Wil Rodriguez, WSAA president, and City Councilor Mary O’Connell in front of City Hall. (Photo by Manuel Frau, Editor of El Sol Latino, used with permission.)
City council took an important vote two days ago on Thursday. We voted to determine the responsibility of taxes for the residents and for businesses of Westfield. The specific vote was for a tax shift, whereby a lower number than last year’s 1.63 tax shift number would mean that for Fiscal Year 2013 businesses would pay a smaller share, while a higher number than 1.63 would mean that the residents would pay a smaller share.
The public filled every seat in the council chambers to participate in the public hearing to advocate for the tax shift associated with a lower tax increase for them. The business community came together, led by Kate Phelon, Executive Director of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce. Residents also came together with outspoken members such as Mayor Michael O’Connor and Richard Roy. In the end, the city council voted to maintain the 1.63 tax shift. The outcome to all taxpayers, businesses and residents alike, is an increase in our taxes, based on a projected FY2013 budget that is greater than the FY2012 budget.
The vote took place in a highly charged atmosphere that stemmed from various circumstances: other important votes, information to share and debate, and a deadline that night for voting on the tax shift under threat of increased costs to the city with late fees and penalties. One issue we voted on prior to the tax shift vote, was a tax increase of either 1.5 percent or 2.5 percent from the Fiscal Year 2012 budget. The council approved the 1.5 percent increase. The good news is that all FY2013 city taxes, for both residents and for businesses, are lower than if we had approved a 2.5 percent increase over last year’s taxes. The bad news is that the city has an enormous debt that continues to grow exponentially. One of the graphs provided by Councilor Dave Flaherty, shows the stabilization fund for 2011-12 at $5.9 million, the FY2-13 budget at $114.3 million and our long term debt obligation at $375.1 million.
When it came time to vote for the tax shift, there were several tie votes, 6 for and 6 against. Tie votes will continue to occur until the vacancy is filled for a City Councilor representing Ward 2. A tie vote always means that the vote fails to pass. However, a tie vote can be repeated when a Council member who voted in the affirmative requests to take the vote again. At that point, if Councilors change their vote, there is a chance that a measure could pass with a majority of seven votes or better. A new vote was taken last night. The Finance Committee had met prior to the City Council meeting on Thursday. The four members in the committee had discussed the merits of a 1.61 shift and of a 1.63 shift. On the council floor, Councilor Ann Callahan presented a motion to adopt a 1.62 tax shift as a compromise. I supported and voted for the 1.62 shift. The council voted six for and six against for the 1.62 tax shift. Councilor Mary O’Connell then asked for a repeat vote. Two councilors changed their vote, one for and one against, and the vote again was a surprising six for and six against! Therefore the motion failed to pass. In the end, the 1.63 tax shift, the same tax shift as last year, prevailed with a 7-5 vote. Prior to the vote Councilor Brian Sullivan explained that the compromise for a fair tax shift was reached in last year’s vote, as he advocated for that same tax shift this year.
On a much lighter note, Westfield is bustling with activity all around. I’ve had the pleasure of attending various city events. On Sunday, November 18, the Westfield Spanish American Association (WSAA) held their 17th annual ceremony to raise the flag of Puerto Rico in front of Westfield City Hall. Mayor Dan Knapik and state and city officials welcomed the community. WSAA President Wil Rodriguez was master of ceremony. Every year, the event is dedicated to a founding Puerto Rican family in the Westfield community. This year Nicolas and Josefina Sanabria were recognized for their contribution to community and for being founding members of a Catholic Covenant Community within the Archdiocese of Springfield. The ceremony was followed by a gathering at the YMCA with homemade food and live musicians of steel drums, Plena and Bomba music.
The Westfield Women’s Club holds a monthly luncheon for their members. I had the pleasure of attending on Wednesday. The WWC is an active and vibrant organization that has been in existence in Westfield for 98 years. It was founded before women had the right to vote! We’ve come a long way baby! This group is about civic engagement. I sat at a table with seven other women. Once I disclosed that I was a city councilor, Rosemary sitting across from me had an important issue to bring forward, and bring forward she did! Turns out years ago, Rosemary advocated for a traffic-light-ahead sign to be placed on Maple Street (Rt. 10/202) just before the bend heading south towards the traffic light near Mill Street at the interception of City View Road. That battle had been won, or so she thought. However, the sign has since been removed. Rosemary explained to me that the traffic conditions merit that the sign be replaced to warn motorists to slow down and be prepared to stop at the traffic light. At times commuter traffic backs up suddenly when the light is red. This creates a hazardous situation around the blind curb. I thank Rosemary for her civic engagement. I will work with Rosemary and the city to address this important issue. As always contact your city officials – appointed, elected or hired -with city matters. That’s what we are here for. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Agma M. Sweeney
Westfield City Council At-Large
