That's all I can say. We're not on the record, but wonderful. Good evening to call the February 10th, 2025 meeting of the Westfield City Council to order. Roll call. Madame City Court Fige. Here Harris. Here Matthews. Kane. Here. Meow. Here. Morgane. Here. Oniskey. Here. Sullivan. Here. Adams Here. Allie? On here somewhere. Bean. Here. Beltran? Here. Burns Here. Canyon. Here. Rise. Pledge Allegiance
Under God. Liberty. Justice. Justice. Thank you. Before we get to the reading of the record, I make an announcement that the public hearings that were scheduled for this meeting are being delayed until three six. So no public hearings will be taking place tonight. Reading of the record of the meeting of January 16th, 2025. Councilor Bean.
I can make a motion, uh, without reading the minutes from January 16th, 2025. So moved. Second. Motion made it second. We discussion on the minutes. Seeing none. All in favor? A opposed. Thank you. I'll portion the meeting for public participation. Anyone wishing to address the city council may do so by stepping forward. State your name and address for the city clerk and we do this in three minute increments with a maximum of 30 Minutes. Jeffrey Goslin, three 30 Elm Street,
Westville, Massachusetts. Can you hear me? Yes. Yes. Okay. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the subcommittee PAC on January 22nd, so there were some errors and omissions in my bio. So I'm here tonight just to give you a quick, very quick summary of my bio, who Jeff Goslin really is. Um, in 2018, I was first appointed during Mayor Brian Sullivan's tenure to the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities.
I've never have been a special education teacher, so I don't know where that came from. I've always been an academic regular education teacher. I started my career in Springfield Public Schools. I was a fifth grade teacher at dormant elementary school with my own classroom. And, um, that's where I had started my career. And then I went on, I worked at Wilham Munson Academy with the gifted and talented program there for a short while.
Um, further on a few years later, I went on to become a program supervisor at the Carson Center where I oversaw the daily operations at the Russell Road office. And I supervised over 100 plus interns and counselors under my supervision. I later went on and taught in the North Hampton schools. I had the pleasure of going up to Westfield State University and serving as an adjunct faculty member
with my congenial colleagues over the course of my career as well. Um, the 350th, I served on the budget and finance subcommittee with Joyce Peregrine down at the library. I raised thousands and thousands of dollars for the 350th celebration. Um, I never had any direct involvement with Special Olympics. Those folks do great work. Um, we appreciate all that they do.
I wasn't directly involved with Special Olympics. There was, there were other members on the commission that were, I did march alongside these folks and I was glad to do so, um, at the 350th parade. But my main job was the budget and finance subcommittee that I originally signed up for when they had the beginning meetings. Um, next my education. I went to Hoya Community College. I have an associate's degree in liberal arts,
a bachelor's degree in education from American International College, a master's degree in administration from Springfield College, and a Certificate of graduate studies from Springfield College in Organizational Psychology and Labor Studies. I hold two professional licenses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as an educator and as a school counselor. I am a two term Westfield School Committee member. I have previously served on the Historical Commission, um,
and I have served six years as secretary on the Commission for Disabilities. I was just recently unanimously elected as chairman of this commission. I do enjoy serving on the commission, uh, with professional, knowledgeable, and friendly people. I thank you for your time. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else like to address the council? See no one communications from the mayor.
Item one councilor. Oh yeah. John, I I would like to, oh, I'm sorry. Yes, go ahead counsel. Okay. Um, I'd like to read into the record a letter I sent to the water department and the, the mayor I'm writing to express serious concerns regarding the non-functioning fire hydrants on Du Bois Street during today's fire emergency, unacceptable. The firefighters were unable to access water from two hydrants, instead had to run a line from Metal Street in the emergency. Every second counts and hydrants should be fully
operational at all times. This issue issue is even more alarming given that these hydrants are located right next to a hundred year old school, that house at 193 and four year olds. The safety of our youngest and most vulnerable residents should be a top rider and is deeply concerning. The fire department's left without immediate access to water. I want to commend our local fire department for their swift and effective response. Thanks to their quick actions and resourcefulness, they will retain to fire and prevent further damage to neighboring homes. Their efforts are nothing short of heroic.
However, the fact that these hydrants failed raise serious questions about maintenance and oversight. Can you provide an explanation as to why these hydrants were not functioning and what steps will be taken to ensure that it's not happening again? Are community relies on this crucial infrastructure for safety and we need assurances that all hydrants are work in order? Appreciate your proper attention to this matter. Look forward to your response. The reason I'm reading this into the record is no one's responded to this email that I have sent. No one except for the fire chief
who sent me the recommendations from the National Associate of Fire Chiefs of what should be recommended for hydrant maintenance. So I'm very concerned because for the past five years I've been working very diligently with the city engineer trying to insist that whenever a street is repaired and one of these old neighborhoods in boards two and three that we take and go down, we have to replace the sewers and we have to replace the water lines. Otherwise, this is gonna become a frequent recurrence.
Two years ago in front of, across the street from my house, the same situation happened. House fire first hydrant fire department went to dry second hydrant dry. They had to go to a third hydrant and stretch hundreds of feet of hose in order to fight the fire. So I know a lot of mayors in the past said, well, I can page six streets for what it would cost me to redo one. And the public sees everything on top of the ground. They don't see what's underneath. And this is something I think we need
to make a concerted effort in the future to really look seriously about. When we redo a street, we look at the water lines and the sewers. 'cause when they're a hundred years old, I remember when we did the Gaslight District, they were wooden. So it's imperative that we look forward and move forward with this. Thank you for your time and your patience. Thank you. Anyone else like To address the Council? Council Morgan Alley? Uh, thank you, Mr. President. Uh, yeah, I just wanna read a letter, uh, from, uh,
Dan Berry, 85 Montgomery Street. I think, uh, the council has received it, but people, uh, watching at home, uh, may want to know that we are listening and that the, uh, that other people are also upset about the, uh, increased water rates. Uh, it says, I see the Water Commission voted for a 40% rate increase last night. Ouch. This is a significant increase to the residents of Westfield. I believe they said it had much to do with the reduced consumption and the fact that rates were not raised enough in previous
years to cover increased costs. While I realized infrastructure needs to be maintained, as it as is evidenced by recent issues and base operating costs need to be met. However, if consumption continues to go down, then overall operating costs need to be looked at and reduced proportionally as well. Arbitrarily raising the cost to the residents should be the last alternative, not the first, not sure why. What, if anything, can be done now, as I believe the Water Commission can make these types of, uh, changes without further approval.
But, uh, maybe this process should change to have either the council or mayor approve rate changes. One thing to consider is if commercial and residential rates are the same, uh, these should be structured similar to taxes where commercial pays higher rates. Uh, if this is already the case where rates increased for all, all at for all at the same percentage, um, oh, if this is already the case, were rates increased for all at the same percentage.
That's a question. If not, then this needs to be addressed. Still believe an independent audit should be done to verify how the budget is being spent to see where costs can reign, be reigned in Anything that can be done, uh, would greatly be appreciated. Thanks, Danberry. Thank you. Anything else? Communications from the mayor. Item one Council. Fig. Thank you Mr. President. Requesting immediate consideration of acceptance of Firefighter Safety Equipment grant in the amount
of $19,844 and 15 cents from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, executive Office Public Safety and Security, and the Department of Fire Services to the fire department to purchase firefighter safety equipment. So, move. Second. Second. Motion made it seconded. Further discussion, counsel? Yes. This is a recurring grant that the fire department has received over the past few years, and they will use the, the reason for immediate, uh, consideration is it's very time sensitive
and they need to have the money spent by the end of the fiscal year. So the mayor felt that it was important to get this in front of us as soon as possible equipment will be purchased that they currently need to either replace or it's new equipment for the department that wasn't already budgeted. Thank you. Anything further? Seeing none. Roll comments. Figgy? Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthew Kane? Yes. Meow. Yes. Morgan Elli. Yes. Oniskey? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes.
Allie? Yes. Bean? Yes. Beltran? Yes. Burns? Yes. Fanon? Yes. Thank you. Item two, council fee. Uh, please have Madam City Clerk read items two through nine and refer to finance second Motion. She made it seconded. Madam City Clerk Two, requesting acceptance of a grant in the amount of $9,330 and 22 cents from the Federal Emergency Management Agency through the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency to reimburse the city for administrative costs accrued while
administering the Covid Pandemic FEMA program from 2020 through 2023. Three. Requesting acceptance of a grant in the amount of $60,000 from earmark approved by Governor Healey in the fiscal year 25 state budget as filed by Senator John BEUs to the police department for the purchase of transportation equipment and infrastructure upgrades. Four. Requesting acceptance of the 2025 Cybersecurity awareness grant from the Commonwealth and Massachusetts Executive Office of Technology Services and security for end user training, assessments and simulation tools for both the city of Westfield and Westfield Public Schools.
Five. Requesting acceptance of a grant in the amount of $37,283 and 12 cents from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division to the Westfield Brown Airport to be used to start a pilot program for noise mitigation sound installation program and complete a land reuse plan for properties previously acquired for noise mitigation purposes. Six. Appropriation of $1 million from pre-cash to the Turf Field Project Fund for the construction of a new concession stand in conjunction with the new athletic field at Westfield High School. Seven Appropriation of $106,449 and 38 cents from free cash to the Department
of Public Works water division Fiscal year 22 purchase of service account to pay two outstanding prior year bills from Maurice Concrete Services for completed work associated with the Western half Phase two project. Eight transfer of $900 from the PEG fiscal year 25 purchase of service account to the PEG fiscal year 24 purchase of service account to pay an outstanding prior year bill from Tel V Corporation. Nine. Transfer $766 from the, from the reserve for unforeseen account to the indemnification account to cover retirees prescription bills that have recently been approved by the a hundred B panel.
Any discussion? Seeing none. All in favor a Aye. Opposed? None in the hands of finance Item 10 Council. Thank You Mr. President, would you please ask Madam City Clerk to read item 10 and refer it to l and o? Second. Motion made it seconded. Madam City Clerk 10. Submitting a resolution authorizing the superintendent of schools to submit a statement of interest with the Massachusetts School Building authority for funding to construct a new technical academy. Any discussion? Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? Now in the hands of l
and o Item 11. Councilman meow. Uh, thank you Mr. President. Would you please have Madam City Clerk read Items 11 and 12 and refer to natural Resources and law? Second. Motion made it seconded. Madam City Clerk 11, submitting an ordinance amending Chapter 18, article two, division one, division of water sections 18 dash 28 through 18 dash 35. Thank you. 12. Submitting an ordinance amending chapter one, section one dash 9.1, non-criminal disposition and penalties. Any discussion? Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Opposed?
Now, natural resources and law item 13, Councillor Harris. Thank you Mr. President. Um, 14, 15, 16, and 17 will be sent to uh, PAC. But first I would like to ask for suspension of the rules for media consideration for 13. For Diane Snow, uh, the chair of the Board of Assessors. She's been, uh, the chair for 30 years now. Second Motion made it seconded for immediate consideration.
All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Now suspended. Immediate Councilor Harris. Thank you. Uh, submitting the reappointment of Diane Snow 13 Country Club Drive as a member of the Board of assessors for term to expire on February 20, 28. Second motion made it seconded further the discussion. Counselor? Yes. Thank you. Um, she is the chair of this board. They're having a very important meeting Wednesday, where they will, um, complete
and hear all forms of abatements. Um, she is excellent at diffusing what can become very difficult situations with, uh, people, uh, during this process. They're also voting on the assessor's reappointment. So she would like to be, um, sworn in before that meeting. Uh, Ashley Brown, the assessor, says that she is excellent
and, uh, she's a great person to have on the board and understands the highly emotional situations involved in these applications. And I have, uh, all sorts of information if you need anything else. Thank you. Any further discussion on this? I do. Councillor all. She does a great job. I don't understand why, like, on something like this, that these aren't sent like a few months before the term ends. That's the mayor's. That's the mayor's decision. Anything further? Roll call. Madam. Submit that down.
