At-Large City Councilor and City Council President John J. Beltrandi, III.
WESTFIELD – Mayor Brian P. Sullivan is requesting acceptance by the City Council of a Managed Appropriation Reduction for the FY 19 budget. Last year in November, Sullivan brought forward $1.5 million in managed reductions, which passed the City Council after some discussion.
City Council President John J. Beltrandi said that the amount of this year’s reduction has not yet been set, as Free Cash has just been certified for the city. He said among the reductions will be several positions that have or are being vacated and won’t be filled.
Beltrandi said the request will go to the Finance sub-committee to approve the recommended cuts. After that, a Special meeting of the City Council will be set for Thursday, Nov. 29 to set the tax rate and approve the process. Beltrandi said the Mayor is doing everything he can to adjust the budget and keep the tax rate down.
This year’s budget process will also be impacted by the search for a Treasurer/Collector to replace Meghan Kane, and a new search for Auditor to replace Mary “Happy” Daley, who is retiring at the end of December. The position of Collector/Treasurer is posted, and Beltrandi has a motion at Thursday’s meeting to start the search process for City Auditor.
“We’re losing some very talented people who know the City intimately. They’ve done an outstanding job,” Beltrandi said, adding that it will be difficult to replace their knowledge and experience.
Also before the City Council on Thursday, Mayor Sullivan is submitting several approvals regarding the disposition of Bond Order 2529, originally passed for a new elementary school at Cross Street and Ashley.
The first request is to spend the unexpended balance of $552,311 to pay the costs of replacing the roof at Westfield High School. A Statement of Interest (SOI) to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for an accelerated repair project at Westfield High School, authorized by the City Council last Feb. 15, was recently denied, according to Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski. He said the district also has an SOI at the state for the renovation of Franklin Avenue School, which they should be hearing back about in January.
During the discussion about the accelerated repair request for Westfield High School in Feb., Mayor Sullivan said the roof was over 20 years old, which “kicks it into past warranty.” Ward 2 Councilor Ralph J. Figy said the School Committee had made the same request the previous year, which was rejected because the roof was still under warranty. “This is an attempt to have MSBA pay for a new roof,” Figy said at the time.
The Mayor’s office is requesting to rescind the remainder of the Bond Order 2529 for the unborrowed amount of $32 million, and to surplus the unused equipment and construction material already purchased for sale or transfer to City or School departments as necessary.
In other business, Mayor Sullivan is requesting immediate consideration Thursday for an FY19 Support and Incentive grant of $139,840 from the Massachusetts State 9-1-1 Department to the Westfield Public Safety Communications Department.
The Mayor is also submitting the reappointment of Alex Fagnand as a member of the Conservation Commission to expire February, 2020 to replace James Phillips.
A G.L. disclosure for Bryan Forrette, Director of Facilities, to also provide services for the Athletic Department for the school district will also be submitted to the Council Thursday. Forrette has previously worked as an announcer for the Athletic Department.
An application for a pawnbroker’s license at Game Hunter on 77 Elm Street, and a zone change application for MRC Enterprise LLC at 710 Southampton Road from Residential A and Business A to Residential A, Business A and Business B will be transferred to the appropriate sub-committees. Public hearings are required to be scheduled for both applications.
Following a vote by the City Council on Nov. 1 to allow a “Keno-to-Go” license at One Stop Convenience at 1056 North Road, the State Lottery Commission is informing the city of its right to object to the issuance of a “Keno-to-Go” monitor at the same location.
Several items from the Legislative & Ordinance sub-committee are on the agenda for its meeting on Wed. (Nov. 14) at 5:30 p.m. Among the items that will be considered and reported to the City Council are the matter of review of the mayor’s compensation and the resolution of the City of Westfield for a host agreement with Cannabis Connection.
The L&O will also consider the application for the zone change at 230 Southampton Road from Residential A to Business A following a public hearing on Nov. 1.
Under new motions, At-large Council Brent B. Bean, II is asking the City Council to accept a letter regarding the condition of the soccer fields in the city, and Ward 2 Councilor Ralph J. Figy is requesting a review by the Traffic Commission of the upper parking lot at the Westfield Technical Academy.
