The candidates for Ward 5 City Councilor assemble for the candidates forum at the Westfield Senior Center on Thursday evening. Seen left to right are, Bob Paul and Les Lefebvre. (Photo by Lynn Boscher)
Incumbent Robert A. Paul, Sr. and first-time candidate Leslie Daniel LeFebvre participated in the Ward 5 candidate forum on Thursday, immediately following the School Committee forum.
In his opening statement, Paul got personal, beginning with, “It’s interesting that we’re at the Senior Center, because I’m a senior.” He added that he appreciated the work that went into putting together the forums. Paul said he came to Westfield in 1972 to open a company. He has been married to his wife Chris for 53 years, and has four sons, all educated in Westfield Public Schools. He said they all graduated, did well and went to university.
LeFebvre said he has been a resident of Westfield all his life, and was educated in the Westfield Public Schools. He went through basic training in the U.S. Army, and then went to college for mechanical engineering, earning an M.B.A. from Western New England University. He said he is also a Post 124 veteran. LeFebvre described himself as a successful engineering manager in new projects and new designs. He has family in town, and his wife is a retired teacher, he said.
Moderator Patrick Berry of The Westfield News asked both candidates what they believe are the three most important concerns facing Ward 5. LeFebvre said infrastructure, which is always important. He said he would like to promote business within the ward, to help with taxes. Third, he named sewers, saying he would like to get them to residents that don’t have them. He said he’s lived on the same street for 43 years, and hasn’t “seen a sewer yet.”
Paul said when he talks to Ward 5 residents they tell him he has the family values and business success, but “get me value for my tax dollars. I’ve been here 20, 30, 40 years. Where are my sewers and infrastructure? Give me the infrastructure I pay for.” Paul said the most important thing is doing the job, taking care of everybody, and finding a way to work with the City Council and Mayor in partnership.
The two candidates were then asked what the top priority was for the city as a whole, why and how they would address it. Paul said the biggest issue the city has is getting the value for “our” tax dollar in the town, and in the streets. He said on the sewer issue, he worked out a way by putting together a Bond that was paid for by sewer fees. He said the biggest other issue was internet for the city, adding that now Westfield has the most significant Broadband in the area.
LeFebvre said he believes the school budget is the biggest issue. He said as a project manager for 30 years, he has worked on plenty of budgets, and knows how to manage the budget of the school system and any money being spent improperly. He said he believes the City Council should micromanage where the expenditures are going.
Berry said the Ward 5 portion of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail was the first completed, and asked both candidates how important they feel the final completion of the rail trail is to the development and success of Westfield. LeFebvre said the rail trail is very successful. He said he lives right near it, and can see it from his house. “I think it’s very important for the city; something for people to do in town and get exercise,” he said, adding that it will be great when they continue it into Northampton and all the way down to CT.
“The Rail Trail is part of a value proposition to differentiate our city,” Paul said. He said the first thing he did was put in a blinking light and a button to push at the intersection on Shaker Road where traffic goes 40 mph, which he said provides safety and help to the people who use it.
Paul was then asked what are his biggest accomplishments in Ward 5 since being elected. He said as a ward councilor, he is responsible for being an advocate for that ward. He said as a ward person, you get every at-large councilor saying, you’ve got a problem. Call the ward councilor. “That’s been my priority, advocating for everyone in it. Ward 5 pays hefty taxes,” he said. He is also addressing a lack of air conditioning in some rooms in Munger Hill, he said.
LeFebvre was asked what one thing he would want to accomplish for Ward 5 if elected. He answered that the first thing would be to be known as an active, demanding person who is a good manager. He said he’s proud of Westfield. “When residents of Ward 5 ask me a question, I’ll make sure I get the answer. I want to be the voice of my ward,” he said.
Asked what are the biggest needs of Ward 5 not being met, LeFebvre repeated that his area near Shaker Road does not yet have sewers. He said plowing is one of the things the city has to always try to do, as well as keep the infrastructure completely cleared in the winter.
