How to Participate in Town Government - Week of April 24, 2022 (Updated)

Image by John Phelan from Wikimedia Commons.

Updated 4/27/2022 at 4:09 p.m. Newly available information about a Recreation Commission meeting on Wednesday has been added.

This week offers opportunities for both in-person and remote participation in town government. A few highlights:

• Wednesday: Zoning Board of Appeals hears applications on changes to nonconforming properties and Conservation Commission discusses a potential tree policy/ordinance/bylaw and a potential conservation land management plan.

• Thursday: Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee discusses Gay Street sidewalk and Cheryl Bornstein’s walk through every street in Westwood.

West Suburban Veterans’ District Meeting, Monday, April 25, 2022 at 3:15 p.m. This is an in-person meeting at the Westwood Council on Aging. The agenda includes “Citizen Speak,” the director’s update on outreach, town coverage during Sarada’s deployment and Memorial Day plans.

Planning Board Meeting via Zoom, Monday, April 25, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. On the agenda is an ANR plan for 32 Autumn Drive, agency and committee updates and recognition of David Atkins six years of service on the Planning Board.

To join, click here. Or visit Zoom, click “Join a Meeting” and enter Meeting ID 856 4556 6160 and passcode 707910. Alternatively, join by telephone by dialing, toll-free: 877-853-5257 or 888-475-4499.

This meeting will also be livestreamed and available for later viewing on Westwood Media Center’s YouTube channel.

Dedham-Westwood Water District General Business Meeting via Microsoft Teams, Tuesday April 26, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. Topics of discussion include financials and warrant, business operating reports, operations manager report that includes new and existing projects, and the executive director’s report that includes a well rehabilitation contract.

To join, click here: bit.ly/DWWD-04-26-2022. For more options to sign in, click here and here.

Permanent Building Subcommittee Meeting via Zoom, Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. The committee will review and discuss the scorecard for general contractors and file sub bid contractors. It will vote to recommend the list of pre-qualified general contractors and file sub bid contractors to full PBC.

To join, click here. Or visit Zoom, click “Join a Meeting” and enter Meeting ID 894 7146 6625 and passcode 756529. Alternatively, join by telephone by dialing, toll-free: 888-475-4499 or 833-548-0276 or 833-548-0282 or 877-853-5257.

Permanent Building Committee Meeting via Zoom, Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. There will be an overview of the Hanlon-Deerfield project, discussion of the scorecards of general contractors and file sub bid contractors and a vote to approve a list of prequalified general contractors and file sub bid contractors for the Hanlon-Deerfield Elementary School project.

To join, click here. Or visit Zoom, click “Join a Meeting” and enter Meeting ID 876 2404 8784 and passcode 557867. Alternatively, join by telephone by dialing, toll-free: 833-548-0276 or 833-548-0282 or 877-853-5257 or 888-475-4499.

Keep in the loop with daily, local news! Subscribe to Westwood Minute!

Zoning Board of Appeals Hearings via Zoom, Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. Meeting materials are available here. The board will hear:

• An application to amend a special permit condition regarding landscape screening of a solar array at 461 Sandy Valley Road;

• An application for a variance where a proposed rebuilding of a home at 50 Fox Hill Street which will result in a four-car garage addition and new single family structure with height of 26’11” where a maximum height of 25’ is allowed. The lot is nonconforming in area, frontage, and width;

• An application for special permit regarding a nonconforming structure at 16 Mill Brook Road and a proposal to construct a dormer of 19’7” that increases the building’s height in the setback. The setback is currently 20’ where 40’ is required;

• An application for special permit for a nonconforming structure at 6 Windmill Lane where the increased height of a proposed master suite over an attached garage would require a 15’ side setback where a setback of 11’7” exists;

• An application for special permit for detached two-car garage at 65 Aran Road;

• A request to continue a hearing to June 15, 2022 on a variance to allow the enlargement of an existing nonconforming structure at 55 Webster Street.

To join, click here. Or visit Zoom, click “Join a Meeting” and enter Meeting ID 834 3831 2400 and passcode 316344. Alternatively, join by telephone by dialing, toll-free: 877-853-5257 or 888-475-4499.

Conservation Commission Meeting via Zoom, Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. The commission will hold public hearings on (1) replacing a deck at 6 Willett Pond Drive; and (2) continuing to May 11, 2022 a discussion regarding upgrading the high school practice field. It will also discuss a potential tree policy/ordinance/bylaw, clarify oversight of existing conservation lands, discuss a potential Conservation Land Management Plan, and take action on a certificate of compliance at 7 Little Boot Lane.

To join, click here. Or go to Zoom, click “Join a Meeting” and enter Meeting ID 837 3561 0988 and passcode 048926. Alternatively, dial toll-free: 833-548-0276 or 833-548-0282 or 877-853-5257 or 888-475-4499.

Recreation Commission Meeting via Zoom, Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. Topics of discussion include the Fishing Derby, Summer Brochure, outdoor fields policy, consent agenda and candidate/leadership positions, among other items.

To join, click here. Or visit Zoom, click "Join a Meeting" and enter Meeting ID 897 7981 6520 and passcode 335091. Alternatively, join by telephone by dialing, toll-free: 833-548 0276 or 833-548-0282 or 877-853-5257 or 888-475-4499.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee Meeting via Zoom, Thursday, April 28, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. The committee will discuss updates from Police, Public Works, and Planning, Gay Street sidewalk, recruiting new members and Westwood Community Trails. Also on the agenda is Cheryl Bornstein’s walk through every street in Westwood.

To join, click here. Or visit Zoom, click “Join a Meeting” and enter Meeting ID 842 9045 1557 and passcode 266957. Alternatively, join by telephone by dialing, toll-free: 888-475-4499 or 833-548-0276 or 833-548-0282 or 877-853-5257.

School Committee Policy Review Subcommittee Meeting, Friday, April 29, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. This in-person meeting will be held in the Professional Development Room at Westwood High School at 220 Nahatan Street. The subcommittee will discuss policies related to board governance and operations.

Postings you may be interested in:

- One Polling Location for Westwood Voters in Upcoming April 26th Election

- Westwood's Annual Town Election (Updated)

- MA Gubernatorial Candidate Forum on Energy and Environment (Calendar event)