Select Board - 09/09/26

The Westwood Select Board held a hybrid meeting on September 9, 2026, addressing several procurement and budget-related matters. Key discussions included the renewal of the Westwood Media Center lease, which remains substantially similar to the previous agreement but includes provisions for rent waivers during disruptions related to the new Fire Station One construction. The board unanimously approved the lease renewal, emphasizing the Media Center's value to the community. The board also accepted a $2,400 emergency medical dispatch grant to support public safety communications. A significant portion of the meeting focused on updates and planning for the new Fire Station One project, including site investigations, design progress, parking expansions, and community feedback. The board discussed the establishment of a Deerfield Recreation Fields Advisory Subgroup to evaluate the best use of recreational fields impacted by the project, with a charge to consider alternative town-owned properties for field replacement. Financial planning for the project was highlighted, including a proposal to expand the town's capital stabilization fund to a capital and tax impact stabilization fund to better prepare for major capital projects and mitigate tax impacts. The board voted unanimously to call a special town meeting on October 26, 2026, to consider project funding and related articles. Additionally, the board approved one-day special beer and wine licenses for community events and addressed appointments to various town boards and commissions, with discussions about improving the transparency and process of volunteer appointments. Overall, the meeting combined procurement decisions, capital project planning, grant acceptance, and community engagement efforts.