Somebody three months ago I was gonna, I told do for me To do it. Good evening. I call the December 18th, 2025 meeting of the Western City Council to order. Roll call please. Madam City Court. Fanon. Here. Fiy. Here Harris. Here. Matthews. Kane. Here. Meow. Here. Morgan Alley. Here. Ky. Here. Sullivan. Here. Adams Here. Allie? Here. Bean. Here. Belt Here. Burns here. Thank you. Please. Er. Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge Allegiance. The United States America for Religious Standard One Nation under God.
Justice for all. Thank you. Reading of the record of the meeting of December 4th, 2025 and special meetings of December 4th, 2025 and December 9th, 2025. Councilor Bean. Thank you Mr. President. I'd like to accept the minutes without reading. So moved. Second. Motion made it second. Any discussion on the minutes? Seeing none. All in favor? Opposed. Now comes the portion of the meeting for public participation. Anyone wishing to address the council may do so by coming forward. State your name and address Court, the city clerk. And we do this in three minute increments, which may be extended by the council.
Anyone wishing to please, sir? Come on up. Yeah, watch out for her. Hi, Jennifer Zelan, 18 Vine Street and I am here as a member of the historical Commission reading a proclamation on behalf of the mayor, um, regarding a certain general Henry Knox Day that we planned. Um, and just to add note that the date that we planned is actually historically when General Knox traveled through Westfield. So whereas July 24th, 2026 is the
250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America. And whereas Henry Knox, a 24-year-old civilian did undertake in the winter of 1775 to 1776 to lead a crew of teamsters driving oxen pulled sleds to Hulk Cannons captured by American Patriots at Fort t Kondo Rogan, New York, through the Berkshire Hills to Westfield, after which he drove onto Cambridge where the cannons were thereafter place to challenge the occupation of Boston by the British Army.
And whereas these efforts of Henry Knox Boston and indeed of all of Massachusetts was liberated from the tyranny of King George ii and Henry Knox was commissioned as an officer in the continental Army rising to the rank of major general. And whereas but for this historic victory over the forces of the king, it is likely that the Declaration of Independence would not have been issued and signed by the founders of our nation. And whereas now 250 years after that signing, we Americans remain united in the support of the values and the self-evident truth as declared
by our founders in the Declaration of Independence. And whereas it is now incumbent upon all of us to recognize the effort of Henry Knox and to celebrate the founding document that all of us hold dear now, therefore, I, Jennifer Thilan as a designee of Michael Mcca, mayor of Westfield, do hereby proclaim January 12th, 2026, major General Henry Knox Day and further hereby declare him an honorary citizen of the United of the city of Westfield posthumously with the rights and privileges there unto pertaining
and be it further resolved as follows, to undertake on July 3rd, 2026, a celebration to honor both the legacy of Major General Henry Knox and of those values and self-evident truths for which he risked his life and liberty as set forth in the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America. Thank you. Yes. Do I do something like this? Yep. Give it to the state clerk if you would, sir, please. Ron Ru 79 Woodsong Road. Uh, first thank you for, uh, making available previous meeting meetings on Vimeo, uh,
as well as the questioning that occurred on October 4th and 19th, uh, 2021 regarding the, uh, service star hyperscale data center and the applicant specifically on, um, water usage fencing and diesel storage. Uh, I have continued reservations about a data center based on a Boston 25 news report from 11 25 25 that living next to a Lowell Data Center leads to constant sleepless nights because of the noise. Uh, west Mass Area Development Corporation on their website states construction in Westfield of the data center may begin as early as 2026.