Fi. Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews. Kane? Yes. Meow. Yes. Morgan? Yes. On? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adam? Yes. Allie? Yes. Bean? Yes. Beltran? Yes. Burns? Yes. Fanon? Yes. Item 14. Counselor Harris. Thank you Mr. President. Please ask Madam Clerk to be 14, 15, 16, and 17 and refer to, uh, personnel Action Committee. Second. Motion made it second Madam City Clerk 14. Submitting the reappointment of Chris Alisia as the superintendent of buildings for term
to expire in May 20, 28. 15. Submitting the appointment, Dylan Sweeney 76 Court Street as an associate member of the planning Board for term to expire in February, 2026. Replacing vacancy left by Bernie Bernard Pza. 16, submitting the reappointment or the appointment of Leonard Svia Jr. To the position of facilities director for three year term to end in March 20, 28, 17th, submitting the reappointment of Jennifer Gilbert 65 Prospect Street as the first alternate member of the zoning board of appeals for term to expire in February, 2027. Any further discussion? Seeing none. All in favor? A Aye. Aye. Opposed? Now in the hands of PAC
reports of city officers. Item 18 is superintendent of school Stefan Zeki submitting a presentation for the new high school project. Good evening, sir. Good evening. Um, Steffens Aki, superintendent of Schools. It's my pleasure to be here tonight, uh, to talk to you about, and I know that you all have, uh, the presentation that I shared with the school committee, but I am gonna refer to it a little bit as I kind of go through this.
Um, I think, I mean, I've been here long enough and I know you have too, uh, to people say, we need a new high school. We need a new high school, right? So we hear that. And when you see, uh, communities around us getting these new high schools. And so it certainly makes ours look old, although I take exception to that because the high school is as old as me. So that doesn't really make me feel very young. So, uh, but, um, you know, we have discussed about, um, you know, uh, both high schools are actually in need of replacement.
And the first one that came, the first request that came was Westfield High School. But I think for those who have been through the technical academy, you can, um, certainly verify that that school is in much tougher shape, which makes sense as well because, uh, the upper campus was built in 1931 and lower campus was built in 1962. Then you had the connector building, which was, sorry, Mount Vernon poorly built, uh, connecting the two buildings together. So that's what what you have there. Um, and so when you take both of that, really
what we would love is to have two new high schools, right? Um, I think the, the financials of that are, are, um, that would never happen in probably any of our lifetimes, uh, with how much it would cost. So, uh, the, the question came up is, do we put in a statement of interest? And that is to the MSBA, the Massachusetts School Building Authority, uh, for, uh, to build a new technical academy, a new high school, and there is an option to apply for a new school.
And then there's a whole section under consolidation. So if we were to consolidate both schools, would this result in that? So, uh, that's kind of what we are looking at. Uh, what we know is that no matter what, the school's probably gonna cost 300 plus million. Uh, and we know that, um, the state right now is, is, is favoring, um, the construction of career technical high schools simply because there are not enough seats for the students that want those seats. So even our own district, we have this year,
40 students on a waiting list that could not get into Westfield Technical Academy because it's, it is at maximum capacity. We also know that the, uh, enrollment at Westfield High School is declining, not only because there are more kids attending Westfield Technical Academy, but also, uh, because that's a projection of our community that we received, even when we built the la the latest school. Um, I mean, we have the numbers of child bearing families and so on, and that has decreased significantly in Westfield
as people who've had their children are still living here and not having more kids. So that would, uh, that's another reason for it. Um, so if we were to submit a statement of interest to the MSBA and, um, it would be due on April 11th, so that would have to be, uh, passed by both the school committee and the city council. In order for me to enter that and that paperwork actually has to be submitted in their portal. Um, I've learned a lot about MSBA this last few weeks,
but into their portal before we move forward, um, to be even be considered, uh, once selected, uh, we certainly will have to get the funding for the feasibility study similar to what we had to do for, uh, Westfield River Elementary School. Uh, and then the eligibility period. Eligibility period, which is about two 70 day, one 70 days in the feasibility period. Uh, which I'm happy to to to answer any more questions about that. But the question is, if we are going to submit an a statement of interest, what would it be for?
Is there an interest in submitting a statement of interest this year? Do we want wait until the following year? All of these things have come up. Um, part of the other reason why, uh, with Westfield High School, and I put this right in the presentation, as you can see on the slide after the MSB, A statement of interest, just that, you know, we've put significant funds into Westfield High School over the last few years in terms of upgrading the main and gymnasium entrances. If you've been into the building, and we put in the vestibule now, so at Westfield High School, you have to get checked in and you can't go past the second door,
which was a safety measure as you know, previously, you, once you got let in, you pretty much had access to the entire building without having to go to the main office. Uh, we replaced all exterior doors, uh, at about 300,000. Uh, the pool, the pool, which you would have expected for the amount of money, possibly like a brand new shiny pool. That was just the work for the filters. Uh, but it was a significant amount of money. Um, I do think we have the best tennis courts in Western Mass now. If you haven't seen them. Uh, our science classrooms and labs have been upgraded.
That's almost complete. Uh, thanks to an earmark by Senator John Veli. Uh, there's been upgrades to the office, guidance suites, uh, the chorus room, the band room. Um, we've replaced the auditorium carpet, uh, the sound system in the, in the auditorium as well. We did a, a driveway paving project, and I know you all know how much that costs to pave. Uh, the, we have replaced the roof over the gym and locker area because those are repeatedly leaking, particularly on the gym floor, which is bad because it's a wood floor.
Um, we've put in new telephone and intercom systems at Westfield High School. Currently, there are $83,000 worth of repairs being completed to the greenhouse at the high school. And there are gonna be $43,000 worth of, um, art classroom upgrades. So when I've gone to MSBA meetings, particularly for the new elementary school, they show you photos of schools that they chose to be replaced. And those photos are, are much like the pictures I have in here from WTA
as compared to the ones from the high school. So I believe, and I'm no expert, um, but we would have a, a higher success or a higher chance of getting an MSBA grant for a new technical high school than a new high school. That also brings up the possibility, well, lemme keep going. I don't wanna jump ahead of myself, but, um, so some of the things that still need to be done be done at Westfield High School. And, and, you know, again, I told you when it was built, um, we, the lockers are probably the same lockers for any of you
who attended that were there back in 1973 when it opened. Um, the, uh, there are, so a new roof is needed everywhere else, but the gym in the locker room area, um, the interior hallway doors are worn. Uh, there's no air conditioning. Um, the blowers that blow the hot air actually are in need of repair and replacement. And we're doing some of that work now. The pool area, actually now, I mean, it's great that the filter works, but the pool area still looks tired and needs to be rehabilitated, uh, including, uh, insulation
and stuff, stuff like that. The bleachers in the gym need to be replaced. The library carpets need to be replaced. And it does have the original windows, which are not as sturdy as the windows you would get in the building today. Um, and then there are photos of the high school and I, there are pictures of the lockers. There are pictures of the bleachers. Um, we did, uh, fix the bleachers. We couldn't get 'em back in, so we had to pay money to get them fixed. They come, they come back out.
But the company recommended replacement. Um, shortly after, uh, I did include a picture of the blowers. There are some of, uh, where the leaks are happening. And then I just, even the ceiling of the roof, and I hope it looks better on your computer screens than it does on my particular, uh, sheet. But that's where we are with Westfield High School. In terms of Westfield Technical Academy, the upper campus was paved for those of you notice who go to a star fires game or you'll, you'll see that was done. Uh, there's been a, uh, the weight room upgrade, uh, student services, which is the guidance office, co-op, all
that stuff has been redone. Um, we've received, uh, a number of capital skills grants that have allowed us not only to buy equipment, but also do, uh, repairs or open up some spaces in particularly, I'm thinking of 900,000 that we just received, uh, two years ago for manufacturing. They've opened up the space so we can have more machinery. Um, there is a front entrance concrete project. When it was originally built, someone thought it would be smart to build it with slate, but we all know what happens to slate over the years. It cracks and chips. So we actually have a partnership
with Mass DOT, and they're working with our students to put in concrete in the front walkway. Um, and then there have been new exterior doors in upper and lower campus, but not center campus. And, um, yeah, and windows. So the windows of the tech were great. Uh, Westfield Technical Academy, as I mentioned, built in in 31, 62 and 94. Student enrollment is at near capacity. We have a waiting list of 40 to 60 students every year to get into the school.
Uh, and I think you've probably heard the state has, has, uh, some legislators have, have suggested that we go to a lottery system rather than an admission system. I personally don't favor that because you're not solving the problem while you're doing this. Kicking the problem to another group of people, uh, in order to solve the problem. And this has been my, my voice to both Secretary t Weiler, Russell Johnson, anybody who will listen. Uh, Liz Bennett, the Associate commissioner of CTE. We donate a lottery. We need more seats. More kids want this for a career.
All you're doing is changing the kids who don't get it, which is want something. But really we need more seats in CTE. Um, in, in, if you've been through upper campus, the, the, uh, it was like a 40 foot crack in electrical wiring, which used to be the un the old gym. Uh, there are cracked floors, uh, consistent root fleece, despite the fact that it has a newer roof. Um, it's really quite frustrating. I haven't been principal there now for nine years, and I can still tell you where they are
and where the barrels go when it rains. Um, the staff and student bathrooms are Not great. Uh, there are pictures in here, um, the plumbing needs to be looked at. And, and I think that that is a can of worms that becomes pretty problematic in terms of how old the building is. Um, we have, uh, lower campus HVAC needs to be repaired in terms of air conditioning. And we have, uh, obviously a lot of, we have in lower campus, you have graphic arts, which has,
uh, really expensive MAC computers to do what they need to do. You also have our IT shop, which has three classrooms of computers. Those need to be air conditioned. And, uh, right now that's not working. Uh, we have no ability to add new programs because of a lack of space. And there are new programs that we would love to add. Um, I don't believe it's my, probably my least favorite thing to do is to send a student to another vocational school because they have a program that we do not have.
I'm not saying we're gonna have every program under the sun, but I think adding an HVAC program or a veterinarian animal type program is what our kids are really seem to be, uh, interested in right now. And we don't have those. Um, early childhood would be another area that we could add, but there just isn't enough room in that building. It is maxed out. And there's also not enough room in the cafeteria for lunches. So the way the schedule works is you have shop lunch and academic lunch. So we've had to open up the gymnasium for students to eat so
that we don't exceed the fire code with how many people you can have eating in the cafeteria. Um, and again, air conditioning is needed. And you can see some of the pictures, the cracked floors in the upper campus. Uh, the, the walls that are crumbling, I'm not sure if it's sheet rock or not. Um, some of the toilets don't even have like the, the, if you see toilets in in the stall, it's not there. It's because there was a plumbing issue and it was just closed up. Um, I don't believe the bathrooms have been touched since
that upper campus was made into. Historically. Some of you, I may have to tell me, it was North Middle School for a while, but even before that it was Smith Ave Elementary and those, so those are the same bathrooms we're working with. Um, so you can see the pictures of that. So when you look at an opportunity for consolidation, and I'm very aware that there are, as being the former principal of Westfield Technical Academy, I, I know that there are some, some, some resistance to this possibility.
