I want to start this month’s column, by reminding everyone that Westfield has the honor of hosting the Babe Ruth World Series from August 10th to 18th this year. Organizers are still looking for volunteers to help out in a number of different roles. The scheduling of volunteer spots is flexible, so please visit WestfieldWorldSeries.com, and review the available openings to see if you might be able to assist them in ensuring this is a successful event for our city.
With budget season over, I will say that the debate was lively, and I trust that everyone was supporting what they believed would be in the best interest of Westfield. I voted against the budget, as I believe the growing budget is out of control. Some will try to confuse the issue, by claiming they were protecting the budget from devastating cuts. If we are being honest with our citizens, the budget was going to be increased, even with the proposed reductions. That includes the School Department’s budget, which is exclusively controlled by the School Committee.
There were $2.3 Million in suggested reductions to the increases in our municipal budget. Had all of these reductions passed, we could have avoided an increase in our Property Taxes. Some of these proposed reductions were later withdrawn by the Finance Committee, however many were killed by vote in Council. I voted for over $400,000 in reductions to the increasing budget, but as it stands, only about $100,000 in reductions successfully passed. This will result in one of the largest Property Tax increases in Westfield’s history.
Tax increases do not solve our long-term budgetary problems, they only push off the day when we have to deal with the spending issues, and they cause pain to our citizens. The only way to solve our problems is to reduce spending, and to generate more revenue by growing our tax base. We accomplish that by attracting more business to Westfield. It is a simple concept to understand, lowering taxes will bring in more taxpaying residents and businesses to our city. We also need to look at increasing participation in regional compacts with surrounding municipalities, to share the costs and benefits of expensive municipal services.
Along with the upcoming Property Tax increase, new Mealsand Hotel Taxeswere passed. I voted against, and voiced my opposition to both new taxes.The city does need to generate more revenue, but how we get that revenue matters. The projected revenue from the meals tax is a drop in the bucket, and it directly affects the residents and workers of Westfield.The meals tax is just creating a greater tax burden on lower income residents and senior citizens on fixed incomes, those who can least afford it. These people may be eligible for rebates on their property taxes, but there is no rebate on the meals tax. It is a hidden tax, because it is not immediately noticeable. Our residents won’t notice until the end of the year, and they will then realize, in this tough economy, theyspent even more on food than they did the previous year.
Last year, as I knocked on the doors of my friends and neighbors in Ward 3, I heard dozens of stories about how the ever-increasing tax hikes are causing problems for our residents. Lower and middle income families are struggling to cover a mortgage, pay for everyday costs, save for college, and put food on the table. Seniors, who have lived in Westfield their whole lives, can just no longer afford the crushing burden of these tax hikes, forcing them to sell their homes. I pledged to fight against tax increases; I have done so and will continue to do so.
Mayor Sullivan pledged the revenue from the Meals Tax would be entirely invested into our roads, and I have no reason to expect he would not honor this pledge. I was also glad to note the Mayor heard our message last year that Westfield needs to use road money for roads. He has agreed to put all of our Chapter 90 State Road funding into roads this year.I hope and expect he will put some of that funding into repairing the most damaged roads in Ward 3, even though we are not one of the wealthier areas of the city.
Moving on, I want to say how great it is to see life coming back to our downtown! From the large events put on by Westfield on Weekends, to the smaller and consistent events, that are being organized by ArtWorks | Westfield and our members like Tom Sawyer. From the increasing size and variety of vendors and entertainers at the Farmer’s Market, to the opening of new venues, such as Jon Adams’ Center City Arts Space. These entertainment offerings will increase pedestrian traffic, and help our existing small businesses, while encouraging new business to locate in Westfield.
Lastly, I would like to congratulate my friend Jay Pagluica on his election as President of Westfield on Weekends. As a side note, I am happy to say that I was elected as the Vice-Chair of the ArtWorks | Westfield board, along with Bill Westerlind as our Chair, and Cheryl Crowe as our Treasurer. We are looking forward to working alongside WOW on our respective goals, and to continue bringing exciting Arts, Cultural, and Entertainment events to Westfield.
Please get out and enjoy the beautiful and hot summer days. While you’re out, please don’t forget to patronize our new and existing small businesses in downtown Westfield.
If you are a Ward 3 resident, and need assistance with any issues with the city, please contact me at (413) 570-0899, or [email protected]. My regular monthly office hours are at the Westfield Athenaeum in the Elizabeth Reed room, on the Second Monday of each month from 11:00am to 1:00pm, and on the Fourth Monday of each month from 3:30pm to 5:00pm.
P.S.Congratulations to Ralph Thresher and Nabil Hannoush on their successful and growing Ergieshovel business! Thanks to both of them for locating their business in Westfield. Our city should always support the Westfield business community whenever possible. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and the largest job creators in America.
P.P.S. Thank You to Senator Humason, for vigorously defending our Constitutional rights on Beacon Hill.
Have a Great Summer Westfield!
Andrew K. Surprise
City Councilor – Ward 3
