WESTFIELD—At-Large City Councilor Dan Allie is seeking to continue to be a “fiscal watchdog,” as he seeks reelection.
Allies is seeking his third term as an At-Large City Councilor in Westfield. According to Allie, he wants to provide information for residents and act as a fiscal watchdog and to protect residents.
“I want to continue providing residents with information on important issues that impact our daily lives concerning education, public safety, transportation, state funding, regulations, spending and taxes, through meetings, articles, ballot questions, phone calls, email, knocking on thousands of doors, social media and video,” Allie wrote in an email.
At-Large City Councilor Dan Allie
On why he decided to run for office, Allie wrote, “I decided to run for office because I was concerned about the future we are leaving our children, the quality of education and opportunities they will have. I was also concerned with the direction our government was going, spending, and increasing property taxes and the condition of our roads.”
Allie, a three-year US Army veteran and small business owner, wrote that he looks to be a fiscal watchdog, as well as “protect residents and small business from over regulation and excessive fines.”
Among his accomplishments, Allie cited his role in the Business Improvement District, which “unfairly changed the rules and burdened small businesses,” as well as his opposition to the Complete Streets “policy because it took control away from local officials and would have added costs to all public and private projects.” Allie also opposes a four-year term for the Mayor, and “recently launched a campaign with signs and citywide mailing to inform people about the question and urge people to vote no to extend the term of just the Mayor. It will not save money, as city elections would still be held every two years.”
In addition, Allie indicated that he also advocated for the use of excise tax, Chapter 90 funding and the increase in the meals tax to go toward fixing roads and supported the Director of Public Works David Billips in sewer upgrades and maintenance.
Also, Allie was successful in getting an abutter’s notification ordinance passed, which notified residents within 300 feet of upcoming potential parcel changes, and he said that he is working on an ordinance related to fire pits that “will allow the safe use of fire pits and small campfires and protect residents from fines of between $1000 and $25,000.”
Regarding taxes, Allie suggests that spending be controlled in order to better utilize funds in the city.
Allie wrote, “The debate over residential versus commercial misses the mark. Both are paying their fair share of taxes.”
Instead, Allie wrote that the issue is the city cannot spend more than it takes in.
“The biggest challenge facing the city is balancing the budget, providing services and not over-taxing residents and small businesses. The other challenge is informing the public, getting people involved and putting pressure on government and politicians to balance the needs of all our citizens,” Allie wrote.
