Ward 2 Councilor and City Council President Ralph J. Figy (WNG File Photo)
WESTFIELD – The first item on the agenda for Thursday’s Council meeting, under Communications from the Mayor, is a Bond Order request of $10,250,000 for several large projects for the Airport Department. City Council President Ralph J. Figy said the bond is necessary in order to receive grants of $480,000 for special projects.
Further in the agenda, a request that the remaining balance of $272,000 from Bond Order 2692 to restore and preserve the building exterior of Hangar Two at Westfield –Barnes be rescinded because that project has been completed, and the amount unborrowed. An appropriation of $190,000 from Free Cash to the Department of Public Works Vehicles Account is for a rear-loaded trash truck for smaller city streets, according to Figy, who called the situation with current trucks, “not good.”
Another $48,000 is being requested from Free Cash for the Repair Maintenance in Purchasing.
The appointment of Jeffrey Siegel of 56 Wilson Avenue to the Fire Commission, to replace Patrick Oearlcek, who resigned; and of John Neidzielski of 28 Heritage Lane to the Water Commission, replacing Matt Barnes, who resigned to become City Treasurer/Collector, are being submitted.
Also being submitted is the reappointment of William Gonet, 29 Cardinal Lane to the Airport Commission.
City Clerk Karen Fanion is submitting the 2019 City Council annual license renewals for 17 city businesses.
Two public hearings on Verizon New England petitions to place jointly owned poles, one on Westwood Drive and to relocate six on Western Avenue, will be held during the City Council meeting.
The public hearing on a petition to amend the zoning ordinance to prohibit marijuana establishments within 500 feet of any park will be continue.
Reports from committees will include Legislative and Ordinance, Personnel Action, Natural Resources, and Zoning, Planning and Development.
Second readings and final passage on zone changes, the road and sidewalk repair stabilization fund, Springfield Road signal project easements and downtown traffic speed reductions are also on the agenda.
Under motions, Councilors Bean and Flaherty are requesting $1.5 million from Free Cash to be appropriated to the FY19 or FY20 DPW road construction accounts.
Councilor Flaherty has another five motions relating to a wide range of city services and personnel.
Figy also has a motion requesting a date change of the June 6 City Council meeting to Monday, June 10, in order to avoid a conflict with the Westfield Technical Academy graduation ceremony.
“There are a lot of things going on. We need to stay at pace,” Figy said.
