Mayor Brian P. Sullivan makes a presentation to the City Council. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – During Mayor Brian P. Sullivan’s briefing before the City Council meeting, he asked for immediate consideration to transfer $55,707 from funds remaining in two departments to the Westfield Redevelopment Authority to go forward with the demolition of Romani’s bowling alley at 11 Church Street. He said city advancement officer Joseph Mitchell had asked if there were money from sweeping accounts that could be applied for that purpose before the end of the fiscal year.
Finance Committee chair Robert A. Paul, Sr., said the amount of Free Cash would go down, but his committee was looking favorably at the request. During the regular meeting, Mitchell said the money allocation to the WRA would be very specific, and look a lot like the last four transfers on the Church Street properties. The request passed, as did a series of other requests to transfer smaller amounts within departments for the purpose of closing the fiscal year.
Another request which passed was $35,000 from the Veterans Department to the Community Development Department for the purchase of 340 Elm Street, in order for the city to demolish the building, which has access to the riverfront.
At-large Councilor Dan Allie asked why it would come from Veterans Services. Finance Committee member Dave Flaherty said it would not take any money from veterans, and was another transfer from sweeping the accounts of leftover funds. Flaherty said more money is in the Veterans Services budget next year.
The council unanimously appointed Sofia Bitzas Williams from the Alternate position on the Zoning Board of Appeals to the full-time position as chair of the Board until Feb., 2020. Personnel Committee chair Cindy Harris said Williams has a law degree, has served ably as alternate, and the appointment was endorsed by retiring chair Martin Newmann.
Director of Facilities Bryan Forrette was also endorsed as an announcer for the Athletic Department in the schools, which Harris said was signed off by Athletic Director Eileen Flaherty.
A zone change at 397 Little River Road from Residence A and Rural Residence to Business A for Muneeb “Moon” Mahmood was referred to the Legislative & Ordinance Committee. Paul said he currently had signatures of 500 people in Ward 5 in support of the proposal, which will also have a public hearing scheduled. Also moved to L&O was land on Furrowtown Road owned by the William F. Reed family for conversion to Residential use.
A series of transfers and appropriations approved by the Finance Committee was also brought forward, including $26,462 for a police department vehicle. Paul said the transfers were from money left over from salaried accounts. “We’re also looking at every line item (transferred) as money next year that we don’t need,” Paul said.
“We’re up to $200,000 in salaried accounts. The world didn’t end because these salaried accounts weren’t paid. We’re going to look at a lot of line items like this,” Flaherty agreed.
The License Committee recommended approval of “Junk Dealer” licenses for Lou Sirois at 22 Cherry Street, and Jillian Knapp at 34 Elm Street for a furniture refinishing business, which also passed. Council president Brent B. Bean, II asked whether there couldn’t be a better name given for the business category.
License Committee member Stephen Dondley said they looked into it, but Mass Law named the category, and the city is required to use their language.
During a discussion on approval of the Rotary Club’s open container waiver during the Westfield Food Fest on Elm Street on August 25 & 26, Ward 1 Councilor Mary Ann Babinski made the suggestion that recycling and trash bins be placed side by side at the Food Fest. She said last year they had included both, but separated them, cutting down on their effectiveness.
Harris then brought forth reappointments from the Personnel Action Committee. The first was Tina Gorman as Executive Director of the Westfield Council on Aging, for a term to expire in Jul, 2020. Harris said Gorman has served in the role since 2011, and was looking forward to continuing as such. At-large Councilor John J. Beltrandi, III, who serves as liaison to the COA along with Ward 2 Councilor Ralph J. Figy, spoke on behalf of the reappointment, as did Paul, who called Gorman “a game-changer.”
Lenore Bernashe’s reappointment as Information Technology Manager to 2020, spurred some discussion in the Council. Harris read a long list of accomplishments and endorsements, along with a statement from Bernashe that questions regarding the city’s internet contract with Comcast should be addressed to the Law Department. The contract was questioned by Paul and Flaherty at Monday’s budget hearing.
Paul then made a motion to table the appointment, in order to take a look at restructuring.
I believe the city’s total infrastructure of technology can be upgraded,” Paul said. He said the reason for the table would be to allow the Mayor to step back and consider a Chief Information Officer for the city, who would have a broader reach and more capacity, a position for which he said Bernashe may be the candidate.
Flaherty said Paul’s intent was to improve the city’s functioning, and that he should be given time to explore that, also acknowledging that Bernashe may be the best person. “This is not an insult in any way to Lenore,” Flaherty said.
Ward 3 Councilor Andrew K. Surprise, along with other members of the Council, questioned why the reappointment would interfere. Flaherty said because it is a three-year legal appointment. “It’s a matter of a little bit of time for him (Paul) to investigate. If we don’t, we’re tied to a 3-year contract. A three-week holdover, it doesn’t hurt anybody,” Flaherty said.
“It does hurt somebody, this applicant. It does have a consequence,” Harris responded.
“I appreciate what Councilor Paul is trying to do, but in fairness to department heads, (this should be done) three or four months prior (to appointments),” Allie said.
“If this goes back in front of the Mayor, and he says I think the way it’s all working now is perfect, I’ll vote yes to Miss Bernashe,” Paul said. Flaherty also said that by taking a deeper look at the DPW it led to restructuring and an elevated position for David Billips, which worked out very well for the city.
The question was moved, and the motion to table failed. The motion to reappoint Bernashe then passed unanimously.
During the continued public hearing for Boise Cascade’s extended hours of operation, which had been continued since March, Beltrandi asked manager Nathan Oliveri whether there was any resolution with neighborhood concerns regarding noise, lighting and truck traffic.
“We did address all the issues. I believe we have come to a final agreement,” Oliveri said. Bean said he had had some general conversations with residents, who seemed satisfied. “I concur,” said Ward 6 Councilor William Onyski, who had been actively involved in the issues.
No members of the public spoke at the hearing Thursday.
“I’m not able to vote on this because I wasn’t at the first public hearing in March,” said Allie, who lives in the neighborhood. “This company has done an amazing job to address concerns. I commend all their efforts,” he added. Onyski then made a motion to close the public hearing, and move the request to L&O.
A final motion by Councilor Flaherty on behalf of the Finance Committee requested that the final FY18 Order of Appropriations the Council receives for a vote contain the expense detail line items for departments, instead of an “expenses” total for departments.
Flaherty said the Finance Committee has found that money is being moved around and used for purposes that the City Council specifically voted for or against. He gave the example of $1,010,000 in Construction approved last year, of which only $61,000 had been spent.
“Last year, we went through all the prior payment periods. It looks like they’re cleaned up for FY15, and FY16. We’re trying to get more control of line items,” Paul said.
Beltrandi said he didn’t want to see the City Council managing things for which other departments should have oversight.
Onyski asked if the information could be given quarterly. Flaherty said the Finance Committee does receive monthly expense sheets, but the money is already spent.
“This is still the Mayor’s vision in the departments, too. For us to say yea or nay, we should tread lightly. I get really leery for us to say which ones we’re okay with,” Bean said.
The motion was moved and passed, with Bean, Beltrandi and Dondley dissenting.
