WESTFIELD–The Traffic Commission is looking for a new member, after they announced during their meeting Wednesday that one of their members has resigned.
Westfield Police Chief and Traffic Commission Chairperson John Camerota announced Wednesday evening during the commission’s meeting that Thomas Liptak, business community representative on the Commission, resigned. The commission is now seeking to replace Liptak with another business community representative, who will have to be appointed by Mayor Brian Sullivan.
“We talked about getting someone in the business community,” Sullivan said of the vacant commission position.
According to Sullivan, during business tours of the city he and his staff often hear concerns or comments about safety.
“More often than not traffic and safety comes up,” he said. “We figure businesses should be represented.”
Camerota said Liptak had been on the commission since March 2004, which was when it was first formed. The commission, according to Camerota, was created as an expansion of people from the community to assist in reviewing and studying issues related to traffic, such as signage, lights and safety.
From the city’s website: “The Traffic Commission’s duty is to assist in the preparation of traffic analysis and reports, field questions and complaints regarding traffic, and recommend ways to improve traffic and traffic safety within the city.”
From these efforts, the Traffic Commission may make recommendations to the City Council for additional action.
“The whole commission is under-recognized but extremely important,” Sullivan said.
If you are interested in serving on the commission, Sullivan said that a written request should be addressed to him at City Hall, at 59 Court St., in Westfield.
