MATT EMMERSHY
Name: Matt Emmershy
Address: 36 Fowler St.
Occupation: Real Estate investor/Landlord
What experience and qualifications do you have that would be an asset to the city?
As a current Councilor I believe I have shown that I am willing to dive into the issues. Upon swearing-in I was immediately placed on finance and within my first six month tasked with the ’18 water bond and FY’19 budget. As a landlord I am constantly faced with fixed budgets and overly burdensome regulations. This requires creative approaches when dealing with people and finances.
Have you recently met with city department heads to discuss their needs/concerns/budgets and if so, which ones?
The budget was presented late leaving less than two weeks for review and to have questions answered. Until a budget is presented department heads are prohibited in reviewing them with us. I attended all of the finance committee meetings where some departments presented their budgets. I think it is fair to say all Councilors are always in some form of communication with various departments. Being a member of the ZPD committee I have been focused on zoning which largely impacts Building, Assessor, Planning, Health, and Engineering. Where other issues have lead to extended meetings with departments like DPW to cover departmental needs, resident issues, and areas of concern in the City.
If you could change how the Council works, what would be your priority?
Our government framework is defined by the City charter. This means we operate with a strong Council and weak Mayor form of government. The only change I would like to see is for the Council to accept and exert the power granted to the body. All too often we hear that some are concerned about exerting control or influence over the Mayor. In certain respects, this has lead to a form of paralysis and little is accomplished, like delaying a vote on requiring Council committee meetings to be recorded because we will have a new Mayor.
What are your top three areas of concern for Westfield and how would you like to address them?
1) Taxes/Fiscal Responsibility: over the past 2 years I have gone through the budget and proposed almost $4M in reductions. Payroll has increased 17.1% in 3 years and is out pacing new growth by over 400%. Currently we are within reach of the prop 2.5 levy and the labor contracts before us would force us there.
2) Roads: Engineering contracted a firm to evaluate our roads. It was determined we needed to spend $5M/yr to start moving us in the direction of better roads. This year $1.6M was budgeted for roads between local and chapter 90 state funds. We pushed for a road stabilization account which took a year to pass, only to have the Council reject dedicating the meals and hotel tax ($840k FY’19) due to allowing the Mayor to make the decision.
3) Water: 2 years ago I stated we needed to do more. That is why I made multiple trips to Boston, Capitol Hill, and the White House. I do not believe that we are heading in a sound direction for clean water or fiscal responsibility. We are headed down a path that does not protect the health of northside residents and will place additional financial hardships on rate payers as costs spiral out of control.
Why should residents vote for you?
I have worked hard to earn the trust and respect of residents. Starting out at the doors 2 years ago, I continue to do the same today so I can understand what is important to them. I have feverishly opposed wasteful spending and continually press for greater transparency.
What positive effect have you had on the city?
Most important is that I listen and address concerns from all corners of the City. Spending has been reduced. Residents can see there are some Councilors fighting for them. Pressure was applied to install temporary filtration on Well 2 to provide the cleanest possible water while a permanent solution was implemented. Regularly attending board/commission meetings and providing insight that has been traditionally lacking.
