Good evening. I'd like to call a January 15th, 2026, meeting with the Westfield City Council to order. Roll call. Madam City, clerk Allie. Here. Bean. Here. Rey Here. Burns Here. Fanon. Here. Figgy. He will not be with us this evening. Harris. Here. Kic. Here. Matthews. Kae. Here. Meow. Here. Morgan. Ellie Here. Oniskey Here. Adams here. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I Pledge of allegiance to the flag. The United States of America. One Nation. Nation Under God. Individual liberty, justice process.
Thank you. Reading of the record of the meeting of December 18th, 2025 and special inaugural meeting of January 5th, 2026. Council be Thank You Mr. President. I'd like to make a motion to accept the minutes without reading. So move second. Motion made it second. Any discussion on the minutes? Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? Abstain please. Abstain. Wasn't here. Okay. One abstention, Kate, uh, councilor B Uh, Thank you Mr. President. I'd like to make a motion to take public participation out of order ahead of the executive session. Second. Motion made it second.
And any discussion on taking it out of order? Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Now comes the 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. We do this in three minute increments, which may be extended. And you're up, sir. Thank you. Uh, I'm Peter Martin, one 10 Western Circle, Westfield, Massachusetts. Um, first a commercial announcement. Um, the Westfield Historical Commission, uh, will partake in a, um, free family friendly, uh, commemoration of Henry Knox's Noble train
of the artillery This Saturday, January 17th from noon to 3:00 PM uh, at the Springfield Armory National Historic site. There will be a Revolutionary War reenactors. Um, there will also be some school children from Westfield that we're going to be there in addition to the historical commission. All are welcome. I was present before this body on December 18th when my friend Jennifer Thilan, a member of the Historical Commission, uh, read the mayor's proclamation declaring January 12th, 2026
as major General Henry Knox Day and announcing a celebration on July 3rd, 2026. To honor both major General Knox and the values and self-evident truths as set forth in our Declaration of Independence. I had intended at that time to read the Declaration of Independence in celebration of the mayor's proclamation. My intention was sidetracked, however, as I became aware that other speakers were recognizing December 18th as the last council meeting that another friend Rick Sullivan would be attending
and I chose to use my time to honor him with a few heartfelt words. Well, tonight, although I welcome yet another friend Daniel ic, um, to begin anew his service on this body, I will save my accolades for Dan for a later date. I now return to the Declaration of Independence as the mayor's proclamation states. Now, 250 years after that signing, we Americans remain united in the support of the values and the self-evident truths as declared by the founders of our nation. Our founders recognize tyranny when they saw
it and they took action. We Americans can recognize tyranny today. Action is a reasonable response. In light of that, and in light of the turbulent times in which we live, I urge you our elected legislative representatives to recommit yourselves to the values of our founders and to recognize the truths as they stated in the Declaration of Independence as being self-evident. Now, in the interest of time, I will conclude by reading an abbreviated version of the Declaration of Independence, which uses the actual words of our founders
as written in the declaration that they signed 250 years ago, the anniversary of which we Americans celebrate this year. From the Declaration of Independence, we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the
consent of the governed. When a long train of abuses and user patients pursuing invariably the same object events are designed to reduce the people under absolute despotism. It is their right. It is their duty to throw off such government and to provide new guards for their future security. The history of the present king is a history of repeated injuries and user patients all having indirect object, the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states.
To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world. He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states for that purpose. Obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners, refusing to pass others to encourage their migration. Either he has obstructed the administration of justice. He has made judges dependent on his will alone. He has erected multitudes of new officers and sent that, sent swarms of officers to harass our people.
