WESTFIELD – A short agenda is posted for the second to the last City Council meeting of the year Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. in City Council chambers. The last meeting of the current City Council membership will be on Dec. 19, before the swearing in of the new mayor and councilors Jan. 6.
Immediate consideration is being requested to authorize Acting Mayor Ralph J. Figy to execute a feasibility study agreement with the Massachusetts School Building Authority for the Franklin Avenue Elementary school project. The MSBA is expected to vote to move forward with the study on Dec. 11.
“We want to be able to keep this project moving forward, and this is time sensitive,” said Figy.
The only other item from the Mayor’s office is an appropriation of $300,000 from the Community Preservation undesignated account to the CPA Cross Street Playground account.
A public hearing is scheduled on a petition by Michael Patton dba Patton Firearms for a junk dealer and junk collector’s license.
The Zoning, Planning and Development committee will report out on recommendations made at its meeting on Dec. 4.
Items listed under ZPD, chaired by Nicholas J. Morganelli, Jr., include the zone change request for 62 School St. from Business A to CORE submitted by Rob Levesque for Patrick Berry; and the recommendation by the Planning Board to strengthen regulations of marijuana establishments by requiring special permit if within 500 feet of a park.
ZPD will also be discussing sober living homes regulations, and proposed amendments to allow certain flag lots.
The Public Health and Safety committee and the Natural Resources committee, both chaired by Ward 1 Councilor Mary Ann Babinski, will meet prior to the City Council meeting on Dec. 5. Public Health will discuss a motion by Councilor Morganelli inquiring on the composition of current fire extinguishing products at Barnes Municipal Airport. Natural Resources will look at a requested update from the Airport Commission regarding controls and oversight to protect the Barnes Aquifer. This item is expected to remain in committee.
Under unfinished business, is the discontinuance of a paper street known as Wilcox Street, and the grant of associated sidewalk and sewer easements having to do with a previously approved housing development at 111 Union St.
The sole motion on the agenda is by Councilor Dan Allie, requesting Department of Public Works Director Dave Billips to present an update on Wells 7, 8 and 2 at the next regularly scheduled council meeting.
