RALPH FIGY
WESTFIELD – The City Council voted last week to accept donations of nearly $1,000 for municipal departments and activities within the city, on the condition that accounts would be approved later in the meeting, a vote that did not occur.
The accounts are established to track the funds as required by state auditing laws and practices.
The problem is that the vote to accept the gift came before the vote to establish the accounts. The council’s Finance Committee, which reviews all financial matters, reports out to the full council before the Legislative & Ordinance Committee which reviews creation of local ordinances, including the creation of gift accounts.
The Finance Committee presented two gifts, one in the amount of $94.25 for the domestic violence program account and the second for $600 which is being donated to the Westfield Police Department Marine Patrol in memory of Patti Andras.
BRIAN P. SULLIVAN
The City Council had voted to accept a gift of a Garmin Echo 201DV sonar device during Communications from the Mayor. The donation of the sonar, made by Steve Andras in memory of his late wife, and City Councilor, Patti Andras, is directed to the Westfield Police Department, which has a gift account for donations, usually equipment.
Ward 2 Councilor Ralph Figy said the sonar device is already in use by officers patrolling Hampton Ponds.
“It’s a valuable piece of equipment being used to patrol the ponds, to the great pleasure of residents,” Figy said. “The neighbors are so happy that the patrols are underway.”
Residents have donated dock space for the patrol boat, christened the “Patti Andras”, and have provided other direct support to the marine division officers.
However, the establishment of the gift accounts, including a third for the Arm Brook Park, was postponed Thursday night at the request of L&O Chairman Brian Sullivan since the legislation was not in ordinance language and form.
Sullivan had anticipated that the motions would be put into ordinance form between the meeting Thursday and the Sept. 4th City Council meeting, but asked the council to keep the three gift accounts in committee until the Law Department completes writing the motion in the correct form.