And I, and I've heard it, but we do have shrinking enrollment at the high school. I don't think we're gonna have two new high schools in our lifetimes. Uh, we have increasing enrollment at WTA. If we had a consolidated high school, uh, we would have an a, it would really create increased academic and career opportunities for all students. We could add more career tech ed programs, but would also add more innovation pathways, which is what we're doing at the high school for career. In fact, we just submitted for a business and finance pathway at Westfield High School,
an innovation pathway, um, really more opportunities for kids. We would have combined athletic and extracurricular teams. And right now, we already have, because of the low enrollment at Westfield High School, we have Westfield Tech students playing hockey with the high school there. It's a co-op wrestling track. Swimming, swimming, swimming. And it's track. No, uh, cross country? No cross country separate. Okay. The, uh, MIAA says
that Westfield High has too many track athletes to allow Westfield, Texas, Westfield Technical Academy West, which is garbage. You can never have, never Have enough. You never have enough. No kids on a track team. Well, and you know, the thing is coach, is that, um, we have students that don't choose Westfield Technical Academy as, as a school because they wanna play football and the tech doesn't have a football team. Right. Um, and the, the co-ops have only become available recently. Before that any tech co-ops, we had co-oped at one point,
I believe, with Southwick. Uh, I think we were co-oped with Long Meadow at some point, um, and St. Mary's to get our kids to get into the sports that they don't have available to them. Wt a, um, I also think it gives us an opportunity to increase student engagement because, you know, career tech and these innovation pathways are very hands-on, which is how our kids learn today. Uh, more than any, any other period in my educational history of 30 years, um, what one school could look like.
And I, and again, it's not a comprehensive school. It would be a hybrid model where, where we would put, um, in grade students in grades nine and 10 would be half day shop and half day academics, which would allow us to front load the academics for those kids. Right now what we see is, um, the students at WTA only get 75% of the academic time that students at Westfield High School get. So their achievement is reflected accordingly. And so with the majority of testing occurring in grades nine
and 10, we could front load academics for, for CTE kids and then junior, senior year we would go to week on, week off, which is what we know or what our businesses want and what our shop teachers want too. But I believe it would give the students a leg up academically as well and still give them the opportunity to experience the traditional shop that we currently offer. Um, and so, uh, I'm trying to think. We would also be able to expand our early college. Uh, we have 250 students in the district now that are,
are participating in what the Westfield Promise, uh, with Westfield State University. It's a little more challenging at WTA, but they're willing to work with us. Um, you know, my vision down the road would be to offer enough early college. Right now we start junior year. I'd actually like to bring it down to sophomore year so that our students would be able to graduate with 30 credits. I mean, my big degree would be they'd be able to graduate with an associate's degree, but I'll probably never get there in my career. But I think that that would be terrific, particularly
with the cost of college today. But we'd be able to expand that. And conversely, you know, I taught at a comprehensive high school, so I don't, that's how I started. And I don't love the model. Um, but what I loved about it is I was able to have shop students in my AP US history class. Right? Which you don't have that flexibility now. Those students don't have those options to them. So when I talk about increased, uh, opportunities for our kids, that's what I'm referring to. But I'm also cognizant of the history of both schools.
Once a bomber, always a bomber, I get it. And, uh, the, uh, WTA or Westfield Vocational or Westfield Trade School, Westfield Boys Trade School, whatever the name was since 1911. There's a lot, there's a lot of history there too. I get, and I appreciate both of that. But what I'd like to do is increase opportunities for our kids and, um, two separate schools divides our resources. Um, however, again, whether we go for ano a new WTAI think
that is at minimum is what is needed. Um, I mean, the school is in, is in tough shape. Um, and then my bigger dream, just because I like to dream, is the lower campus would be rehabbed and turned into aviation high school. And we'd be in the only one in the northeast charging out a district tuition. It would probably be self, um, self-funded. So, um, that's what I have. And I guess the question is, so the school committee voted,
um, at the last meeting. And, and Mike Terrell is here. He's our, our, our finance, uh, I'm sorry, our facilities, uh, subcommittee chair. Uh, they voted to go forward with an m with an SOI for WTA and having me fill out that consolidation opportunity piece and then let the MSBA take it from there. So I think my task here tonight is to determine if there is, and I know it's already been referred to l and o, but is to determine if there is a, um, a desire to move forward.
Um, I know that walking into the new Westfield run, I know many of you were there, you walk into that new school and then you walk into a bathroom at the tech academy, it's a shock. It, but again, um, WTA is our worst facility in terms of, of, I mean by hands down, there's no question about it. So That is it. I I'm happy to answer any questions. I know I talked a lot in fast
Council f um, the application you're talking about the SOI, how long, if we submit it in April this year, how long is that good for? I'd have to resubmit next year. So that usually, they usually have a decision by summer, and then you go see if you're, you know, if they pick you, you've gotta go to MSBA. Uh, and then there begins that eligibility period, which is when we would have to secure funding. Okay. So if, if not selected, you have
to submit a new SOI every year. Yes. Copy paste, Copy and paste. We and the process. Yeah. Councilor Sullivan. Um, so what is the, is the SOI for both schools or is it strictly for the vo tech school? So the way that it was voted, the SOI would be for WTA. Yep. And then there's a, a whole section of consolidation. Is there an opportunity for consolidation, which is
where I've actually already started very it, which is where I've written up a lot of what I explained to you in terms of the opportunities that we could offer our, our, our students. Um, it would be over time, and I realize it's a big cost, but you'd also save money down the road because you wouldn't be operating too, too huge facilities. Uh, but neither of which is particularly energy Efficient. We're, we're not thinking we're gonna save the money from the operational cost to pay the bond that we're looking at. Uh, probably not. Okay. Well, I mean, listen, I'm,
I doubt it gonna answer that. I'm all, I'm all for it, by the way, but I doubt that that's gonna be an offset. So, um, are there any financial implications, um, or, um, you know, are we gonna be on the hook for any finances if this gets submitted? If this gets submitted? No. If we get selected, right. That's a different story. And what I would say to that is, if they select you and you turn them down, I'm not sure you get selected anytime soon again,
So let me switch it around. Okay. 'cause So that's the risk then of submitting ahead of being able to have the financial plan to be able to pay for it. And I, and I think it would have to be either debt exclusion. I mean, we did have Matt Barnes come speak to us mm-hmm. Uh, at both our subcommittee and a full, uh, school committee meeting. Um, so yes, if, I mean, if we submit it, we would, um,
I mean we have the eligibility period to determine that funding cycle. Um, I guess if you're asking, would it be better to have the funding planned out before that? It might not be bad, but I also am not sure we would be picked this year simply because we have another project that is still wrapping up. Right. But there is a huge push by the state For CT To create vo tech seats. Absolutely. So, um, We could Be selected. And I mean, who else out in Western Mass has done an addition to create additional seats at vo?
Just at VO tech. Okay. So, I mean, that would be my only other, um, look, I'm all in. So I'm not trying to ask the negative questions here. 'cause No, it's fair. I mean, quite frankly, the building, the school building, uh, report back when I left the mayor's office was that it, we needed another high school. So that's, you know, almost 20 years ago. So I'm all in and I can move forward with this, but I do think that there's a realistic funding question that has to be asked here.
So I just don't want to put us on the hook for that prematurely and then have the risk of them saying, okay, guess what? You're in and we're gonna fund this because we need the seats for VO tech. And now you've got a bigger problem Here. Well, and I, and to, to your point, um, there are, there are se several proposals right now, and I think they might be met with success to, uh, have a higher rate of reimbursement from MSBA for CTE seats as opposed to a traditional high school
because of the, of, of the, the need for, for career tech ed seats. It's come a long way from when I was in high school. I'll tell you. Well, if I can make the quote is that back when I was mayor, the director of VO Tech says we only get the kids that can't make it at Westville High School. Right. And then after vo tech, you know, kind of became, you know, rebirthed if you will, then the principal at the high school was like, we're only getting the kids that can't get into OC Tech. So there's been a sea change out there in terms of the student populations. Yes. Which I think is great.
I was the principal and then a half. So I remember when I first started, we had 425 kids by my last year. We had the waiting list. We were begging kids to come in. And then by then, my last year, too many council for Bean and Adams, please. Thank you. Thanks for being here, Stepan. Pleasure. Appreciate it. My pleasure. I know you've kind of done your due diligence on this and pedaled this presentation around a little bit, so we appreciate you being here. Um, just, just one question. So you, we have 40 on a waiting list now for the,
now we're talking strictly, we're not bringing kids in and not giving a Westfield person a seat. Correct. Um, to some degree that happens very rarely. And there's a reason for it, and it's typically part of the admissions process. But what we actually do too is so they accept 162 students every year. Mm-hmm. And then you probably have about 10 or 15 that don't, um, that, that don't get in, that don't take it. They decide they want to go to the high school, maybe they wanna play football, something like that. Yeah. And so Mr.
Dahlia reaches out to first the Westfield kids that did not get in and offers them a seat. And that's actually, um, been happening through, over the, the course of the semester. So most of the students now waiting are not from Westfield. Okay. Council Adams just a follow up though, just about the presentation. So I think everybody kind of knows where to stand. We were talking about this last meeting, uh, councilor Fi, now we're at your school committee meeting, you know, and I, and I'm, I'm in favor of submitting an o uh, SOI, um,
statement of interest. I also like to see a combined school, uh, probably not the, you know, the hybrid model is, you know, is what I've seen seem to be what we should be doing. There's No hybrid model that exists. It's all comprehensive right now. Right. It's either traditional or comprehensive. So half day. So this hybrid model is my idea. Okay. So then, and that's fine then, then we're on the comprehensive side, so that's fine. I, I think financially we're in the same boat, even if we do one school or a combined issue, I think the building,
the vtech building is tired. It's served its purpose. It's been a Lot of schools. I realize history. Yeah. It should be demoed. Um, it, it, it's unfortunate. You know, my, my mother went to high school there. I went sixth grade there. You know, I, we can all talk about all our stories about that. So, but I, you know, I, I don't think we're gonna be selected for anything this year, to be honest. Uh, I have had some offline conversations, but I think we need to get in the queue. And that's why I think the statement of interest is so important. I think people, so
When I was out there reading, uh, let me just, Lemme just, okay. So it's just, it's very important for us and especially in the state's eyes to show our need. And I think we, in my opinion, shoot for the moon. Now, I guess my question is, 'cause I don't know the governing body too well, l how would they feel if then the next time we submitted? Because we can't get the financing in place to, to Councillor Sullivan's point, um, because, you know, we're talking hundreds of millions of dollars no matter what we do either way. I mean, and in some of the square footage
of the presentation now, it was mayor math, right? As we said last meeting, but it was, you know, it was a thousand dollars a square foot for that. Tech schools for a lot of those around. It's a little different than 600 or, you know, or so forth. So I, I, I guess I'd like to see us do the comprehensive side and then let's see what they say. So when you say comprehensive, you want half day for all four years or the hybrid? Yeah, I, I, you know, I don't know the, I don't know the model. Well, I just want, I want everybody in the same building. Okay. I think you have to promote the hybrid.
If you say comprehensive, the voc, But you just said hybrid was your model, and are they gonna really accept your model? Well, yeah, I'm saying well, no, because it's, it's, it's, no, I, it's, we get to decide our schedule. I understand. But, but being the first person in the state to do it, If you say, what I'm afraid of is if you go for a full comprehensive model, you're gonna have more opposition in our community than you think, particularly from the businesses who I tend to work with pretty closely and have spoken to some of them already. And I'm not even really sure
that they're sold on the hybrid, but they're absolutely not sold on the comprehensive. So, um, and like I said, what I see in the comprehensive model when I worked in that building is you had less, far less kids doing co-op job shadows, internships, actually real world experience that, and I don't want our kids to ever lose that. When I came from a comprehensive high school and came to WTA, I loved the model because of what it did and what it allowed our kids to do and shine at the workplace and oftentimes get hired, get a career there and so on.
