Town Meeting approves budget, new fire station study

Town Meeting · Meeting of May 4, 2026

Westwood Town Meeting approves $125.5 million budget and $325,000 for a new fire station study. New Town Administrator Connor Reed, presenting his first budget, said the fiscal 2027 operating budget rose 4.3 percent without an override, warning "the fiscal environment we're operating within is not getting easier." FS1 Steering Committee Vice Chair Jody Petrucelli defended a redo of the Fire Station One replacement process after two prior designs failed at the ballot, saying the committee "voted no because when we asked questions" about site and size, it "couldn't find satisfactory answers." The $325,000 feasibility article passed on a majority vote; a motion to reconsider failed. Voters also adopted a short-term rental bylaw limiting Airbnb-style rentals to 30 days a year by a two-thirds vote, and honored former School Committee member Josefa A.

Joudy, 27 years in office, with the town's John J. Cronin Public Service Award.

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Source: the Town Meeting meeting of May 4, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.