He has kept among us in times of peace standing armies. Without the consent of our legislators, He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to the civil power he has, combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution. For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world, for imposing taxes upon us without our consent for transporting us beyond seas. To be tried for pretended offenses,
for taking away our charters, establishing our most valuable laws, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our government. He has abdicated government here by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us. He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us. A prince whose character is thus marked by every act, which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Now these are my values. If these are your values and if you recognize these stated truths as self-evident, I invite you to join me as I raise my hand to claim these values and truths as my own. Thank you Thank you. Anyone else like to address the council, please step forward. Name and address for the clerk if you would. Ron Ru 79 Woodsong Road. Um, it was nice to hear the kind words of all city council members who recognized the party member
of Rick Sullivan on 1218. Uh, I also commend the one six planning board's oversight and thorough questioning regarding a moratorium on battery storage in Westfield, leading to the protection of city interests and natural landscape from state control. Recently, the city failed a vacant conservation position. We have an opportunity now as a coalition to direct our economic growth while preserving the natural landscape of our city's borders. Once disturbed, these boundaries will be forever lost. I acknowledge a desire for lower tax rates, but I encourage more residents of the north end of Westfield
to come to this microphone. We share a responsibility for economic growth. Westfield is home to downtown coffee shops, the new stylist on Southampton Road and on Root Road, antiques and art stores, the Pickler Roots athletic Center, Kaczinski Farm on the north end. Some of these businesses have moved into vacant storefronts. How can we direct more industry into vacant buildings and discontinue destruction of natural habitats? Springfield recently acquired a new industrial occupant Dura panel who pressed wasted wheat straw into building panels. Why are we not enticing these companies?
Target just transferred $10 million worth of property on Falcon Drive to Falcon Landing, LLC. In addition, two other transit, uh, transactions equaling an additional $1.5 million. Are we stuck with prospects like battery storage, data centers, sprawling warehouses that shave away the remaining trees of the North end? Let us collaborate to get our needs met. Westfield offers a delicate balance between industry and nature. What are we doing to support local businesses or entice new industries that fit vacant properties? Perhaps the mayor will review the position
for economic development officer, which is currently not funded. Let's make an effort to support local businesses. Stop by local stores to make a purchase instead of a big box corporation. If you're busy with a child sports schedule order for a pickup at a local restaurant, most of them have online ordering. Both tax rates and land usage are valid and competing concerns. I hope that residents come to city council meetings, use their three minutes at this podium to bring factually based civic presentations and speak with elected officials. We are responsible to support each other, collaborate
for realistic solutions and civilly share our perspectives. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Slate to address the council. Going once, going twice. Council Winky. Thank you Mr. President. I'd like to make a motion for executive session pursuant to MGLC 30 a section 21 a three to discuss strategy with respect to litigation in Shaker Farms Country Club Inc. Versus City of Westfield as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the public body.
If the chair so declares, it's intended that the council return to open session at the conclusion of the executive session. I have a second. Second. Motion made it second. Any discussion on going into the executive session? Roll call. Madam City Clerk Allie? Yes. Beam? Yes. Beltran? Yes. Burns? Yes. Fanon? Yes. Harris? Yes. Kic? Yes. Matthew Skeen. Yes. Mellow? Yes. Morgane? Yes. Oniskey? Yes. Adams? Yes. Thank you. Gonna go into Ru recess. Bazooka. What's that? We'll be able to find the clause.
I'd like to call this meeting back Order communications from the mayor. Item one, councilor Knape a, uh, Mr. President, a Motion for immediate consideration of item one, please. I have the, um, clerk read that please. One requesting immediate consideration of an appropriation of $1,275,000 from free cash to the Law judgments account relative to matters which are subject to litigation. Okay. For immediate consideration. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed? Opposed, opposed. Two. I can't hear that. Oh no, we don't. Roll.
