Westwood Finance Committee Backs Town Meeting Budget 13-4 With One Abstention

WESTWOOD — March 25, 2026 — Westwood Finance and Warrant Commission recommends town budget 13-4 after five-hour warrant hearing. The commission voted on all 31 warrant articles at its March 25 public hearing, with Chair Bill Bruce and Vice Chair Mike Gay highlighting six items that drew significant debate. A $680,000 Special Education Reserve Fund appropriation passed 13-1, a $325,000 fire station feasibility study won unanimous support, and a $200,000 Injury on Duty Reserve Fund passed 14-0. Short-term rental regulations from the Planning Board cleared the commission on an 11-3 vote after the board trimmed its original proposal in response to earlier FinCom objections. A citizens petition to mandate electronic voting devices for all Town Meeting articles was indefinitely postponed 13-1; Bruce said "the spirit of what the article was trying to do would actually impose too much restriction for Town Meeting going forward."