Mayor Brian P. Sullivan (WNG File Photo)
WESTFIELD – Mayor Brian P. Sullivan is cutting his term short to become the director of Green Communities for the Commonwealth beginning Nov. 12.
He announced his decision to City Hall staff in person Oct. 29.
“I felt I owed that to them, and thanked them for all the hard work and loyalty to make my administration a success. You can’t be a mayor if you don’t have hard-working employees in the community,” Sullivan said.
In his new position, which falls under the Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs, he will be traveling to Boston two days a week and will spend the rest of the time meeting with all 351 communities in the state.
Sullivan said some communities, like Westfield, are already a part of the Green Communities program, which gives grants to retrofit buildings using energy-efficient lights and heating, and promotes the use of electric cars, among other goals.
Sullivan’s last day as mayor will be Nov. 8. City Council President Ralph J. Figy will then assume the role of acting mayor.
Figy said he has already been on the phone with the assessor to schedule a special meeting to set the tax rate. He said his duties as acting mayor will be limited; he can’t fire or hire people, and he can’t spend money.
“I’ll keep the city moving forward,” Figy said, adding that after six years on the council he feels up to the task, and is glad to be able to serve the citizens of Westfield until the new mayor is sworn in. Sullivan said he will also be able to work with the new mayor on transition before he leaves.
“I wish Brian the best of luck. He’s done a great job in his four years in Westfield. The Baker administration is getting a good one,” Figy added.
