because the contract would lock in electric prices at below-market value for five years, Mr. Philbin cautioned that the town will experience a “huge increase” in utility costs at the end of the contract term in 2027. Therefore, he advises that the town undertake as much conservation as possible, including solar incentives, to avoid price shock when the contract ends.
Mr. Philbin noted the policy climate is in favor of electric vehicles, and explained that Eversource will pay all the costs of infrastructure upgrades for a high-speed electric vehicle charging station. He discussed the police station, town hall, high school, and Islington Library annex as possible locations. He proposed going forward with the police station as a first location for installation of an electric vehicle charging station.
Mr. Hickey raised strong objections to installing the charging stations on school grounds where the general public would be invited to visit at any hour of the day. He also strongly objected to the aesthetics of placing a charging station in front of the police station.
In response to Mr. Hickey’s concern of the impact of traffic from the general public on abutting neighbors, Mr. Gotti stated his belief that people will find the charging stations no matter where they are placed.
Mr. Walsh advocated for placing the high-speed charging stations at the police station and Wentworth Hall, holding off on other locations for now.
Mr. Gotti made a motion to approve electric vehicle charging stations at the police station and Wentworth Hall. It passed by a vote of 2 to 1, with Mr. Hickey objecting and Mr. Gotti and Mr. Walsh voting in favor.
Group Home for Disabled Planned at Former Westwood Lodge Property
Select Board unanimously approved a long-term lease by Lifeworks at 15 Clapboardtree Street, the former location of Westwood Lodge which is property owned by the town. The lease will allow Lifeworks to establish a five-unit group home for the disabled at that location.
Community Choice Electricity Program Anticipates DPU Approval
Westwood residents Ms. Juliana Belding and Ms. Maria Constantini attended as representatives Community Aggregation Electricity Working Group and Westwood Environmental Action Committee (WEAC). They presented an update on Westwood’s plans for a Community Choice Electricity Program.
Ms. Belding noted that at Town Meeting in May 2019, Westwood residents approved the town's aggregation of electricity with the goal of offering the town’s residents and businesses additional options for electricity supply from renewable sources. She hopes for approval from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities around May to July this year.
Consumer education will precede the program launch. First, a postcard announcing the program will be sent. Next, electric customers will receive a detailed letter informing them of new renewable energy supply options, along with chance to opt-out of the program. Any customer who does not opt-out will be enrolled in the program. An educational video is also being prepared.
No public hearing will be requested until the town has signed a contract, said a representative of Good Energy, the consulting firm selected by Westwood as a municipal aggregation consultant. The consultant said that the program will not launch until the program’s rate is lower than the rate charged by Eversource. Eversource is the current energy provider for most of electric customers in town.
Pay Increase for Police Superiors
Select Board unanimously approved a Memorandum of Agreement with the Police Superior Officers Association that includes a 2.5 cost of living adjustment and a pay increase for detail work performed by police superiors for FY 2023.
Select Board Unanimously Authorizes Superintendent to Pursue MSBA Funding for Sheehan School
Select Board approved the submittal of a Statement of Interest from Superintendent Emily Parks to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for funding related to work at the Sheehan School. The project contemplates replacing or renovating facilities such as roofing and heating systems, work on energy systems, and replacing or adding to obsolete buildings to allow for a full range of educational programs.
With MSBA recently awarding a grant for new construction of Westwood's Hanlon-Deerfield School, School Committee Chair Maya Plotkin noted Westwood’s request for additional funding assistance for the Sheehan School presents a challenge. However, she noted that MSBA has been known to accept school district submissions after previously rejecting them.
The statement is due to MSBA by April 29, 2022, and a response from MSBA to the April application is expected in December.
