Westfield – On a 3-0 recommendation from the Legislative and Ordinance (L&O) sub-committee, the Special Tax Assessment (STA) agreement for Myer’s Information System, Inc. and Camia LLC gained approval at the City Council meeting Thursday evening on a vote of 10 to 2. At-large Councilor Dave Flaherty was absent.
Crist Myers, President and CEO of Myers Information Systems and City Advancement Officer Joe Mitchell at the Legislative & Ordinance meeting Thursday. (Photo by Amy Porter)
At the L&O meeting, City Advancement Officer Joe Mitchell introduced Crist Myers, President and CEO of Myers Information Systems, who purchased the building at 110 Elm St. through Camia, LLC. He said the building was purchased for $375,000, and they plan to invest another $300,000 in interior renovation.
Mitchell said the STA, which is real estate tax forgiveness as an incentive, will be 100% the first year, and 75% in years 2 to 6. He said the STA will total l $39,380 of tax forgiveness, and the company will still pay $10,363 over six years in taxes based on current valuation. Mitchell said that for a nominal investment, Westfield would be getting 18-20 full-time employees, who will be a part of the community.
Myers described Myers Information Systems as a 36 year old company that started in Springfield, and is currently located in Northampton. He said they are growing, and currently have 20 employees. He said they need to move to a larger facility and found an opportunity in Westfield, where they were impressed by the Mayor’s interest. “We’re looking forward to being a part of the community,” he said.
“Thank you for your confidence in Westfield,” said Ward 6 Councilor William Onyski, a member of L&O, who asked Myers what the business does.
Myers said they write software for television stations, monetizing content. “99% of PBS TV stations use our software,” Myers said, adding that they also support a number of government, educational, public access and commercial stations in a business that is evolving rapidly. He said their focus is on broadcast operations. He also said the STA will allow him to invest more in the building, which he expects to move into the first quarter of 2019.
At-large Councilor Nicholas J. Morganelli, Jr. said he wished the resolution had something in it about flipping the gains on the property.
“I grew up in this area. Western Mass. means something to me,” Myers, who is from Longmeadow, responded.
“I know this body doesn’t like STAs, but for $39,000, we’re going to get a lot of bang for our buck,” Mitchell said.
Morganelli also said he would have liked to see years 4 through 6 at 50%, but that he would support the resolution.
At the City Council meeting following L&O, Ward 5 Councilor Robert A. Paul, Sr. also expressed reservations about the STA. “I’m glad Mr. Myers and his company are moving here. I don’t support any tax incentives. This is the first step you take with every business needing a tax incentive to come to Westfield,” Paul said.
Ward 3 Councilor Andrew K. Surprise said he is in favor of the STA. “We’re still going to be generating revenue even with the STA,” Surprise said, adding that Myers Information Systems is a small business.
“These kinds of incentives usually give me the shivers. I don’t see this as I have (seen) others over the years, such as large, industrial projects,” said Ward 1 Councilor Mary Ann Babinski, adding, “We need to jumpstart something there.”
“New businesses aren’t going to move because of (tax incentives), but because of the infrastructure we’ve built; the technology, security, and safety,” Paul said, adding that tax incentives have nothing to do with why a company would want to come. “I would also support that we be more confident,” he added.
The vote to support the STA passed, with Paul and At-large Councilor Cindy C. Harris voting against the resolution.
