Oh, that's how it, so that's how it'll get settled. Good evening to call the Westfield City Council meeting on November 20th, 2025 to order. Roll call, please. Madam City, clerk Allie. Here. Bean. Here. Drand. Here. Burns. Here. Vanian. Here. Figy. Here. Harris. Here. Matthews. Kane. Here. Meow. Here. Morgane. Here. Oniskey. Here. Sullivan. Here. Adams here. Does rise with Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of flag in the United States of America and Republic for which it stands. One. Nation, God. Liberty, Liberty, justice,
Reading of the record of the meetings of October 16th, 2025 and November 6th, 2025. Councilor B, we Can make a motion to accept the minutes without reading. So moved. Second. Motion Made and seconded. Anything on the minutes? Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? Thank you. Now comes to portion of the meeting for public participation. Anyone wishing to address the council may do so by stepping forward. State your name and address for the city clerk and this will be done in three minute increments, which may be extended by the council. Anybody wish to address the council? Please come up.
Good evening. Ron Ru 79 Woodsong Road. Uh, I'm here to discuss the proposed building of a data center in our community. Um, my information is based off of an article from the Boston Globe, November, uh, 2024. Uh, in the article, uh, it was described that, um, there was a plan for 10 buildings, uh, which would cover 2.7 million square feet. Um, there's a claim in the article of, uh, 400, um, opportunity for 400 people to be employed, which I feel like given in our, um, current climate when we talk about employment with ai,
I think that would be arguable. And, um, there's also discussion of, uh, exemption, um, of state taxes. Uh, one of the, uh, quotes from the article states, um, that none of this would've moved forward without tax incentives. Um, and they weren't even looking at Massachusetts without that being on the books. So my overall concern is that, uh, we had, um, as a community prevented the construction of a battery storage site, uh, that would've possibly harmed our water source. Uh, now we're considering the construction of a site that would definitively overuse our, uh, city's water, uh, based off of data.
Um, regarding, uh, drought status within Westfield. Westfield has been in a drought level, D one through D three, uh, almost as often as we have not been in a drought. And, uh, it does not look like that's improving. Uh, the construction of the data set processing center would put unnecessary demands on our city water resources. In addition, a data processing center would harm more natural landscape and have increased noise pollution that would be incessant. Uh, this is not a work site that will have regular business hours. This would be a facility that runs without end. Overall, this facility would bring, in my opinion,
no general good to our city. Uh, there are no services and goods that it provides members of Westfield, uh, like our, uh, proposed Pike exit and the businesses that we're talking about that would be in that area. Um, the city stage that was built downtown, uh, a number of businesses that are growing downtown. These are things that add to our community. They add, uh, both, uh, money and culture to our community. Uh, in conclusion, I want to encourage the council to, rather than discussing a block of a data processing center, um, the owners of this pro property have a right to make a profit. I hope that there are ways to creatively use property in
Westfield that improve the lives of community members. Uh, I want to consider how Holyoke and East Hampton have creatively approached the development of their aging warehouses. If we approach land usage creatively, we don't need to discuss blocks of land development. Rather, we can steer improvements in directions that overall improve life in Westfield. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else like to address the council? Councilor Fige. Good evening. Ralph Figgy. 53 Burline Avenue, Westfield, mass. I'm here to address the council on two separate issues. The first is the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Day
drive through the public schools. This year, we will be facilitating 227 families that will receive a, uh, Turkey dinner. Compliments of the many generous donors, uh, throughout Westfield. Several of the city councilors here have contributed. I'd like to point out Councilor Adams and Councilor Sullivan for being a major sponsor as well as the rest of you guys. I thank you a lot. If anybody still wants to donate, we are a collecting, uh, cards, gift cards because through this process we discovered 45 homeless
families in the Westfield Public School system. So I want to thank everybody for that, especially the community that's done that. The second thing I'd like to address you on is give you a little update on the athletic fields. Before we start into that, I'd like to say, remember this is a, an $11 million grant donation from the Westfield whoop city fiber. These are rate payers, not taxpayers. During the campaign trail, people were confused that they thought these were city taxes that were going into these fields. Not one penny of city tax is going in. This is all through the generosity. The other thing to realize is that it, it's an earmark.
We can't use that money for anything else. So if we don't use it for fields, we give it back. So let's see where we're at. Madam City Clerk, can you help me out? Oh, yes. You know, I can't figure these things out. See? Want an extension? Mr. President, you want an extension of time? Second, please. Mr. May second it all in favor? Five opposed. Thank you. 27 minutes. The trouble she's having, just imagine what I try to do. Need A teenager. Where are my kids when they need 'em? Oh, gonna do 15, but I can't see Start till he actually opens up. It didn't look like anybody else. Great Job.
