At-large Councilor and Personnel Action Committee Chairman Cindy C. Harris (WNG File Photo)
WESTFIELD – Since the beginning of the year, more than a dozen residents have been appointed and reappointed by the Mayor’s office, through the Personnel Action Committee, to serve on the many committees and commissions in the City of Westfield.
PAC chairperson Cindy C. Harris said at the Feb. 25 City Council meeting that the city was fortunate to have them. “The Mayor has appointed wonderful citizens to these committees and commissions, and we are very fortunate to have them,” Harris said.
Harris introduced the following appointments and reappointments to the City Council at the Feb. 25 meeting, all of which were approved unanimously.
Barbara Taylor of Hillside Road was reappointed as a member of the Council on Aging until June, 2021, after serving one term on the board. Harris reported that CO Director Tina Gorman said she has been a wonderful asset to the Board. Taylor serves as treasurer, reviewing submissions with the director before presenting them to the board. She is an active participant in classes at the center, and served on the nominating committee for Board officers from 2017 to 2018.
Jim Liptak of Granville Rd., was also reappointed to the COA until Feb., 2022. A dedicated member since 2012, Liptak also serves on the Highland Valley Elder Services Board of Directors, and has been their liaison with the Council on Aging for six years, as well as serving on the nutrition and finance committees. Harris said he updates the COA Board on all Highland programs and services. He previously served as treasurer on the COA Board, and was elected chair last year. Gorman said that Liptak is always thoughtful, works hard as an advocate for Westfield’s older population, and she values his judgement.
Leonard Osowski of Wintergreen Lane was reappointed as a member of the Police Commission until Feb., 2022. Police Chief John Camerota said he has served with pride and dedication to his sworn duties, and he makes decisions based on what’s best for the city and the department. Osowski has been a local business owner for many years, Harris said. He has served on the commission since 1998, and is well respected in the city.
John E. Sullivan of Crestwood Circle was reappointed as a member of Board of Public Works until Feb., 2022. Mr. Sullivan has served on the board since 1997, and has been chair since 1998. He previously served on the Board of Assessors, Parking Commission and the Planning Board. Harris said he is an integral part of the Board who is endorsed by DPW Director David Billips, who said he has helped the department through good and difficult times; puts the city first. Billips also praised his “plethora of experience.”
Joseph Popielarczyk of Southview Terrace was reappointed as a member of the Water Commission until Feb. 2022. Harris said he was appointed less than a year ago to fill Councilor Mike Burns seat, after Burns was elected to represent Ward 4 on the City Council. Popielarczyk is a project engineer with a specialty in civic engineering, and has six years of experience in sewer and drain systems, construction observations, and wastewater and drinking water treatment. He has a master’s in science and environmental engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and is employed by Tighe and Bond.
Ken Magarian of Llewellyn Drive was reappointed as a member of the Parks & Recreation Commission until Feb., 2022. He has been a member of the Board since 1987, and has chaired the committee for about 13 years. Magarian has served Westfield State University as a professor and director of University Advancement and Community Relations. He is involved with the Kiwanis Club, the Boys & Girls Club, city youth leagues, college level athletics, including baseball and softball, and is well respected throughout the city. He is recommended by David Billips, who says he keeps Westfield moving forward, providing the best services for the city.
Rissa Larsen of Lathrop Avenue was appointed as a member of the Westfield Cultural Council until Feb. 2022, replacing Susan Kingra. Larsen was a long-time teacher, directed plays, and set up museum displays. She is on the board of WestFest, and is a volunteer archivist at Westfield Athenaeum. As an educator and arts enthusiast, she looks forward to offering grants to enrich Westfield’s young learners and senior population. Harris said that Larsen has already attended several meetings of the WCC.
Patricia Steele-Perkins of Forest Glen Drive was reappointed to the WCC to Feb., 2022. Chair Morgan Drewniany said that she is extraordinarily dedicated, and totally supports the reappointment. Steele-Perkins is a member of the Board of Directors of the Westfield Athenaeum who volunteered many hours with the renovation, Harris said. She is also on the Board of Directors of the Grandmother’s Garden, is a Master Gardener, and volunteers for the Red Cross.
Rebecca Blackburn of Sackett Road was also reappointed to the WCC until Feb., 2022. Blackburn served as secretary for the past two years, and was referred to by WCC Chair Morgan Drewniany as “fabulous.” Blackburn is a technical librarian at Westfield Athenaeum, offering hardware and software support, and Harris said working there puts her in contact with citizens and city activities. Blackburn also served 15 years with the YMCA in administration and as an instructor.
Harris said she wanted to remind the councilors that people who serve on the WCC do not get paid, and they need to have a certain number of people to award the grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Center. “I’ve worked very closely with Westfield Cultural Council for many years. They are extremely fortunate to have people volunteer their time for this,” Harris said.
Richard Salois of Russellville Road was appointed as a member of the Planning Board to Feb. 2021. Harris said he is a mechanical engineer, who has been involved in building industrial plants all across the nation. As director of engineering for Cenveo, he provided support to 17 manufacturing facilities in production, support and operations, and managed the re-engineering center in Chicago. She said he believes he can help to integrate industry and neighborhoods without stifling one or the other, and that the Planning Board can be that conduit.
C. Lee Bennett of Jaeger Drive was appointed as a member of the Fire Commission to Feb. 2021, replacing Carlo Bonavita, who resigned. Bennett has a master’s degree in criminal justice and attended the FBI National Academy. She had previously been with the Springfield Police Department, as well as being on their Honor Guard, for over 30 years before she retired; after which she continued to serve as a consultant investigator for Springfield’s Law Department. In addition, she was a police officer in Granville, a Justice of the Peace, and has taught college and police academy criminal justice courses covering a wide range of topics.
At-large Councilor John J. Beltrandi, III welcomed Bennett aboard, and recognized Carlo Bonavita for his work on the Fire Commission, which was seconded by Harris.
Other appointments and reappointments earlier this year included Adam Edward Roman of Glenwood Dr. as a member of the Municipal Light Board until Feb. 2020. At-large Councilor and MLB liaison Brent B. Bean, II said that Roman represents the city well on the MLB; he has a financial background and experience in the sector, and has his wholehearted support.
Jeffrey Gosselin of Elm Street was reappointed as a member of the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities until Feb., 2022. Harris said that the Acting Chair of the Commission, Carissa Lissee informed her that Gosselin serves as secretary, and is very thorough. Harris said his work experience and educational training in human services and special education fit the mission, and he wants to continue serving the city by serving on this commission.
City Council President Ralph J. Figy said that on behalf of the City Council, he wanted to “thank all the members of the Boards and Commissions that serve so faithfully for the City of Westfield by volunteering and giving up their time. Even those who are paid, are not paid enough. Thank you very much.”
