WESTFIELD – In addition to deadlines looming for candidates for city office to turn in their papers, the deadline is also approaching for ballot questions on the November ballot.
Westfield will see a non-binding referendum regarding an extension of the mayor’s term on the ballot this year. The questions reads: Shall the city of Westfield extend the term of Mayor from two years to four years?
Ward 2 Councilor Ralph J. Figy
Ward 2 Councilor Ralph J. Figy sponsored the question which was approved by the City Council in April. “I don’t believe a two-year team is fair to the mayor or to the citizens. It’s not enough time to get anything done and to follow up,” Figy said. He said in the Midwest where he hails from (Toledo, Ohio region), four year terms are the minimum. He pointed out that both Springfield and most recently West Springfield changed the terms from two years to four years.
Because the question is non-binding, results will be sent to the City Council to review and decide what the next steps are, according to Westfield City Clerk Karen M. Fanion. Figy said there are several steps that would have to be taken, including the possibility of a home rule petition.
“We just want to gauge the public’s support or lack of support for increasing the term from two years to four years,” Figy said. He said he hopes if the public is favorable that the change could go into effect following the 2019 election.
