Mary Ann Babinski
Welcome to June, the month that will not only usher in the beginning of summer, but also find special occasions, events, and important public meetings competing to fill the days in your calendar. Combined with your regularly scheduled commitments, they would no doubt make June a very busy month for many. With all the goings on in your life, I hope that you will still be able to find time to attend some very important meetings that will be taking place this month. Opportunities to listen, learn and in many cases offer your input on matters dealing with the 2018 City Budget, Eversource’s Westfield Reliability Project, Westfield’s Open Space & Recreation Plan update, and perhaps a Natural Resources Committee meeting.
The 2018 budget hearings will take place on June 12 at 5:00 pm; June 13, 15, 19, and 21 at 6:00 pm; and June 22 at 7:00 pm. Check the city’s website for a list of departments appearing before the Finance Committee. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to learn about this decision-making process. The Public Hearing on June 21 will allow residents to ask questions and give feedback.
On June 15, 2017, an Open House has been scheduled by Eversource Energy to take place at the Westfield High School Cafeteria. The event is related to Eversource’s Reliability Project at the Atwater Substation near Sadie Knox & Oakdale Avenue and the Brick Pond Substation off of Summit Lock Rd/Medeiros Way.The project includes a new switching station, new overhead transmission lines and the installation of a few new poles. Interested residents are invited to drop in between 6 – 8 p.m. when Eversource project team members will be available to provide information and answer your questions. I encourage property owners, tenants, business owners and local officials to take advantage of this opportunity to learn about the project. Please share information with friends and neighbors. Community outreach will continue from 2017 until the fourth quarter of 2019. If you have further questions at any time, you can email [email protected] or call 800-793-2202.
On June 21, 2017, at the North Middle School Cafeteria and on June 22, 2017, at the South Middle School Cafeteria.there will be opportunities for residents to be involved in Public Visioning Sessions for Westfield’s Open Space & Recreation Plan. Both sessions will run from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. All are welcome to attend the session that works best for their schedule. The larger and more diverse the group, the greater the number of ideas generated and shared. So come on down and bring a friend.
The City of Westfield’s 2010 Open Space & Recreation Plan is being reviewed and updated. I participated in the initial meetings along with the Planning Department, a representative from the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, city officials and residents. Details about the 2017 update can be found at: http://www.cityofwestfield.org/202/Open-Space-Recreation-Plan. As mentioned on the city website: “Open space and recreation planning considers many aspects of land use throughout the City… This planning effort will help identify which of these resources and values are important for Westfield, and how we might ensure they will be available for future generations.” The City’s current and expiring 2010 Open Space & Recreation Plan (2010) can be found at http://www.cityofwestfield.org/DocumentCenter/View/4808 for your review.
An Open Space & Recreation Survey will be available online and in paper format at the City’s Planning office to enable residents to give input. Please pass the word about the survey to family, friends and neighbors. If you can’t make the visioning session, this is another excellent way to share your thoughts and ideas. Surveys work best, and the results are more meaningful, when a large number of people participate.
Questions about the visioning sessions, survey or project in general can be directed to: Jay Vinskey, City Planner, 413-642-9307 [email protected] or Jaimye Bartak, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, at 413-781-6045
NRC updates: The Natural Resources Committee (NRC) continued discussions related to strengthening the Water Resource Protection District Zoning Ordinance in May. The protection of our drinking water is a top priority. At the May 9, 2017, meeting, the NRC reviewed the Barnes Aquifer Protection Advisory Committee’s (BAPAC) letter of recommendations for modifications to the ordinance. The NRC voted to keep the item in committee to allow time to gather more information and answer questions related to impervious surfaces, prohibited uses, performance standards, and ordinance enforcement. The minutes to that meeting can be found on the Agenda Center under City Council Committees.
The NRC met on May 30, 2017. Feedback from the City Planner , the Law Department, the BAPAC facilitator and the Engineering Department was discussed. Since there’s more work to be done, the NRC will continue discussions later in the month at a date to be determined.
A motion, suggested at a previous NRC meeting was on the June 1 City Council agenda. It requested a 3 year moratorium on the use of scrap tire derived materials on any publicly owned and/or managed land, of any size, within City limits. The council voted to refer the request to Natural Resources, the Law Department and the Health Department. Other communities in Massachusetts and across the country have passed similar moratoriums because studies regarding possible health and safety issues are still being conducted by the EPA, CDC, and the CPSC. The resolution will be discussed and brought back to the city council for a vote.
As always, I encourage you to reach out to me with your questions or concerns: [email protected] or 413-568-8562
Sincerely,
Mary Ann Babinski, Ward 1 City Councilor