This young lady. I'm sure she, I know. Make sure she does it right now. Okay. We started this project in July 11th, 2025. There's the new tennis courts and that's the new softball field. You'll see the progress that we've made. Okay. Again, that was the, what was the contractor states that the dirt or the rocks that was out in those fields was the worst he is ever seen. And he was amazed even crabgrass would grow. Is this Boardman Field Classic? Uh, 1978. There we go. Okay.
It's a team effort. It sure isn't. It's a new softball field. You can see the dirt, infield and the turf on the outfield. You got a fence, you got dugouts, you got lights coming in. The new stadium, this is an eight lane Olympic size track. The field venues will be outside of the infield, so there will be no reason to interrupt a running event for the high jump. They have just started Boardman Field. I was up there today. They had, they have equipment. They had this vehicle that had an arm on it that had a,
a chainsaw at the end with a gripper and it would grip the tree, cut it off, and then they'd bring it down with that. It's kind of amazing. No more climbing trees. They got hydraulics. The other thing is there was a major erection this week over the, over at the, the stadium. Both goal posts are now up, so it's really starting to take shape. So I just wanted the council and the public to know we are making very good progress with this project. Thank you. Thank You councilor. Anyone else like to address the council? Mr. President? Councilor Adam? I just comment if there's nobody else, I just wanted
to thank and I, I know Ralph Figgy gets up here every year and thanks many of us for helping him, but if it wasn't for him and his wife, there'd be many of homeless people without a dinner on Thursday for Thanksgiving. So I know they put a lot of time and a lot of effort into what they do. So I wanna personally thank them for taking care of 227 families that wouldn't have had a dinner if it wasn't for them. So thank you to you and Sue Ralph for what you do. Thank You. Can I, can I just so we don't get in trouble. The co-chairs are, uh, coach and Eileen Yoakum. Right? I was just gonna say that.
Thank you for reminding us. And, and there will be multiple volunteers tomorrow stuffing bags. So it, it's more than just the four of us. It's all you guys, all the volunteers, everybody that helps out. Uh, it really, really is good. So thank you. Anyone else like to address the council? See none. Communications from the mayor. Item one Councilor Fike. Hold On. Oh, Sorry. Hello everyone. Member I need know about, uh, Westfield. Saving Street. I spoke to two guys about that.
I walked with my daughter every morning in afternoon too. I could see the guy using he bike. Use the sidewalk. Why he using his sidewalk? Put in his street. It not obey even studio. Studio. Go to school. Same thing. Why? I could see the cop hide some, some place. Why don't cop come by? Stop the give him warning and plus, uh, they don realize, uh, ebi at the boat thing sidewalk
because in the corner of my home, let's say the housing block wall going to the boat on both street, they don't see the, the biker coming. And the biker, it could be 30, 40 mile car, 30, 40 mile per hour even right there, crash. That's what happened. That's what happened. They don't think about that without warning. Anyway. And another person about the light and on the ball street, my girlfriend work in, um, big wide.
