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Westwood Select Board
How the Westwood Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 3 Select Board members elected townwide for three-year terms. After the 2020 town election (moved to June because of COVID-19; Michael Walsh re-elected), on June 23, 2020 the board chose John Hickey as Chair, Nancy Hyde as Clerk and Michael Walsh as Third Member. Covers 21 meetings, June 23 to April 29, 2021.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Select Board do? It is the town’s executive board. It prepares the Town Meeting warrant (the list of articles voters decide), appoints members of many town boards, hires the town’s top staff, signs warrants to pay town bills, and grants licenses and permits.
Town Meeting, not the Select Board, votes the town budget and town bylaws.
Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budgetYour Westwood ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
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Coming up
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Under the state Open Meeting Law, boards post notice at least 48 hours ahead, not counting weekends and legal holidays.
Members
Nancy HydeClerk · Select Board member (townwide) · at 21 of 21 meetings
Michael WalshThird Member · Select Board member (townwide) · at 20 of 21 meetings"At X of Y meetings" counts the members the minutes list as present at the start of each meeting in this record. Members who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: Westwood Select Board minutes (the board was called the Board of Selectmen until 2021) from January 8, 2018 through March 30, 2026, 205 meetings, from the town’s iQM2 meeting portal, which holds the board’s minutes back to 2011 (MassVoter has loaded 2018 on). Not here: minutes before 2018; executive-session minutes; and every meeting after March 30, 2026. The portal lists meetings on April 14, May 11, May 22, June 1 and June 22, 2026 with an agenda but no minutes, and since July 2026 the town has posted Select Board agendas on its own website calendar without minutes, so no votes are shown yet for the board chosen in May 2026 (MassVoter will ask the town for those minutes). Westwood’s minutes are typed records made in the iQM2 system. Each vote lists the mover, the seconder and how each member voted by name (“AYES: … NAYS: …”), and we show each vote as recorded. Members the record lists as having stepped aside (recused) or as absent are not shown as voting. The board has three members. Robert Gotti resigned as Chair in February 2026; from February 11 to March 30, 2026 the two remaining members voted alone. At the April 28, 2026 town election Joseph Previtera was re-elected and Erin Sibley was elected to the last year of Mr. Gotti’s term. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where members disagreed
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Apr 29Appoint a Select Board Representative to the School Building…Motion: J. Hickey moved to appoint a Select Board Representative to the…Passed 2–0 · Abstained: Hyde
April 29, 2021: Appoint a Select Board Representative to the School Building Committee for a term to expire at the end of Annual Town Meeting on May 2, 2022, or June 30, 2022,…
J. Hickey moved to appoint a Select Board Representative to the School Building Committee for a term to expire at the end of Annual Town Meeting on May 2, 2022, or June 30, 2022, and that appointment will be Select Board Member Michael Walsh. M. Walsh,
Yes: Hickey, WalshAbstained: Hyde
From the minutes
“J. Hickey moved to appoint a Select Board Representative to the School Building Committee for a term to expire at the end of Annual Town Meeting on May 2, 2022, or June 30, 2022, and that appointment will be Select Board Member Michael Walsh. M. Walsh, Seconded. Vote 2-0-1 N. Hyde, abstained. M. Walsh, aye. J. Hickey, aye. RESULT: APPROVED [2 TO 0] MOVER: John M. Hickey, Board Member SECONDER:Michael Walsh, Board Member AYES: John M. Hickey, Michael Walsh ABSTAIN: Nancy C. Hyde.” (Motion: Hickey, second: Walsh)
Apr 5Authorize the Town Administrator, Christopher Coleman, to sign the…Motion: M. Walsh moved for the Select Board to authorize the Town…Passed 2–0 · Abstained: Hyde
April 5, 2021: Authorize the Town Administrator, Christopher Coleman, to sign the Agreement for the use of 45 Clapboardtree Street Field between Westwood Green, LLC. ("Westwood Green") and the town of Westwood....
