WESTFIELD – William Carellas remains chair of the Planning Board and Cheryl Crowe as vice chair following the Jan. 21 election of officers.
John Bowen is the new representative on the Community Preservation Committee, and Richard Salois will be the alternate. Bernard Puza also volunteered to serve as the representative on the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Board.
In other business, the Board signed off on a property subdivision at 49 Feeding Hills Road into three lots. The ANR did not require approval under subdivision laws.
A public hearing for Wal-Mart’s grocery pickup plan was continued until an upcoming meeting, at the company’s request.
A lighting compliance review for Roots Athletic Center was continue to Feb. 4 due to the owner being out of town. Crowe, who served as chair pro tem at the meeting, said the company would be given one more opportunity to attend the review.
Two zoning amendment proposals were discussed by the Planning Board; one for a 500-foot buffer from parks for marijuana establishments, and one to add grading on site plans as a required part of the building permit are facing expiration on the 90-day clock from their public hearings in the City Council.
City Planner Jay Vinskey said both amendments could be resubmitted, the 500 foot buffer for the third time, and start the process over again. The consensus on the Planning Board was to resubmit identical proposals for the Feb. 6 City Council meeting.
During public participation at the start of the meeting, Salois spoke about city water that he had sent out for testing to a chemist. He said although the four compounds had tested non-detect or below limits, he asked whether the water should be tested by the city for other compounds, such as lead.
At the end of the meeting, Salois asked if action could be taken on his request. Vinskey said questions could be submitted to him, and the matter put on the next agenda for discussion.
