Ward 4 councilor Mary O’Connell
On Tuesday, January 31 at 7 PM there will be a Public Hearing held regarding the Western Avenue/Court Street Construction Project. If you have views on this project either pro or con, PLEASE attend this most important meeting. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation site indicates that “The proposed project consists of reconstructing and widening Court Street and Western Avenue from Llewellyn Drive to Lloyds Hills Road, to provide wide shoulders and added turning lanes; upgrading the traffic signals at the intersection of Western Avenue and Westwood Drive/WSU commuter parking lot; and constructing a multi use path along Western Avenue and Lloyds Hill Road.” There will be a lot of information provided that night. This construction project is vast and will affect the neighborhood as well as the entire City It will be held at the south Middle School and again, it will begin at 7 PM.
The School Committee’s Finance subcommittee held a most informative and inter active meeting this week on the topic of redistricting and by connection-the stalled proposed school project.It was really heartening to see so many folks turnout for this gathering. Many took the opportunity to offer their opinions on the challenge of school finances and redistricting solutions.Some speakers at this meeting supported the idea of eliminating the proposed new school plan and starting over with a more realistic goal. If we truly care about our students, we need to work together to find a solution. The clock is ticking and we need to go to Plan B as quickly as possible.
The Purple Heart Trail Project is close to completion. With cooperation and teamwork, we were able to raise funds and purchase and install the signs along the trial route. With excess funds we are looking into installing a drinking fountain in Parker Park. I’d like to thank Don Wielgus and the American Legion Post 454 for all their hard work to make this project successful. I appreciate the fact that the City Council voted unanimously to approve a Resolution designating the Purple Heart Trail. The Mayor issued a required Mayoral Proclamation to finalize the project and I appreciate this also.
I was at the most recent Planning Board meeting and must give a shut out to Board member Jane Magarian for showing courage in leading the questions to applicant Roots Athletic Center as to construction deadlines and conditions of their new indoor soccer facility on Root Road. The Planning Board did vote 5-1 to support his request to allow the building Inspector to award a temporary Occupancy Certificate to him if she deems that appropriate.
Plans are being formulated for this year’s 2017 Stanley Park Annual Gala, Pathways to Colonial Times-Saturday September 9, 2017. The event will be a bit different from others as the ticket price will be reduced to a more attractiveamount and there will be heavy hors d’oeuvres rather than a formal dinner. Please mark calendars for this most important event.
Mary O’Connell
Ward Four, Westfield City Council