M. Walsh moved for the Select Board to authorize the Town Administrator, Christopher Coleman, to sign the Agreement for the use of 45 Clapboardtree Street Field between Westwood Green, LLC. ("Westwood Green") and the town of Westwood. The Agreement will be in effect until the completion of the 2021 Annual Town Meeting and acceptance of Lot 8, or in the alternative until November 21, 2021, if the town is unable to accept ownership of the property. J. Hickey,
Yes: Hickey, WalshAbstained: Hyde
From the minutes
“M. Walsh moved for the Select Board to authorize the Town Administrator, Christopher Coleman, to sign the Agreement for the use of 45 Clapboardtree Street Field between Westwood Green, LLC. ("Westwood Green") and the town of Westwood. The Agreement will be in effect until the completion of the 2021 Annual Town Meeting and acceptance of Lot 8, or in the alternative until November 21, 2021, if the town is unable to accept ownership of the property. J. Hickey, Seconded. Vote 2-0. M. Walsh, aye. J. Hickey, aye. N Hyde rejoined the Select Board meeting at 5:49 pm. RESULT: APPROVED [2 TO 0] MOVER: Michael Walsh, Board Member SECONDER:John M. Hickey, Board Member AYES: John M. Hickey, Michael Walsh ABSTAIN: Nancy C. Hyde.” (Motion: Walsh, second: Hickey)
Mar 25Accept the provisions of Chapter 5 Acts of 2021,…Motion: M. Walsh moved for the Select Board to accept the provisions…Passed 2–0 · Abstained: Hyde
March 25, 2021: Accept the provisions of Chapter 5 Acts of 2021, extension of Chapter 45 of the Acts of 2020 Section (L), providing early voting in-person on Friday April 23, 2021, from…
M. Walsh moved for the Select Board to accept the provisions of Chapter 5 Acts of 2021, extension of Chapter 45 of the Acts of 2020 Section (L), providing early voting in-person on Friday April 23, 2021, from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Saturday, April 24, 2021, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm and Sunday, April 25, 2021, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm in the Jaillet Meeting Room at the Westwood Police Station.
Yes: Hickey, WalshAbstained: Hyde
From the minutes
“M. Walsh moved for the Select Board to accept the provisions of Chapter 5 Acts of 2021, extension of Chapter 45 of the Acts of 2020 Section (L), providing early voting in-person on Friday April 23, 2021, from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Saturday, April 24, 2021, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm and Sunday, April 25, 2021, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm in the Jaillet Meeting Room at the Westwood Police Station. J. Hickey Seconded. N. Hyde Abstained. Vote 2-0-1. M. Walsh, aye. J. Hickey, aye. N. Hyde abstained. RESULT: APPROVED [2 TO 0] MOVER: Michael Walsh, Board Member SECONDER:John M. Hickey, Board Member AYES: John M. Hickey, Michael Walsh ABSTAIN: Nancy C. Hyde.” (Motion: Walsh, second: Hickey)
Dec 21Appoint Andrew Kara to the Dedham Westwood Water District…Motion: N. Hyde moved for the Select Board to appoint Andrew Kara…Passed 2–0 · see note
December 21, 2020: Appoint Andrew Kara to the Dedham Westwood Water District Commissioner position representing Westwood, for a term to expire on December 31, 2022
N. Hyde moved for the Select Board to appoint Andrew Kara to the Dedham Westwood Water District Commissioner position representing Westwood, for a term to expire on December 31, 2022.
