Westfield City Hall
WESTFIELD – The $13 million bond is back on the agenda for Thursday’s meeting of the City Council.
“I’ve had some discussions with councilors on specific information they feel they didn’t have the last time, and I’m making sure they get. The lines of communication continue to open. It’s the best for all of us,” said Mayor Brian P. Sullivan on Monday.
“I’m hoping it goes to sub-committees and back out for passage by the end of June, to allow us to stay on track,” Sullivan added. The time pressure is in part due to bids that have been received for the work on Wells 7 and 8, which would need to be rewarded by July 2.
The Mayor has also requested immediate consideration for a transfer of $629,196 from the Health Insurance Benefits Accounts to the OPEB (Other Post Employee Benefits) Designated Fund Balance Account from the Health Premium Holiday in May, per an agreement with the Public Employee Committee (PEC) two years ago. Sullivan had announced his plans for the transfer from the holiday to the City Council last fall.
Other items from the Mayor include approval of Community Preservation Act appropriations; one of $77,625 from Housing for a Down Payment Assistance Program, to be managed by Community Development. An appropriation of $85,000 to the Stanley Park Colonial Village to restore the Grist Mill and the Meeting House for public use is also being requested.
Also, acceptance of grants of $32,000 from the MassDOT Aeronautics Division for Airport safety, and $39,424 for the Department of Public Works Wastewater Division is being requested.
The city is also submitting for endorsement a resolution of the City Council in support of the Commonwealth Site Readiness Development Program, administered by the Mass. Development Finance Agency for the proposed Turnpike Industrial Park.
Under reports of city officers, Chief of Police John Camerota is requesting a zone change to increase the current fines for inoperative and unregistered motor vehicles from $25 to $100.
The Planning Board is submitting a zoning amendment to revise current medical marijuana zoning regulations to include recreational marijuana facilities. A public hearing will be scheduled on the new zoning regulations.
The Finance Committee will report a positive recommendation for an appropriation of $400,000 for stormwater work on North Road, to be completed by July 1.
The Legislative & Ordinance Committee will report on positive recommendations for changes to a tax deferral program for eligible seniors; amendments on the city ordinance concerning open burning, which will require a public hearing, and an intermunicipal agreement with the cities of West Springfield and Holyoke to sell carbon credits. All three were discussed and voted to recommend at Tuesday’s meeting.
There will be a second reading for two items that passed the City Council on May 3. The first is a transfer of real estate at 1090 Southampton Road, to be declared surplus and disposed of. The second is the taking of easements, temporary and permanent for work on the Western Avenue reconstruction projects and the appropriation of $22,440 for the taking of the easements.
Ten new motions from Councilors will round out the City Council agenda.
Councilors Roberts A. Paul, Sr. and Dave Flaherty are requesting the Mayor and department heads for a summary of property values and projected tax revenue; an estimate of anticipated Free Cash, and estimated New Growth by June 7 in three separate motions.
Two motions by At-large Councilor Daniel Allie request a schedule of flushing of the fire hydrants and pressure testing throughout the city; and an audit of the Cross Street School project.
Councilors Ralph J. Figy and Brent B. Bean, II are requesting to write or amend an ordinance regarding litter within the city boundaries, with a fine schedule to support it.
A motion by Councilors Allie, John J. Beltrandi, III, Matthew Emmershy and Flaherty will request an ordinance regarding road repairs.
A motion by Councilors Nicholas J. Morganelli, Jr., Figy and Flaherty will request a quarterly status update on all open bonds in the city greater than $5,000.
Morganelli will also submit a motion to review the city’s trash pickup routes and the Twiss Street Transfer Station’s fees and current and future revenue.
Finally, a motion will be requested by Councilors Morganelli, Emmershy and Mary Ann Babinski to review and update the public on the safety of the city’s drinking water.
