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Westwood Select Board Reorganizes, Accepts Grant to Implement Mobile Ticketing by Police
At a short meeting on Monday, May 9, 2022 and its first since Westwood’s Town Election, Select Board welcomed new member, Ms. Marianne Leblanc Cummings, reorganized the board’s positions, and took on just a handful of administrative and business actions.
Select Board reorganizes
Ms. Cummings was approved by her colleagues as the board’s Third Member. Mr. Robert Gotti rotated into the position of Chair. Former chair Mr. Michael Walsh took the position of Clerk for the upcoming year.
New appointment to Recreation Committee
The Board also unanimously approved the appointment of Ms. Theresa Laham to a position on the Recreation Committee. Ms. Lahan joins her husband, Mr. George Laham of Westwood’s Finance & Warrant Commission, in service to the town.
Westwood receives state grant of over $58,000 for mobile ticketing
The new board unanimously accepted Westwood’s receipt of a Community Compact IT Grant in the amount of $58,218. The funding will be used to implement mobile ticketing for use by Westwood Police. This competitive state grant program seeks to encourage innovation and transformation in government. It invests in technology to make it easier for citizens to transact with a more efficient government.
Westwood Police Lieutenant Joseph Vinci explained that the grant will be used to enhance the technology in the police department’s fleet of cruisers. They will be outfitted with computers and printers, which should help with legibility issues and improve use of police time.
Road race runs through part of Westwood this Weekend
Select Board also approved a request, by the organizer of the seventh annual Run for a Veteran 5-mile Road Race, to hold a portion of the race in Westwood. While the race on Saturday, May 14, 2022 begins and ends at Norwood High School, its route also includes Oak Street, Pond Street, Clapboardtree Street and Winter Street. With a race start of 10:00 a.m. the runners are expected to come through Westwood around 10:10 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
In Select Board’s discussion with Lieutenant Vinci, the only potential traffic issue noted was a bat mitzvah that will be held at the same time at Temple Beth David. Police will coordinate and Lt. Vinci noted his belief that no total road closures will be necessary. There may be reduced lanes, but traffic will still flow in the area.
COLA approved for town employees
Select Board unanimously approved a Memorandum of Agreement between United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 1445 and the Town of Westwood. The agreement for fiscal year 2023 provides a one year extension of the cost of living adjustment, effective July 1, 2023.
The next Select Board meeting will be Monday, May 23, 2022.