Yes: Hickey, HydeThe vote record lists Michael Walsh as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“N. Hyde moved for the Select Board to appoint Andrew Kara to the Dedham Westwood Water District Commissioner position representing Westwood, for a term to expire on December 31, 2022. J. Hickey Seconded. Unanimous Vote 2-0. N. Hyde, aye. J. Hickey, aye. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Nancy C. Hyde, Board Member SECONDER:John M. Hickey, Board Member AYES: Nancy C. Hyde, John M. Hickey ABSENT: Michael Walsh.” (Motion: Hyde, second: Hickey)
Dec 7Authorize the Select Board Chair to sign the amended…Motion: M. Walsh moved for the Select Board to authorize the Select…Passed 2–0 · see note
December 7, 2020: Authorize the Select Board Chair to sign the amended Local Action Unit Application, for the Homes@45 two affordable housing units (located at the former Westwood Lodge Property, 45 Clapboardtree...
M. Walsh moved for the Select Board to authorize the Select Board Chair to sign the amended Local Action Unit Application, for the Homes@45 two affordable housing units (located at the former Westwood Lodge Property, 45 Clapboardtree Street), for submittal to the Department of Housing and Community Development for approval. Also, to authorize the Select Board Chair to execute the Regulatory Agreement, after the Department of Housing and Community Development approves the Local Action Unit Application, pending no further changes to either document.
Yes: Hickey, WalshNancy Hyde stepped aside (recused) and is not shown as voting.
From the minutes
“M. Walsh moved for the Select Board to authorize the Select Board Chair to sign the amended Local Action Unit Application, for the Homes@45 two affordable housing units (located at the former Westwood Lodge Property, 45 Clapboardtree Street), for submittal to the Department of Housing and Community Development for approval. Also, to authorize the Select Board Chair to execute the Regulatory Agreement, after the Department of Housing and Community Development approves the Local Action Unit Application, pending no further changes to either document. J. Hickey Seconded. Vote 2-0. M. Walsh, aye. J. Hickey, aye. N. Hyde was not present for the vote, as Ms. Hyde recused herself from the meeting prior to any discussion regarding Homes @45. N. Hyde rejoined the Select Board meeting at 5:06 pm. RESULT: APPROVED [2 TO 0] MOVER: John M. Hickey, Board Member SECONDER:Michael Walsh, Board Member AYES: John M. Hickey, Michael Walsh RECUSED: Nancy C. Hyde.” (Motion: Hickey, second: Walsh)
Aug 3Sign and post the September 1, 2020 State Primary…Motion: N. Hyde moved for the Select Board to sign and post…Passed 2–0 · Abstained: Walsh
August 3, 2020: Sign and post the September 1, 2020 State Primary Warrant and for the warrant to be posted by the Constables throughout Town and online on the town website
N. Hyde moved for the Select Board to sign and post the September 1, 2020 State Primary Warrant and for the warrant to be posted by the Constables throughout Town and online on the town website.
Yes: Hickey, HydeAbstained: Walsh
From the minutes
“N. Hyde moved for the Select Board to sign and post the September 1, 2020 State Primary Warrant and for the warrant to be posted by the Constables throughout Town and online on the town website. J. Hickey Seconded. M. Walsh Abstained. Vote 2-0-1. N. Hyde, aye. J. Hickey, aye. M. Walsh, abstain. NOTE: M. Walsh is a candidate for Norfolk County Register of Probate, September 1, 2020 Election, M. Walsh retracted his initial vote, and abstained from the reconsidered motion. RESULT: APPROVED [2 TO 0] MOVER: Nancy C. Hyde, Board Member SECONDER:John M. Hickey, Board Member AYES: Nancy C. Hyde, John M. Hickey ABSTAIN: Michael Walsh.” (Motion: Hyde, second: Hickey)
From the Westwood Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s iQM2 meeting portal. We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Marianne LeBlanc Cummings (her 2022 candidacy announcement, via Westwood Minute), Joseph Previtera (his 2023 candidacy announcement, via Westwood Minute), Erin Sibley (erinsibley.com), Westwood Minute (Robert Gotti, 2021 candidate profile) and the Massachusetts Municipal Association (Michael Walsh, 2022). No photos yet for former members John Hickey and Nancy Hyde.
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