DONALD F. HUMASON JR.
Name: Donald F. Humason, Jr.
Address: Stony Lane, Westfield
Occupation: Massachusetts State Senator, former State Representative
What is your experience managing staff?
I currently manage a staff of 5 paid legislative aides, several unpaid interns, and numerous volunteers. Prior to becoming a Legislator I was the Director of Legislative Affairs at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services and oversaw 15 legislative staff from each of the agencies under the EOHHS umbrella. And before that I was the Chief of Staff to Senator Mike Knapik and I oversaw and directed his staff.
What is your budget experience?
For the past six years I have been a member of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and the Joint Committee on Ways and Means which is responsible for writing the annual state budget which totals approximately $44 billion and funds every program and agency in the Massachusetts state government. I also serve on the Senate Committee on Bonding which deals with all state bonds the legislature passes. And I am a member of the Senate Public Service Committee that deals with any legislation pertaining to state employees and public unions.
Have you recently met with city department heads to discuss their needs/concerns/budgets and if so, which ones?
Of course. I meet and or speak with city officials constantly. For example, I just spoke last week with Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski about the $1.4 billion Student Opportunity Act passed by the state Senate to update the Education Reform Act. We specifically discussed the Special Education costs in the city. In a recent meeting with Mayor Brian Sullivan we discussed an earmark for $25,000 that I secured in the Senate budget for improvements to Billy Bullens field. We also spoke about the water issue. In another meeting with the Mayor recently we talked about his taskforce on opiates and ways to fight opiate addiction and get treatment for city residents looking for help. And I spoke last week with Heather Stayton from the Office of the City Engineer to get her perspective on the ongoing construction in the city of roads and water treatment facilities. I also speak regularly with members of the City Council regarding city and state issues effecting Westfield residents and businesses.
What grade would you give Westfield’s schools and why?
As a proud graduate of Westfield public schools I am always going to be a little biased and grade them well thanks to the excellent educators and staff but I also understand there are needs and problems that must be addressed to assure our kids the best education they can get. For example, the lack of up-to-date lab facilities in the science classrooms at Westfield High School threaten accreditation. Many schools like Westfield High School are functionally obsolete. As a Senator I have been fighting for more money for our schools for a long time. Just a few weeks ago the Senate finally passed the Student Opportunity Act which updates the Ch. 70 school funding formula and more. As Chair of the School Committee I would continue the plans to expand Franklin Avenue School and replace obsolete schools like Abner Gibbs.
How would you move forward with the city’s current water situation and related lawsuits?
The current Mayor and Council have sought to address the PFAS plume contamination of several city wells with activated charcoal filters and have committed a good deal of city bond money to address the problem. As the next Mayor I will work with city engineering, DPW, the Water Department and our consultants to continue to test the water and make sure it is safe to drink. If the filtration does its job, fine. If not, we will have to come up with another option. City residents deserve clean water. It is their right. The lawsuit of the manufacturers of the firefighting foam will continue. Recently, the federal government agreed to pay Westfield $1.3 million. I will continue to fight to protect the people and the ratepayers and collaborate with the 104th Fighter Wing, the Department of Defense, and our federal elected officials to see that Westfield is made whole.
Do you have a plan for infrastructure/taxes/economic development?
Throughout this campaign I have heard from Westfield residents and motorists loud and clear that the city needs to improve its roads and fix its infrastructure once and for all. Nobody likes the moniker “Pothole City.” Promoting smart, appropriate economic development in Westfield and growing the tax base will allow us to focus on the priority the people have identified: fixing our infrastructure.
The term of the mayor is two years, but I will work with Department Heads and city officials to make a long term plan to address our crumbling roads and sidewalks. With respect to taxes, again, the people are speaking clearly. Westfield’s residential and business property taxes are too high and growing higher nearly every year. I plan to work with my colleagues in city government to hold the line on tax increases and instead derive additional revenue from growth, expansion, state and federal aid and grants. I also plan to spend the Westfield taxpayers’ money as frugally as I spend my own.
What is your top priority for the city and how do you hope to address it?
As I mentioned above, infrastructure improvement and economic development for Westfield to keep the rate of tax increases to a minimum will be my priority. I also intend to work to counter the pervasive anti-Westfield sentiment of a small but vocal minority who love to criticize their city but fail to volunteer to try to improve it. I want to be Westfield’s cheerleader, promoter, and advocate.
Why should residents vote for you?
As a lifelong resident, homeowner, and taxpayer I love Westfield but I also believe we deserve safe streets, fewer potholes, clean water, lower taxes, good schools, and an open and transparent City Hall. I will work collaboratively, just as I have as Westfield’s state Senator, to promote economic development and efficient city government. My unique perspective, knowledge of issues, and experience I have gained as a 16-year state legislator, along with the contacts I have made with local mayors and state officials alike, will help me to be a mayor who is ready to meet the challenges Westfield faces. I want to continue to be the people’s watchdog and protect them from bad government and out of control tax increases.
