Ward 3 Councilor Ralph J. Figy (FILE PHOTO)
WESTFIELD – The City Council April 15 approved all items on the agenda up for a vote, with a few dissensions. The most discussion was generated from three items recommended by the Finance Committee, chaired by Ralph J. Figy, including police riot gear, a new drone and the first vote for a permanent water treatment facility for Wells 1 and 2 at Dry Bridge Plant.
Ward 3 Councilor Bridget Matthews-Kane renewed her objections to spending $3,600 from Free Cash for 10 shields, helmets and batons for the Police Department. She said as the sole no vote on the Finance Committee her concerns included calling it personal protective gear instead of riot gear, as stated on the invoice. She questioned the need for riot gear and cited research that wearing intimidating gear increases escalation. She also raised concerns about the department being motivated to purchase the equipment following a peaceful protest in Park Square Green on June 4 for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Matthews-Kane said if passed, she would want to see an equal amount of money spent on de-escalation training, and also a written policy for use of the gear.
Several councilors conceded that Matthews-Kane raised some good points, but most supported the purchase. “I just want to make it clear that this gear was bought 30 years ago. it’s a great thing that it’s lasted that long because we haven’t had to use it,” said At-large Councilor James R. Adams, liaison to the police department. He said the $3,500 for the equipment was worth it to keep officers safe. “We don’t want to use it unless we have to,” Adams added, saying he agreed with a written policy and training.
At-large Councilor Kristen L. Mello was the only councilor to vote with Matthews-Kane. “I have concerns that dovetail with hers — if we have mutual aid agreements and our guys can’t participate because of a lack of gear; if they don’t want to wear it or be assaultive, maybe we shouldn’t buy it,” she said. After more discussion, the purchase passed 11-2.
The second purchase for the police department was for $38,000, also from Free Cash, for a new drone. Figy said the current drone that the department wishes to replace will be sold to Southwick for $5,000. He said the new drone will be used by the police and fire departments, who each have two FAA certified drone pilots, and to support other departments in the city.
At-large Councilor Nicholas J. Morganelli Jr., the sole dissenter on this vote, questioned spending $38,000 for one drone when three may be purchased for the same price. “Seems like an awful lot of money for a drone,” he said.
Matthews-Kane, who supported the purchase, detailed the features of the Inspire 2. “This will have higher capability, better video, infrared, two batteries, longer flight time, larger payload that can drop supplies up to 6sixpounds, louder speaker, flood lights. It is an expensive drone with increased capabilities that can be used by different departments,” she said, adding that she was impressed by the “very robust” FAA policy. “The Westfield Police Department has helped to find lost children in the woods using drones,” she said.
Adams noted additional features, including a $12,000 camera with 30 times zoom and infrared capability. “At night time if someone is lost, heat sensing (will find them). Between that and the flight time, 45 minutes versus 15 minutes, this is the best drone DEJI has. If it’s going to save a life for $38,000, it’s worth it,” he said.
Morganelli said he appreciated the comments, but wasn’t convinced about the cost.
“I think we need to trust the experts on this, and the experts are the police department,” said Ward 6 Councilor William Onyski, before the drone purchase passed 12-1.
Figy also brought out the first reading for the $12 million bond for the water plant construction. He highlighted the answers from city officials to questions that he and Mello had sent to the Water Dept.
Figy said the bond would save ratepayers $5 million, due to zero percent interest and an almost 20 percent forgiveness rate. $5.3 million has been unspent on the previous bonds that totalled $18 million, and will not be spent if this bond is approved.
Figy also said the committee received an emphatic no on the question about PFAS water from Well 2 entering the distribution system.
At-large Councilor Dave Flaherty said he was going to support the bond after a conversation with Systems Engineer Heather Stayton. He said noone can say that no PFAS has entered the system, only that no detectable amounts have, according to the standards.
As for alternative locations for a water source, such as Holyoke or Springfield, Flaherty said they were looked into a few years ago and were cost prohibitive, “much more than it would cost to build this plant. The Water Department has evaluated that, and does not recommend we take that path. As of right now, that would be a much more expensive way to get water,” he said.
Several councilors acknowledged the work and time put in by the Water Department and other city officials in answering all of the questions about the bond and the treatment plant.
Ward 4 Councilor Michael Burns, liaison to Water and Sewer, also thanked Mello for the time she spent investigating the matter.
“While asking three separate times, there is still no explanation why carbon changeout has not happened. I would still like to see those answers. We’re going to end up in this same boat again. Everybody knows the people who asked me to be here would not want me to vote for this,” Mello said, before casting the sole vote against the water bond. A final vote will be taken at the next scheduled city council meeting.
