Ward 3 Councilor Andrew K. Surprise (WNG File Photo)
WESTFIELD – At Wednesday’s meeting of the Finance Committee, the motion to create a Special Purpose Stabilization Fund brought by Councilors Andrew K. Surprise and Dave Flaherty was split into four different motions. The motion read: “Motion of Councilors Surprise and Flaherty to establish a Special Purpose Stabilization Fund in accordance with Chapter 40 Section 5B of the MGL, dedicated to the purpose of repair and maintenance of city-owned roads and sidewalks, to be funded by use of the total revenues of the Westfield Local Option Meals Tax and Room Occupancy Tax, as instituted under MGL Chapter 641 and Chapter 64G Section 3.
Surprise reported that the conference call he was supposed to participate in between the Legal Department and the Department of Revenue did not take place as scheduled earlier in the day. He said the Law Department was not questioning the creation of the fund, but rather the legislative body’s legal authority of spending.
Finance Committee Chairman Dan Allie suggested moving the motion to the Feb. 28 meeting of the Finance Committee. Allie said he had met with Mayor Brian P. Sullivan earlier in the week, and the mayor agreed to attend the Feb. 28 meeting.
“I don’t see it. I don’t want to wait. This thing still has to go through Legislative and Ordinance. We’re at the beginning of March. At this point, I say we sidestep Legal,” said Committee member Matthew Emmershy.
Surprise said the planned conference call will take place on Feb. 26 or Feb. 28.
Allie asked whether if the committee votes on Feb. 28 to create the stabilization fund and accept the state law, then both have to go through L&O.
“Honestly, I think we can refer it (now) to L&O with a positive recommendation,” Surprise responded.
Surprise made a motion to establish the Special Purpose Stabilization Fund for the specific purpose of road repair and maintenance of sidewalks, and refer it to L&O. The motion passed the committee 3-0.
Surprise made a second motion to accept Ch. 40 5B of the MGL as an act of the legislative body of the City of Westfield, which allows them to dedicate without appropriation certain funds in FY 19, and refer it to L&O. The motion passed 3-0.