Uh, given this timeline, I ask that the council inform residents about, uh, mitigation efforts, uh, for electrical prices, pike Exit traffic Facility Lighting and Noise. Uh, an 11 8 25 article in the Boston Globe reports that a typical AI data center uses as much electricity as a hundred thousand homes. How will the data center powers consumption impact residents who already complain about power supply issues around the Gaslight District? How will our electric rates be impacted regarding traffic In December of 2023, rerouting the Westfield River Bridge construction on I 90 to the Westfield exit led
to a traffic backing up past the Trooper's barracks. Uh, the build site on Service Star way is only two roads of access, uh, arch Road and Southampton Road, which passes by an elementary school. The above West Mass development article stated that the first of 10 buildings would take 18 months to complete. Will the council inform residents about traffic mitigation? On the third item of facility lighting service stars, 155 acre data data center will likely be fully illuminated. What brightness limits will the developer commit to? This wouldn't be the first time that, uh, north end construction and lighting issues fueled resident concerns.
The last item is noise. In the 10 19 21 meeting, about 18 minutes into that meeting, presenters described how generators would emit about 109 decibels of noise, which is comparable to the loudness of a jet taking off And the sound dissipates to 50 decibels at a half mile out. The duration of a jet engine is less than a minute. Bear in mind that at that ten four twenty one meeting, the developer states 48 minutes into the meeting that the generators may be used during the hours of four and 7:00 PM on peak load days, such as during a heat wave. What impact will that incessant home have on residents
of Sunset Drive the mobile home park? The students of Southampton Road Elementary and Westfield Intermediate. What would be decibel levels for residents of Bailey Drive who are within a quarter mile of the proposed building areas? How will their property values be impacted? In closing, I request that the residents receive information regarding electrical prices, pike exit traffic facility lighting and noise impacts. During that ten four twenty one meeting, there was a statement that investors want certainty. Westfield residents deserve the same assurance. Thank you. Thank You sir. Anyone else like to address the council? Joe Jaune 49 Colony Drive. I'm speaking you tonight as the chair
of the Conservation Commission and I would like to formally introduce the commission's new agent Nick Ick to the council. Uh, Nick and his family have recently re relocated to Western Massachusetts from Arizona. He brings to us a background in municipal programs and a working knowledge of environmental protection standards. The search committee, uh, was fortunate we had a number of really strong candidates to choose from. And what set, set Nick apart for us was his strong interpersonal and communication skills. Skills that the commission sees as vital for the agent's success. In Nick's most recent role, he was the water resource
and conservation planner for the flood control district of Maricopa County. In that role, he managed consultant contracts, facilitated inter-agency coordination, conducted public training and guided regulatory compliance relative to native vegetation, stormwater best management practices and riparian restoration. Nick shares the commission's vision of serving our community by protecting our wetland resources as well as making the open spaces that the commission is responsible for more accessible and user friendly to the residents of Westfield. I hope that you'll all join me in welcoming Nick
and his family to the West, to Westfield, and we look forward to a productive relationship between the commission, our agent and the city council. Thank you. Thank you very much. Welcome, Nick. Good to have you on board. Anyone else like to address the council? Hi there. Uh, Bo Sullivan, 54 Barrister Circle here in Westfield. I come here what? Three Minutes. I've never done anything. At three minutes, I come here with congratulations. Uh, Rick Sullivan's last meeting is tonight. Congratulations to him and thank you from the city,
but more importantly thank you from his family for a job well done. Uh, somebody who was dedicated more than 30 years of his life to the city of Westfield deserves congratulations. Um, way back, I remember on Highland Avenue hand making the signs for Rick Sullivan for gas and electric commission for more four back in the eighties with crayons. Uh, we did do that. And then all the way up to this past election where he got to stand next to his son with one stake, with his placard on top and his son's placard on the bottom, it is come full circle
and it is, uh, a great moment, uh, that we get to say thank you. Um, you've been a mentor to so many people, but especially, um, you as mayor, a brother as mayor, a brother who served 11 years on the school committee and I have had seven years on the school committee and you have been a mentor to each and every one of us and on behalf of them, and I know Lisa's here, uh, to see you at your last one too. Thank you. From us, thank you from the city. Like you said last night at your retirement party,
more than half the job is showing up and Rick showed up to everything and that's why he's still here. So congratulations. The city owes you a debt of gratitude. The city owes you. Thanks. So thank you for all you did for the city of Westville, Mr. Rock. Now we need minutes. Alright, he's got the clock, like the yield back, the time. Uh, Harry Rock's 2 43 North Road here in Westfield. A proud resident of the city. I love spelled HOME. So I'm here to back up with my great colleague and friend here, Bo Sullivan had to say
because I was stunned when I heard the outcome of the election. And I started thinking about when is his last presence here in the Great City Council chambers of Westfield. And I felt I needed to come here on behalf of the Rock family, myself and Ann, to speak on our behalf. And if nothing less to speak on behalf of Westfield. So it's hard to believe after a long, lifelong career of civic and professional work serving the public that that run is over, but everything has to come to an end.
