WESTFIELD – The City Council met on Thursday following a briefing by Mayor Brian P. Sullivan on communications from the mayor’s office, the majority of which concerned transfers within departments as the fiscal year comes nearer to a close, most of which were referred to the Finance Committee.
During the meeting, the council gave immediate consideration to several items from the mayor, voting to accept a grant of $2,500 from the state for Narcan for the Fire Department. The council also waived the open container regulation for Westfield on Weekends “MusicFest” on Park Square Green for three Thursday concerts on June 15, July 20 and August 17.
Also given immediate consideration were three appointments for the Historical Commission, which is short a quorum due to the resignation of long-term members Danny Nason and Walter Fogg. Appointed were Westfield residents Cynthia Bronson, Debbie Oppermann and Carlene Bannish.
Ward 5 Councilor Robert A. Paul, Sr. moved to accept Westfield Gas & Electric’s depreciation appropriation of $3,977,498 and move it to the Finance Committee. Paul said he referred it to the committee because they are having ongoing discussions with the municipal utility.
Ward 4 Councilor Mary O’Connell said the Westfield G&E commissioners would be voting on the in lieu of taxes (ILOT) payment to the city at their meeting on Wednesday, May 3. She encouraged other councilors to attend the meeting.
Paul acknowledged that the mayor and Council president Brent B. Bean, II have been having discussion. “It’s well worth attending the meeting, to show how important it is,” he said.
Under reports from committees, Paul said the Finance Committee recommended on a 3-0 vote to approve a $4 million bond order for the sewer extension for the Bigwood Drive project area, Western Avenue, Jessie Lane project, Montgomery Road and Joseph Avenue, which was discussed earlier in the evening.
Paul said the money is for a pump station and hookups. He explained that the $4 million bond is the second rollout of a $20 million bond for sewer hookups recommended several years ago. He said the bond focuses specifically on putting a pump station on Plantation Circle. He said the money would be for design and construction, and hookups to the sewer.
“Knowing the complexity of these projects, I give you kudos for the time you spent on this particular project. Thank you,” Bean said to Paul. The first reading of the $4 million bond order passed.
Under unfinished business, a second reading and final passage of an ordinance amending the speed limit on Honey Pot Road to 25 mph passed unanimously.
At the end of the meeting, a motion by O’Connell and Ward 3 Councilor Andrew K. Surprise to name Heritage Park in honor of Barbara Swords, who served 25 years on the City Council, was discussed. “I’m totally in favor of this. She put a lot of time into the city,” Surprise said.
O’Connell said she wanted to refer the matter to the Park and Recreation Committee, not being sure of the regulations about naming a park in honor of someone.
Paul then asked the City Council to give him dates for budget review. He said the Finance Committee plans to meet with individual departments beginning in mid-May, and then hold two special meetings with the City Council to review the budget and vote.
Paul also said that the School Committee has done a lot of early work on the budget, and he hoped to bring that budget forward before the final budget by the mayor.
During public participation at the start of the meeting, several Westfield residents also commented on various items in the city.
Matthew Roman said he had been speaking to the state Department of Public Works about the condition of Routes 20 and 202. He suggested that the City of Westfield stir them into action.
Frank Mills commented that the new PVTA terminal was not in keeping with the city’s efforts to cultivate a gas light district downtown. He asked for a show of hands in agreement from the City Council, but was told that was not an appropriate request.
Brian Hoose requested that the issue of fires in Whitney Park be removed from the open burning discussion, and that the Park and Recreation committee put in charcoal-burning units at the park. Hoose said that unauthorized fires being set in the park are a danger to nearby homes.