So, um, businesses don't tend to want a student at one o'clock after they have lunch. Right. But either way, what I was gonna say to you is, so when I went to MSBA for the new elementary school, uh, I was with the previous mayor, Brian Sullivan and, uh, Tammy Sue Phillips and Cindy Sullivan, we all went there. They're maintained up and down. There's no queue, there's no, you don't get in a queue. They look at every application for the first time every year. And this is from Mary Piketty who was at our opening,
I don't know if I believe that, but Go ahead. This is what they Swore. Yeah, well, I'm sure they did. Yep. I'm sure they did. Um, but I'm not familiar with MSBA politics and all of that, but that is what they said. Yep. Um, you know, I don't think that we would get picked this time around either because of the fact that we still have a project wrapping up. So, you know, I, um, I was able to get the previous, uh, SOIs from 2014 that, uh, Mr. Ricks would've been the one to submit them
for WTA at the time. And, um, I mean the, the building's not better than it was then, don't get me wrong. But it certainly wasn't in great shape and we were never selected. And, and I, I, I think it's because we still have that elementary school in the pipeline and I think that they only fund one school project at a time at per per district. Which, which really sounds kind of fair actually. Right. I mean, and the only other comment I would add, Mr. President, if you don't mind, um, is that I just get concerned about picking a school,
even though we're looking at the comprehensive as kind of a b option in this SOII, I guess my issue is, is how far, like it will set us back decades before we hit that high school, decades. This room, everybody will be different. A lot of us will be long gone, you know, we're gonna be dead. Sorry. Well, that's what I mean. Long gone. I'm not talking like Florida, I'm saying long gone. Yeah. You know, we're an order present company included.
He did open up the building. But, um, I guess that's my, my real concern is that we are pushing the high school renovation out 20, 30 years and because I'm not convinced that we get the Vogue Tech in the next 10, but, Well, I think Because the finances we're, it's gonna go to the voters, we can't afford it, so it's gonna have to go To vote. So it's the finance piece too. I I have to, that worries me as well. Yeah. Um, because I think we, we, you know, uh, Agawam recently did a a but they do a vote.
Yeah, they did debt Exclusion. Debt exclusion. And I think it's adding somewhere between six and six $800 a year to their tax bills for 30 years. I really appreciate the work on this though. I really, I really do. And I know it's a lot of work in April, so, you know, I hope we submit. So that's going the way I'm looking. So time is of the essence because of the voting options that we have before submittal. Councillor Adams, I thank Mr. President. Um, yeah, I totally, I was the kid
that Counselor Sullivan said they didn't want to go to the high school that went to the bulk. Uh, we didn't want do schoolwork, so we went there to, to pick up a shop. Um, but a lot of those kids are still working machine shops. Yeah. You know, they're 60 years old now, but got a great education there. Yep. However, what you said, you were absolutely right with the hybrid model because there were several of us right outta high school that went to, tried to go to college and a lot of us had to go to summer school because we did not have, uh, the English and the math that we needed to get into
what we were trying to get into. I think it was hvac. I tried to get into, uh, at Stick and there were several of the other kids from the trade school. We went to summer school because we didn't get what we needed to get into college. Um, so you are absolutely correct what you're saying. Um, I do worry a little bit about the funding. There's no way we're going to, you know, we don't have enough bonding capacity to do it. I'm not sure you're gonna have a little bit harder time
passing it because now you're actually taking a smaller school and you're gonna have less votes than you would if you took the whole high school because everyone in the city's gonna have to pay for a small school for the next 30 years. That'll be harder to pass than it would be for the whole high school. But you're looking at a bigger number if you're gonna put the high school into schools. So I'm not sure what's better, what's worse. I'd like to know some of the numbers that we're looking at
before we vote on this. 'cause we're, I think we're tied into this, if we do vote for this now, it's gonna go to the voters no matter how we do it. Like Councillor Bean said. So it'd be nice to know, I dunno if you have that number or not. So, uh, a current comprehensive or type excuse, but you'll know the hybrid, which is whatever, about 3 50, 300 50 million Minus, minus the state cut And then whatever the state puts in. And I think if we include the CTE in one big school
or just do WTA, I believe the percent of reimbursement by the time that we get there will be higher than if we were building simply a traditional high school. I think it's gonna be higher that, that's the push from the state words, from the governor's mouth. I mean, and the Secretary Tutwiler, everybody, they know we need more seats in career tech ed and what's good. Not that I am saying anything negatively about your experience, but you had to go back to summer school is now students at the tech academy
are getting into some pretty darn good schools. So, and they're getting the week of academics, week off. I mean, we've got kids going to Purdue, Wichita State, we've got kids going to culinary, uh, Johnson and Wales. I mean, and that's new. Uh, and we ramped things up. Um, no offense since you were there. No, it's, it is, it was a great school then. Yeah. Um, you know, it was different. You know, a lot of kids went there for a different reason, however, they got out and didn't have to go to college and, and got good jobs, you know, great jobs, great jobs, and,
and they're even better now. So yes, They Are. The school is a gym. I, I guess I worry how many, how many kids are in the school now? About 5 62. Okay, So there's 5, 5 75 Is the max. There's 562. 562 children in the whole city will have to vote on if they want 562 or 700 kids to go there. Um, for the next 30 years, it's gonna be on their taxes. That's a tough vote. I'm not sure it's gonna work.
Or, and a hybrid school for everybody. Well, now you're talking $2,000 probably. No, I think we, we, I don't want to say, but I, I think we thought that would be about a thousand, but still a lot of money. I'm not dismissing that. Right. And, and I think that's gonna be the biggest hurdle. Agreed. I think that's gonna be the biggest hurdle. I don't, I, it's been a long time since I can remember going out, but there are other cities that have been doing it and things have been passing. So it, it could have, well,
AOL in Particular, and just one other comment. I know we keep throwing the pictures of the, the restrooms out there. You gotta fix it. You've gotta find money in your budget. A year or two ago when I was there, it was the same problem. That is not an excuse for those bathrooms in the condition they're in. You've got to find your money in your budget to fix the bathrooms. That's only fair. So we had, uh, the estimates at the end of the year last year is 275,000 to do four.
Uh, and that, that was none of the ones with the plumbing issues. My fear is, of course, is once you start digging into the plumbing, particularly of upper upper campus, what you're gonna find is probably gonna be, it's gonna open up a can of worms that is gonna be a lot more than $275,000. But we have still have that on our radar to try to do this year. Just, it's unacceptable the way it is for those kids to be there. That's my Opinion. I don't disagree. There are four usable bathrooms.
That's how I would classify Councilor Melo, FIGE and then Harris. Thank you, Mr. President. Um, you mentioned earlier, but I didn't see it in the papers, uh, numbers for a feasibility study that we would need to have if we were selected. So I don't know that number because they decided, but I, the only number I have to compare it with would be, we had a, it was just under a million for the feasibility study for Westfield River. So I would have to believe we'd be in that wheelhouse
In that, like in the ballpark of about a million dollars. Okay. And do you know, you said that if it were a hybrid, that the percentage that the state would be more likely to pay might be higher. It, can you gimme a ballpark on the percent of how much of 300 Or So let's say, you know, this is what I'm hearing. You know, let's say they gave you the thou, I'm gonna use a thousand 'cause I'm not a math person, but let's say a thousand, uh, it might go up by like 30%.
So you might get 1300 per square foot instead of a thousand. If you bill that from MSBA square foot, that's what they're talking. Okay. So It's, but to be fair, right now, the MSS B a's reimbursement rate is 650 something dollars. Now, when we started the Westfield River Elementary project pre covid, it was only $356. So they went up, realizing the costs went up. And so now there's a push from legislators and superintendents in the school community to push the MSBA to say, look at these career tech
schools cost more to build. There's no question about it. So we need more reimbursement to build them, and the state needs them. So what can we do to get this done at a more affordable rate for s cities and towns? Thank you. Councilor Figi and Councilor Harris. Thank you all. How many students, if you built just the vault, how many students seats are you looking to do? So I, um, would consider increasing. I mean, that would come out in the feasibility study, right?
And the location and where we're gonna build. So that's a whole nother problem, that topic. Uh, but I would like to build a school for at least seven 50. Um, I think it would, uh, and then add, if you add some programs, particularly those that we have to send kids out for, 'cause that costs us money. And I don't really like that. So if, if there's a way to add programming, I think that would be terrific. Um, and some of the ones that I mentioned, we have a, a ton of our kids are suddenly interested in, in, in being a vet.
We're working with animals. And, uh, and there's a shortage in that if you've tried to make, um, a, an appointment for a pet that you may have, you, you are waiting for a long time. And, um, so, you know, we've done what we can here. We have kids that are going to Westfield Animal Hospital. We have kids that are doing internships at Montgomery, uh, the VCA hospital right next to the high school. But we have kids that actually want that to be their career. And we could offer that. And I've been to a school where they have that. And, um, it's pretty awesome, by the way.
Uh, but just the fact that the kids that, like, they actually work on, on, uh, you know, they'll do not doing surgery, but they'll give shots and stuff like that. So the kids get real hands-on experience. And, you know, the school that I was in, there were dogs running around. One went to the bathroom running the floor, kid had to pick it up. It's real authentic work. It's really authentic experience. The edu the, the educational piece too. If we were to do something with early childhood, um, there's a teacher shortage. I mean, there's going and it's not gonna get better and it's gonna get worse. And so can we help the teacher pipeline?
And there's a lots of places we can collaborate right around us, including one on Western Avenue. So, um, I think that that would be a good pathway as well. Um, hvac I mean, if you probably should have stayed there, you would've done really well for yourself. Probably should have. Yeah. He's done. Okay. 'cause if you have him come to your house, I mean, I've just had to get a new oil tank and a new hot water heater, and I'll tell you, they make good money. So, and, and it's, but it's a field. These are all fields that are in need.
It's not like I want to bring in a new program that we don't need. I want to bring in programs that would be beneficial for our kids and that our kids want. Mm-hmm. Council Harris, Wrap it up. Um, superintendent, thank you for all your information. Um, I agree with everybody. Everybody wants a new school. There's, there's, I don't think that's even up for discussion. Folk school is wonderful. All those new programs you're suggesting are fantastic.
I don't think as a counselor at large right now, that our citizens are going to vote for hundreds of millions of dollars when all they can think about is a 60% increase in the water fees, storm water fees going up, waste management going up, um, sewer going up, and that's all within those last week on top of their property taxes that have skyrocketed. And now we're talking about putting hundreds of dollars onto their property tax bills.
I, I'd like to say everybody would be okay with it, but I don't think tonight I have the wisdom of all my constituents. I don't have the time in a one hour timeframe to say I can speak on their behalf without touching base with any of them. Um, I, I Don't disagree. I don't put them, you know, put them in a position where
if we get picked and then we, we don't have the money, we put it out to vote and the people say no. And then what? And you're talking about a feasibility. Even if it doesn't go to the hundreds of millions, you're talking about a feasibility study that's worth, it's a million dollars, probably a million dollars. That's also gonna increase. So I just don't know if our citizens at this point in time, in this timeframe of 30 days or whatever, I'm not sure that I can speak on their behalf
and say that they're gonna have to put the Bill. And I do understand that. And I, I follow the news and I've, And you know, I'm a strong supporter of the school. I always have been, but I just, I I, I don't feel like I can speak on their behalf tonight More than fair. And I, I, I follow the news and I understand people's pocketbooks are hurting Sullivan. So just real quick, I know we're talking about 350 million, and I know it's kind of just, Matthew had kind of said a thousand dollars a square foot.
Do you have any actual construction costs? Because I gotta be honest with you, that number seems low to me. So we based it on current projects that were built recently. Okay. At our last meeting now. Okay. Since that last meeting, which was last week, the price has probably gone up. Yeah, no, I'm not gonna qui about that, but I just Okay. But you, you have some actual finished construction that Yes. That Support this on a chart that was shared with us. Okay. Yes. Alright. Yes. So that's why I came, how that number came.
