Ward 2 Councilor and City Council President Ralph J. Figy (WNG File Photo)
WESTFIELD – The City Council will hold a regular meeting on Thursday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. in City Council chambers, Room 207 at City Hall. On the agenda, are many reports from sub-committees, most of which have met or are meeting this week and last week.
“I am very impressed by the amount of work being done by the committees and their chairs,” said City Council President Ralph J. Figy.
Under communications from the Mayor, his office is requesting acceptance of two gifts from the Friends of Westfield 350 celebration. The first is a metallic mural by artist Pat Conant, depicting signature scenes throughout Westfield’s history to be placed on the wall outside the Council Chambers. The mural was funded by a grant from the Westfield Cultural Center.
Also being requested for acceptance are two time capsules donated by Firtion-Adams Funeral Services and a stone marker for the flag plaza outside of City Hall, explaining the location and directions under which the time capsule would be opened.
Figy said an appropriation request of $525,000 from Free Cash for the Department of Public Works Wastewater Division is for odor control at the Sewage Treatment Facility. Figy said the current odorizer is “on borrowed time,” and needs replacement. The Sewage Treatment Facility is located off of Union St. near the salt pile, he said. The request will be referred to the Finance sub-committee.
Figy said a Resolution of the City Council for authorization to enter into a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) with Sunfarm Westfield LLC and Stephen P. and Susan M. Oleksak for a new 10.7 acre solar array at 994 Western Avenue will also be referred to Finance, for a 20-year payment in lieu of personal property taxes. Discussing the venture last month, Mayor Brian P. Sullivan said it will be taxable real estate property, on a business with a low environmental impact. The solar array is not visible from the road, and located next to Green Mountain Lumber, also owned by the Oleksaks.
Also requested by the Mayor’s office is an appropriation of $16,700 from the Westfield Police Department Receipts Reserve Towing and Motor Vehicle Storage. Figy said the appropriation will be used to purchase solar-powered crosswalks, requested by the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities. Figy said the crosswalks have been approved, but more funds beyond handicap parking receipts are needed to cover the purchase cost for the two sets. This request will also be referred to Finance.
Also being submitted from the Mayor is the appointment of Richard W. Salois of 220 Russellville Road as an Alternate member to the Planning Board, filling the slot of John Bowen, who moved to the Ward 1 position.
Also being submitted is the appointment of C. Lee Bennett, 57 Jaeger Drive, as a member of the Fire Commission, replacing Carlo Bonavito, following his resignation. Both appointments are expected to be referred to the Personnel Action Committee.
Five reappointments to various committees are also being requested.
The Personnel Action Committee will also request reappointment of Mark Cressotti as City Engineer for a term to expire in February, 2022, as a report from the committee, which is chaired by At-large Councilor Cindy C. Harris.
A public hearing to consider the petition of 14 Coleman Ave. LLC to amend the Zoning Map from Business A to Business B is also scheduled during the meeting.
Under reports of City Officers, City Clerk Karen Fanion will bring forward an Open Meeting Law complaint from Kristen Mello against the Westfield City Council. The complaint, which Figy said will be forwarded to the Law Department for a response, cites audio disturbances on Ch. 15 video broadcasts over councilor comments.
The Government and Relations sub-committee will also report on broadcasting and recording at meetings, and the possibility of closed captioning, which they are investigating. Both items remain in sub-committee.
Also reporting will be the Finance, Legislative & Ordinance, License, Public Health & Safety, and Zoning, Planning and Development sub-committees.
A motion by Figy at the end of the agenda seeks to authorize the Charter and Rules Special Committee to operate for the year of 2019 with the items in committee. Figy said the special committee was for one year in 2012 to look at the Charter, and must have a special purpose to continue for the year. Currently in the committee, which is chaired by At-large Councilor Matthew Emmershy, are motions made by Ward 3 Councilor Andrew K. Surprise to review and reform the Annual Municipal Budget process.
