Mayor Donald F. Humason, Jr. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS FILE PHOTO)
WESTFIELD – Mayor Donald F. Humason Jr. said he’s had some good news from the state about local aid, although the money is still months away.
“The state has given Westfield notice that we’re going to receive level funding to last year’s local aid, Chapter 70 education aid and unrestricted general government aid that goes to the city side of the equation. We won’t get the money until later this fall,” Humason said.
In May, Humason forecast an $8.1 million shortfall in the budget, based in part on an anticipated 10 percent cut in state aid, which then auditor Christopher Caputo said equaled a $4.6 million loss. Humason said the 10 percent cut was reflected in the budget. Other anticipated losses were from hotels, meals and excise taxes.
In the budget presented to the City Council in June, the shortfall was reduced by a $1.5 million transfer from Free Cash to the school side, and approximately $1 million from an upcoming one-month health care premium holiday will be used to offset cuts to the city side of the budget. Payment of real estate taxes, which were extended to June 1, also came in stronger than expected.
Humason said the impact on the city side is from money that was never appropriated. He said for example, the Westfield Engineering Deptartment requested a couple of million for future road work projects which were cut, knowing that it wasn’t going to impact current projects or individuals.
“Most departments had to shave money out of supplies and travel. We focussed on things that didn’t impact actual employees in the city. There are not actually that many employees in the city,” Humason said, adding, “It’s the same folks collecting trash as those cutting the grass.”
Humason said the state money won’t make up for all of the cuts that were made. “Until I have it in hand, I’m not going to put an actual amount on it. We’ll be pretty well off. We anticipated the cuts, and made the cuts, which were not as great,” he said.
“We passed a budget that was really tight because we didn’t have state revenue. Usually the state budget is passed July 1 and in the hands of the city in a couple of months. We’re not going to have it until October or November. Cash flow is tight because we haven’t gotten any money from the state. You can’t spend something you don’t have, but if you try and it doesn’t show up, you’re in trouble,” Humason said.
Humason said once the city receives the state funding, he is hoping to restore some of the departments, with more money going back into engineering and the Department of Public Works. He also said he thinks those departments are doing pretty well finishing up Western Avenue and completing work on Root Road.
“We know that the state picked a vendor to do the work on Cowles Bridge, which will start this fall The projects we have in the city are going pretty well,” Humason said.
Humason said the local aid will go into the general fund. This fall they will have to set the tax rate, and the Department of Revenue will certify the amount of free cash. “If we get a large amount of free cash certified, it will be a good cushion for next year. Right after the new year department heads will be meeting again. Then we’ll have a new auditor,” he said.
Speaking of unfilled positions, a topic of conversation in motions made at the Aug. 20 City Council meeting, the mayor said they have candidates for a personnel director, and are beginning the search for a new Department of Public Works director when David Billips retires in October. Humason said they will also be interviewing for a new director of emergency management on Friday (Aug. 28); a vacancy that opened when Jim Wiggs retired in July.
As for hiring a new city solicitor, Humason said he is not looking to fill the position left vacant by the passing of Susan Phillips in June, as he has previously informed the City Council. Effective July 1, the mayor designated First Assistant City Solicitor Shanna Reed to oversee and be the head of the Law Department, according to information posted on the city website.
“Keeping the separation of powers between the executive and legislative, there are some things the council does not need to know. I’m happy to discuss it informally, and to answer about other positions,” he said.
Humason said there is a committee process for the reopening of City Hall, another topic raised at the Aug. 20 meeting. “Even though I’m the mayor, I’m one of many on the committee. Joe Rouse is the big dog on the committee, and we’re going by what the Board of Health is saying,” Humason said, adding that other employees are giving input on what the opening process should look like.
“Right now we’re open for appointments. If (residents) can’t do those things online or in some similar way, we’ll make appointments. Otherwise, we’re keeping City Hall closed. It’s a small building, and we don’t want anyone to get sick. We talk every couple of weeks. Even so, we’re not ready to completely open the building,” Humason said.
The mayor said there are “a ton” of things people can do now. They can pay bills, and vote by using the locked box outside of City Hall. He said the Clerk’s office and other staff will come outside when needed. “People are going out of their way to help people and their customers. Most City Halls are still closed,” he said.
As for meetings resuming back in the City Council chambers, he said that is a little bit of a space issue, but more of a technology issue. He said they can’t conduct zoom meetings with half of the members in the chamber and half out. “That’s mostly an issue with the Open Meeting Law,” Humason said.