She start 12 to five and at night she went home. Too dark. Not enough. The light let you know it need more power, the light and also, thank it. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else like to address the council? Okay. Back to communications from the mayor. Item one, councilor Fige. Thank you Mr. President. Please have Madam City Clerk read items one through five. We refer to Finance. Second
Motion made it seconded. Madam City Clerk One submitting a resolution to approve a grant in the amount of $800,000 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, land and Water Conservation Fund to the Parks and Recreation Commission for renovations and improvements to the Westfield Skate Park. Two, submitting a resolution to accept a grant in the amount of $64,950 and 88 cents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, executive Office of Public Safety and Security Municipal Road Safety Program to be used for the cost associated with law enforcement, safety equipment and traffic enforcement. Three, submitting a resolution authorizing the mayor
to enter into a funding agreement with the Westfield redevelopment authority for a pre-development study of the city's riverfront area. Four. Submitting a resolution to accept a grant in the amount of six $3,662 from the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority to the Council on Aging, to cover costs associated with the transportation program for older adults in Westfield. Five. Submitting resolution to accept a grant in the amount of $27,391 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, executive Office of Public Safety and Security fiscal year 26, Edward j Byrne, Memorial Justice Assistance Grant to the Westfield Police Department for the purchase of five Motorola Solutions license plate readers to be used
for law enforcement purposes. Any comments on sending to finance? Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? Now in the hands of finance Item six, councilor Osky. Thank you Mr. President, would you please ask Madam City Clerk to read item six and refer it to l and o and law? Second. Motion made it seconded. Madam City Clerk Six, submitting a resolution to approve a lease agreement amendment between the Westfield Airport Commission and Jim Bobby Aviation Inc. Over term of 20 years pursuant to Mgls Chapter 90, section 51 F. Any discussion on this? Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Now in the hands of ano
and law petitions mon and other papers. Item seven, councilor Osky. Thank you Mr. President. Would you please ask Madam City Clerk to read item seven and place on file Second. Motion Made it seconded. Madam City Clerk Seven Massachusetts State Lottery Commission notification of an application for a Ken license by Westfield Gulf, 2 78 Elm Street. Thank you. Any discussion? Seeing none. All in favor? A. Aye. Opposed? Now on file reports of committees finance committee item eight, councilor Figgy. Thank you Mr. President. The finance committee has met on a three zero vote, voted
to approve a transfer of $35,375 and 50 cents from the DPW Storm water division FY 26 purchase of service account, but the DPW stormwater division FY 25 purchase of service account for prior. Your bill second Motion made it seconded. Further discussion. Councilor fee? Yes. Thank you. This is an invoice that came in in August after the PO had already been closed. The DPWS to the new policy where they were trying to cut down on things like this happening
where they would call any open PO to see if there was a balance needed. They would try to figure this out. When they called this clean sweep company, they said there was no balance, so they decided they went ahead and closed out the PO to close out the fiscal year. However, after they did that, they received a new invoice in August that said that they owed several months worth of, uh, back services. Now in order to keep this from happening, the new DPW director has instituted a policy that every month companies will be called to see what their invoice
and balance is if they don't forward it. So hopefully this between the two policies that they now have that they didn't have last year. We'll, we won't be seeing these prior year bills. Thank you. Any discussion on this prior year? Bill? Seeing none, roll call. Madam City Clerk. Allie? Yes. Bean? Yes. Beltran? Yes. Burns? Yes. Fanon? Yes. Fige? Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews. Kane? Yes. Mellow? Yes. Morgan? Yes. Oniskey? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Thank you. Item nine. Council. Thank Thank you Mr. President Finances met and recommends the transfer totaling $26,542
and 67 cents from various reserve for future salary accounts within the Department of Public Works to full-time salary accounts, longevity accounts, and stipend accounts to fulfill contract obligations of the successor agreement ratified by the city of Westfield and the American Federation of State County and Municipal employees. A-F-L-C-I-O Council 93. Local 1676 for the periods between July 1st, 2026 and June 30th, 2028. I move approval. Second. Motion Made it seconded
for the discussion counselor? Uh, yes. I'm gonna, um, actually read as part of that. Um, the law department was present in our present at our meeting and rather than have us take a number of individual votes, um, she, uh, gave the opinion that as long as we re read into the record all of the transfers, um, to the various accounts, we can just take one vote. Um, all of these transfers are in council, uh, share as well as the successor agreement that's been negotiated with the city. So those I think speak for themselves. But if the pleasure of the president, um, the transfers, um,
are itemized as follows From the water enterprise account, reserved for future salary accounts to water full-time salary account, the amount of $7,861 and 16 cents from the water enterprise account reserved for future salaries, increases account to the water longevity account. $1,300 from the Water enterprise account Reserve for future salary. Increase account to the water stipend account. $3,000 from the sewer and the, uh, sewer wastewater treatment reserve for future salary.
Increase accounts to the sewer, um, sewer wastewater and, uh, treatment full-time salary account in the amount of $2,414 and 11 cents from the General Reserve for future salary increases to the highway full-time salary account. $6,136 and 11 cents from the General Fund Reserve for future salary increases. Highway Longevity Account, um, $500 and to the wait and from the General Fund Reserve for future salary increases to the Waste Collection, full-time salary,
$2,652 and 90 cents. And finally from the General Fund, reserve for future salary increases account to the Land and Natural Resources full-time salary account, $2,678 and 39 cents. And if everybody's math is correct, that totals out to $26,542 and 67 cents. Thank You Counsel. Any discussion on those items? Seeing none, roll call Madam City Court. Allie? Yes. Bean? Yes. Beltran? Yes. Burns? Yes. Vanian?
