WESTFIELD – The Planning Board voted last week to approve an expansion of the Main Street Mestek building following a presentation of the scope of work by Bryan J. Balicki, P.E. of Sage Engineering & Contracting
Mestek, Inc. petitioned the planning board for approval of a site plan and stormwater management plan to allow construction of a 5,850 square-foot expansion of its existing 16,000 square-foot research and development facility located at 63 Main Street.
The Mestek facility is located behind the Cumberland Farms gasoline station and convenience store. The 16-acre parcel was part of the Smith Boiler purchase by Mestek.
Balicki said Mestek needs additional testing space because all of Mestek’s products are tested at that location to ensure the products function within design specifications. Balicki said that newer products are larger and need a test area that will accommodate the larger equipment.
The new building will be added to the rear of the existing building and will be put on an area which is currently paved, so there will be no increase of impervious surface. The expansion will not result in an increase of the workforce, or traffic, at that location.
Mestek, founded in a garage on Meadow Street in 1946, is a global company and was recently named the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce 2015 Business of the Year.
Balicki said Mestek, between its North Elm Street headquarters and the Main Street research and development facility, has a workforce of 368 employees.
“Mestek remains committed to Westfield and has continued to maintain its corporate headquarters here,” Balicki said. “This expansion is needed to create more space for testing of their product lines. Units are getting bigger, so they need space to be able to move them around.”
Balicki said that no hazardous materials are used in the research and development process at that site.
The Planning Board approved the project, but will require that chain-link fencing be augmented with a stockade fence to protect the privacy of residents located to the east side of the property along Clinton Avenue.
