WESTFIELD – On Tuesday, the Legislative & Ordinance (L&O) subcommittee discussed a motion by Councilors Brent B. Bean, II and John J. Beltrandi, III to move the start time of the regularly scheduled City Council meeting from 7:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays.
Ward Two Councilor Ralph J. Figy
L&O chairman Ralph J. Figy said he wanted to bring the motion out of subcommittee as written to be discussed by the whole City Council on Thursday, to see whether the Council wants to proceed with the change. Figy said if the City Council is in favor, he would send it back to L&O to rewrite the ordinance.
L&O member Nicholas J. Morganelli, Jr. said the last time that he served on the City Council (2008 to 2012); the meetings started at 7:30 p.m. and were moved back to 7:00 p.m. He said there was some opposition to that change at the time. He also said he was concerned about the impact on public participation in the meetings.
At-Large City Councilor Brent B. Bean, II.
Figy asked Bean to speak about his motion. “There’s a lot of sitting around from 6 to 7 p.m.,” Bean said. He said with subcommittees meeting on the same night as the City Council and due to extended public participation, meetings can go late, and he didn’t think meetings should go beyond 10 p.m. Bean also said Mayor Brian P. Sullivan was willing to begin his briefing at 6:15 p.m. instead of 6:30 p.m.
Figy said that L&O member William Onyski, who was not able to be present at Tuesday’s meeting, was in favor of changing the start time. “I think there’s a reason for all the councilors to have feelings on it. Each should be heard,” Figy said.
At-Large City Councilor Cindy C. Harris
Personnel Action Committee (PAC) Chairman Cindy C. Harris said that her meeting was traditionally held immediately before the City Council meeting, as many of the candidates being recommended for hire and appointments come to the City Council meeting afterwards. Harris said she could accommodate the time frame, but would not change the day of her meeting. Harris also said that other subcommittees have reasons to meet right before the City Council meets.
First Assistant City Solicitor Shanna R. Reed said she has a concern about subcommittees copying their agendas in total onto the City Council agenda, because the meetings have not yet been held, causing an expectation that items will be discussed at Council. “Our advice was to have subcommittee meetings a week before,” Reed said.
At-Large City Councilor Dan Allie
At-Large Councilor Dan Allie said that he works all day in a plant, and has to fight traffic, the “Big E and the South End bridge” to get to the meetings. “For anyone who has to travel to get back to Westfield, it gets tough,” Allie said, adding, “I question the purpose of changing the meeting.”
Morganelli said he arrives at the Council meetings at 6 p.m. in order to prepare. He also said the public participation is totally controlled by the Council and the Council president. “If they’re rambling on, get to the point,” Morganelli said.
Ward 1 Councilor Mary Ann Babinski said she agreed with avoiding having subcommittee meetings on the same night as the City Council. “My concern is for residents, too. If meetings run too long, they may not want to stay that late,” Babinski said. She asked whether they could compromise by asking the Mayor to be available during the first part of the City Council meeting that covers items from the mayor, instead of holding a briefing in advance of the meeting. She also asked whether the meetings could begin at 6:45 p.m.
Ward One City Councilor Mary Ann Babinski
“What if we limit the time the meeting can run until,” asked Ward 3 Councilor Andrew K. Surprise.
Figy said he would investigate that question with Reed.
“These are all legitimate arguments,” Bean said, adding that he understood traffic considerations. “I don’t’ want to put people out. If someone can’t get there, that’s a whole other discussion. The last six to twelve meetings, there’s been a lot of down time and people sitting around. That’s why I brought it out,” Bean said.
Figy suggested sending the motion to the City Council.
2017 City Council At-Large candidate Nick Morganelli.
“I say we table it here, and anyone who wants to make a comment may come to the next meeting,” Morganelli said, adding that only eight of the thirteen councilors were present.
“We can’t limit discussion of this at the City Council meeting. Residents will see it on the agenda. Not every councilor is going to make it to all these meetings,” Babinski said.
“You’re never going to be able to stop (the discussion),” Figy said. He did say by Council rules, the discussion can be limited to 5 minutes, and allowing each councilor two times to speak. “I think we should bring it out for a vote, up or down,” Figy said.
After further discussion, Morganelli made a motion to send it back with a negative recommendation, which Figy voted against. The matter will go back to the Council this Thursday with a 1-1 negative recommendation from L&O.
In other business, a motion for a traffic light on the intersection of Ridgecrest Drive and Little River Road to be investigated was referred to the Traffic Commission. Reed said an item being referred to Traffic should not be sent to L&O. Reed said the discussion should start in the executive branch.
Similarly, a motion to rescind the no parking spaces in front of the old Senior Center on Main Street was referred to the Traffic Commission. Figy said it had never been properly referred to Traffic.
Finally, an order transferring care, custody, management and control of the Twiss Street Transfer Station from the Board of Health to the Board of Public Works was rescinded. “They were looking at privatization,” Figy said, adding that it was not cost effective, and “the Board of Health is keeping it.”