Call Madam City Court. Allie. And what is this for? It? It's already under immediate consideration. So it's for the appropriation, Right? So we're actually on the vote, right? Yes. Okay. Alright. Yes. Bean? No. Ian? Yes. Burns? Yes. Fanny? Yes. Harris? Yes. Ick? No. Matthews. Kane. Yes. Mellow? Yes. Morgan. Ellie. Yes. Oniskey? Yes. Adams? No. Nine. Yes. Three. No. Okay. Motion passes. Item two, councilor Kapper. Mr. President, you could have, uh, item two
vote, uh, referred to. Oh, that's immediate consideration of all Grant. A, a reading for, uh, motion for immediate consideration. Please Matter of city clerk. It's coming from the mayor. Second Two. Two. Requesting immediate consideration of resolution to accept a grant in the amount of $15,000 from the Massachusetts Cultural Council Fiscal year 26 Cultural District Initiative program to the Westfield Downtown Cultural District to be used as operational funds to further the district's goals. Motion for A motion for roll call. Any, any discussion? Yes. Councilor Morgane. Thank you, Mr. President. Um, just to, uh, total up all the free cash items tonight,
$4,236,947 and 12 cents. Yes. Mr. President? Uh, yes sir. This is for a grant no match that I'm aware of. And it's a great point. Council Morgane in the free cash balance after tonight, if they were all to go through, would be 8,940,000, $22 88 cents. So thank you for double checking my math on that. Appreciate that. Thank You. Thank you. Through the chair, if I may. Yes. I appreciate that counselor across the way. I I didn't want to double down on the bad news. That's, But thank you for point
for pointing that out. Well, thank you. It is important. No, well, you're absolutely correct. Councilor, Would you like to read the, uh, yeah, by title only? Uh, requesting immediate consideration of a resolution to accept a grant in the amount of $15,000 from the Massachusetts Cultural Council FY 26 Cultural District Initiative program to the Westfield Downtown Cultural District to be used as operational funds to further the district's goals. Thank you. Roll call. Madam City Clerk Allie? Yes. Bean. Yes. Beltran? Yes. Burns? Yes. Fanon? Yes. Harris? Yes. Ick. Yes. Matthews. Kane. Yes. Mellow? Yes. Morgane? Yes.
Oniskey? Yes. Adams? Yes. Thank you. Item three. Council can napkin. Uh, Mr. President, could you have items three through 16 referred to, um, the finance committee please. Second. Motion made second. A matter of city clerk. Would you read all those for us? Sure. Three appropriation in the amount of $27,321 and 25 cents From free cash to the animal control purchase of services. Account for the replacement of the heating cooling systems at the animal shelter. Four. Appropriation in the amount of $9,500 from free cash to the city council. Purchase of service account to reframe historic portraits
of city council in the chambers at City Hall. Five. Appropriation in the amount of $2 million from free cash to the field improvement athletic field capital construction account for costs associated with the construction of the athletic fields. Six appropriation in the amount of $11,900 From free cash to the Health Department purchase of service account for costs associated with repairs to the landfill. Groundwater monitoring. Monitoring. Well, seven. Appropriation the amount of $44,500 from free cash to the Health Department purchase of service account for engineering costs associated with landfill cap repairs. Eight. Appropriation in the amount of $170,720 From free cash to the Health Department purchase
of service account for construction costs associated with landfill cap repairs. Nine appropriation in the amount of $7,158 and 96 cents. From free cash to the Department of Public Works Land and natural resources division. Capital equipment account for the construction of a greenhouse that will be used to grow flowers for city use. 10 appropriation the amount of $24,314 and 43 cents From free cash to the Department of Public Work Land and Natural Resource Division. Fiscal year 26. Capital Equipment account for a purchase of a zero term lawnmower 11 appropriation in the amount of FI $66,505 From free cash to the Department
of Public Works Waste Collection division. Fiscal year 26 purchase of services. Account for costs associated with Curbside Leaf Collection. 12 appropriation in the amount of $270,000 from free cash to the Department of Public Works Highway purchase of service account for the milling and overlaying of Parker River Drive and Parker River Circle. 13 Appropriation in the appropriation in the amount of $51,321 and 48 cents from free cash to the technology center purchase of service account to upgrade radio infrastructure throughout the municipality. 14 appropriation in the amount of $60,000 from free cash to the technology center Replacement equipment account
for the purchase of installation and replacement switches to support the network infrastructure at the technology center. 15 appropriation in the amount of $88,706 from free cash account to the technology center purchase of service account for the purchase and configuration of an upgraded permit and code software system for the City. 16. Appropriation the amount of $130,000 from free cash to, to the Technology Center Capital project account to replace the in row cooling rack system located at the technology center, which has reached the end of its Surfaceable life. Alrighty. That's a lot. Thank you. Welcome back. Thank you kidnapping. Glad I came back. Councilor Morgane. Thank you Mr. President.
