Hello Ward 3, and all of Westfield. The weather has improved, and it has been great to see so many of you while walking Ollie, and having a chance to chat. As many of you know I am doing my Community Advocacy, especially in my neighborhood, Arnold St. OK update: There will be a Traffic Commission on June 21, at City Hall where the issue of converting Arnold to a one way shall come. I was told that the issue has “legs” thus likely to happen. A couple of business owners have shown an interest in being there, I hope some residents do as well. From my discussions with those on Arnold St. the concerns so far will be increased speeding if one way, as people already do. Businesses are concerned with deliveries, customer and employee access. If any readers are on Summer St., increased traffic on your street as people to short cut. Apart of this is that the No Parking signs on the South side will not go back, thus, open to parking. I see a problem in winter, as no tree belt, the snow must go in the road; and with parking there more problems. So far the bus runs, starting after the last snow, have not had too much of a problem. Their main problem is the wide turn onto Elm, especially with the expanded street due to the rounded corners. The design work looks good but advance planning should have been done knowing that the bus stop was in the works. It may have been better, as number of people told me if PVTA planned having their building further back, and the slots for the buses coming on and off Elm, thus not causing all the other problems, oh well, too late now for recommendations.At the last City Council meeting I brought up notification to the abutters for our input, and not just after the fact. I really do not like it when things are imposed upon us. Things that we pay for, and have to live with; this is the New World America, not the Old World autocracies and peasants where we are told to live with it.
Next, my friends on Orange St., nice seeing so many of you, you also have an agenda item on June, 21, with the Traffic Commission of Orange becoming one way from Elm to Shepard St. Here I got mixed reviews as the intersection with Elm is not good, and even a light probably would not help. But, Shepard St. would get a lot more traffic. Most on both Arnold and on Orange with whom I have spoken were more irked that no one is telling this ahead of time. Lastly there is some talk re: Elm St. getting angle parking, as Northampton and Greenfield, and the space for it by having only one lane North, and one lane South. Have we not complained about traffic congestion for years? And, what about backing out of a parking space on to Elm? Another issue you have mentioned is: why bocce courts on the bike trail, that do not nave a hard surface; can’t play bocce on a mud court. And, who is going to maintain them, and all the plants. You do not want another School St. with all the weeds. Looks good until it becomes weeds. As well, the fireplaces on the overlooks, can they be used for cooking? How to access them with limited parking, and who will be responsible too manage them, as most use would be on weekends? A lot of you would like to see the railroad bridge made usable and safe to cross the river, as even with the fence and no trespassing signs youths still do. And, it is a major eye sore.
While it is great to see and talk with all of you, and Ollie is glad to see you all again, I did not realize the number of issues and complaints that have built up over this past winter, sorry I was not able to listen to you and help. If you want help, or to help on these issues, or just want input, please e-mail me. Your former Ward 3 City Councilor Brian Hoose. [email protected]
