City Council President John J. Beltrandi, III. (WNG File photo)
WESTFIELD–On the agenda for this Thursday’s City Council meeting is a request from Mayor Brian P. Sullivan’s office for immediate consideration of grants totaling $675,875 from the MassDOT Aeronautics Division under the Airport Safety and Maintenance Program (ASMP) to the Airport Department, and an appropriation of $62,175 for the 20% local share from Free Cash.
“We weren’t in line for these grants, but other airports weren’t ready,” said Council President John J. Beltrandi, III, adding, “The state said we have the money if you’re interested.”
The grants break down as follows: $254,875 for the replacement of two sweeper head units for OshKosh trucks. The state share would be $203,000, and the local share, $50,975; $56,000 to purchase an Online Driver Training Module, with the state share at $44,800, and the local share $11,200; and a $366,000 grant for the installation of security perimeter fencing, with no local share.
Beltrandi said there is a deadline to take advantage of the opportunity, and he is interested in discussing the grants on the floor of the City Council for a vote for immediate consideration. “I don’t envision there will be an issue with it. It is a substantial amount of money,” he said.
Also for immediate consideration is the acceptance of a gift donation of $1,000 from Thunderbolt Council, Inc. to the City of Westfield to benefit Barnes Regional Airport operations. Thunderbolt Council, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) corporation charged with supporting and promoting the mission and personnel of the 104th Fighter Wing (104FW), Massachusetts Air National Guard Base, Westfield, including organizing and managing air shows.
The third item for immediate consideration is for the acceptance of a Car Mate Trailer and attached supplies for spill containment from U.S. Hauling & Recycling, Inc. to the Westfield Fire Department.
The City Council will also be asked to reaffirm the appropriation of CPA funds for the Wyben/West Farms one-room schoolhouse, which was transferred from under the care and custody of the Westfield Public Schools to the Historic Commission.
The council will also be asked to reaffirm the CPA funds of $163,000 granted for exterior renovation and accessibility improvements to the Old Town Hall, due to an impending sale from the First Congregational Church to the Work Opportunity Council, Inc. Both of these requests were voted favorably at the Community Preservation Commission’s meeting on April 11.
The Finance Committee will give positive recommendations from its meeting on April 11 for appropriations of $21,000 and $53,161 from the PEG (Public, Education and Government) designated fund balance for the replacement of floor tiles and equipment for the new radio and community television studio at Westfield Technical Academy.
Also recommended by the Finance Committee at their last meeting is the order for $22,440 for the taking of permanent and temporary easements for the five-year Western Avenue Roadway Reconstruction – Central project, which is slated to begin in the spring of 2019, with some pre-construction possibly starting in the fall.
The Personnel Committee will be submitting the reappointments of Grace Sullivan as a member of the Board of Assessors, and Kathleen Deviny as a member of the Historical Commission.
Under new motions, two involve the Cross Street playground and one, the parking lot lease with St. Peter’s/St. Casimir’s Church. Councilor Dan Allie has asked for a motion to rescind the bond for the Ashley St./Cross St. school project, and refer the matter to the Finance Committee, which he chairs.
A second motion by Allie to review the contract the city has with the church for the parking lot, also to refer to Finance.
Councilor Flaherty is also requesting a resolution to the Mayor for funding to restore Cross St. playground to safe usable condition in FY19, and research using CPA, Block grant or the “Fish fund” rather than the existing bond authorization.
Another motion by Flaherty and Allie requests annual OPEB contributions based on gross payroll by department, to refer to the Finance sub-committee.
Not on the City Council’s agenda on Thursday is any discussion of the $13 million bond, which was moved to a second reading at the City Council meeting on May 3, after passing the first reading at the April 5 council meeting.
Next Thursday, April 26, there will be a Special City Council meeting for the purpose of going into executive session. At that meeting, which will be closed to the public, City Attorney Susan C. Phillips has invited Attorney Kevin J. Madonna to provide privileged information to City Councilors about Westfield’s lawsuit against the three manufacturing firms of firefighting foam used by the Air National Guard at Barnes Air National Guard Base: 3M Company, Chemguard, Inc., and Tyco Fire Products L.P.
“We’re hoping he (Madonna) can shed some light on these things,” Beltrandi said.
