Select Board - 07/17/26

This transcript details a special meeting of the Westwood Select Board held on July 17, 2026, focused on interviewing candidates for the position of Westwood Police Chief. The meeting featured in-depth interviews with three finalists, each discussing their experience, leadership philosophy, community engagement strategies, and approaches to departmental challenges such as morale, communication, and budget management. Key procurement-related topics included budget preparation and capital expenditures, with candidates describing their experience managing police department budgets of approximately $6 million, prioritizing expenditures, and working with town officials and finance committees. They also addressed equipment procurement, such as vehicle fleet management and firearms acquisition, emphasizing fiscal responsibility and transparency. While no contract awards or vendor selections were made during this meeting, the discussions highlighted the importance of budget oversight and resource allocation in police department operations. The board did not make a selection at this meeting but planned to reconvene for deliberation and decision-making.