WESTFIELD – During Thursday’s Council meeting, the amendment to expand notification to abutters regarding zoning changes took another step toward realization in a public hearing. The amendment requires notification of all owners of land within three hundred feet of a change in the Zone Map at least ten days prior to a public hearing.
At-large Councilor Dan Allie, who proposed the amendment, told the Council that the Planning Board gave it a unanimous positive recommendation at its May 2 meeting, with a couple of suggested changes. Allie said the main changes were a recommendation for an exemption if notification became too onerous, in the example of a city-wide change, and posting a sign regarding the zoning change on or about the property. Allie said the sign could be something simple, such as a corrugated and wood, not metal.
Allie said there would be no additional cost to applicants, as the permit for a zoning change was recently raised to $30. He said there would be a small fee to obtain a list of abutters.
At-large Councilor Dave Flaherty said he would vote in support of the amendment. Flaherty did ask if the sign would be large enough for people who are driving by to see.
Ward 2 Councilor Ralph J. Figy also asked about the proposed signage and if it would fit into the sign ordinance for temporary signs. He also asked who would be responsible for the sign.
The meeting was then opened to comments from the public. Resident John Phelps suggested that the assessor’s office have signs for purchase. “Northampton has them. They are similar to election signs,” Phelps said. He added that his family had an unfortunate experience with a zone change in a residential area to industrial, and he was in favor of the notification.
Another resident spoke of an experience she had when a zone change was coming up, and she was forced to notify the neighbors, because they hadn’t read the legal notices.
Several other residents stepped up and spoke in favor of the amendment. Ward 4 Councilor Mary O’Connell read a letter of strong support from a constituent, and thanked Councilor Allie for putting this together.
Ward 1 Councilor Mary Ann Babinski and Ward 6 Councilor William Onyski also said they had received emails and letters in favor of the ordinance change.
“This is a great thing. I thank Councilor Allie also for doing his due diligence,” Babinski said.
“I’m also a yes vote a yes vote. This not only helps residents but it helps businesses,” said Ward 3 Councilor Andrew K. Surprise.
Council President Brent B. Bean, III reminded members that there is still committee work to be done on the amendment. Figy made a motion to close the public hearing, and refer the amended to Legislative & Ordinance Committee and Legal.
In other matters during the three and a half hour long meeting, the City Council voted final passage for a $4 million bond order for the Sanitary Sew Extension for the Bigwood Drive project area, Western Avenue, Jessie Lane project, Montgomery Road and Joseph Avenue project area.
Passed for immediate consideration was a resolution approving a grant for the Granville Dam Spillway Channel from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency in the amount of $635,944. The grant is 70% reimbursement from work done following Tropical Storm Irene, requiring acceptance from the City Council.
Also passed was the appropriation of $140,912 for the first year of a five-year lease of a new first response vehicle for the Fire Department to replace Engine #8. The prepayment will allow the company to start building to specifications, and save the city $28,000.
Several motions to transfer money between accounts within departments due to end of year “sweeping” were granted, except for the transfer of $20,000 from the Department of Public Works stormwater division construction account to the highway division supplies account, which had a negative recommendation from the Finance Committee.
“We understand that there’s $20,000 needed for fuel, but we recommend finding that money in other accounts or groups of accounts,” Flaherty said, adding, “In the past, the stormwater account has been drained many times. The Finance Committee will protect this account going forward.”
Dondley asked what would be the impact of turning down the request.
“I don’t think there’s a great impact. We’re being diligent on money in certain line items to be spent on those line items,” said Finance Committee chair Ward 5 Councilor Robert A. Paul, Sr. He added that he suspected there would be an alternative request for the funding at the next meeting.
Also voted for immediate consideration were eight appointments and reappointments to the city’s Youth Commission.
At-large Councilor Cindy C. Harris, chair of the Personnel Committee, said this was a unique situation, as it involved all minors. “They have all shown a willingness to make Westfield a good place to live. Mrs. (Amber) Danahey’s recommendation should be enough,” Harris said.
Unanimously approved for first-time appointment to the Youth Commission were Chloe McGrievey of Westfield High School, Annika Jensen of North Middle School, Suvin Sundararajan of North Middle School, and Megan Danahey of Westfield High School.
Unanimously reappointed were Peter Chrisanthopoulos, Dennis Hall, David Roundy and Pamela Kryzek, all current members.
According to the city’s website, the Youth Commission’s mission is to create an environment in which young people and adults can communicate their thoughts and ideas about the city. These young adults are interested in improving the lives of their fellow students by taking the next step in making a difference.
