WESTFIELD–Tempers flared and concerns were raised about taxes going up for residents during last night’s city council meeting.
The Westfield City Council met Thursday evening and discussed and voted on, among other topics, the recent hot button issue of union contracts with the city. There were a total of seven contracts that the city council had to vote on that were previously negotiated by Mayor Brian Sullivan, all with raises built in over the three-year term of the contracts. These raises are what caught the ire of some councilors, since the raises the first year were factored into this year’s budget, but some councilors believed there was a lack of factoring in those raises for the next two years.
The contracts up for vote included ones for Westfield Police, Westfield Fire, crossing guards, clerical workers and municipal employees. The raises were cited as 6 percent over three years for all except the Westfield Fire Department supervisors, which would be 5 percent.
City Councilor David Flaherty
“We don’t know everything, we don’t know all the facts,” At-Large City Councilor Dave Flaherty said during the meeting. “What are the true numbers? What are the costs?”
Flaherty spoke about the unknown amount of money that would be needed to pay for the raises and how the council needed further information before voting “yes.” He also cited a total of $2.1 to $2.4 million as a possible total cost to taxpayers over the life of the contracts if the council approved. This was based on speculation from the first year’s total, which was the only number provided regarding raises to the council by the mayor’s office.
“Trees are falling on people, roads need to be fixed, we’re laying off people,” Flaherty said. “We have to say ‘no’ at some point.”
At-Large City Councilor Steve Dondley defended Mayor Sullivan’s management of the contracts, however.
“I see him as a mayor that’s very conscious of our financial issues,” Dondley said. “I feel the mayor did a great job and the unions worked well with him. I am absolutely in favor of these contracts.”
City Councilor Steve Dondley
At-Large Councilor Daniel Knapik also supported Sullivan’s negotiations, adding that the risk of not approving the contracts is that the two sides go back to mediation, which could lengthen the process and potentially cost more money. He also wanted to get the votes in and move on to other topics.
“Mayor’s job is to take all these issues, city council votes ‘yes’ or ‘no’,” he said. “I would simply say let’s take a vote.”
Flaherty disagreed, though.
“We’re here to debate,” he said. “If we don’t debate we may as well not show up.”
City Councilor Daniel Knapik
Other councilors spoke up, with Ward 3 Councilor Andrew Surprise, Ward 4 Councilor Mary O’Connell and At-Large Councilor Dan Allie all speaking out against the raises. Each of the councilors said that the groups each deserved raises but voiced their concerns about the possibility of taxes being raised again.
Other councilors spoke in favor of the raises though, including At-Large Councilor and City Council President Brent Bean, II, who stepped down from his position as president to comment during the debate.
“Don’t forget, there’s a lot of big projects we bond over,” Bean said. “It’s okay to upgrade Bullens Field but we can’t give raises to city employees?”
After further debate, a roll call vote was called on the first contract–the Westfield Crossing Guards–and during the vote Flaherty announced he would abstain.
Knapik became visibly frustrated with this and spoke out.
“We’re in legal session, take a vote,” Knapik exclaimed to Flaherty.
“Take me to court and sue me, then,” Flaherty said back.
This exchange drew an exasperated plea from Ward 2 Councilor Ralph Figy.
“Oh, will we stop it,” Figy shouted.
Council President Bean demanded order and continued the vote. The votes were tallied and found nine in favor of the crossing guard contract, three against and one abstaining.
City Council President Brent Bean, II
This would be the same count for the Westfield Fire Department Supervisors, Westield Police Officers Coalition, AFSCME 35 Clerical Unit, superior police officers and professional municipal employees contracts.
All of the contracts passed except one, which was for city foremen. This one was sent back to a committee for further discussion.
For the rest of the votes, there was discussion but debate was at a minimum. In other actions by city council, they passed on two parcels of land for purchase, OKed two businesses to be sent to the license committee to move forward with their proposals, approved two crosswalks, one at Abner Gibbs School at Day Avenue and another at North Elm Street in front of Westfield Electroplating Company, reappointed William Carellas as a member of the planning board, appointed Mark Goodniss to the flood control commission and also heard discussion about bicycle safety and the Columbia Rail Trail.
The next city council meeting is Oct. 6, at 7 p.m. at city hall.