Yes. Fige? Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews. Kane? Yes. Meow. Yes. Morgan Elli? Yes. Oniskey? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Thank you. Item 10, Constable Bean. Thank You. Mr. President. Finance Committee has met with a transfer approval of a transfer of, uh, $46,250 from the fire department. Ambulance on designated account for the FY 26 ambulance equipment vehicle account for the purchase of a new vehicle to replace a 2012 Ford Explorer that has reached the end of its serviceable life and the equipment
and vehicle, uh, equipment. The vehicle will be a assisting existing fire department. Radios Second Motion. Made it seconded for the discussion. Counselor? Um, yeah. Uh, if you will go on the stair drive, there is some pictures of the body that has rotted out. Uh, we kind of joke during finance that ever since we bought the lifts, um, we've been finding these problems. So, uh, it, it got to a point that it's unsafe. Uh, and, and for the use that they're using right now, um, we are going, it's about 90,000 miles on it.
Um, it is a 12, uh, 2012. Uh, they are going to repair some of the body and use it as a, uh, the superintendent of EMS is gonna use it as a backup vehicle to kind of transport, uh, people and, uh, equipment when necessary. So, um, and this money obviously is coming outta the ambulance account, which is always nice to have in our back pocket. Anything further? See none. Roll call perhaps. Allie? Yes. Bean? Yes. Shandy? Yes. Burns? Yes. Fanon? Yes. Gie? Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews. Kane? Yes. Meow. Yes.
Morgane? Yes. Oneski? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Thank you. Item 11, Councillor Bean. Thank You. Mr. President. Uh, finance committee has met with an approval of three zero for a transfer of $68,000 from the public Safety Commun Communication Center. Full-time salary account to the construction account to cover costs associated with the Southwood Communication Tower Project that exceeds the available grant funding. Second Motion made it seconded. Further discussion, counselor? Yeah, I mean this department we all know is really not costing us anything.
Probably we're looking at $68,000 at this point. Um, the bids came back, uh, higher than they expected. Uh, upwards of closer to 200,000, but there's some reimbursements of salaries that came in, which will help cover that. Um, obviously it's pretty self-explanatory what they're gonna be using the tower for, but, uh, unfortunately with all the costs of, of construction and what the, uh, equipment costs, it's just exceeded the available amount within the grant. Any discussion from the council? Uh, the tower will be located on, uh, Juniper Road in Southwick.
Roll call. Madam City Clerk. Allie? Yes. Bean? Yes. Beltrani? Yes. Burns? Yes. Vanian? Yes. Figgy? Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews. Kane? Yes. Meow. Yes. Morgan Elli. Yes. Oniskey? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Thank You. Legislative Inordinance. Item 12. Councilor Oniskey. Thank you Mr. President Ano met on November 18th and upon a three zero vote recommended approval of a resolution to accept a gift donation of an undisclosed amount from the estate of Joan Kennedy to the animal shelter. Second.
Motion Made it seconded for the Con Discussion Council? Yes. Thank you Mr. President. This is, uh, this is an odd one. I'd like to first thank the estate of Joan Kennedy for the donation. We don't know what the amount is yet. Um, it is a monetary donation based upon either a will or a trust. And the estate's currently in probate and requires formal acceptance of the gift amount, um, before we can be released and settled. So could be if the dollar could be a million dollars, could be most likely somewhere in between,
but we don't know the amount, but we need to accept it. Um, according to probate. Would you like to read the resolution in the rule? If I, uh, may by title only, please. Thank you. A resolution of the City council of the city of Westfield for acceptance of a gift to the Westfield Animal Control. Any further discussion? Counselor Meow. Thank you Mr. President. Can we find out later how much it was? For Sure. Thank you. How about, how about 68 grand if it takes anything further. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Thank you.