Okay. Council Ky and then council Matthew Came. Thank you Mr. President. Uh, thanks for coming in and explaining all this. Uh, what, what I don't still understand is the schedule of how this has to happen. We're looking to submit in April, right? And then supposedly, or hopefully in the summer, we would get, So they usually inform you, I mean, they have their own timeline and I don't know that it's, um, exact, but they would normally inform you
probably within six months of your submit submittal if you were accepted or not. And then they invite you, then you go to MSBA. So the last time, let's put it this way, it was we submitted in April and we actually got, went in June. Okay. So it could be as early as that. Um, and then they, they put you into the eligibility period. You go meet with, go into someone's office, you meet with your person, and they go through all the things about the eligibility period. Um, that is, I wanna say, I know feasibility is 270 days.
I don't remember the eligibility module module. I wanna say it might be 60 or a hundred days. It's less. But there is that phase. So when, when do we have to say, are the voters really say yes or no? So I don't, you know, the order of operations is, I mean, I'm representing come here tonight in front of you representing the vote from the school committee to ask where the city council would want to go. Because if the city, if the school committee votes to approve this, we can't move forward without the city council's approval.
So we would need the city council to vote to authorize me as it was stated on the earlier thing to submit an SOI. Um, and we'd have to have that in, I have to submit before April 11th. So that's the first timeline. Then between April and June, July, August is when I expect they would select the schools or the districts that they feel are, um, are warranted for, for a grant. And then you go into the feasibility period,
which is 270 days. It, What, when does the city have to approve it? When do we need to have our finances and say yes to, to the new school for the state? It would be after we're shortly after we're selected because they want to know that we have the funding to move forward before they put any work in, more work into us. So at that point, let's say it happens in August, you would put together the school, uh, school committee would put together a debt exclusion package
for the residents to vote on in November. Is that how it work? I mean, it could be that timeline. I'm not sure that would be, I think it's you though, who puts that debt. I don't think it's the school committee, if I'm correct on that. It's a valid, it's a ballot Issue. So Yeah. So, but somebody's gonna have to put together the numbers. Correct. Accurate numbers. Uh, councilor Sullivan was saying 350 might be, might be light. When is, I mean, that's the numbers that the
residents would have to vote on. Right? Some real numbers. Yeah. But it's, it, I mean, I think even with Agawam, that's the approximation number. Once you do the actual, the feasibility study, you get a, a full number. Um, and, and, you know, I'm, I'm, my experience, 'cause I've never built a school before besides Westfield River, is that that cost can also change as it did in our last project because of inflation. So the, the, the cost you're passing along to the voters
is your, is a good estimate, but it will pro it could change, love it to go down. But that hasn't been my experience in today's economy. Um, so it could go up a little. So the debt exclusion, let's say if the vote does happen in November mm-hmm. They're, they're not voting on a solid number. They're voting on an estimated number for the debt exclusion. Could be, could be lower, more likely, be higher or the same, but In that real house. Yeah.
Okay. Thank you. Councilor Matthews Kane, then Allie, then Figy, then Morgan Alley. Thank you Mr. President. And thank you for coming in tonight. I appreciate the chance to ask questions. So just to clarify, so we put in the SOI for the Westfield Technical Academy with an option for consolidation, and they can say no, We can, so they come in. So I'll give you the, uh, comparison that actually is like, okay. Um, we put in for Franklin AP School,
our consolidation option was Abner Gibbs. Yeah. They came out, saw the condition of Abner Gibbs and obviously Franklin and, um, decided that that was a good idea. Okay. And that's what they agreed to fund. Okay. Let's say Abner was in great shape, which really for the, the building itself, the age of it, it really is. But you know what I'm saying, if they were modern and everything else, they would say, well that makes no sense. So we'll fund just the Franklin project.
And because of that, that is why Bridget, it's to this day called the Franklin Avenue Project because Avner Gibbs was the add-on the consolidation. Because people ask me that, why is it the Franklin Avenue project? Why isn't it the Franklin Avenue project? That's why. Okay. And I know you don't have a crystal ball, but like, what do you think the odds are that would get the consolidation Option? I think that the consolidation possibility is going to be looked upon favorably
because it expands seats and offers more CTE opportunities to kids than even a, just a single school. Okay. I, I think that Okay. Um, thank you. But I wouldn't bet my house on it, but I think that Okay. Councilor Riley, Thank President. Um, so do you, um, think that there'd be any legislative action this year from the state to, let's say, um,
because I don't know if we kind of shape the states in right now, um, you know, say move things outta Washington DC back to the states. Um, do you see them, uh, being able to, let's say, increase funding for this? Or any, has any bills been proposed? There have been bills proposed. The school committee actually took a vote, a resolution at our last meeting and voted and passed that along to the people that need to see it. I sent my letter today to, uh, representative Pease
and to, uh, Senator Vila that's happening all over the state. Um, our, my organization, mass Association of School superintendents gave us a template. So it's pretty nice, uh, to work off of that. Uh, I do think because of the increased, uh, desire for, uh, career check head seats, that I, I, I think the politicians are listening. I think they hear it. Um, I dunno, I think there's 9.6 billion in their main rainy day fund. Maybe they'll fund it out of that. I have no idea. Because right now MSBA gets his money, as you know,
is 1% from the sales tax. So that's not a ton of money. And at the, um, at the increased cost of building, they're picking less and less schools because they don't have as much revenue or the revenue that they have doesn't go as far as it used to. Yeah. Just if I may make one comment. You know, when they created the sales tax, that was all for education. Yeah. Yeah. Not, not a percent. Not more. Yeah. Constable Morgan Elli, none of 'em have council figure wrapping up
Today. Oh, thank you Mr. President. Thanks Stefan for being here. Um, my Pleasure. Yeah. Um, the, the, uh, what, just a couple of quick questions. All the, all the equipment that's like at the bulk, for instance, okay, uh, you've got car lifts, you've got machinery, you've got horticulture equipment. Would all that would, would carry over to a new school or Right. That, that is, would it be Reusable rep purposely used? We could repurpose, yes. Some of that, and I, I'm thinking particularly like some
of the aviation stuff, you know, we're not gonna lose that. And I think some of the new machines that we have in manufacturing wouldn't be replaced. But some of the old manual LA that have been there since the forties and fifties, whatever might be an opportunity to replace That. And the price tag you gave us, kind of inc. Includes that in mind that some of this equipment would get replaced. Yeah. Well, the list we had was career tech schools with the equipment. Right. It comes with the equipment. It's just like MSBA doesn't really want you to put, um, old stuff into a new building.
Okay. But that's their thing, you know, however we have, we do that and it makes sense to do that. Now the car lifts actually, uh, have probably seen better days. So I would want, and that's dangerous, obviously. So we get 'em inspected every year. We do everything we're supposed to, but they're probably at a point where they should be replaced anyway. So the new school would probably have new car lifts. We have replaced two in the last 10 years. Mm-hmm. Their lifespan is about 20. And then the, the, um, money
that we're putting into stuff that needs to get done. Right. Bathrooms and whatever. So we're putting this money in to keep the buildings running, keep them functional. Um, and if, you know, all that is just gonna be kind of wasted money. We're, this isn't gonna be our forever home, you know, our forever educational, uh, facility. So we're just gonna end up, uh, you know, just putting that money in. That Doesn't feel good. I have to be honest with you. Yeah. It doesn't feel good for anybody. But we have, I just wanted to clarify that one. Yeah. Well, but we also have kids currently
occupying the building, to your point. And, and we can't let them be in those facilities. So it feels that way. Um, but at the same time, I, the safety of the kids comes first too. So if I have to replace, I'm just gonna use a car lift. 'cause that was in an earlier discussion. If I have to replace that tomorrow, I'm gonna spend the 25,000 tomorrow because we can't have a car lift following the kid. Right. Um, one more question. I have a couple comments. Uh, and, and I, I agree. We, we, we need two new schools.
It'd be great if we could do a hybrid model. I, I, I kind of like that idea if we, if it can work. Uh, But, but it's, it's a big price tag when you, you know, so does the, uh, you know, does the m mss, uh, uh, MSVA? Yeah. Do they, would they look at the water? Uh, the, uh, Westfield River education, uh, The school, Uh, elementary school as a, as a deterrent to, we just did that one. So would we be now at the bottom of the list? So this is, they look at that has no, on the decision,
I was told this, there's no queue. If you have another school that needs to be replaced, you can put in for another, uh, SOI, I mean, I, I mean, this is what I was told. I'm not buying all of that, but I'd like to buy it. But I think to your point, you know, whatever, whatever they play down there, but what I also know is that because of the increased cost of instruction of construction, they're selecting less
and less schools every year because there's only so much money to go around. Right. And, and my only two comments are the, the two, the two things that I think would, uh, that really stick in my mind. When you started talking, you said April 11th, 2025. I'm like, oh, kind of. I mean, This is a huge project, Mr. Superintendent. This takes a lot of time to discern. We, and, and as the council to my left mentioned speaking
with people, see what their thoughts are so we can be informed. Eight weeks is, is, and you gotta get the paperwork in in eight weeks. So six weeks, I've got it right. It so I'm well aware. You're, you're preaching to the choir. Yeah. So Six weeks is really not justified. It's not enough time. I don't feel, I'm just speaking for myself. It's not enough time for me representing the city, the constituents to, to make a decision on it. And the other thing is the money, I don't know, 300 million. Is that three 50?
It seems that might be low by the time this were to happen. It's definitely low. So these are just the current projects that we looked at Current. Yeah. Because I know If we're 10 years away, it's gonna be more than three 50. And you could build a new high school for like a hundred million, right? Four plus somewhere? No, not anymore. No. Alright. So it's, yeah, It's, let's, so to give you a, when the initial Ashley Street School was supposed to be built, it was 24 million. That was in 2010 ish. I'm just guessing. Two years, right?
Six times, eight times. Westfield River Six Was 60. Yeah. So that's inflation is we all live in. I'm not telling you anything you don't know. Inflation is, is crazy. Particularly in the trade, in the fields of the trades, which is why so many kids want that because they're making excellent money and they don't have a home mortgage. AKA college loans when they graduate. Councilor Burns real quick. And the councilor figure. Yeah. Mr. President. Um, I'm just wondering.
We, I mean, it's gonna go to l and l and he's gonna be back to speak to us in l and l. I'll explain, I mean, can we have a vote tonight? Can we go back to item 10? I mean, we've already heard it. No, we can't because we don't have the actual document to look at. That's what I was gonna do. Wrap this up and explain why he's here and what he's looking for, and then we'll move Forward. It's just redundant. I mean, why, why was that on there? Well, it's not, I don't know about you, but I'm not gonna vote on anything I haven't read.
Well, I'm not asking you to. Yeah, you Are. No, I need asking. You wanna Go back to 10 and vote on that? That's saying approving an SOI that we have it written. All right. Okay. Withdraw the question. Sorry. Councilor. Fan. And then councilor figure, you gotta get this done. Thank you. So following up on Councilor? No, councilor Fanny wants it. Oh, councilor Fanon first. Sorry. Thank you. Thank you so much for coming. No, pleasure. Um, I just have one question. I know everyone's concerned about the finances as as I am too. Is it possible to put a question on the ballot this year
and just get the feel of the people and if they are in favor of it, submit the application next year and then the state would know that we have the funding coming? Or do you have to do it? So I I, um, I don't put a ballot that would be, I think, for council, correct? Yes. And, um, I, I, I, you know, I, I think we'd have to present that to the school committee as a next step if they want to go with that. Um, I, I don't think that's a bad idea.
I think in my, uh, my statement all along has been is that if we do get selected, we should know if we have the support. Correct. And that's what I, I worry about All the time. If we don't have the support, then one I've written an SOI for nothing. Correct. Which is, which is fine. Correct. But I mean, we've done all this work, raise people's hopes. Mm-hmm. And then for a big letdown and Then plus like counselors said, across the way, if we don't have the funding, then we're not gonna look, they're not gonna look favorable upon us next time.
So if we could perhaps get the funding, I mean, I say that and that has been the historical trend. However, our neighboring city of Holyoke, they got shot down for their two middle schools. If anyone remembers that project, then they went back for one middle school and they got it. So they're also in receivership. Not sure if that plays a a role. It may, but, so there are always exceptions. That's why it's hard to make a final stance. But I think to me, it would be good to know that we have the support.
