Priorities

We should further explore opportunities for smart and controlled growth, while maintaining the unique small town character of Westwood. Smart development which is addressed in a respectful and participatory way will add further vibrancy to the Town and allow us to maintain our split tax rate - thereby reducing the burden of residential property taxes. We must also continue to focus on the need for diversified and affordable housing.

Our nationally-recognized school system excels in the education of our children. The recent Town Meeting vote, which was overwhelmingly in favor of the Hanlon-Deerfield Building Project, is a testament to residents’ commitment to our children’s future. We must ensure that the needs of each student, and our standards of excellence, are continually met, particularly in light of the pandemic and its impact.

Due to careful stewardship, the Town enjoys a strong financial position with a Triple A bond rating that supports our debt financing. We should build upon this success for the long-term financial sustainability of the Town, with an emphasis on conservative fiscal management and succession planning at Town Hall to support our goals.

The pandemic has caused increased insecurity with respect to our health and a huge challenge for our collective mental health. We must seek opportunities to increase support for all residents who have been impacted, especially our students and families with young children, and to ensure that public health needs are met.

Westwood has shown commitment toward being a welcoming and caring place in which to live, work and learn. We must work to ensure that Westwood is a supportive, safe and inclusive community for all residents, recognizing that the diversity within our community is a source of the strength and character of our town. However, some of our town facilities still lack appropriate access for our residents with disabilities and require substantial modifications. We should prioritize universal access with respect to all Town resources and policies. The Commission on Disability and SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) should be engaged in this important planning. The work of the Human Rights Task Force should also be supported, as should the varied contributions of our diverse community, in working toward strengthening our connections to and mutual respect for each person in our community.

Our town government is of, by, and for the people. Our Home Rule authority as a town is predicated upon our Town Meeting - which in turn depends upon active public engagement. While our town boards’ meetings are open, transparent and largely recorded, we should actively encourage participation from residents in matters leading up to Town Meeting. Particularly when considering proposals for economic development, the Select Board must ensure that the community is involved in this vigorous process.

Our well-being as residents in Westwood depends upon the protection provided to us by our police and fire departments. We must maintain and adapt our public safety service to meet the evolving needs as the Town grows.

Our Council on Aging does a superb job in providing services for our seniors, and we must work to ensure that they are fully supported, particularly during the current public health crisis, with respect to their health, safety and well-being, and with continued efforts at providing appropriate tax relief.

As a Green Community, we must continue to build on the great strides the Town has made toward sustainability, consistent with the Commonwealth’s regulatory program to address climate change. We should strategically make progress toward the meaningful reduction of greenhouse gas, incorporate sustainability at every level of town government with an emphasis on preserving open space, and encourage our residents and businesses to be more sustainable.