The Westfield News allows City Councilors to update the residents on issues that are important to many of us through bi-monthly articles. I believe this is an important tool that allows me, or any other City Councilor, the opportunity to take a deep dive into a particular subject or touch upon issues that are Ward specific and present them to the residents. These articles can also illustrate the “behind the scenes” work that goes on with the public since our job entails more than just going to City Council meetings twice a month.
There will be a Public Meeting on Wednesday May 24; 6:00 PM, at the Hampton Ponds Association Building. The purpose of the meeting is to gather public input and comments for improvements to the Hampton Pond Playground. This will allow the Hampton Ponds neighborhood, or any other residents, to provide advice as to what the best use of the playground will be and how it can be modified to best fit into the neighborhood. These meetings are extremely important because it allows direct resident input for redesign of the playground.
After all of the input is received, a conceptual drawing/plan of the playground will be created. This drawing will become part of a submittal for Federal funding. If the funding is approved, more detailed drawings will be developed and the work will be put out to bid. Incidentally, the timing for the release of the bid is important. The City’s purchasing manager, Tammy Teft, has a knack for knowing the best time to release a bid that will result the lowest possible cost for a project. It is better to put a project out to bid when contractors are hungry for work. After a bid is accepted, construction can begin. Unfortunately, it seems that these projects move at glacial speed but the legal processes all take time.
Sewer construction has begun, in earnest, in the Joseph Avenue area. There has been a lot of heavy work in the Grandview Drive area. Sewer components are staged all over the neighborhood. Indications are that the project is progressing on schedule. I’m confident that this temporary inconvenience will pay off as septic systems in the area fail and residents connect to the sewers. A new replacement septic system can cost $25,000.00 or more while connection to a city sewer is significantly less.
I’m working with residents around the Boise Cascade operation on Union Street to help mitigate the effects of a special permit application that would allow for 24 hour operation at the facility. We took a tour of the facility and its operation this week so both the residents, and Boise Cascade, could better understand each other’s issues. These types of meeting are important because they allow for constructive conversations back and forth to try to solve a common problem. City Council meetings, by nature, do not provide the arena for such conversations. I’m cautiously optimistic that a suitable resolution will be reached. At Thursday’s City Council meeting, Boise Cascade was granted a continuance of the public hearing so they could work on resolving the issues.
The City Council voted to accept the donation of field lights for Paper Mill and Sadie Knox baseball and softball fields, respectfully. The Westfield Little League donated the lights, and their installation, to the city. The lights have a 25 year warranty so maintenance will not be an issue. The Westfield Little League should be commended for improving the fields and all of the work they do and time they volunteer for the youth of Westfield.
Ward 6 (actually Barnes Airport) will be hosting the Westfield International Air Show on August 11 & 12. The airshow will feature the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds along with many other great demonstrations.
The Airshow is a big deal for Westfield. Westfield hasn’t hosted an airshow since 2010. To a degree, the show puts Westfield on the map for many. This will bring tens of thousands of people into Westfield who would normally not be visiting. Some will come back to Westfield and many will go home and speak highly of our city. This may be subliminal marketing but it works.
While attending Airport Commission meetings, I see that parking and traffic is a serious concern for the airport. This was discussed during the meeting and at other meetings where more details are still being worked out. Everyone is doing their best to minimize traffic impact. No matter how good the traffic might flow, residents should be aware that driving near the airport or even getting off of the Mass Pike around the hours of the airshow will be slow,so plan accordingly.
The city’s financial year begins on July 1 andthe Mayor, City Council, and city departments will soon be immersed in budget discussions.
Prior to a full City Council meeting for approval or reducing the budget, the Finance Committee arranges open meetings with each department to review their budget, line by line. This is where the real City Council and public evaluation takes place. This is the best place for the public to learn of details and offer their opinion on departmental spending. These meetings will be posted on the City Website and in the Westfield news. I encourage as many people as possible to attend so that your thoughts and opinions can be considered.
I had the opportunity to attend the Westfield Citizens Scholarship Foundation (CSF) Dollars for Scholars annual awards night on Monday, May 15, 2017. CSF provided $125,000 in scholarships to 97 students. My appreciation goes to Cynthia Neary, President of CSF, the CSF Board, and all of those who donated to the scholarship fund. Congratulations and best of luck to the recipients.
Last but not least, the Run Westfield 5K Road Race is today and I hope you had a chance to attend. Even if you don’t race, it’s a great event at the finish line. Elm Street is partially closed and the area becomes a block party that has bands, food, and displays. It’s a great event that really brings Westfield residents together. And if you see an out of shape runner barely able to catch his breath while crossing the finish line, wave to him. It could be me.
Thank you for taking time to read this. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] or 413-568-7747.
