JAMES R. ADAMS
WESTFIELD – A proposed ordinance to move downtown bus stops and eliminate parking on Elm Street in front of the Westfield Athenaeum and United Bank is causing concern to members of the City Council.
A proposed ordinance “relative to codifying bus stops and taxi stands in the city of Westfield” was submitted to the council last night under communication from the mayor portion of the agenda.
Ward 4 Councilor Mary O’Connell raised the issue during discussion of a motion to refer the proposed ordinance to the council’s Legislative & Ordinance Committee.
RALPH FIGY
“This ordinance makes changes downtown,” O’Connell said. “It takes four parking spaces at the library and United Bank for two years for a bus stop.”
Ward 2 Councilor Ralph Figy said the proposed bus stop also eliminates a taxi stand and the two Main Street bus stops in front of Rocky’s Ace Hardware and the Stop & Shop supermarket.
Ward 3 Councilor Brian Hoose, who is also the chairman of the Off-street Parking Commission said the proposal will add parking spaces on Court Street to accommodate residents going to the Athenaeum and that United Bank customers can use the bank’s parking lot.
BRIAN HOOSE
Hoose said the Off-street Parking Commission has “some concerns about congestion at the (confluence) of Elm and Main streets” that is exasperated by motorists attempting to enter or exit those Elm Street parking spaces.
Hoose said the ordinance is being proposed to address Westfield State University transportation of students between downtown and the campus.
“The university plans to have a shuttle bus going between downtown and the campus every 20 minutes,” Hoose said. “They are utilizing a full-sized bus, not a smaller bus. The idea is to consolidate all of the bus stops in one space, and add more parking on Main Street in front of the Senior Center.”
BRIAN P. SULLIVAN
O’Connell said that for senior citizens or those with mobility constraints the additional Court Street parking “will not be helpful.”
“I would like to amend this communication to require a public hearing,” O’Connell said. “A lot of people would like to weigh in on this.”
At-large Councilor James R. Adams suggested that the L&O invite people with a vested interest to attend its next session at which the proposed ordinance will be discussed.
L&O Chairman and At-large Councilor Brian Sullivan suggested that “it should be a public meeting, not a public hearing.”
Sullivan then said that he plans to schedule a public meeting on the proposed ordinance at the L&O’s Sept. 3 meeting.
At-large Councilor David A. Flaherty requested that the Engineering Department prepare maps showing the proposed bus stop and additional parking for the public meeting.