Paul said his biggest Ward 5 disappointment in terms of goals not yet achieved was the stormwater work. He said they came up with a plan a couple of years ago for sewers and pump station, but the stormwater part didn’t go through. Paul said with stormwater improvements, the entire street gets redone. He plans to work on another $20 million bond that will be repaid from stormwater fees of $50 per year.
When asked how to balance the expense needs of the city with the vocal opposition to ever-increasing taxes, Paul answered that last year, residential taxes were not raised. He said that was due to efficiencies in the budget. He said he went back with help from President Brent Bean and found out that $2 million in Free Cash was being spent on prior year’s bills. “Taxes are not going up 6%. We’ve got cash coming in, and the Mayor, who came up with $1.5 million in efficiencies. We’ll be lucky if we get near a 2% increase,” Paul said,
In response to the same question, LeFebvre said, as a manager, you have to look elsewhere for revenue. “We have to be more micromanagers,” he said, adding that while the School Committee has to pay for salaries. “We might have to divert funding. We have to find ways to find more revenue through micromanaging,” he repeated.
Both candidates were asked how to justify improvements to Munger Hill elementary, one of the newest school buildings in the city, when others are much older and in greater need. LeFebvre said no matter how new or old a building is, there are always going to be maintenance costs. “There is no difference, as far as monthly maintenance costs. Older schools need to meet minimum state requirements,” he said.
Paul said Munger Hill is the only school in Ward 5, and half a dozen classrooms don’t have air conditioning. He said every six months, he holds a communications meeting at Munger Hill, where he said the PTO and teachers work together to make the school look good. “It’s like a community school. They take good care of it. The issue in Ward 5 is we want to see the money spent to put technology in these schools,” Paul said.
Another individual question to Paul was about the perception of the City Council as very divided and getting worse every year. “Is that a fair assessment, and what have you done to improve relations among the councilors?” Berry asked.
Paul said the City Council has its little clubs, and sometimes it seems one side votes one way, and one votes the other, although he added maybe all cities are like that. “The Finance Committee I’m thrilled about,” said Paul, who serves as its chair. “We come together to get the right things done,” he added.
LeFebvre was asked what department heads he’s met with to better understand that department’s budget and what has he learned. LeFebvre said he has met with (Councilors) Brent Bean and Cindy Harris, and talked to them about the city’s budget.
Berry asked both candidates whether the tax shift between the residential and commercial tax rate is fair, noting that Ward 5 residents pay among the highest property taxes in the city. “I think it’s fair, LeFebvre said. The property tax is based on the value of homes. “Of course, we should pay more taxes,” he added.
“I think at this point the tax shift is fair,” Paul said, adding that the commercial side is more prosperous and house values are rising. He said a couple of points one way or the other wouldn’t make much difference.
Paul was then asked how his experience in business has helped him on the City Council. He said a lot of the councilors have opened businesses or worked in business. “I’ve had the opportunity to do that all over the world. If you can’t solve a problem, there isn’t one,” he said. He said for him, the work of business is coming up with answers. “More efficient, more effective – grow the business. Here is the solution and the remedy. There aren’t any excuses in the business world,” he said.
When asked how he would apply his skills and talents as an aerospace engineer to the work of the City Council, LeFebvre said as an aerospace manager, he knows how to work with people to get things done in the right amount of time. He said he has worked on plenty of budgets. “Teamwork: A lot of things we have to do in the city require people skills,” he said.
In closing, LeFebvre said he’s lived in Westfield all his life, and wants to be an active speaker. He said his qualifications include being a leader in the aerospace industry for 30 years. He said he thinks the City Council has good teamwork, and didn’t see anything wrong with it. He also said he believes in customer satisfaction. “I’m very proud of this city. I have two kids, and two grandchildren in the school system, and my wife,” he said.
Paul thanked everybody who attended and everybody watching at home in Ward 5. “I appreciate the support on the street. I would appreciate your giving me the opportunity to do it again. I like being Ward councilor,” he said, adding, “I thank Chrissy, Bob and the kids for putting up with me for having this extra job.”