I think that's an important thing to know. Councilor Figy last words. I think Councilor Burns raises a good point. Why are there two items on this agenda for time? Expediency? The SOI needs to be approved by this body as well as the school committee. It has to go into a committee to come out to be approved. It hasn't been written yet. So what the superintendent, I believe, correct me if I'm wrong, you're looking to gauge the support
of the council to see whether it's worth pursuing. Correct. Trying to get this in by April 11th. 11th, Yes. Okay. So I think that's, that's what we need an unofficial straw poll here. Just to, to gauge the support. So let's, I think, can I rephrase it? What I would say may, so if I came in with an SOI ready to present, would that pass the council? Would it pass the school committee? I think Fair to say, said would it pass the
council? I I think it's fair. Yes. Council Mark. Thank You Mr. President. Just quickly now, if, if, if you, if you did that, if it was presented maybe a month ago and I saw it on the shared drive, looked at everything, read it, I, I still wouldn't, I still wouldn't be able to vote yes on that. And so in my 'cause of the finance. Right. So it was just voted on at our last school committee meeting. So I wasn't able to come here until it was done there. Right. Thanks Stefan. Appreciate it. Alright, let's put all set.
I'm all set. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. We're take, we're gonna take a little straw vote. You wanna make a motion? Just take it out. Make a motion for a straw vote on support for the SLI Second. I don't think we can, can't unofficial vote. Let it go. Committee. There's no vote. What are we voting on? Two weeks. Be two weeks, withdrawn.
Two weeks. Two weeks. Withdrawn. Second. She's Coming outta committee in two weeks. Right? It's not even two weeks. It's coming out. It's gonna come out, It's Gonna come outta committee in 10 days, right? Yep. Petitions or masters in other papers. The public hearings will be held on March 6th. Uh, Reports of committee's. Finance committee. Councilor Sullivan. Item 22. Yes, the finance committee. Thank you. Mr. President Finance committee has met and recommends the transfer of $2,420
and 32 cents from the city clerk's purchase of services account to the board of registers purchase of services account to cover the unforeseen increase in cost associated with the annual census list. And I move approval. Second. Motion Made it second. Further Discussion. Just real quick, for those that really check the numbers, this came into the council as $2,420 and 30 cents. We did have, or no sense we had to add 32 cents. 'cause that's the proper bid. Um, that's reflected in the motion in tonight's agenda. Uh, this is because there were more, uh, homes, individuals
that they need to send the state required mandated city census to on an annual basis. So that's the increase in cost. And I just filled mine out and gave it to the city clerk. So just so everybody knows. Okay. Any purpose. It's about, uh, Roll call. Madam City Clerk fee. Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews King. Yes. Melo? Yes. Morgane? Yes. Oniskey? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Allie? Yes. Bean? Yes. Bill. Randy? Yes. Yes. Burns Fanon? Yes.
Item 23. Council fee. Thank you. Mr. Presidents finance committee has met on a three zero vote. Votes for recommend approval of appropriation of the amount of $600,000 from free cash to the engineering construction account for costs associated with the improvement design of Broad Street and additional costs for the construction of South Maple Street and Middle Street landscape. Second. Motion Made and second further discussion. Council fee? Yes. Uh, this is kind of, uh, deceiving because the $600,000 isn't for one item.
It's for two or three. The first is, uh, 300,000 for the construction of Broad Street. Uh, because of the redesign to allow for both on street parking and for, uh, for, um, uh, a bike lane. It needed to be redesigned. And we've previously approved the 300,000. So this 300,000 is actually going to, uh, pay for sidewalks in the, uh, area up off of Western Ave.
Uh, those sidewalks, uh, redeemed by the city engineer in need of repair as they were, uh, either serious in serious conditions or they had failed. Uh, so that's the 300,000 to that. They had, uh, Gomez Company do that while they were on that project. Uh, the, uh, last area is, is for, I already covered the Broad Street, so that's what that's all for.
And we approve. Councilor Me. Thank you, Mr. President. Um, while I completely support having state passage on Broad Street, I cannot support this. Um, because I was sent the minutes of the finance committee by a very concerned resident who was upset, uh, with what she felt was a misappropriation of $300,000 from an environmental justice community to a neighborhood that did not have as many problems as an environmental justice community.
And they feel it is a conflict of interest that the mayor's sidewalks were paved before the work that was assigned. Um, they're very upset with that, and I promise that I would not vote in support. Thank you. Thank you. Council Morgane. Thank you, Mr. President. I just, uh, to clarify the, uh, why that these streets were put in the same, um, same free cash lump. Is that how it came in from the mayor? And that's why we're voting on it as a lump, because I'm, I'm, I'm kind of in favor
of one, but not the other one. Uh, and I, I, I've got my, my hands behind my back now. 'cause I, I don't, you know, I, I, uh, can someone explain on finance, uh, that to me, please. Council Figure. Yes. This is the way it came in from the mayor's office. I do have issues with the way things come into committee for the Mayor's office, or more than once they've combined things and give a total number when it's coming out. Like CPA funds or coming from two different accounts in the CPA. To me, that's a separate vote on each one.
I'm not having much success with my point to the mayor's office. They keep coming in this way. So that's how it, it happened. It came this way. Can can we send it back and ask him to separate 'em? Oh, we can do whatever we want. So you could, you could make a motion to do that. Councilor Morgan motion to send this, uh, consideration back to the mayor to separate the streets and the amounts as appropriate. Second
Motion made it seconded. Any discussion on sending it back? Council Green. So we're looking at, to separate these out and do two separate motions two weeks from now. How, however, the mayor would like to do it, evidently. So we gotta hold it for two weeks and then, okay. Mrs. Three, anything further On the motion? All In favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? No Opposed. Full call. Madam City Court. Fiy? No. Harris? No.
Matthews. Cain No. Ello? Yes. Morgan Elli? Yes. Ky No. Sullivan? No. Adams abstaining Further because of, I own a piece of Property on Broad Street, Alan. And it, I just wanna explain it for a second. And I was told it could benefit the cost of the property, which it can't, but I will abstain
because somebody brought it up. Allie? Yes. Um, bean. Yes. Beltran? Yes. Burns No. Fanon? Yes. Six. Yes. Six. No. Six. Yes. Six. Yes. Six. No. One abstention. Motion. Motion Fails. Motion. She fails back to the original appropriation of 600,000.
We'll all call Mad City Clerk. Everyone votes the same way. Fail Councilor Morgan Alley. Just, just, Just point of information. If the same vote everybody votes the same way the next time, it's gonna fail. Just for those that made the motion, Correct? Mm-hmm. Well, I can, I'll just make a comment and we'll see where it goes. Uh, the, the, uh, I, I appreciate that counselor cost away about the, um, um, the conflict of interest. Um, the ab abstention, this, that motion would've separated it so that Broad Street would be s in a separate motion.
So you could actually vote for one, but not, and, and then abstain for the Broad Street one if it comes back. So I don't know if that, that that's, that's actually a, a motion that I think you could have voted on, maybe to separate 'em. I don't think You're not voting on the project you voted against to separate. I think that, I don't think there's a conflict there. That's just, just saying that Let's just move this to, if you vote it up or down, send it back to the mayor or Don. Roll call. Mad city clerk. Vicky? Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews. Kane? Yes. Meow. No.
Morgan Elli? No. On he. Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams sustained. Allie? Yes. Bean? Yes. Bill. Randy? Yes. Burns? Yes. Fanon? Yes. Item 24. Council Bean. Thank you. Mr. President Finance committee has met and with a favorable three zero vote for the appropriation of the amount of $599,929 and 0 cents From free cash to the fire department, uh,
equipment vehicle account to purchase a new fire apparatus to replace engine two, which is at the end of its cervical, cervical life of 26 years. So move Second. Motion made it seconded. Councilor Moore? Yeah. Uh, pretty self-explanatory. We had this discussion maybe middle of last year. We purchased a, uh, new engine, uh, with through the ambulance fund. And this one is now coming out of free cash. They did their inspections with the both vehicles.
Finding, finding out that the frame of the, the one that we're replacing is rotted out. Um, so it's, it's dangerous. It needs, it's already well beyond, its, its life expectancy. So, um, the, um, the way it was set up is that one would get taken out of ambulance, and then this one is gonna be taken out of free cash. That's kind of where we're at. And it is a stock model, so it's coming in, uh, fairly quickly rather than a special order. Council. Morgan Alley. Thank you, Mr. President. Yeah. I'm, I'm all for having a police and fire.
Are, are, uh, those that, uh, serve public safety to have the best equipment? 26 years. Why wasn't this in the budget for 2025? I can answer That. I can answer the question. Go Ahead. So, just, just exactly the situation. This, this was something that they used the new lifts that we purchased and they inspected the frames of all the vehicles. And this was something that in the past, they weren't, have, didn't have the ability to do. So Chris Bard, who's the mechanic, um, brought it to the attention of the chief.
And right around the same time, I'm guessing six months ago or so, give or take, when we purchased one out of the ambulance or out of be ambulance account, um, their concern just, and I give the chief, uh, credit on this, is that they're concerned if they had to pull both out out of that, that's a concern for him. Um, so he's watching his ambulance account and managing that appropriately. Uh, although I do think there's too many positions out that particular account, but that's another whole discussion. Um, so, uh, you know, again, this was
beyond the budget process, so this is why this is a safety issue. They caught it and I'm glad they did. Council Morgan now, then Peggy, Um, just to, just to say that is less than five months till the next fiscal year budget. Um, I, I, I don't think we should be taking this out of free cash. I think it should be coming out of the budget. Thank you. Do you want to take that chance in five months and it hurt somebody? Councilor, that's appropriate. Councilor, is it please? Yes. I'm off. I'm off.
I just ask a question. Okay. Um, the councilor Morgan Stanley's point, this was In be respectful in this body. Please Excuse me. I'm speaking. Um, my, my apologies to your point. This was in the capital plan to be replaced in 2027. So it was on the radar, but they didn't realize it was in, in such bad shape that it can't even drive it anymore. So they did know it was coming. Unfortunately, it happened a lot faster than they thought it was going to roll. Call Madson Court.
Fige. Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews Kain. Yes. Meow. Yes. Morgan Alley? Yes. Oniskey? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Allie? Yes. Be Of course. Bill Trendy? Yes. Burns? Yes. Danon? Yes. Item 25. Councilor Sullivan? Yes, Mr. President. I'm gonna read the motion as it appears on the agenda, but I do have an immediate amendment. Um, motion to, um, appropriation in the amount of $295,865 from free cash
to the Health Department transfer station replacement equipment account for the purchase of a 2023 Volvo L 110 H Loader to replace the loader at this, uh, transfer station, which is at the end of its useful life, which has been for over 30 years. Second. So moved. Motion made it seconded. Counselor, I would like to amend the motion to change the appropriation to $251,074 and 30 cents.
And it will be for the purchase of a 2024 Hyundai. So moved. Second. Second. Motion made it Second. Any discussion, councilor? I do. Um, first off, this is, uh, the work of the finance committee, but want to give a special shout out to the, uh, council president. Uh, when this first came in, um, there had been only one bid, uh, for the Volvo, which was actually taken off of the state bid, which is totally appropriate. However, they did not look around for other options. And in fact, um, when they went out
and took a look, there was the Hyundai available, which is a year newer, actually has a longer warranty with it obviously is some $44,000 cheaper. Um, it will do the job the same. In fact, it actually will fit in the garage with the, uh, tire base and the wheel wells. Um, and so, um, this is also, um, available on the, on the state bid. The reason for the Volvo is that's what they've kind of always purchased in the past. So just kind of knee-jerk reaction.
