Matthew Barnes, CPA is the new Treasurer/Collector for the City of Westfield. (Photo submitted)
WESTFIELD – Matthew Barnes of Eastview Drive in Westfield, was voted unanimously by the City Council on Thursday as the new Treasurer/Collector for the City of Westfield.
At-large Councilor Cindy C. Harris, chair of the Personnel Action Committee, chairperson presented the candidate to the City Council at the meeting. Harris said Barnes is a Certified Public Accountant employed by Gary Olszewski & Company since 2005. Harris said as senior accountant, Barnes worked on financial statements, payroll tax and sales tax returns, estate and trust accounting, and fiduciary tax returns. He also maintained computer systems, software and policies, prepared financial projections, budgets and analysis, tax projections and tax analysis.
Barnes has served on Westfield’s Water Commission for the past ten years. Harris called him a “valued and integral member of the Commission.” Harris said he was unanimously reappointed by the City Council to the Commission in March, 2018.
Barnes also serves as the co-chair of the Financial Council at Blessed Sacrament Church. He is involved with Little League as a baseball team manager and all-star team coach, and has been active locally in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.
Barnes was selected by a search committee that formed following the resignation of former Treasurer/Collector Meghan Kane, who stepped down in November, although she is still helping the city during the interim. The search committee was comprised of Councilors Dave Flaherty, Andrew K. Surprise and Harris, Personnel Director Jane Sakiewicz, Kane and Auditor Mary Daley.
Harris said there were fifteen applicants for the position.
Flaherty congratulated Barnes, saying he was an excellent candidate. Surprise added that he was one of the best candidates interviewed. He said while Barnes doesn’t have any municipal experience, he has a long experience as a CPA in the area.
“It was an absolute privilege to work with Matthew Barnes on the Water Commission for the last eight years. He was a voice of reason,” said Ward 4 Councilor Michael Burns.
At-large Councilor Nicholas J. Morganelli, III said that his resume and experience “speaks for itself,” and called Barnes “a person of integrity and a wonderful guy.”
Council president John J. Beltrandi, III thanked Councilors Flaherty, Surprise and Harris, and “everybody on that committee” for their work on the selection process.
