WESTFIELD – Following a discussion that focused largely on enforcement, the City Council voted 8-4 on Thursday to support the smoking ban on all city-owned, operated or leased outdoor public places. A public notice on the changes will be published on Monday, and a second reading and vote will take place at the Dec. 15 meeting, according to city clerk Karen M. Fanion.
During the public participation at the meeting, Council on Aging director Tina Gorman spoke up, asking that the Senior Center’s original request not be forgotten. Gorman said that the center is therapeutically goal oriented, and not “a social club.” She said the smoke impacts the health of visitors, and also potentially the Center’s funding. Gorman also said that Mercy Home Care has just gifted the Center with a 20-hour nurse.
Westfield resident Frank Mills also spoke about the smoking ban during public participation.
“Smoking should be allowed at a designated area at the Senior Center,” Mills said. He said tobacco products are among the most regulated.
Holding up a small American flag, Mills asked, “Why is it ok to burn this, and not tobacco?”
During the discussion, At-large Councilor Dan Allie said he intended to vote against it.
“I would prefer to vote on a clean amendment that only affects the Senior Center, as originally proposed,” Allie said.
RALPH FIGY
Ward 2 Councilor Ralph J. Figy, chair of the Legislative & Ordinance Committee that originally expanded the proposal to include city-wide property, noted that smoking on city property is already against regulations.
“We’re just taking out the 50-foot buffer zone and putting in the words city properties,” Figy said.
“If it’s already forbidden, who’s going to enforce this,” asked Council president Brent B. Bean, II.
“I agree with President Bean. We’re making a judgement on people,” said Ward 3 Councilor Andrew K. Surprise. He added it would be wasting the time of municipal employees to send them out to enforce the regulation.
Westfield Ward 6 City Councilor Bill Onyski (WNG file photo).
Ward 6 Councilor William Onyski, who also served on L&O, clarified that the 50 foot buffer zone currently in the regulation is around entrances only.
“Having to walk through smoke, it’s annoying,” Onyski said. He said the question of enforcement shouldn’t be a reason for voting no.
“I hate smoke, but I’m on the fence about enforcement,” said At-large Councilor Dave Flaherty. He said he wanted to make sure to take care of the Senior Center, and was in favor of two separate motions.
Figy noted that the life expectancy for smokers is 10% shorter than for non-smokers.
“Are we going to do something for the betterment of public health or not?” he asked.
At-large Councilor Daniel Knapik called it a “slippery slope,” warning that the next ban will be on chocolate chip cookies, ho-hos and twinkies. “Where does it stop?” Knapik asked.
