WESTFIELD – Among the issues acted on at Thursday’s City Council meeting was a request from the Mayor for immediate approval of a resolution to concur with the 104th Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard at Barnes to explore adding 21.643 acres for a new secure entrance to the ANG base.
In presenting the resolution, Sullivan said the City Council was supposed to sign the resolution in 2016 when it was originally presented. He said then-Airport Manager Brian Barnes did sign it, but the Council did not. “I’m coming back to you right now to clean up the paperwork, basically to give the ANG permission to go ahead,” he said.
Colonel Peter T. Green, III, Vice Commander of the 104th Air National Guard.
Also present at the meeting was Colonel Peter T. Green, III, Vice Commander of the 104th. Green said the 21 acres would allow the ANG to redesign their main gate, and “bring us into the future.” He said the current gate was built well before terrorism issues, and did not have the serpentine entrance and search area other bases typically have, including Westover. “Your approval will go a long way,” Green said to the Council.
Sullivan said the resolution will just allow the base to explore its options. Ward 1 Councilor Mary Ann Babinski asked whether the Airport Commission would work this out with the ANG, and whether abutters would be notified. Sullivan said this vote would just allow them to get to the next piece.
At-Large Councilor Dave Flaherty asked whether the city had determined the market value of the land. Sullivan responded that it’s on the outside of the gate, but still falls within the FAA. He said that considering the millions of dollars the ANG brings into the city, the gate should be upgraded.
In the discussion during the meeting, Ward 2 Councilor Ralph J. Figy moved to suspend the rules for immediate consideration and for a motion to approve the resolution.
“I’m voting to approve this because of my understanding of what the words `to explore’ mean,” said Babinski.
“I think it’s important that the full Council supports this. The 104th protects all of us. One-third of the wealth of America is protected by the Air National Guard,” said Ward 6 Councilor William Onyski, before the resolution was unanimously approved.
“I personally support the AF to the nth degree, and speaking for every member of the Council, we thank you for what you do for us,” added At-Large Councilor Cindy C. Harris to Colonel Green.