Um, she went out and did it, and quite frankly, the, uh, director admitted it was the first time she had to buy a loader. Um, so nothing wrong with the number she got, it was off the state bid list. Um, but, um, with the work of the council president in particular, but finance in general, um, we, there's some $44,000 or less for this piece of equipment. But as stated, it is well past its useful life. Um, and for anyone that is up at the transfer station on a regular basis, this piece of equipment is used all of the time.
So we've been fortunate that the, the staff and management has been able to keep it on the road, uh, or at least at the transfer station working for as long as they have. Councilor Adams? Yeah, I think Mr. President, just a simple question here, and I'm not sure if we can do this or not, but is there a way, so this doesn't happen. Is there a way I know we can take this off the state bid. Is there a way that we can request through the city that we get three bids on things? I know if it's over 10,000,
my understanding is you have to bid on it. But can we impose something to save the taxpayers money for any bid that goes out there? 'cause I think we would save the taxpayers a lot of money if we did. So I don't know if anybody has an answer to that question. Councilor Beam, just, just a quick one. I, you know, I think it's the, the state statute is one thing, but if you think if you have more restrictive, they'll allow you to do that, they won't go the other way. So I think on an ordinance, you might be able to do something to that extent.
And it's probably worth the conversation because I agree with you wholeheartedly. I don't wanna slow up purchasing stuff, But I think this is a valid Point. I totally agree, but I think we can save the taxpayers money by getting three bids, even though you can go to one. If we get three bids, I guarantee we can save the taxpayers money. Okay. On the amendment, roll call please. Fige? Yes. Harris? Yes.
Matthew Ke? Yes. Meow. Yes. Morgan Elli? Yes. On? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Allie? Yes. Bean? Yes. Beltran? Yes. Burns? Yes. Nyia? Yes. Thank you. Item 26, legislative Inordinance. Councilor Fige. Thank you Mr. President Al has met regarding the ordinance Chapter six, building and Building Regulations by adding Article eight, residential Rental Property registration and by a 2 0 3 0 0 vote voted to approve.
Second motion. Made it seconded Further the Discussion Council? Yes, I'd like to amend this to refer back to committee for further study. Second. Motion made it seconded to send back to committee. Yeah. Any discussion? Yes. After considerable conversation with the mayor over the fiscal 26 budget, the way this ordinance is written with a $15 fee, annual fee, there's no way it's gonna cover
the cost it's gonna generate. The budget is, as you all can imagine, gonna be extremely tight this year. So it'll be un responsible of me to introduce something that's gonna cost money that we don't have. So I'm asking to bring this back into committee so we can have a thorough discussion about costs and the PO possibility of raising the fee for $15 to what it needs to be.
So that's the reason to refer back? Yes. Okay. Refer back to committee. All in favor. A opposed not back in the hands of L one O. Thank you. Personnel action committee Item 27, councilor Harris. Uh, thank you Mr. President. Personal Action Committee. Met, um, Adams Fige and myself on oh 1 22 25 regarding the following 12 items. 27 appointment of Matthew De Gray, 1 0 7 Prospect Street Extension as a member of the Board of Public Works replacement. Brian Richards for AUR to expire February 20, 28
and we voted to recommend that appointment. Second. Motion Made it seconded further the discussion. Counsel? Yes. Uh, thank you. Um, first, Brian Richards is moving outta state. Um, just so everybody is aware of it. Um, this gentleman, Matt, uh, Matt DeRay is employed by Collins Aerospace. He has a degree in mechanical engineering and Business administration is he is the director of sales of aftermarket operation, which includes sales execution
for a billion dollar business. Along with his in-depth understanding of being a senior aerospace leader, managing dollars inventory process of the business, he states that he has a robust problem solving skills, understands financial performance, as well as building efficient teams, fostering a growth environment, understands business development plans and program management. He also understands strategic financial plan of creation for the Westfield community. He was a soccer coach for 10 years and a running coach for the YMCA.
He states he wants to make, uh, the city a great place for all to reside in lastly, early in his working history, he was a machinist set performance tool in Westfield, then moved on to drafting and mechanical design and manufacturing operations. Um, councilor Fige stated that this looks like, uh, exactly what this department needs. He can watch the, that the expenses don't exceed the revenue. Thank you. Any further? Roll call. Madam Fige. Yes.
Harris? Yes. Matthew Cain. Yes. Meow. Yes. Morgan? Yes. Oniskey? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Allie? Yes. Bean? Yes. Beltran? Yes. Burns? Yes. Ion? Yes. Thank you. I'm gonna turn it over to Councilor Bean. Councilor. Thank you. 28 is a reappointment of James IWiN 75 Western Avenue as a member of the police commission for a term to expire in February 20, 28.
Second. Motion made and seconded. Any discussion? Second. Um, we recommend that reappointment, he was first appointed oh 2 22. He's a valuable member of this commission combining his extensive background in management and personnel with compassion in an advisory manner. He is very involved in the Westfield community, being president of the Boys and Girls Club board. Volunteers coordinate the noble ball and has coached just about every youth sport. He owns his own business, manufacturing military items and is from a military serving family.
He's very involved in the building of our new police station. In his initial appointment, counselor Adams, a liaison to the police department, stated that he was a great addition to this Commissioner and Counselor Burns stated the same. Any discussion on the reappointment? Seeing none. Roll call. Madam City Clerk. Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews Keen? Yes. Meow. Yes. Morgan Alley? Yes. Oniskey? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Allie? Yes. Bean? Yes. Burns? Yes. Fanon? Yes. Councilor Harris. 29
Reappointment of Richard Loy. Two 20. Russellville Road is an associate member of the planning board for a term to expire in February, 2030. Second. We vote. Motion made seconding. Go Ahead. Yeah, we voted for that. Reappointment. Uh, initially appointed 2019 to fill in a term of uh, John Bowen. He was reappointed in 2021 because of the realignment correction of all the expiration term dates of the board a few months ago to comply with city ordinances and correct inaccuracies. The expiration date and reappointment date, um, is correct.
He's a mechanical engineer who has been involved in building, building industrial plants all across the United States, working for Veo, Stanford, Connecticut as director of engineering, providing support to 17 manufacturing facilities and managed the re-engineering center in Chicago. He's been involved in projects worth millions of dollars and also since 1989, he has provided companies with consulting services as RWS Consulting in Westfield relative to machinery design and operation change. He's a lifelong resident
and believes in integrating industry and neighborhood neighborhoods, concentrating on quality of life issues. He's also been the board's representative on the Community Preservation Committee. Any discussion? Scene nine. I just counselor all, So, so I know it's with some of the other ones. They go to 2028. So why does this one go to 2030? Be here. Remember a few months ago we all voted for the realignment and the new appointment and reappointment dates. Alright. Of all the, uh, committee members.
Right? So in the future, would that, because that's five Years, it be five years from the state that's here, It'll always be five years, right? Yes. Alright, Thank you. It's a lot. Very long term for that committee. All Anybody else? Roll call. Mad Fige? Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews. Kane? Yes. Meow. Yes. Morgan? Yes. On? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Allie? Yes. Bean? Yes. Burns? Yes. Nyon? Yes. Counselor. Thank you. Reappointment of Lauren DeCaro. DeCarlo. 15.
Angelica Drive as a member of the Conservation Commission for a term to expire in February, 2028. And we voted, uh, for that reappointment second Motion made and seconded Discussion? Yes. First appointed oh 2 22. She's an assistant professor of environmental science at Westfield State University. Has worked in the natural resources industry for over 10 years and has a master's degree in ecology and a doctorate degree in wildlife science. She's worked in ecological restoration and educate students on how to conserve resources such as the local wetlands and habitat along the Westwood River.
She's familiar with the WPA application process and now with a few years serving on this commission, has experienced many situations that this commission must resolve in all things in regards to conservation and Westfields businesses and private citizens. Any other discussion? Seeing done? Roll call. Figgy. Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews. Kane? Yes. Meow. Yes. Morgan Alley? Yes. Ky? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Allie? Yes. Bean? Yes.
Burns? Yes. Fanon? Yes. C Harris. 31 is, uh, the reappointment of Carl Grove, one 30 Hawk Circle as a member of the Conservation Commission for a term to expire in February, 2028. We voted, uh, for that reappointment second Motion made seconded further discussion. Thank you. First appointed in 2016, uh, Is several appoint Reappointments confirmed by the city council is due to his experience in federal, state, and local regulations concerning wetlands. He also is aware of our local wetland issues
and he looks for ways to balance protecting wetland areas and the developmental and the development needs of the city and citizens. He's a professor at Westfield State University in the biology department, has experience working with wetland and wetland plants. He, along with the other commissioners, worked on updating all our local wetlands ordinances to state and federal standards. And he has certified through the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions and we're very well respected in that commission. Any discussion? Scene none. Rural. Call Madam City Clerk
Gie. Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews Kane? Yes. Ow. Yes. Morgan Alley? Yes. Oniskey? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Allie? Yes. Bean? Yes. Burns? Yes. Fanon? Yes. Council Harris 32 is the reappointment of John Bowen, 38 Pinehurst Street as a member of the planning board for a term to expire in February, 2028. And we voted for that reappointment second. Motion made and seconded discussion. Yes. Um, Judge does
That he went from associate status to full member status. Oh 6 21. Uh, again referring to the expiration dates, um, they are correct after they were adjusted, uh, by the city council a month or two ago. He's been the planning board's representative on the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, the representative on the Community Preservation Committee and attend city council meetings and other city meetings when he believes the information may be relevant to the planning board's agenda. He's a sales manager for integrated it Westfield,
where issues resolution skills are necessary. Previous to that, he owned his own business alarm, pro Security, which merged with Mobius Works that then became integrated. It. Very important to Mr. Bowen, he states is that Westfield remains a great city to raise a family and for businesses to thrive. He was a former board director at the Y-M-Y-M-C-A and Westfield FC Soccer League. Vice President. Councilor Sullivan and Figy have both stated in the past that they are proud to support him.
Any other discussion? Scene none. Roll call. Madam City Clerk Figy. Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews. Kane? Yes. Meow. Yes. Morgan Elli? Yes. Oniskey? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Allie? Yes. Bean? Yes. Burns? Yes. Fanon? Yes. Councillor Harris. Okay. 33. Reappointment of Joseph Papa. Papa 39 Bri Way as a member of the water commission for a term to expire in February, 2028. We did recommend reappointment. Um,
Second. Thank you. Motion made. Seconded. The floor is yours. Councilor Harris. Thank you. He was first appointed in 2018 to replace, uh, councilor Mike Burns. He was reappointed in 2019 and 2022. An engineer chair of this board. He works for tie and bond engineering, uh, consulting services. He has a degree in civil engineering and a master's degree in environmental engineering. With his professional and educational background and is now years of experience on this board.
He believes he can serve our residents well and adds that he enjoys being involved with the other board members. At last reappointment, all counselors voted yes except for Councilor Melo who acknowledged that although he was qualified and chairs the commission, well she stated that the city doesn't have an alternate water supply. The council is currently concerned regarding potential water rate increases, um, and the finance committee is analyzing that, but liaison to the water department Council Burns has stated that the financial situation described to this commission
and to the council's finance committee did not indicate the current financial situation would be manifested. Uh, councilors Bean Ann Sullivan also stated the same thing at our last council meeting. I'd just like to review just, uh, three or four sentences. His professional experience includes the following, Southwick, college Highway Water main improvements, south Central Connecticut, regional Water Authority, caustic Piping System improvements, Waterbury, north Main Street Pump Station, rehabilitation,
west Springfield, wastewater Pumping station improvements, Northampton Wastewater treatment, plant improvements, Greenfield Sanitary Sewer Pumping Stations, improvement, west Springfield, sanitary Sewer Pumping Station improvements, and Chicopee Combined sewer separation projects. I also wanna remind people that when he was first appointed, he stated that there would be no conflict of interest because he doesn't do work in Westfield. And that if he thought that something was going to be amiss, that he would, uh, abstain. Although he has not had to do that, so. Oh, I'm sorry.
