6-08-2022 12:56am

SB Authorizes New Contract for Police Chief Silva, Accepts Grant for Electronic Speed Signs, Approves New Restaurant License

Darlene Cancell Editor

Photo by Loozrboy from Flickr, CC by-SA 2.0.

At Select Board’s meeting of Monday, June 6, 2022, the board met extensively in Executive Session, to later emerge with agreement to approve a new contract with Westwood Police Chief Jeffrey Silva, whose contract is set to expire on June 30, 2022. The terms of the contract were not specified.

Select Board Chair Robert Gotti commented on Chief Silva’s “tremendous job" and "leadership,” and alluded to a recent accreditation process for Westwood Police.

Town Administrator Christopher Coleman added that an accreditation process recently undertaken by Westwood Police resulted in zero findings for the Westwood Police Department, a rare occurrence.

Mr. Gotti and Mr. Coleman did not mention what outside organization was involved in the accreditation. However, Westwood Minute notes that the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission is a private, non-profit organization that offers an accreditation process for police agencies. The organization’s website states that its accreditation program involves: (1) professional standards for police agencies to meet; and (2) a voluntary, assessment process which affords a police agency the opportunity to be recognized for meeting those professional standards. The accreditation process involves a self-assessment by police departments, followed by an external, peer review by appointees of the accreditation commission.

Muffin House Café Granted Restaurant License

Select Board also unanimously approved a common victuallers license for Muffin House Café in Islington, a license required of most businesses which cook, prepare, and serve food on the premises. Owner Sheldon Strasnick remarked that until this point in time, four days into the location’s opening, takeaway has been served but he has had to block guests from using the cafe’s outdoor patio. With the new license, however, guests should be able to be seated.

$20,000 MassDOT Grant Accepted

Select Board unanimously accepted a grant of $20,000 from MassDOT Shared Streets and Spaces Program. The grant money will be directed to the Department of Public Works. There are plans to use the grant money for electronic speed signs on selected streets.

Granting Authority to Town Administrator to Appoint a Temporary Town Administrator

Select Board unanimously approved a motion to allow Mr. Coleman the ability to appoint the Assistant Town Administrator/Finance Director, Assistant Town Administrator/Human Resources Director, or Town Counsel as Acting and Temporary Town Administrator. The appointment could be for any period of fiscal year 2023, with notice to Select Board.

In additional discussion, Mr. Gotti also requested that Mr. Coleman:

Coordinate with the Director of Economic Nora Loughnane and other staff to make a presentation to Select Board on Westwood’s Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Gotti noted his desire that Select Board regularly review the Comprehensive Plan, the visioning set forth in it by the community, what has been accomplished, and what the town should work toward accomplishing.

Start reconstituting the Long Range Financial Planning Committee, as discussed at Select Board’s last meeting, by gathering members of the School Committee, Director of Community and Economic Development, Planning Board, Board of Assessors, Tax Collector, Treasurer, Town Administrator and/or Assistant Town Administrator/Finance Director, Superintendent Emily Parks and a few community representatives. Mr. Gotti requested that Mr. Colemen start the process and calendar a meeting time for the reconstituted committee in advance of the retirement of Assistant Town Administrator and Finance Director Pam Dukeman.