Editor's Note: The following was submitted by officials at Westwood Town Hall.

Are you interested in serving your community? The town of Westwood is looking for residents to volunteer to serve on many of its local boards, committees or commissions. 

You can choose your area of expertise from finance to environmental to better serve your community. Resident participation results in a stronger and more responsive local government. 

The Westwood Board of Selectmen is looking for interested volunteers to fill the current vacancies on the following:

Board of Health

The Westwood Board of Health is made up of people from every walk of life who care about the well being of their community. They are elected or appointed to a term of office and are given the legal authority to set policies and make regulations to protect the public and environmental health. Some of the Board of Health's responsibilities include:

• Issuing permits and licenses for a wide variety of businesses and activities throughout Westwood
• Inspecting all licensed and permitted facilities
• Enforcing applicable state and local regulations and statutes
• Providing a comprehensive public health nursing service to residents
• Investigating all reports of communicable diseases
• Providing information and advice regarding environmental health issues
• Taking part in regional programs such as mosquito control, tobacco programs and food seminars

Under Massachusetts General Laws, state and local regulations and community direction, Boards of Health are held responsible for disease prevention and control, and health and environmental protection and promoting a healthy community.

Boards of Health serve as the local arm of both the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. To fulfill their duties, they develop, implement and enforce health policies, oversee inspections to maintain minimum standards for sanitation in housing and food service, and assure that the basic health needs of their community are being met.

Communication and Technology Advisory Board

It is the responsibility of the IT Department and CTAB to pursue innovation and accept new systems, technologies and infrastructure issues as they present themselves. This will continue with CTAB and be expanded as new technologies develop.

Historical Commission

The Historical Commission was established in 1992 for the preservation, protection and development of the historical or archaeological assets of Westwood.

Conservation Commission – Associate Membership Vacancy

The Conservation Commission is the official agency specifically charged with the protection of a community’s natural resources. A Conservation Commission (ConCom) also advises other municipal officials and boards on conservation issues that relate to their areas of responsibility. The ConCom, under the powers of the Wetlands Protection Act (Massachusetts General Law c.131, 40) and the Town of Westwood’s Wetlands Bylaw (Article 18), functions to regulate work in or near wetlands and river resource areas, encourages and works toward the acquisition and management of conservation land.

Pedestrian Bike Safety Committee

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee was created by the Board of Selectmen to help make Westwood a more “walkable” and “bikeable” community by engaging residents and Town departments in a sustainable and ongoing process of identifying needs, designing solutions and implementing improvements. The Committee continues its commitment by researching ideas on how to encourage walking and biking by consulting with neighboring towns, attending presentations from local agencies, meeting with our own Public Works Department, and seeking input from Westwood residents. 

Westwood Cultural Council

Based on the findings from our April 12, 2012 Community Input Meeting, the Westwood Cultural Council seeks to fund a range of grants that will enhance our entire community. From our meeting, we know that arts education, specifically programs that celebrate local history and cultural diversity in our schools, is an important place to focus on. We know that community wide programs, such as music concerts, enrich the whole community from seniors and students to their families. It is a priority that Westwood Cultural Council find programs that bring visual artists to our town for all ages.

Human Rights Committee

The mission of the Westwood Human Rights Committee is to help develop and support a culture of diversity, tolerance, and appreciation in the Town of Westwood Massachusetts. To further this mission, the Committee plans and implements activities that inform and sustain our community.

Interested residents should email a copy of their resumes, as well as a brief description of their expertise, to Christine McCarthy at cemccarthy@townhall.westwood.ma.us or mail a copy of their resumes to:

Selectmen’s Office
Westwood Town Hall
580 High Street
Westwood, MA 02090

Residents can also stop by the office and speak to someone about a board, committee or commission they are interested in. 

For more information, contact the Selectmen’s Office at 781-326-4172.