WESTFIELD – The City Council voted unanimously Thursday to approve a $4 million bond for a water meter replacement project. The matter had been discussed in the first reading at the Oct. 20 meeting, when At-large Councilor David Flaherty said the bond would be repaid by $300,000 to $600,000 in annual savings from the new meters. The new meters along with new software will transmit information and show real-time usage, and enable the department to determine where 300 million gallons of unaccounted-for water are going.
Jane Sakiewicz, new personnel director for the City of Westfield. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Jane Sakiewicz was also approved unanimously on Thursday as Mayor Brian P. Sullivan’s pick for the city’s new personnel director. Sakiewicz, of South Hadley, is currently personnel director for the City of Easthampton, where she previously also served as executive director of the Easthampton Housing Authority.
In bringing forward the appointment, At-large Councilor Cindy C. Harris noted Sakiewicz’ experience in labor negotiations, hiring and training and her master’s degree in business from Western New England University.
“This is one of those career positions where I realize it combines everything I’ve been studying for and training for into one position,” Sakiewicz, who will serve a three-year term, said before the meeting. She added that her start date has not yet been set.
A lengthier discussion by the City Council on Thursday led to a 7-6 no vote for the taking of 0 Church Street by right of eminent domain.
License & Ordinance Committee chair Ralph J. Figy said the property is a curb in the Elm Street Urban Renewal Plan, for which the city had paid $650 to the wrong owner. The money has been returned, and is set to go to the owner B. Romani.
“Mr. Romani is as eager as anyone to get this done,” Figy said.
Ward 4 Councilor Mary O’Connell said she would vote against the taking because the city doesn’t need it.
“There was never a curbing there. Mr. Romani used to drive through there into his lot,” O’Connell said. She said a granite curbing had been installed prematurely.
“If we needed it, I’d be the first one to say to the gentleman, we need to take your land. But we don’t need it.” O’Connell said that it is her understanding that the Westfield Redevelopment Authority could work this out with Romani, without the City Council voting to take it.
Figy said that the no vote will “compound things needlessly,” and asked for a motion for reconsideration at the next meeting, which passed the Council.
