I own a small business in Westfield. I am responding to the three Letters to the Editor about the BID and the potential dissolvement. In my opinion, the BID should never have been able to vote to force non-members to pay the BID fee. As an optional program, for those businesses who want to participate, I have no problem with the BID, and they’ve done some very nice things. However, it’s unconscionable to force every business in the BID footprint to join and pay. Many businesses in the footprint receive little to no benefit, and should not be forced to join an organization that they don’t want to belong to. These businesses already pay high property taxes. Those taxes should pay for basic city services. Concerts, events, and special programs can be managed by the Chamber of Commerce, Westfield on Weekends, Run Westfield, or other similar groups. Westfield should be encouraging businesses to move into downtown. The mandatory BID fee raises their operating costs and reduces profit margins (which are already very thin for many business owners). The BID fee will certainly make it harder to attract and retain businesses. If my business was in the BID footprint, I’d certainly be considering moving. As a business owner, I support my colleagues who want to dissolve the BID. Due to a provision in a state law signed in August of 2012, property owners within the BID boundaries who chose to opt out of the once-voluntary organization are now mandated to become members. For more on this read: https://thewestfieldnews.com/business-community-reacts-bid-challenge
I had to tell my story about going to the police department to get my dog license today! When I arrived I was told to have a seat “no Problem” I sat down as I sat there for only a few seconds I noticed that the seat was saturated with urine !! DISGUSTING!!! the four chairs that are at the Westfield Police station are from the 70;s just by looking at them Filthy germ invested fabric !I totally understand that all walks of life end up there. BUT! I would think that a city could afford four new chairs that aren’t made of fabric. PLEASE throw out these disgusting things even if you buy plastic patio chairs. At this point nothing to sit on would be better. This has no reflection of our great police force they do a great job ! However who ever made the WRONG decision to stop the city hall from giving out dog licenses. Should RETHINK !!!thanks
When driving down Western Avenue, which I do every day, I’m thinking to myself, “What am I paying this excise tax for? For these fantastic roads which are in such great shape?” Unbelievable.
Hi. We have a few concerns about the location of the proposed site of the bike trail ramp on East Silver Street. This proposed ramp is on the east side of the railroad tracks. Vehicles traveling east on East Silver Street will not have a clear vision of people exiting the trail ramp. This street is heavily travelled by cars, tractor-trailers, pedestrians, and so forth. More planning is needed to go into this project. If you live in that area and hear a tractor-trailer hitting the bridge, you know what shaking is all about, whether it is you shaking or the walls in your house. PS – thank you PulseLine for taking this call. PPS – will the train bridge be removed after 40 years of non-service? Good day.
