Peter J. Miller, Director of Community Development for the City of Westfield. Photo by Amy Porter
WESTFIELD – Community Development Director Peter J. Miller, who started this year to oversee the liquor licenses, Board of Health transfer station stickers and Off Street Parking under his department said on Tuesday, “It’s worked out okay.”
Miller said in the Community Development office he has two clerks, one of whom he shares, and Jay Vinskey in Planning, plus two clerks “downstairs.” He said May to September is the busy time for Off Street Parking permits, and May to August for Transfer Station stickers. License renewals for the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) are due in November. In his office, mid-August through November is reporting season for the previous year’s Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), and January 1 to May 1 they are working on the CDBG Action Plan for the following year.
Miller said he tries to staff the fourth clerk upstairs during his busy time, and downstairs (License and Parking) during their busy seasons. Flaherty asked Miller why the license renewal and sticker transactions didn’t go to the Collector’s office.
Miller said he was trying to figure it out. He said they have a retail function in their office, and sold 35 transfer stickers on Tuesday. “I’m the wrong guy to ask. I’m trying to figure out how to make this office work,” he said, adding that it all comes down to a cost-benefit analysis.
Miller said his goals for the coming fiscal year in off-street parking include getting the back parking lot behind Romani’s paved and completed, and figuring out the best way to charge and get paid for all city parking.
Emmershy asked about the overtime in the department. Miller said they pay for the Planning Board secretary. He also said the CDBG program will see an increase in funding for this year of $372,000, compared to $327,000 last year, of which 20% is allowed for administration. He said some overtime can be charged to that program.
In Purchase of Services, they paid for consulting on the demolition of 2 Central Street, and will pay this year for environmental work around the demolition of the former Soo’s restaurant at 340 Elm Street. Miller also said they are looking at putting together a grant for an All-Abled Playground at the Cross Street site. Another $6,000 is a state-mandated payment to the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) assessment of their program.
Emmershy also asked if the estimated cost of $6,700 for parking tickets, processing and collection is covered by Off-Street Parking revenue. Miller said they collect between $40,000 and $45,000 annually in parking tickets. He said income from parking tickets primarily goes to the general fund, except for handicap tickets, which goes to the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities, and is about $8,000 to $9,000 a year.
The income of $25,000 for parking permits goes into maintenance of the lots, where there is a balance of $40,000 in the account to be used for cleanup and to regrade the downtown lots, and for new signage. Miller said Rep. John Velis also earmarked $25,000 for Way-finding signage for the downtown in the budget.
Surprise asked if Miller foresees marijuana licenses going to his department as well, which did not get answered.
Jay Vinskey, City Planner for Westfield
Flaherty asked whether the funds from the Community Host Agreement could be used for remediation, and go to groups Miller already works with, such as the Boys & Girls Club. Miller said the agreement for medical marijuana called for funds to go to the Opioid Task Force. “I think that would be great,” he said.
City Planner Jay Vinskey’s budget, which he said is actually the Planning Board’s budget, took only five minutes to review. The budget comprises stipends for Planning Board members and chair of $1,500 and $1,800 respectively. He said any costs connected to an application are paid for by the applicant.
Vinskey also said supplies are up due to the new zoning signs, which come out of the Planning Board budget. “That is money well spent,” said Allie, who was behind the abutter notification ordinance, which requires signs of public hearings to be placed on properties.
