MARY L. O’CONNELL
As both the temperature and the calendar indicate we are well into the summer season. (despite our recent rain). City Council will have our last meeting before our six week recess next Monday, July 7. We will meet again on August 21.
We were all pleased to pass the final vote on the senior center bond at our special meeting last week. Council Chambers was packed with proponents of the project with the majority of folks agreeing that this is a worthy project.
We have the vote on the Dissolution of the Westfield Business Improvement District (BID) coming before Council this upcoming Monday. The opinion is sharply divided on this issue and it is a difficult one for all of us. There is certainly merit on both sides of the argument.
I would like to thank the Westfield Department of Public Works for responding quickly and removing a tree (on the corner of Wilson and Highland) that was in grave danger of falling onto utility wires and a private residence. The Westfield G&E was instrumental in protecting the wires that ran form a nearby pole to the home. Thank you to this department also.
We in Ward 4 have an extremely high number of homes with septic systems. This is a continuing challenge and one I wish we could solve. The process for bringing on homes to the city’s sewer system is difficult and slow. Some streets are actually piped for sewer but the city has not yet gotten to them. Some residents are within a rock’s throw of the city system but have not yet been brought on. It is a frustration I share with many Ward 4 residents and one of my priorities to alleviate.
Another Ward 4 issue is the high number of “private ways” rather than accepted streets. Many of us on the Council understand the benefit of widely accepting streets as public ways. It is the right thing to do but this too has become a process. Two streets that stand out are Park River Drive and Park River Circle. Council MUST move forward and accept these two streets.
The Westfield City Council have received several communications that are concerning regarding the running of the Animal Control Center on Apremont Way. Many of the volunteers are upset that Ken Frazer has been put on administrative leave with no explanation to the public. It is my understanding that Ken has officially retired. I have worked with Ken for many years and have always found him to be more than concerned with the welfare of our area animal residents. He has shown himself to be a kind and compassionate advocate for these animals.
As we move further into the summer there are a number of entertainment offerings for our residents and visitors. Stanly Park is hosting the 2014 fireworks program this Saturday evening, July 5. In addition, the park has some great Sunday evening concerts on deck this summer. Amelia Park is also offering concerts each Tuesday evening from now until August 26.
Westfield on Weekends has their next concert on deck- Thursday, August 21st – Mystery Tour, a popular Beatles tribute Band.
Enjoy the summer of 2014 and Happy Fourth of July to all.
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.