Boast did a much better job of outlining, outlining his career than I certainly could. But I noted that he had been a school committee member, which was his, I think that was your first election that you went for or something close to that. Gas and electric was first. Oh, gas and electric. And then see there's all these other ones that I didn't know about. But then he was elected as mayor from 1994 until June of 2007, almost 14 years, a reign of tenure that has never been to this point, duplicated
by him, which shows his commitment to this city. He then went on to a successful career with the state in very high level positions. And then he came back to Springfield to serve for 11 years as the president, CEO, for the Western Mass Economic Development Council. In addition to that role, I was surprised and thrilled and happy to see that he was going to run again for city council and again, show his commitment to this great city for everything that he has done, he had done up to that point. His career has been about serving the public.
It's always been about serving the lives of the citizens that he was there and sworn to serve. I first met Rick when I moved to Westfield in 1991 as the executive director of the YMCA. The city at that point wasn't a great place. Our schools were not certified. Downtown was in a depression, real estate was as a real low. And I started wondering where I had come to. I've been here 34 years and I'm not going anywhere. When I met Rick, when he got elected, I said,
we have someone with vision, someone who cares, someone who's committed, and someone who has the drive to see what this city can be. And under that leadership for almost 14 years, this city is a proud example of what our community is. I don't remember the setting that I was in a few months ago, but I was somewhere outside of the city and we were talking and someone said, where do you live? I said, in Westfield, oh, that's the hot community that everyone wants to move to.
That's the hot community that everyone wants to move to. We can take pride in what our city has become with everything that goes on between schools and Pumpkin Fest and the artworks, Westfield, and all of the agencies and organizations that are here to serve our city. This is a city I'm proud of. It's a city I choose to live in and Anne and I will be coming to see you Jimmy Adams at some point. When our life comes to an end that shows our commitment to this city. We're not moving to Florida.
I believe in everything that this city has for its community and for its motion to extend. And I give that recognition to Rick Sullivan for everything that he has done. Harry, Can you hang on one second? Motion made in second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Continue, please. Oh, thank you. Appreciate that. Rick, in my mind, never approached his position as a politician worrying about that next election, and that was his only focus. Rick, to me, evolved as a true statesman, worried about the next generation.
What can we do to ensure that our city is going to be the best it can be for our children, who will be our future leaders? That's the measure of a true statement. He cared about the city more than he cared about himself. His work to start the planning of the revitalization of downtown has made the city what it is. It gave the platform and the foundation for future mayors and city councils like yourself to continue to make the city what it is. Amelia Park, I, I served on that blue ribbon committee
as Al first called it, and I got to view firsthand when Rick was the mayor of what we went through to ensure that that happened. And there were times when it was a bit tenuous and that might not have happened, but because of the leadership of this fine gentleman over here and his dedication to the city and finding middle ground and finding consensus, he got it done. As I look at Rick, I think of the consummate servant leader. A person who cares not for himself, but for others to advance the goodwill,
the careers, the opportunities of the city and the residents who live here, most notably our children, our future, we want them to be proud of this city and they will be because of what he did. He's modest. His exemplary people skills have always been on, on display. He's been focused on helping others and doing good for others while looking for no recognition for himself.
