Happy Wednesday! I wanted to take a minute to breathe and give an update on City Hall happenings. The Holiday season is in full swing and we are grateful for many things.
First and foremost the DPW and Water Department have been very busy working to ensure that the City and its customers receive acceptable water supply. After a few setbacks, the water pressure has returned. As a region, we are still in need of precipitation to keep us out of severe drought. Thanks go to DPW Director, Dave Billips and his entire crew for their diligence in addressing this problem. I also want to thank the residents in the Ward 4 (and some of Ward 5), and the College for their patience and understanding as we made our way through this process. Ongoing, we will be meeting with MEMA, DEP and other State and Federal agencies that have offered their support in seeking further solutions.
Coming up on the City Council Agenda on Thursday, December 1, is a public hearing for the tax rate. The MA Department of Revenue has certified free cash for the City of Westfield in the amount of $3,495,831. This is an extremely healthy number and shows how diligent we have been in controlling our spending. This now allows the City Council to set a tax rate for fiscal year 2017. I have submitted this information to the Council for their review. In addition, also submitted is a request that the Council apply $1.034 million of certified free cash to the fiscal year 2017 budget to offset the tax rate. With such a healthy number in free cash this year, I feel a greater portion than usual should be given back to the Tax Payer. It will still leave $2.4 million to be used for one time purchases or emergencies. I also want to remind everyone that I successfully got Council to put $1.2 in Stabilization last year for our rainy day fund. Following City Council ratification of a tax shift which assigns how much of the tax burden will be assumed by businesses versus residential properties, 3rd quarter tax bills will be sent prior to the January 1 statutory deadline.
City Hall will see a few staff changes this coming week. Retiring are City Auditor, Debbie Strycharz and Assistant Assessor, Patsy Jarret. Combined they have provided the City with over 60 years of service. Thank you to both, you will be missed. Bringing in a new view to City Hall will be Jane Sakiewicz as the City’s new Human Resources Director. We look forward to her arrival. We are also very close to naming a new Airport Manager at Barnes, as interviews are being conducted this week.
And finally, the City has begun its preparations for the 350th Anniversary celebration. Amber Danahey and Peter Miller have been working to begin preparations for this event. A steering committee has been created and a survey has been designed and released for community input. The web address for the survey is (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Westfield350), and hard copies of the survey can be found at the Athenaeum, the Senior Center and the YMCA. Please take a minute to fill one out and contribute to this effort.
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and we all now can prepare for the upcoming Holiday season. Please take advantage of all that is offered throughout the season and don’t forget to shop local. God bless.
