WESTFIELD – Residents turned out at the City Council meeting for several public hearings which ended up being continued to August 24, the next scheduled City Council meeting. The majority of residents were present for the application submitted by Rob Levesque for a zone change at 397 Little River Road from Residence A and Rural Residence to Business A for his client Mumeeb “Moon” Mahmood, who is interested in putting in a gas station on the property.
Katherine Tansey of Little River Road spoke against the zone change for a proposed gas station. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Katharine Tansey of 324 Little River Road read a prepared statement during the public participation portion of the meeting, after Ward 4 Councilor Mary O’Connell, who was serving as president pro temp in place of Brent B. Bean, II, determined whether it would be appropriate to do so. O’Connell said that it would be important for residents who were there to attend the rescheduled public hearing, but that it was appropriate to speak during public participation also.
Tansey said that she is opposed to the zone change for the precise reason that it is Residence A and Rural Residence, and that she did not wish to see it become a mixed use area. She said there were already sufficient gas stations within easy access, and implored the councilors not to allow the “piecemeal disintegration” of the neighborhood.
“Not every decision needs to be made on dollars and cents,” Tansey said, adding that homeowners deserve equal treatment.
George Aylward of 356 Little River Road also spoke against the proposal for the zone change, saying it would have a negative impact on the quality of life in the neighborhood. Aylward said there were ample opportunities for the business owner to expand his business.
Another resident asked why the public hearing was on the agenda if it was not going to be discussed. O’Connell responded that public hearings are often continued by request for various reasons, and advised residents to call the clerk’s office a day or two before the meeting to check whether it would be held.
Joann Barnes spoke in favor of heavy truck exclusion on Paper Mill Road. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Cynthia Murphy of 7 State Street came forward to “strongly object” to the zoning change at 95 Main Street and 4 Taylor Avenue from Commercial A and Residence C to Business A to accommodate a Dunkin Donuts. Murphy said while she supports the business, there are too many children in the neighborhood and a potential elementary school coming, referring to the Ashley Street School project. This public hearing was also continued by a vote of the City Council.
Joann Barnes of 81 Paper Mill Road spoke in favor of heavy truck exclusion on Paper Mill Road, which Police Chief John Camerota brought forward with a positive recommendation from the Traffic Commission. Barnes said she would appreciate the councilors’ efforts in support of the exclusion.
During the meeting, Ward 6 Councilor William Onyski said the process to bring forward the recommendation had been a tedious one that he had been involved with for a year and a half. He said he would support sending the matter to the Legislative & Ordinance Committee to work out the details, which was voted by the council.
“This is a long time coming. I’m going to support it,” Onyski said of the heavy truck exclusion on Paper Mill Road.
