Westfield City Hall
WESTFIELD – Several personnel and volunteer positions were reviewed at the Nov. 5 City Council meeting.
A candidate for the position of personnel director, Robert Bishop of Colorado Springs, CO, was presented and referred to the next meeting of the Personnel Action Committee.
Bishop has been the human resources manager for the town of Monument, Colorado, which sits in the Colorado Springs metropolitan area, since 2017. Previously, he served the United States Army for 13 years in various locations as an assistant training operations supervisor and in budget management.
Bishop was named by a personnel search committee that has been working for several months to identify a candidate. The City Council also spent several meetings in October discussing the job description for the position, which has been served by a part-time interim director since the previous personnel director left in the spring of 2020.
Also referred to PAC at the Nov. 5 meeting was the appointment of Kate Phelon as a member of the Airport Commission until 2023, replacing Kimberly Cameron.
At-large Councilor Cindy C. Harris, who chairs PAC, brought forward recommendations for appointment and reappointment to several other volunteer positions in the city. Harris said three of the reappointments end in a couple of months, and the mayor would be sending in a letter extending them for the next term.
One of these was Eleanor Meyer for the Off-Street Parking Commission. Harris said Meyer has served as the chairperson of the committee since her appointment in 2016 with “compassion and passion” for helping Westfield. She said Meyer has an interest in being part of the revitalization of the downtown, especially making small businesses easily accessible for all through adequate parking. Meyer is currently the secretary for the Westfield High School Pathways campus, and has been a board member and president of the Amelia Park Children’s museum, a board member and secretary for the Foundation for Education, and co-organizer of Westfield Into the Arts. The reappointment passed unanimously.
Another reappointment was for John M. Regan as a member of the Off Street Parking Commission. Regan, a lifelong Westfield resident, is the general manager of Ferguson Enterprises in Chicopee, where he is the asset and inventory manager. Prior to that he worked for FW Webb Co. in Springfield and United Plumbing Supply in sales. Harris said all of these positions involved communication and negotiation skills. “He is an asset to this commission,” Harris said, before a unanimous vote for reappointment.
Also unanimous was the reappointment of James R. Murphy Jr. to the Conservation Commission, which he has served as a member and vice chair for 25 years. Harris said Murphy is an active participant who always asks pertinent questions. He has in the past crafted bonding language for the commission in collaboration with the mayor, council and law department, and continues to educate himself on state, local and federal laws regarding the fair administration of the Wetland Protections Act. She said Murphy is a Westfield business owner with experience in engineered components, instrumentation, medical equipment, industrial devices and communication, and is a volunteer at the Westfield Soup Kitchen.
“I have dealt with Mr. Murphy for many years on that commission on both sides of the table. Nobody is more professional than him. He is such an asset to the city and to that committee,” said Ward 5 Councilor John J. Beltrandi III.
“Mr. Murphy does an excellent job, and is as good as anybody we’re ever going to find for that commission. He has a love for it and a passion, and is an asset to the city,” said At-large Councilor Dan Allie.
Harris presented a new three-year appointment for Alexander Gearing for the Board of Public Works, to replace retired member Jack Campanello. Harris said Gearing attended the PAC meeting, and said he is deeply passionate about local government, and believes his skills and work experience could contribute to this board in a positive manner.
Gearing has a bachelor’s of science in finance from American University in Washington, DC where he gained experience in pension benefits, finances and marketing. He is currently employed at Kurtz Inc. in Westfield, where he works with operating heavy equipment at a fast pace and in an often dangerous environment, working with skilled employees. He is OSHA 10 certified. Harris said his college degree in finance, and actual hands-on work for a variety of state and city jobs, gives him a unique set of skills for the position.
Harris also commented on the process of appointing a public works superintendent, which she said will be determined by the joint commissions of the Board of Public Works and Water Commission. She said a screening committee was formed, and that process has now produced two finalists, who the joint commissions will be charged with ultimately voting for who they believe is in the best interest of Westfield.
Several councilors agreed that Gearing was interested and passionate, and that it was good to see a younger person getting involved in the city.
“It’s nice to see a younger group coming in. We definitely need that energy through the city. I know the family, I know the individual. He’s going to be a hard worker. That’s what we need. We need people that care,” said City Council President Brent B. Bean II.
At-large Councilor Dave Flaherty agreed that Gearing was a wonderful person, but said he wasn’t sure he had the requisite skills for the board. “He has eagerness, and he definitely wants to help the city. This is a critical role with the appointment of the DPW director and the potential restructuring of the department. His experience wasn’t in public works,” Flaherty said, adding that he would probably support him anyway.
“I want to remind you that this commission stayed open for over a year on this seat after Jack (Campanello) left. It’s nice to see that it’s getting filled now,” Bean said.
“Years ago, I was appointed to the License Commission. I didn’t have a license background, but I had a willingness to serve and grow into the position. This person has a background with some of the things that will be meaningful to make decisions. Let’s look at the 13 people we have here,” Beltrandi said, referring to the City Council. “What were our credentials? When we get somebody who is energetic and has a willingness to do this, I think we need to support them fully,” said Beltrandi.
“I just want to thank Jack for his years of service. I don’t think the deal he made was that it was a lifetime appointment,” said At-large Council Rickhard K. Sullivan Jr., who appointed him during his tenure as mayor. “Jack’s done a great job and I appreciate all the time he’s given to the city,” he added.
Gearing was then unanimously approved as a member of the Board of Public Works.