As, as these items were being read off, um, I can't help but notice that many of these items seem like they should have been in the department's budget, uh, last year for this fiscal year and now it's all coming out of free cash. There are some things in here end of its serviceable life. I mean, you know that the life is ending on a piece of equipment. So I'd like to, I can't wait to see how the votes go on all these, on all these items and I hope that, um, I I will certainly be speaking with the mayor about each and every one of these items on Monday
and uh, I encourage all my fellow councilors to do the same. You'll have an opportunity to do that finance if you'd like as well. And in finance meeting as well. Yes. Yeah. All those in favor of sending to finance. Aye. Opposed? Now in the hands of finance number 17, council ky. Thank You Mr. President. Would you please ask Madam City Clerk to read item 17 and 18 and refer to l and o? Second. Second. Motion made it Second Madam City Court. 17. Submitting a resolution to accept a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Ecological Restoration to the Department with Public Works water division for fiscal year 26.
DAM removal, preliminary design services. 18 Requesting approval of an ordinance amending the city of Westfield Code of ordinances. Chapter six, building and building regulations. Any discussion on sending to ano? All in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? Now in the hands of ano, Uh, Item 19, Councillor Morgan Elli. Thank you Mr. President. Uh, please have that Madam City Clerk read items 19 to 38 and refer to the Personnel Action Committee. Second. Motion made and seconded. Madam City Court. Uh, councilor b I'm just gonna be abstaining 'cause of item 20. It's immediate family member. Got that? Yep.
And I can't pay attention. Alright, you're up 19. Submitting the appointment of Edward Watson. Nine Chestnut Street as a member of the Airport commission replacing Kate Phelan for term to expire in February 20, 29. 20. Submitting the appointment of Jason Bean. 16 Linda Drive as a member of the Municipal Light Board replacing Adam E. Roman for a term to expire February 20, 28 21. Submitting the appointment of Jeffrey Gina 17 Ingersoll Drive as a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, replacing Michael Terrell for a term to expire in February 20, 27, 22. Submitting the appointment of Richard K. Sullivan, Jr. 29 Wildflower Circle as a member of the Board of Registrars, replacing Maureen Peterson for a term
to expire in February 20, 29. 23. Submitting the appointment of Jennifer Gilbert at 65 Prospect Street as a full member of the zoning Board of appeals replacing Richard K. Sullivan III for a term to expire in February 20, 27. 24. Submitting the appointment of John Moran one 40 Eastwood Drive as a member of the zoning Board of appeals as the first alternate replacing Jennifer Gilbert for a term to expire February 20, 27, 25 Submitting the appointment of Melissa Fitzgerald's glitz business owner at seven Day Avenue as a member of the zoning Board of Appeals as a second alternate for a term to expire in February 20, 28. 26. Submitting the reappointment of Timothy Reynolds 3 24 Woodland Road as a member
of the Board of Board of Assessors for a term to expire in February 20, 29, 20 seventh Submitting the reappointment of Robert Florick 1 71 Cityview Road as a member of the Conservation Commission for a term to expire in February 20, 29, 28. Submitting the reappointment of Jeffrey Tranent 10 Waterford Drive as a member of the Fire Commission for a term to expire in February 20, 29, 29. Swimming the reappointment of Stanley Remco 31 Ridge Trail Road as a member of the Board of Health for a term to expire in February 20, 29 30, assuming the reappointment of Kathleen Palmer, 6 0 8 Paches Road as a member of the historical commission for a term to expire February 20, 29 31 Swimming the reappointment
of Samuel Mackman 2 88 North Road as a member of the historical Commission for a term to expire in February, 2020 9 32. Swimming the reappointment of Jennifer, Jennifer Thilan, 18 by street as a member of the historical commission for a term to expire in February 20, 29 33. Submitting the reappointment of Scott La Bombard 6 26 Western Ave Avenue as a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission for a term to expire in February 20, 29 34. Submitting the reappointment of Bernard Pza 2 57 Valley Drive as a member of the planning board for a term to expire in February, 2030 1, 35. Submitting the reappointment of Peter Vela 18th Spruce
Circle to the police commission for a term to expire in February 20, 29 36. Submitting the reappointment of Alexander FNA 45 Braley Way to the Board of Public Works for term to expire February 20, 29 37. Submitting the reappointment of Linda Salt 17 Hillside Road as a member of the Board of Registrars for a term to expire in February 20, 29, 38. Submitting the reappointment of Richard Clark 16 Clinton Avenue as a member of the traffic commission for a term to expire in February, 2029. Thank you. All those in favor of sending to personnel Action. Aye. Aye. Opposed? Councilor, did you have something you wanted to say?
