The Green has undergone dramatic changes in the last few years. The decision Westfield made to remove all existing trees and replant has been shocking and drastic. However, we have the parcel of land in the center of our city and, whether you love it or hate it, it is a focal point of Westfield. It is a shame that the condition of the plantings including dying bushes and trees and overgrown mulched areas have been allowed to continue. The condition of this prime piece of real estate is appalling and the City must resolve to maintain and care for this area. I walked the green recently with our City Engineer and we viewed the deterioration. A picture is word 1,000 words. Please note the condition yourselves.
At our last meeting Council voted to request city officials to “give a report relative to the condition of trees and bushes on The Green, also known as Park Square”. I did receive this report this week and it will be coming out to the full council once the sub-committee I chair, Natural Resources, meets to review this document. In summary the report read “Weeding is in need to the extent that a significant effort will be required to restore the beds to their intended condition including planting areas in front of the shrubs and suitable plant material”. In addition, “A joint effort of DPW, Off-Street Parking, as well as Engineering and Vocational High School, has been assigned an effort to evaluate and establish an action plan for planting, watering, weeding, and fertilizing planted areas and objects throughout the city”. I met with the acting head of the DPW and he also confirmed that all dead shrubs and trees will be removed and replaced. His department is conducting an inventory of all of the hanging plants and stationary planters in the downtown area so they will be prepared to supervise plantings next spring.
The big news for the Juniper Park students is that the ad hoc committee formed by the School Committee has been meeting and reviewing options for student relocation. The process is still fluid but the choices range from leasing the Russell Elementary School, utilizing the grounds and facilities of the Westfield Boys and Girls Club with some modular classrooms, and using modular classrooms at South Middle, Franklin, or Highland. According to the School Superintendent the decision for the future site should be determined by the end of this month.
With winter approaching we are told that gas and electric rates will be sharply increasing. It is time to put the brakes on constant rate increases. The Westfield Gas and Electric collects funds from its ratepayers monthly for deposit in an interest earning Reserve Trust totaling well over $23 million. The average customer cannot save a dime and has had to cut back on everything to simply keep above ground. The Westfield Gas and Electric needs to acknowledge this struggle and absorb any legitimate increases in gas and electric costs this coming heating season. After all, this Reserve is ratepayer money, sort of like our savings account. I have contacted every member of the Gas and Electric Commission urging them to take this approach (using this reserve) to alleviate the burden of steep utility rate increases this 2014/2015 winter season. I hope you will do the same. You can access the Commissioners contact information from the Westfield Gas and Electric web site. www.wgeld.org
The Neighborhood Advisory Board (NAB) met this past month on September 15 and we had an extremely substantial agenda. The mission of the Neighborhood Advisory Board (NAB) is to promote positive relationships and mutual respect between the Westfield State University community and the residents of the neighborhoods impacted by university operations. The topics discussed included students smoking tobacco products and marijuana within the Western Avenue neighborhoods, the response to the City of Westfield’s recent request that WSU reconsider their agreement regarding rental of Juniper Park School, (they are not cancelling the agreement), Westfield State’s new science building, and ideas for expanding exposure of NAB including a possible monthly newsletter during the academic year. The next meeting will take place next month. If you have specific concerns that you would like the university to address please contact one of the board members. The full list is on WSU’s website but some of the other members are Councilors Figy and Hoose, Ken Magarian, Brent Bean and Bob Plasse all of Westfield State.
Special thanks go to The Historical Commission and especially Cindy Gaylord for another successful Mechanic Street Cemetery Tour fundraiser. It was incredibly educational and entertaining. The volunteers, portraying many of the early residents of our city were so professional and depicted their subjects well. The funds raised from these tours will be used to preserve and to maintain the cemetery. The Old Burial Grounds was originated in 1600s with the original entrance on Main Street. In the early 1800s the cemetery was enlarged and a Mechanic Street entrance was added. The city’s website has more detailed information on this burial ground (go to Boards and Commissions and then click on Historical Commission).
Ward 4 had a huge surprise this week. Apparently the DPW decided that it would be a wonderful idea to paint a double yellow line down Honey Pot Road at 3 a.m. this past week. I had requested that the DPW cut back some of the overhanging tree branches on the street many weeks ago. That, to date has not been done, yet the city has felt compelled to paint these ghastly double lines along one of the most scenic, rural roads in our city. You cannot make this up. I have received calls from my constituents on Honey Pot. Jim Parker had much to say and this is part of his email (printed with his permission):
Mary; We got quite a surprise when we came home last night. Neighbors said the painting took place early (3-5 a.m.) Tuesday morning with Sate Police cruisers managing traffic and a large truck with large crew doing the painting/work. I suspect this work cost a lot of taxpayer dollars. What a waste! You need to come see this for yourself. And you wonder why taxpayers have no confidence in municipal officials when they spend money on projects (clock towers, The Green, etc.) like this! The double yellow line ruins the country look and feel of Honey Pot Rd. A 25 mph speed limit sign at each end of the road would have been much cheaper. Stupid, stupid, stupid!
I have been in touch with the DPW over this mistake and they have acknowledged that the lines were painted in error. The contractor hired by the city was to “refresh” currently painted lines but somehow Honey Pot was placed on the city’s list for them to line. It is frustrating and now, until we figure out a solution, this intrusion is something we must live with.
Have a wonderful fall season and please remember to mark your calendars for Election Day, November 4.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of this publication.
