Contested Race for Planning Board on 2012 Ballot

Last year's turnout for the Annual Westwood Town Election was low –  – which town officials said was mostly due to a lack of contested races. 

This year, however, there is one contested race that came up unexpectedly after from the Westwood Planning Board. 

As such, two local residents – Peter Hack and Christopher Pfaff – have thrown their hats in the ring (the Westwood town website has a full list of candidates who have pulled nomination papers for 2012).

It is the first time either candidate has run for a seat on a traditional board or committee, but both have ambitions and optimistic views on what the slot could bring. 

Peter Hack

Hack, who moved to Westwood in 2006, is an IT professional for Wind River in Canton. While he hasn't served on a board or committee before now, he said once Chafetz announced she was stepping aside, the time seemed perfect to move forward. 

"At first I saw that something was available and I've had some interest in being involved in the town more," he said. "I want to see what's going on."

As for what he hopes to bring to the role, Hack said he has a fresh set of eyes and a passion for being a Westwood resident that could help the board moving forward. 

"For now, I think I'm going in there with my ears open," Hack said. "I'm a concerned citizen. I want to be involved in the decisions that are being made. I'm not going in there with any specific agenda, but there are a lot of things in the town that need to be addressed."

Christopher Pfaff

For his part, Pfaff has lived in town for the last 16 years, and while he hasn't held a traditional board or committee seat, he did serve on a small committee to discuss traffic concerns related to the Westwood Station project several years ago. 

"I really enjoyed that process of working towards the common good of the town, and the process was rewarding," Pfaff said. "I felt like I was doing something to help my neighbors and the community."

Specifically, the process allowed Pfaff to see decisions that were being made first-hand, and as such he saw some aspect of the Planning Board's functions.

"They're the ones who are shaping, in large respects, how the town is going to look," Pfaff said.

Pfaff currently sits on the board of the Westwood Little League and is apart of the project involving a , which has allowed him to view collaborations between different town departments.

"Seeing these departments and how well they work together has really renewed or strengthened my determination that I can do some good through the town," he said.

As for what he hopes to work on as a Planning Board member, Pfaff said the two areas that interest him are the future of the Westwood Station project and the town's approach to the construction of additional cell towers. 

"There is obvious concern of the design and placement of these towers and I think what I help bring to this particular board would be years of living in the town," said Pfaff. 

Also important to Pfaff, he added, is the maintenance of Westwood's character.  

"I think I have a pretty good understanding of the character of the town," he said. "And while it's important to continue development to reach our financial goals, we should not forget our character. I really think I have a good idea of what the residents are looking for in the big picture. You can't just keep your eyes on the development prize."