The Pledge of Allegiance at Thursday’s Council meeting was led by new Boy Scout Matthew McCrary of Troop 109. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – Beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance led by new Boy Scout Matthew McCrary of Troop 109, the City Council ran through a long agenda, voting for all of the matters that came before the body, some unanimously, some narrowly.
A unanimous vote was taken for immediate consideration of a grant of $435,000 from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail final phase, with no city match. Later in the agenda, an appropriation for $90,000 from Community Development Act undesignated funds, the last of three requests granted for the Rail Trail by the Community Preservation Committee, also passed unanimously. The funds will be used for right of way easements and amenities along the final Central Downtown portion of the Rail Trail, which is expected to begin construction this year.
A narrow vote of 7 to 6 passed the second appropriation of $145,000 from several CPA accounts for the Landlord Fowler Tavern. At-large Councilor Matthew Emmershy said the grant was for vinyl windows, particle board, siding and composite trim on a multi-unit rental that a private individual owns. “I was blown away that we’re looking to take $145,000 from CPA which we’re not putting back to clapboard and original windows,” Emmershy said, asking what the benefit to the public was in the grant.
At the CPC meeting on April 11 at which the grant was approved, it was stated that the public benefit is the historic restriction in perpetuity, already in place from an earlier grant of $28,000 to reproduce the original doorway of the 1755 Tavern, one of the few remaining buildings in Westfield from that era.
Passing unanimously was a $75,000 appropriation request by the Mayor from Free Cash for the purchase of asphalt, to allow the city to hire a second vendor to help fill potholes.
The Council also passed unanimously on immediate consideration an appropriation of $110,000 from the Department of Public Works, Wastewater division for sludge hauling from the Sackett Plant. “This is something we deal with every year. It’s not out of the ordinary,” said At-large Councilor John J. Beltrandi, III.
A long discussion took place on another routine matter to allow the Mayor to transfer money between and within departments and between personnel services and expenses to allow sweeping of the books for the end of the fiscal year, on a 3-0 vote for approval of transfers not to exceed $10,000 from the Finance Committee.
“We do this every year, it’s convenient, but I’m not in favor of it this year,” said At-large Councilor Dave Flaherty. He said last year the Law Dept. used some of the money to hire an outside firm on a matter before the Fire Commission, which the Council did not approve. Flaherty said it was a simple matter for the Mayor’s office to come before the Council for approval of spending.
Finance Committee member Dan Allie said the Mayor needed to be able to transfer money for the end of the year. Beltrandi said the Mayor has the right to do it anyway.
“We’ve never not done this when asked. We’re running out of time. I don’t know why anybody thinks we’re going to be quick and easy,” Bean said.
An amendment to reduce the limit to $5,000 failed 10 to 3. An amendment to request a report from the auditor by the first meeting in July of all transfers made passed 10-3. A motion to cap the amount of all transfers at $100,000 failed 10 to 3.
The original motion to allow the Mayor to transfer funds up to $10,000, with a report due by the first meeting in July passed 11 to 2, with Councilors Surprise and Emmershy voting no.
Next was a request for a Resolution from the City Council authorizing a Special Tax Assessment (STA) for Toll Brothers, Inc. at 100 Apremont Way on a 3-0 recommendation from the Legislative and Ordinance Committee.
L&O Chair William Onyski said the STA amounted to a total of $22,000 in tax forgiveness over five years from the company, during which the city would still collect $78,000 in taxes. He said his committee felt the investment was well work it, and would allow Toll Brothers to be eligible for state funding and special grants.
Ward 4 Councilor Andrew K. Surprise said that up to 35 new employees coming would also bring in money to the city. “We need more business in town,” Surprise said. The vote was 12 to 1, with At-large Councilor Cindy C. Harris voting no, saying she had never voted for an STA.
The Council voted unanimously to accept the provisions of Mass General Law known as the BRAVE Act, which allows for property tax exemption to the full amount of valuation for surviving parents or guardians of soldiers and sailors, members of the National Guard and Veterans who died as a proximate result of injury or disease suffered during active duty.
