Westfield City Council (WNG file photo)
WESTFIELD – The first item tackled by the Finance Sub-Committee agenda on Thursday in a short meeting before the public hearing on the medical zone was the draft ordinance adding a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) position for the City of Westfield.
Chair Robert A. Paul, Sr. read the ordinance as presented out of City Council to the Finance Committee. Member At-Large Councilor Flaherty said he had made several amendments to the ordinance since it came from the council. The other member of the Finance Committee, At-Large Councilor Matthew T. VanHeynigen was also present.
“You as a Finance Committee can make recommended changes to the ordinance. You can’t amend it in sub-committee. Then it goes to L&O,” said City Solicitor Susan Phillips, who was in attendance..
Flaherty read two changes that he had made. The first was to change appointing officer from Mayor to City Council, and the second to change “for a term of three years” to “for a term not to exceed three years.” A motion was made to recommend the changes.
“When you say not to exceed three years, what does that mean,” asked At-Large Councilor John Beltrandi, also present. He asked if it meant subject to reappointment by the Council.
Ward 4 Councilor Mary O’Connell commented that everyone in the room except for her has been saying to hash these things out in subcommittee. “This would be a good time,” she said.
“It could be confused as a joint meeting,” Phillips responded, adding, “Then you could be subject to an open meeting law violation.”
“We can ask a question but not deliberate, because there is a quorum of the City Council here,” Ward 1 Councilor Mary Ann Babinski said. Phillips concurred, saying she couldn’t have said it better herself.
“This is a perfect example of a committee taking on a task that they’re not supposed to be doing. Come to L&O,” said Ward 2 Councilor Ralph Figy, who chairs the L&O committee.
The motion to recommend Flaherty’s changes went to a vote, with Flaherty and VanHeynigen voting yes, and Paul. no. “What I want to do is move the ordinance as received to L&O with the one amendment,” Paul said. Flaherty objected, saying they would not be able to deliberate in L&O.
Phillips said the three members of Finance could deliberate, and then the three members of L&O could deliberate.
Flaherty said he had more changes to the ordinance under duties and responsibilities, which had to do with the percentage of time the CFO would give to the Council. VanHeynigen asked when the amendments were made, and Flaherty said he made them for the meeting. A 2-1 vote on those changes were made, with Paul dissenting.
Flaherty then made the motion to transfer the ordinance to L&O as amended, which passed 3-0.
