I hoped that everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Veterans for their service to our country. I would also like to thank all of the men and women who are currently serving in our military for their service as well. Without these brave men and women, we would not enjoy the freedoms that this great country has to offer.
The Westfield Senior Center at the Mary Noble Estate continues to grow. Membership is over 1500 and growing. The Center has serviced over 3000 seniors this year. This number is almost half of the senior population of Westfield. So if you have not visited or signed up, do yourself a favor and stop by the Senior Center and do so. I would also like to thank the numerous volunteers that make the various programs successful. Without these volunteers, the Center would not be able to provide the necessary services to the number of seniors that take advantage of them. Job well done!
It is graduation season once again. I would like to congratulate the members of the Class off 2016 at St. Mary’s High School, Westfield High School, and The Westfield Technical Academy. May you find continued success in your future endeavors. As you attend the numerous parties and festivities, please make good choices and be safe. Congratulations once again.
I would like to take a moment to recognize a city employee who is retiring at the end of the month. The city is losing a very knowledgeable and valuable member of the Water Department. Woody Darling has been the member of the Water Department that knows our system inside and out. He knows where the underground pipes are and how our wells and reservoirs work. This vast knowledge will be sorely missed. Thanks Woody for all you did, may you have a long and healthy retirement. You have earned it.
I would also like to take a moment to wish our retiring Superintendent a happy retirement as well. It is hard to believe that five years has passed since her arrival. Again congratulations and good luck on your retirement. Congratulations to Mr. Czaporowski on becoming the new Superintendant. He has shown great leadership at the Westfield Technical Academy and I am sure this will continue on with Stefan as he takes on the task of running our school system.
It is also budget time for the City Council. The Mayor presented the City budget to the City Council Thursday night. At first look one can see that many hours of deliberations and tough decisions went into the product presented. It is now the job of the Council to go through the budget and make any revision that the council feels are needed. The City Council can only cut the budget, we can’t add to it. There will be a series of Finance Committee meeting coming up as well as a public forum for public input. The City Council is committed to doing our due diligence on this most important matter.
In closing, I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe summer. I can be reached via email at [email protected] or at 413-568-9954.
Ralph Figy
Ward 2
