WESTFIELD – During the public participation portion of Thursday’s meeting, a resident of Broad Street using a sign language interpreter came forward to speak about second hand smoke. The resident, who preferred not to have his name in the paper, previously spoke in favor of the increased smoking ban on all city-owned properties. He said in his apartment building, people smoke in the doorway, and it drifts up into the windows. He said his landlord spoke to him about smoker’s rights when he spoke to him about it.
The resident said this was disrespecting his rights, and asked whether if he is exposed to carcinogens and gets sick, he could sue. He also said the law keeping people so many feet from an entrance should be followed whether it’s a private building or a public building.
Matthew Roman also spoke to give a “Senior Snoopers” update, first thanking City Clerk Karen M. Fanion for the “fine, professional, election setup.” He said he hopes the incumbents and newly elected officials will do a good job. “We’ll be watching,” Roman said.
Toledo Avenue resident Wade M. Rivest during the public hearing on Thursday.
A public hearing was also held on an application for a license submitted by J. Dog Junk Removal and Hauling at 30 Toledo Avenue by owner Wade M. Rivest. During his presentation, Rivest said that despite the name, he is not planning to turn his property into a junkyard.
He said he will be part of a national franchise that is 100% veteran owned, which will be in the business of cleaning out houses, garages, etc. and taking items to a recycling plant and landfill, and others to be refurbished and sold. He said he is looking to service all the area sites, and to hire veterans.
“So, are you saying you’re not going to store any junk on your property?” asked Ward 3 Councilor Andrew K. Surprise.
Rivest said any item to be refurbished will be stored in a storage shed. Surprise also asked whether his address would then be office space as a place of business, which Rivest said it would.
At-large Councilor Dan Allie asked where the refurbishing would take place. Rivest said mostly at his storage area, or at a local shop that does similar work. He said he would hire a part-time employee to help with that part of the business.
“I’m 100% for this veteran opportunity for business. I support it and will continue to support it,” said At-Large Councilor Cindy C. Harris.
Ward 6 Councilor William Onyski asked what vehicle would be parked at his property, and Rivest answered that he would park a Ram 2500 diesel that would be his daily driver at his house. “As far as the trailers, either at my residence or on a friend’s private land,” Rivest said. He also said he was interested in asking an area business (T.J. Maxx) whether he could park his trailer there.
Rivest said one goal of the franchise is to keep a clean-cut military-type look to it.
Allie asked whether Rivest had ever been in business before. Rivest answered that during his military service, he was working on mobility and guidance equipment for 11 years. He said as far as the junk removal aspect, he was “pretty green.”
Ward 2 Councilor Ralph J. Figy said he was concerned about storage of trailers on the property, and asked whether he had an adequate driveway to keep it on. Rivest said the neighborhood on Toledo Avenue is spread out, with at least 200 feet between his driveway and his neighbor’s.
“I appreciate anyone who wants to deal with the junk we don’t want, and recycle, reuse or restore,” said Ward 1 Councilor Mary Ann Babinski. She said the business would have a positive impact and offer relief to landfills.
After thanking Rivest for his service, the application was referred to the License Committee.