Not right now. Okay. Reports of city officers. Item 39, councilor Ky, Now I have something to say. Yes. Councilor Matthews Kane. Thank you Mr. President. I need to recuse myself because a immediate family member might be financially impacted by this outcome. Okay? Yep. I'll call you back. Councilor Oniskey? Yes. Thank you Mr. President, would you please ask Madam City Clerk to read items 39 and 40 and refer to LNO Second Motion? Made it seconded. Adam City Clerk 39, director of Veteran Services Julie Barnes submitting a request
for acceptance of MGL Chapter 59, section five clauses 22 I and 22 J 41st Assistant City solicitor Shannon Reed submitting the following ordinance amendments to chapter 17 as requested by Lieutenant John Parrish, chair of the Traffic Commission section 17 dash 73 Stop sign intersection designation by adding Pine Street Prospect Street and Old Cavi Road at Russellville Road. Section 17 dash 70 certain left and right turns prohibited by adding no left turn on Red Atcha Street onto North Elm Street. No left turn exiting Westfield Middle School during the hours of 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM
and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Monday through Friday, no left turn exiting Highland Elementary School during the hours of 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM and 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM Monday through Friday. Adding section 17 dash 180 6 a authority to remove vehicles violating temporary, no parking, deleting and replacing section 17 dash 180 7. Owner liable for storage charges. Contract reliable deleting and replacing notification of owners within 24 hours. Any further discussion on sending Tylenol? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Tell Councilor Matthews Kane, she can come back in. Somebody Mr. Present? Yes. Um,
I just realized item number 39, I'm meant to reuse myself on that also. Okay. Okay. So noted petitions were monstrous and other papers. Item 41, counselor Allie. Thank you Mr. President. Um, have Madam City Clerk, um, read item 41 and refer it to license Second. Motion made it second. Go ahead. Madam City Clerk 41 R Lave Associates submitting an application on behalf of John Ros for licensed underground storage tanks at 0 21 29 through 45 and 33 through 39 Southampton Road, um, for 28,000 gallons of regular unleaded gasoline, 6,000 gallons
of premium unleaded gasoline, 26,000 gallons of diesel and 2,500 gallons of diesel exhaust fluid. Is that need a public hearing, Kay? Yeah it is. Yes. Okay. You want to just amend that to ask for, I amend that to include a public Hearing, please. At your next meeting, at your next available meeting. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Thank you. Reports of committees. Councilor Fanon. Thank You Mr. President. The Zoning planning and development Committee met this evening and gave a positive recommendation to have a public hearing to on a moratorium relative to battery energy stores,
facilities, and accessory systems. Uh, request that a, a public hearing be scheduled at the earliest practical date and to also refer to planning board and law. Second. Motion made it seconded. Further discussion. Councilor? Nothing? Nope. Okay. Any discussion? All in favor a. Aye Opposed motions, orders or resolutions? Councillor Oinky. Adam 43. Thank you, Mr. President. Motion of Councilor Oinky to modify chapter 16 of the ordinances section 16 dash 1 0 7. Temporary repairs on private ways refer to l and o. Second motion. She made it second.
In any further discussion, counsel? No. Anything. All in favor? A. Aye. Opposed? Now in the hands of l and o. Any announcements? Receive none. Councilor Harris. Motion to adjourn. Second. Motion made it second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? We are now adjourned. Thank you everybody.