MARY L. O’CONNELL
Potholes
Yes, this is indeed the year of the pothole. Westfield, as so many other municipalities, has seen street surface deterioration like no other year. It is a disaster and the City faces huge decisions on repair. I have been working with City administration on this “challenge” and the future is rather grim. Total costs to repair all of our streets run towards $50 million. The City has maintained a pavement repair effort in the interim period (over the long-term beginning in 1998) but, less than recommended. Construction costs have increased significantly, increasing proportionally due to heavy interdependence of construction materials with oil. I do want to thank Jim Mulvenna, the Department of Public Works Director, for his efforts in emergency repairs. You may call your Ward Councilor to request specific repairs.
You can also notify the City directly of potholes and other issues by using the City’s web site.
On City of Westfield website click the Departments tab at the top of the page.
1. On the drop-down window click the DPW tab.
2. Once on the DPW page click the Contact Us tab on the left-hand side of page.
3. You are now on the page that shows nine (9) choices/topics – review the topics (other, streets, potholes, snow plowing, tree service, vandalism etc.)
4. Click on a topic (potholes) and a window appears asking you to provide information: name, address, telephone number, email address, description and location of problem (be specific
Proposed Western Avenue Project
Western Avenue is a mess. We need to address some of the issues challenging us including resurfacing and drainage. It is my opinion that we can accomplish this without a massive disruption of this avenue, complete without widening, tree removal, and super wide “Multi Use travel ways” along both sides.
This is a summary of the two projects proposed for the Western Avenue reconstruction:
PROJECT 603449 WESTFIELD- ROUTE 20 ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS ON COURT STREET & WESTERN AVENUE, FROM LLEWELLYN DRIVE EASTERLY TO LLOYDS HILL ROAD (PHASE I). This reconstruction project on city-owned streets begins on Western Avenue at Llewellyn Drive 2.0 miles easterly to Lloyds Hill Road. The project will include left-turn lane construction at Lloyd’s Hill and sidewalks, crosswalks and pavement markings. Estimated total cost $$2,419,590.
PROJECT 607773 Westfield Improvements and related work on Rte. 20, Court Street, and Western Avenue from Lloyds Hill Rd to High St/Mill St Intersection (Phase 2). Project includes reclamation, box-widening and resurfacing along Western Avenue and Court Street from Lloyds Hill Road to the Court St./High St./Mill St. intersection. Sidewalks, crosswalks and left turn lanes will be included. Construction to begin 2017/2018. Estimated total cost $3,564,202.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation website the total cost of this proposed project will be over $5 million. The proposed start date will be in 2017/2018. I have been warning that the project will run us upwards of $10 million. These estimates do not include the costs of water line improvements or any WG&E infrastructure upgrades. Over the next three or four years costs are bound to go higher (do they ever decrease?). What I am hearing from my constituents is that most residents are not in favor of this project.
Comcast Contract
There has been some information in the news during the past month regarding the Comcast contract with our city. The situation with the negotiation is this: The Cable Commission advises the Mayor – the sole authority on signing a contract between the City and our cable provider. The role of the Cable Commission is outlined on our city website and reads, “The commission was established at the request of the mayor and by ordinance of the Westfield City Council in October of 1987. As an advisory board to the mayor, the commission’s responsibility is to monitor any cable television service provider’s license compliance in the city and to hear and facilitate resolution of customer complaints regarding customer service.” There were two public hearings held in the fall of 2012 on the subject of Comcast and our contract with them. I was able to attend one of the meetings with a large crowd of citizens who gave their input. Many of the Cable Commissioners, as well as most of G&E Commissioners and some city councilors also attended. The negotiations are nearing an end and the Mayor will be making the final decision on the contract soon.
Congratulations to John Velis on his election to the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
Best wishes for a quick arrival of spring and a hearty farewell to the winter of 2013/2014.
Mary O’Connell
Ward Four City Council
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of this publication.