Personnel Action Item 13, Councillor Harris. Thank you Mr. President. On uh, November 12th, the Personnel action Committee met regarding the reappointment of Annie m Larcom as personnel director for a term to end November 14th, 2028 and a three zero vote. We voted in favor of it. Second Motion made it second further discussion. Councilor Harris? Yes. The mayor stated in submitting this reappointment that he believes the personnel director Larcom is well suited for this position and he supports this reappointment Personnel director Larkin submitted a letter to the mayor,
which all counselors received requesting her reappointment. She states in the letter that in her first three years I have had the opportunity to work with a number of boards and commissions to assist in the successful hiring of many department head level positions, including airport manager, council on aging director, facilities director, health director, police chief and Public works director. She says she also assisted the city solicitor's office in effectively negotiating success successor contracts with several of the city's unions. Each counselor has their own personal interactions with the director and their own opinion
on this reappointment. During our meeting, there are several points that were made. Councillor Fige stated that when Larcom first returned to the city's personnel department, that she inherited a disorganized situation. A good part of her first year he said was to straighten everything out. She may not give you everything you want, but she does give you what she can legally and was in full support of her reappointment. Counselor Adams stated, uh, tell me what to what you do. And, uh, personnel director Larkin described the department's many duties. Adams then say, tell me what you don't do. And Larkin replied that the school department has their own personal
department, so she's not involved with the schools. She was also asked, what are you working on now? And she replied that she's in the process of hiring a building supervisor, fire chief, city engineer, and conservation director. She stated she is also responsible for guiding all supervisors and directors and their hiring of all their employees in their departments and their hiring process. So everything is done in the proper legal way. Both, uh, councilor Adams am Figi asked what is the situation with the mayor? And she replied that she works hand in hand with the mayor and states that she meets every week with him to detail
and update him on the hirings and other things like contract negotiations. Councilor Adams asked if, do you give exit interviews? And she replied, not regularly. Uh, that would be another whole person's job and we just don't have the time. But some people do, uh, want to talk. So she pursues that. She says she doesn't have the manpower at this time, but would like to do it. But she's now thinking of maybe a confidential survey sheet to get information and Councillor Fige agreed that that would be a great idea. Councillor Adams asked her to describe her staff and she described the staff and their responsibilities
and she added that she also supervises the payroll department and benefits department. Larcom also said that she does work with the city council when necessary and works closely with the law department and many affairs, including hiring and contract negotiations and union negotiations. Councilor Adams also stated he was in support of the reappointment. She also larcom also added that regarding the conservation position, that they're very close to hiring somebody and that there were a great number of applicants with great co qualifications. Anything further from the comp? See none. Roll comment.
Allie? Yes. Be yes. Re no Burns, no Fanon? Yes. Gie? Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews. Kane. Yes. Mellow? Yes. Morgan Elli. Yes. Ky? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. License committee Item 14. Councilor Matthews Kane. Thank you Mr. President License. Met November 18th to discuss a request by the Westfield License Commission to city Council to submit a home rule petition to the Senate and House of Representatives to convert a seasonal license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages into an annual
license for Shiva Lama Incorporated at Pleasant Street Market. 54 Pleasant Street, Jamon Patel, president and Treasurer of Shiva Lacks Me Incorporated. And upon a three to zero vote, we voted, we approved the request and I move to hold in committee Second. Motion made it seconded. Further discussion, counsel So I can report out, um, in the future why we're holding in committee. Um, we're gonna be voting on a home rule petition. The legal department needs time to craft the legislation and we only voted on Tuesday, so she'll need some more time to complete it.
And once that's done, I can report out on the, on the vote. Okay. Any further discussion on leaving in committee? Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? Unfinished business Item 15, councilor Fanon. Thank you Mr. President. Motion for a second reading and final passage of the zoning petition of the planning board to deregulate family daycare uses plus miscellaneous text updates. Second. Motion made it second. And any further discussion? Counselor? Anyone else? Seeing none? Roll call. Madam City Court. Allie? Yes. Beam? Yes. Be Andy? Yes. Burns? Yes. Fanon?
Yes. Figgy? Yeah. Harris? Yes. Matthews. Keene? Yes. Meow. Yes. Morgane? Yes. Oniskey? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Thank you. Any announcements? Oh, okay. Councilor B? Yeah, just A quick one. Um, so, uh, there's a member of the, uh, municipal lightboard leaving. Uh, Kevin Kelleher is leaving after I believe almost 20 years of service. Uh, and, uh, Tom Flaherty had invited us to their December 4th meeting, um, actually before the meeting around 4 35 o'clock. Light refreshments, uh, you know, just
to say your thanks to Kevin. So if people wish to attend that, um, if you guys wanna let me know by the end of tomorrow, he's just looking for a quick head count because they are having some food and light refreshments there. Um, but that, I think that's not next Tuesday. I think it's a Tuesday. It's a Thursday. December. Oh, I'm sorry. It's a Thursday. December four. It's a Thursday. It's a Thursday. Okay. Yeah. So, um, if, if you guys like to attend, email me, text me, whatever, and I can put you guys on the list just, uh, for sheer count. That's all We're looking for. Anyone else? See none. Council Harris. Motion
To adjourn. Second. Motion made it second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Everybody have a great Thanksgiving. Thank you for you President.