At-Large City Councilor and City Council President John J. Beltrandi, III.
WESTFIELD – At the top of the City Council agenda for Thursday’s meeting is a request from the Mayor’s office to accept the School Violence Prevention grant of $258,689 to the Westfield Police Department and Westfield Public Schools. The 25% city match of $86,230 will come from previously allocated and approved school choice funds in the district budget.
Also from the Mayor’s office is approval of an $8,000 grant for a shade structure at the Sadie Knox playground from the Parks & Recreation Department Foundation.
The City is also submitting a host agreement with Cannabis Connection, Inc., and the reappointment of Candy Pennington as treasurer of the Westfield Cultural Council board until November, 2021.
Under Petitions and Remonstrances, a zone change petition for 595 Southampton Road to change from Business A to Industrial A, submitted by Daniel and Theresa Lawry, requires a public hearing to be scheduled. Also, notification is given from the State Lottery Commission of the city’s right to object within 21 days a “Keno-to-go” license at One Stop Convenience, 1056 North Road.
Reports from committees includes action taken by the Finance Committee on several transfers with the Westfield Public Schools department, and on a Community Preservation grant of $28,000 awarded to the Landlord Fowler Tavern.
Zoning, Planning and Development, which will meet on Thursday at 6 p.m., prior to the City Council, will report on its findings on the application for a special permit for a contractor’s yard at 415 North Road, and on a zone change request for 230 Southampton Road from Residential A to Business A.
Nine motions by Ward 3 Councilor Andrew K. Surprise regarding the municipal budget process, which have been on the agenda for several months will either be referred to the Charter & Rules committee or come out, according to Council President John J. Beltrandi, III.
A new motion by At-large Councilor Cindy C. Harris, regarding the process for the Treasurer/Collector’s position, to put the candidates to the whole City Council for a vote, will also be considered. Beltrandi said it is very important to get the Treasurer/Collector position ready to be filled.
“We’re heading into the time of year when we’re going to have to set a tax rate, and we have to start looking at that,” Beltrandi said.
