Reminder Publishing sent both candidates for Westfield Ward 1 city councilor identical questionnaires covering several topics of interest to voters. Answers are in the candidates’ own words and have not been edited, except for spelling and punctuation. Responses are listed in the order that candidates will be listed in the ballot: incumbent first, then challenger.
Today’s question: What specific vote in the past two years do you wish the City Council had decided differently, and why?
Nicholas Morganelli: The budget vote. Each year, I see the budget increasing beyond necessity. More discussion between the mayor and councilors that are experienced with city finances prior to the budget season is a better plan to properly fund, streamline, adjust, and balance the budget before it’s presented to council.
Marybeth Berrien: I truly wish the Old Dominion vote would have been a no. With all the “special” permitting that will be forthcoming, including holding thousands of gallons of diesel fuel over the aquifer, this is a definite “what were they thinking” moment in my opinion. Not to mention the 18-wheeler traffic, especially coming off the Mass Pike, which is already congested, with little to no forethought about the limitations of our infrastructure. I wish that the businesses would be required to put all their plans in front of the Council when applying for special permits.
Additional questions and answers with the Ward 1 candidates will appear on Oct. 30. For previous questions and answers, visit thewestfieldnews.com/tag/election-2021.