No, that's, so that's the information. Councilor Miller. Thank you Mr. President. Um, I will be supporting this this year. Uh, not because we have a new water supply, which I think we should still get a new water source. Um, but I would like to just mention that I did watch the water Commission meeting where we sent the questions to, and our questions were thoroughly disregarded. And so, while I will support this, um, because I think we need to hold each other accountable,
I think we need to hold each other accountable, um, and return to that commission and ask why our questions were not answered. Thank you. Anything further? Scene none. Roll call. Fige. Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews. Kane? Yes. Meow. Yes. Mark Canelli? Yes. Oniskey? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Allie? Yes. Bean? Yes. Burns? Yes. Nyan? Yes. Councilor Harris 34 is the reappointment of Kenny, uh, Kenneth Ian. 1 31 Newland Drive as a member of the Parks
and Recreation Commission for term to expire on February, 2028. We voted for that reappointment. Sorry. Well, she made consecutive Discussion. Yes. Thank you. Our very long serving and very knowledgeable Parks and Rec commissioner. He knows the history of our city. Few have, um, the history that he has in regards to athletics and city parks involvement and athletics director years of service to our city on this commission. His past, he also, uh, in the past served on the Community Development Commission.
Um, this gives him an abundance of experience regarding our city. Uh, councilor Bean stated at, uh, the last reappointment that he'd worked with Ken at Westfield State and that he had been involved in athletics for many years and strongly supported him along with his accomplishment. I, I would just like to say he is known throughout the city for his compassion and kind manner. I think he does a terrific job. Any discussion? Just A question. Do you have his original appointment date? It had to be like 1990 if anybody's got it.
Gimme a second. I can find it. It's, It's not, I just think he's been, he's been there. It's gotta be a boat. 30, 30 plus years, I'm sure. 30 Plus years. Yeah. Oh, wait a second. It might Be, might. Probably 40. He's still young. I'm looking. I'm looking. It's Not that it, But you know, why don't you look here and then, um, I I I'll give you that date. Do Otherwise I'll be here. You can move the question. I
They're in order. So it's somewhere toward Bow Secretary Fi. You can, right? I don't know if we're good. There's a Sheet there. We can roll collar. We're okay. Piggy? Yes. Harris. Yes. Matthews. Kane. Yes. Meow. Yes. Morgane? Yes. Ky? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Allie? Yes. Bean? Yes. Burns? Yes. Fanon? Yes. Councilor Harris. Thank you. Uh, 35 is Reappointment at James. Lieutenant 1 0 9.
Whitaker Road is a member of the Council on Aging for a turn to expire in February, 2028. And we recommend that reappointment. Second. Second. A motion made and seconded. Any discussion? Yes. Uh, he's first appointed in 2012. He's been on the council over 10 years. Um, this, not this council. The Council on Aging and has been the Highland Valley Services representative. He's a retired math teacher and mentored and substitute taught students at Westfield Tech. He also was employed at digital for nearly 20 years as an elec electrical engineer.
He continues to wanna volunteer in a community. Is looking forward to continuing on this board. He states the senior center has a dedicated staff and he's impressed with all the programs and services they develop and provide to the Westfield seniors and Westfield in general. Councilor Figy and Adams liaisons to the senior center says he does a great job. Um, and Tina Gorman, who was then director, spoke, uh, in his favor at his last reappointment. Did you find It? No, it was not. So she might be able to find it.
Any other discussion on the 87 Dean? No comment. Secret Fige? Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews. Kane? Yes. Meow. Yes. Morgane? Yes. Hoki? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams ally? Yes. Bean. He's not making me Laugh. Mr. President? Yes. Uh, Mr. Ky found the date. It was, uh, more than 30 years as I thought. 1987 you said? Yeah. I think it was July 13th. I would love to give Council o Misty the credit for that, but there seems to be a bolded highlighted.
Thank you Madam Clerk. Just thank, thank Ken for his lifetime of service. Madam Clerk is so fast. She had that done before anybody even asked for that date. Yes. Well Done. Number 36, I think you, I believe so, yes. You just need, uh, burns. Yes. Fanya? Yes. Okay. Oh yeah. Probably should finish the phone. We can do that.
36 Is reappointment of Jeff Jeffrey Goslin, three 30 Elm Street as a member of the commission for Citizen with disabilities for a term to expire in February, 2028. And we recommend that reappointment. Second. Second. Motion made and seconded for the Discussion. Uh, yes. Uh, you heard, uh, Mr. Goslin speak earlier. Uh, he's given you his background. It will be corrected in the city clerk's records that, uh, you were not involved in special education. That has been in the records for a long time. So I'm not exactly sure how that came about,
but we'll correct that so we all have the information that he gave us. Any other discussion? Seeing on roll call? Mad fee? Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews. Kane? Yes. Melo? Yes. Elli? Yes. Morgane? Yes. Ky? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Allie? Yes. Beam? Yes. Burns? Yes. Companion? Yes. Number 37 is the reappointment of Nicholas Ata 96 Russell Road as a member of the historical commission for term to expire February 20, 28. And we recommend that reappointment Second.
Motion made. Seconded Discussion? Yes. Thank you. He worked, uh, in history as an educator and even before his first appointment in 2022, he worked at the, um, burial ground and several other projects that this commission was involved in. He has interest in museum studies and public history, would very much like to continue on this commission of which he's an extremely active, uh, member and is sincerely interested in the focus and mission of our historical commission. Any other discussions? Councilor Miller? Uh, thank you, Mr. President.
Um, just as liaison, I just wanted to let everyone know, um, that the, um, American Revolution, uh, what is the two 50th or something? There's a, um, this year the Battle, Lexington and Concord, there's a very big historical whatnot going on, so this is an important reappointment. So thank you for your support. Um, but also there's gonna be a lot of activity going on and people are gonna need volunteers. And I'm looking at all y'all just saying. Thank you.
Any other discussion? Seeing none. Roll call. Fige. Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews. Kane? Yes. Mellow? Yes. Morgan Alley? Yes. Oniskey? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Allie? Yes. Bean? Yes. Burns? Yes. Fanon? Yes. 38 is the reappointment of Michael Gutowski 69 Western Avenue as a member of the airport commission for a term to expire in February, 2028. And we recommend that reappointment.
Second. Motion made and seconded. Discussion. Thank you, Mr. President Pro Tem. He's been a pilot 45 years, owns his own plane and is the president of Wright Flight, a nonprofit organization that teaches seventh to 12th graders about aviation. He would like to continue on this commission as this is his profession, his interest, and he genuinely cares about our airport, its mission and the safety of all, and the prosperity of the businesses. At his initial appointment in 2022, council Morgan Elli spoke in support of his appointment,
noting that his son had participated in the right front pro, and that it was a great program. Councilor Morgano. Thank You, Mr. President Pro. Yeah. I'll say again that, um, Mr. Gutowski is a great guy and he really puts his whole heart into, uh, into everything he does at the airport. Uh, it's, he's just a, he's the perfect person for this position as far as I'm concerned. And I, I appreciative of him stepping up again, uh, for the reappointment and saying yes to it.
Any other discussion? Seeing none. Roll. Call. No. Clerk B? Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews. Kane? Yes. Mellow? Yes. Alley? Yes. Oniskey? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Allie? Yes. Bean. Yes. Burns? Yes. Panion? Yes. Councilor Harris. Mr. President. 39. I'm gonna recuse myself. Yes. Councilor Sullivan. Unfinished Business. Second Reading. Final passage of an ordinance for salary increases for the members of playing board and zoning.
Board of appeals as proposed and approved The mayor's fiscal year 25. Budget. Second motion. And seconded for the second reading. Any other discussion? No. See none. Roll call. Madam c Fige. Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews. Kane. Yes. Meow. Yes. Morgan Alley? Yes. Oniskey? Yes. Adams? Yes. Allie? Yes. Bean. Yes. Burns? Yes. Fanon? Yes. Councilor. Figy. Last item. Thank you. Motion by Councilor Bean, Fanon
and Figgy to discuss adding professional and personal services to industrial aid. For example, hair, nail salons, physical therapists, physicians, chiropractors, therapists refer to zoning, planning and development, planning board and city planner. Second. Motion made and seconded. Be discussion If you guys would just allow me to speak from the chair for only two seconds. Sure. If that's okay. Um, so there's just been some, um, um, thought on adding the, these particular items, at least some of them were in industrial a, a long, long time ago.
Mm-hmm. Um, so I don't know if we have the appetite for it, but I think it's, it, you know, and I've been using the word passive uses out in that area. Um, I don't think it generates a lot of traffic, a lot of truck traffic. Um, I, I think they're, uh, clean, uh, by definition, at least in that area, in the sense of water, water issues that we would have. So I, I just, there's, there's a lot of vacant buildings out there and I think there is a few individuals out there
that are looking for alternative uses for the facilities. And I think this is, uh, a way to kind of get those buildings not vacant and paying taxes. So that's kind of why I'm looking at this. Again, I'm not sure if this is gonna make sense. You know, zoning's a different thing. I've been around enough with Northern Connecticut and Western Mass and you see a lot of it in northern Connecticut with a lot of these uses. So I just thought it was something that we should look at. Councilor Miller? Uh, thank you, Mr. President. President. Um, can I just ask, would the
newsworthy problematic massage establishments be qualified under this? The last thing I want is like some human trafficking thing happening in our ia 'cause nobody's driving past, you know what I'm Saying? I don't think anybody's really in favor of that. Yeah. Well, right. But, but would that fall under this? Like, I, That's not my intent, So that is my cognize. Yeah, no, I just don't want like, in one
of those pla those streets that's only getting trucks driving by. Understood. Okay. We can have that discussion and we can Please do. Yeah. Absolutely. Thank you. Okay. Anything else? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Any announcements from the council? Councilor Allen? Uh, thank you Mr. President Pro. Uh, so, um, each of the been provided with, um, three, um, uh, packets.
Um, one is a, um, an article, a fairly new article on new concerns over the safety of clean energy, uh, facilities after the California fire. The other is a, um, press release from the state. Uh, state announced a three and a half million dollars fund for stakeholders to intervene in the utility citing process. This is like the cities and towns that should be available in March of 2026. And then I've also submitted a timeline, um,
of a project in a number of things that have gone on in town. And I'll ask you to definitely, uh, give those a read please Officer figure. Uh, just a couple things. Um, Wednesday night at seven o'clock WTA band, for the first time in their history, we'll have a winter concert with no assistance from the Westfield High School Band. This is a huge accomplishment for, for that. Second thing I'd like to announce is that, uh,
finance committee meeting regarding the water department will be February 26th at five o'clock. The last thing I'd like to do is thank all the volunteers that volunteered at the Westfield Westfield Tech Science Fair and congratulate the winners and wish unblock as they move forward. So, thanks Council Miller. Thank you, Mr. President. Um, I just wanted to say that at 6:00 PM on Wednesday the 26th, so I'm very sorry that I'm gonna miss the second half of your meeting.
Um, at 6:00 PM on Wednesday the 26th at Westfield River Elementary School, uh, the Massachusetts Under Secretary for Environmental Justice and Equity will be here with her team to speak with our residents about their concerns. So everyone who wants to talk about battery storage, truck traffic, air pollution, water pollution, if you have an environmental justice issue and you feel that the people in Boston can't hear us, they are coming here specifically to hear us.
Let's please, uh, meet them with kindness and respect, uh, and let's speak up while we have this opportunity. Thank you. Thank you. Anything else? Council Mo? The, the, the good news is that we don't have a council meeting this Thursday because it's not gonna be canceled 'cause we've got snow and ice coming Thursday morning. That's all. Anything else from the council motion? Council Harris? Motion to adjourn. Second. Motion made.
And second. All in favor?