Dan Allie
I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving. We have much to be thankful for. I wish to thank all the veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice for our country.
Tonight, Mayor Sullivan will kickoff the Holiday Season with the Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony at approximately 6:30 pm on the Green at Park Square, immediately following the Lanternlight Parade, which will begin at 6:15 at 51 Franklin Street.
I would like to invite everyone to support local community theater and attend an original musical adaptation of O. Henry’s THE GIFT OF THE MAGI by Westfield Theatre Group’s ownKathi Palmer and Marion Dunk. Shows will be on Friday and Saturdays evenings December 2, 3, 9 and 10 at 7:30 PM, and a 2 PM matinee on Saturday, December 10.
On Monday night, the Legislative and Ordinance committee will meet to discuss the state’s Complete Streets policy proposal; and a ban on smoking anywhere on all city property.
While no one can argue that smoking and second hand smoke pose health risks, this far-reaching ordinance would essentially ban a legal product, unless designated areas are provided for smokers. Anyone wishing to have their voice heard on either issue, should attend the meeting.
Of course, only those people who know about the meeting would have any chance of attending. The primary ways people learn what is going on with the Council would be watching Channel 15 coverage of City Council meetings, reading the newspaper, but only if an item was written about, or by checking the committee agendas on the city’s website.
Lets face it. Not everyone reads the newspaper everyday, has the time to watch Council meetings or continually check the city website. I am on the City Council and sometimes it can be like drinking from a fire hose. Politicians and government never sleep.
This brings up another important consideration. How aware is the general public when a proposed zoning change that may affect them is being considered? If you own property directly abutting the landyou will receive a letter 14 days before the public hearing. But, what about your neighbor living across the street who might be affected as well? They will not be notified.
For this reason, I am proposing an amendment to the Zone Change Procedure that all abutters, residents, taxpayers and property owners within 500 feet from the border directly affected by zone changes, be notified by the certified mail no less than (14) days before a public hearing is held. If you think this is a good idea, I encourage you to speak, call or email your city councilors in the coming weeks. Our contact information is on the city website.
Your Voice Matters.
In December, we will learn how much free cash and revenue from new growth has been certified by the state. The Assessor will inform the Council on property values and anticipated revenue from property tax. The Mayor can decide to use free cash to close the gap between revenues and the amount of money needed to balance the budget. The Council then votes on the residential and commercial property rates.
Since nothing says Merry Christmas like a tax increase, folks may consider attending the upcoming council meetings. At the beginning of every meeting, any member of the public may speak for 3 minutes on any issue.The council meets on the first and third Thursday each month.
