Lack of Rain Causes Brush Fires, Water Restrictions

A brush fire hit the area behind Morgan Farm Road, and the DWWD has issued a water restriction to residents.

The forecast for Westwood this weekend may just be what the doctor ordered.  The National Weather Service released a special weather statement on Wednesday regarding the heightened risk of fires due to the dry air. "High pressure will slowly move into the region today, bringing more dry conditions," the statement read. "Relative humidities are expected to fall to between 15 and 20 percent across most of the region away from the coast." But according to the NWS, there will be a 50 percent chance of rain on Saturday night, with a 70 percent chance of showers through Sunday and Monday.  That will be a welcome change for the dry air that has pummeled the area this spring. Brush fires warnings have been issued across the state, one of which …

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Westwood, Dover Fire Crews Respond to Brush Fire on Morgan Farm Road

The fire was contained as of 2 p.m. Wednesday.

A brush fire located in deep in the woods behind Morgan Farm Road on the Westwood-Dover line burned across several acres Wednesday, but was quickly contained, according to officials on scene.  Both Westwood and Dover fire departments were on scene, stretching hoses from the end of the Morgan Farm Road into the woods, where white smoke could be seen billowing about.  One official on scene, though, said the fire was in control and was quickly contained, but that crews would be on scene for several hours to ensure the fire would remain extinguished. There was no immediate danger to the nearby neighborhood. Westwood Patch will provide more information as it becomes available. 

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Police Log: A Dozen Mailboxes Damaged Overnight

The following information was supplied by the Westwood Police Department for the week of April 2-8. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.

Friday, April 6  Police Investigate Damage to Mailboxes (9:21 a.m.) - A resident of Winter Street reported to Westwood Police that their mailbox was damaged overnight with what appeared to be a baseball bat. Police responded to the neighborhood, only to find 11 mailboxes  damaged in total on that road, as well as another on Thompson Avenue. The damage was consistent with that of a baseball bat, police said. The matter is under investigation.  Thursday, April 5 Campfire Extinguished (8:36 p.m.) - Police responded to the area of Arcadia Road after a resident from the neighborhood reported hearing kids in the woods nearby. Upon arrival, officers located three juveniles alongside a small camp fire, which was later extinguished by the Westwood …

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Vintage Westwood

Rising from the Ashes: Westwood Fire Station, Franklin Company No. 1

The station was built in 1906, but was destroyed by a fire 40 years later.

The Westwood Fire Department has a long history in town. This week's historical highlight focuses on the Westwood Fire Station - Franklin Company No. 1, circa 1910. The station was built in 1906 and was used until it was destroyed by a fire in 1946, according to Nancy Donahue, President of the Westwood Historical Society. The cause of the fire was an overheated furnace. The fire engine and hose wagon were saved, but everything else was lost. Do you have any special memories or photos of the Westwood Fire Department you'd like to share? Is there another place in Westwood you'd like to see historical photos of? Let us know in the comments section below!

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PHOTOS, VIDEO: Car Drives Through High Street Fence

No one was injured in the one-car accident on Tuesday.

Traffic on High Street/Rte. 109 was held up a bit Tuesday afternoon, after a 2009 Honda Accord crashed into a fence at a residence on the road.  Westwood police and fire officials responded to the corner of High Street and Mill Street, where the driver a 2009 Honda Accord accidentally accelerated while pulling onto High Street, driving through a fence on the road.  "He came straight across through the fence, over the tree, around the poll, back through the fence again and across the street," said Westwood Police Sgt. Paul Sicard.  The driver was not injuried in the accident, though the vehicle sustained substantial damage; a piece of the fence punctured a large portion of the vehicle's front-end. Moreover, a small quantity of coolant and …

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Fire Chief Opposed to Fireworks Bill

The bill looks to legalize the sale of fireworks in Massachusetts, a move that could increase fires and injuries, fire officials said.

Westwood Fire Chief William Scoble is among a group of local and state fire officials who have recently spoken out against a proposed bill that looks to legalize the sale of fireworks in Massachusetts.   The bill would essentially give each community in the state the option of issuing permits to use fireworks and licenses for businesses sell them. For those towns or cities that don't choose that option, the sale or use of fireworks would remain illegal, according to a recent Boston Globe report. But while the move could allow for more income in the state, it could also result in more injuries, fire officials claim. In 2010, there were 101 reported incidents in Massachusetts involving fireworks, an 84 percent increase from the 55 reported …

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Letter to the Editor: A Thank You to the Westwood Fire Department

Firefighter Gerry Smith visited the Clapboardtree Nursery School to teach fire safety on Feb. 29.

Editor's Note: The following was submitted by representatives at the Clapboardtree Nursery School. The students, parents and teachers of Clapboardtree Nursery School would like to send a great big “Thank You” to Westwood Firefighter Gerry Smith for his recent visit to Clapboardtree Nursery School. On Wednesday Feb. 29, Firefighter Smith visited Clapboardtree to talk to the students about fire safety. As part of his presentation, he covered two important principles. The first is “Just Go and Stay Low.” He explained that in a fire, smoke rises up to the ceilings, sets off the alarms and then pushes back to the floor. He toldthe children that they need to stay low to the ground, and go to the nearest exit to get out. The second is “Go Outand …

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TODAY Show's WFD Segment Now Available Online

The segment aired shortly after 9 a.m. on Thursday.

For residents who may have missed NBC's TODAY Show Thursday morning, the network has posted a video clip of a segment featuring Westwood Fire Captain Bill Cannata.  The video includes an interview with Amy Robach, who speaks with Cannata about his efforts with Autism & Learning Enforcement Education Coalition training program (ALEC), a program through which the fire captain educates other firefighters about how to approach and deal with persons with autism during emergency situations.  Cannata - whose son, Ted, has autism - has been able to bring a hybrid of personal and professional experience to the training program. Ted, as well as Westwood's newest fire captain, Colin McCarthy, are also featured in the TODAY Show segment. 

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IMAGES: Crews Cut Through Moving Van Roof After East Street Accident

A moving vehicle from New Jersey struck the East Street bridge on Monday afternoon, causing closures to the road.

Not uncommon for the area, a large moving vehicle collided with the East Street bridge on Monday, causing Westwood Police and Fire crews to close down the road and remove a large portion of the vehicle.  No injuries were reported in the incident; while an ambulance did respond to the scene, the vehicle's two occupants refused patient transport.  The driver the moving vehicle, which originated from New Jersey, was cited for driving with a suspended license.  Traffic was diverted for nearly two hours on Monday, while police and fire crews removed a large portion of the vehicle's roof and siding that had been damaged during the accident.  The bridge has been the site of several accidents over the years, one in which took place in late 2011 …

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Faces of Westwood

Climbing the Ladder: WFD Names New Fire Captain

Colin McCarthy was promoted to the role of Westwood Fire Captain, effective Feb. 5.

As one Westwood Fire Captain is getting ready to be in the spotlight on NBC's TODAY Show Tuesday, another of Westwood's own is ready to take on a new role.  The Westwood Fire Department promoted firefighter Colin McCarthy to the role of Fire Captain earlier this month, a move he's more than ready for.  "I'm certainly excited about the opportunity," said McCarthy, who has been a firefighter in Westwood for seven years. "It's good for personal growth." Subsequent the promotion, which went into effect on Sunday, Feb. 5, McCarthy is about to finish up two weeks of day-long training in such areas as road safety, as well as Hazmat training and learning the ins and outs of the fire department's emergency response guide book.  "It's good, because …

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