Ward 2 Councilor and City Council President Ralph J. Figy (WNG File Photo)
WESTFIELD – The City Council will meet Thursday, May 2 at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, returning to its regular schedule of meeting on the first and third Thursdays, following a rescheduled meeting on Monday, April 22, due to the school vacation week.
The first item under Communications from the Mayor is a request for immediate consideration and acceptance of a grant of $435,000 from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to the Engineering Dept. for the final phase of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail. There is no match to this grant, which must be expended before July 1, said City Council President Ralph J. Figy.
Figy said the next request for immediate consideration is for an appropriation of $75,000 from Free Cash to the Department of Public Works, Highway Division, to allow the city to add another vendor in the battle they are currently waging against potholes.
Also for immediate consideration is an appropriation of $110,000 from DPW Wastewater’s undesignated funds to purchase of services for sludge removal at the sewage treatment plant. The Mayor is also seeking an appropriation of $200,000 from Free Cash to DPW, Wastewater purchase of services account for sludge removal at the wastewater plant to the end of the year. Figy said he and the Mayor are working hard on other potential sources of funding in order not to use Free Cash for this item.
The Mayor is also requesting an appropriation of $930,000 from Free Cash for Snow & Ice hourly employment, overtime and purchase of services from this past winter season. Figy said this is the only account that the city can undercut in the budget and deficit spend. He said normally Free Cash is used to pay for Snow & Ice removal from the previous winter, although last year funds from a Health Insurance Premium Holiday were used instead.
Also being submitted is a Resolution of the City Council authorizing a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreement for James Hardie Building Products at 70 Turnpike Industrial Road. Figy said the TIF will apply to new construction on a planned $12 to $18 million expansion at the former site of Old Colony Envelope, resulting in the creation of 10 to 20 full-time jobs. This item will be referred to sub-committee.
Several reports from department heads will be submitted as requested on motions made by At-large Councilor Dave Flaherty at the April 4 City Council meeting, including a report on retirement from Retirement Administrator Liam Browne, and a revenue and expense report and road and sidewalk cost report for FY 18 and 19 from City Auditor Christopher Caputo.
City Auditor Robin Johnson is submitting certification for street acceptances as requested in a motion at the last City Council meeting on April 22. Figy said the certification is for seven private streets in the Devon Manor neighborhood that Ward 6 Councilor William Onyski is seeking to make public ways. Figy said this is the first step in a four step process that certifies the names on record are the actual land owners.
Westfield Gas and Electric General Manager Anthony Contrino is submitting the 2019 Depreciation Appropriation for the Gas and Electric Department in the amount of $4,834,800.
A hearing will take place for a proposed order of taking for a permanent easement on the Weilgus property at 146 Main St. for access to the drainage easement and sanitary sewer structures for William’s Riding Way Flood Control Pump Station.
At-large Councilor John J. Beltrandi, III is submitting a report on the progress of the wells and the new filtration systems.
Also on the agenda are reports and recommendations from the Finance, Legislative and Ordinance, Personal Action, and License sub-committees and the Ad-Hoc Charter & Rules committee, following recent meetings.
The Finance Committee is meeting on Thursday at 6:30, immediately prior to the City Council meeting. Possible votes coming to the floor of the City Council will be a request to allow the Mayor to transfer money between and within departments and between personnel services and expenses to expedite transfers and eliminate the need to carry over payments into FY20. Figy said this is done at the end of every fiscal year, with a monetary limit that will be recommended by Finance and voted on at City Council.
The Finance Committee will also report on its recommendations on the Community Preservation grant of $145,000 for the Landlord Fowler Tavern, and on a transfer of $145,454 within the Airport Dept. from the capital project account.
The L&O Committee is meeting tonight (Wednesday) at 5:30 p.m., and may bring forth a recommendation on short term residential rentals for a vote, following two public hearings at the Planning Board and City Council.
Personnel Action is also meeting at 6:30 Thursday prior to the City Council, and will submit its recommendation for the reappointment of Carissa Lissee for a three-year term as Superintendent of Buildings, among other appointments and reappointments.
There is one motion on the agenda Thursday, by Beltrandi, Ward 4 Councilor Michael Burns and Figy to discuss increasing the number of Fire, Airport and Police Commissioners from 3 to 5 members. The motion will be referred to committee.