Rick Anne and I and I, I hope I speak for the populace behind me and within our city who is watching this tonight. We're gonna miss your leadership. We're gonna miss your institutional knowledge, but you, we wish you well for your retirement. Perfectly timed to spend a great life with that lovely wife of yours, Lisa, who I'm sure is looking forward to having quality time with you going forward. So I am going to stand here if anyone would like to join me. I know we've already stood and applauded,
but I am going to applaud you as a resident of this fine city. Rick Sullivan, we thank you. Thank you. Thank you Gary. Anyone else like to address the council Once again, Peter Martin, one 10 Western Circle Westfield. In 1992, a former mayor appointed me to be second city solicitor in Westfield. Um, and two years later, a young mayor, uh, who I really didn't know very much about, didn't know very well at all, um, came and visited me in the city law department
and he asked me to join his team as personnel director, um, of the city of Westfield. And I jumped at it. It was a promotion. This was a good thing. Um, I found in my years of working both as personnel director and later as, uh, head of the city law department, uh, that working with Rick was a pleasure. He was whip smart. He was young. Now, well, he's not so young And I haven't worked with him in years,
so I don't know about the whip smart business anymore either. But I can say this, that, um, he was a pleasure to work for. Um, he always listened to what you had to say and sometimes he would make go off in a different direction, but he was always respectful, um, of all employees, of all citizens. Um, I am was happy to see him get back involved in city government when he ran for city council. Um, but I will tell him this, when I left
City Hall, um, I've been back a few times, mostly to go to the city collector's office to thank you. But other than that, I haven't been around here very much. And I will tell you, Rick, um, that there's life after city hall. There really is. And I wish you and your family the best. Thank you very much. All right, thank you Peter. Anyone else like to address the council before I turn it over to Councilor Figgy? Uh, Good evening. Ralph Figgy, ward two city counselor,
53 Brookline Avenue here in Westfield. When I realized that this was going to be Rick's last meeting, a lot of thoughts ran through my mind. Most notably of the adjectives that we could use to describe him are public, servant, advocate, professional, and most of all, friend Rick Sullivan. The politician Rick's commitment to public service began when he was elected to the Gas and Electric Board in 81. In 84, he was elected to the Westfield City Council position. He held until his election as mayor in 1994.
Rick served as mayor of Westfield in 2007 when he was appointed commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. In 2011, he was elevated to the Secretary of Massachusetts, executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and Governor Deval Patrick's cabinet. In 2014, Rick was then appointed chief of staff to the governor Patrick. A rolly held until the governor left office In 2015. That same year, Rick returned once again to local service running for an at large seat in Westwood City Council. A term that concludes at the end of this month.
Rick Sullivan, the advocate, Rick has long been a tireless advocate for Western Mass, consistently reminding Boston that the Commonwealth extends well beyond Route 4 95. He was instrumental in security of $7 million in grant funding that accelerated the construction of Westfield Rail Trail, helping bring this project to completion far sooner than anticipated. Most recently, Rick played a crucial behind the scenes role in addressing the proposed battery storage facility planned for Westfield's North side. Through numerous calls to state leaders, cabinet secretaries,
and the governor working in concert with local officials and city leadership, Rick helped bring about the withdrawal of that project. True to forum, he sought no recognition and avoided the spotlight. Rick Sullivan, the professional. Rick, became a member of the Massachusetts bar in 1985, continues to practice law to this date in 2016, was named President and CEO of the Western Mass Economic Development Council, a position from which he will retire at the end of this year. Rick exemplifies professionalism in every sense of the word, whether it's in politics, the workplace, or family life.
His integrity, preparation, and respect for others have set a standard as difficult to match. Rick Sullivan, the friend Rick and I have been friends for many years from traveling the world together, sharing countless adventures here in Westfield. Those memories will never be forgotten. When I began my own campaign for city council, Rick was the first person I called for advice. I knew I would receive honest counsel and unwavering support. That relation continues to this day and look forward to many more years of friendship. Rick, thank you for everything you've done for Westfield. Our city is fortunate to have benefit from your leadership and dedication.
I am certain that we have not heard the last of Rick Sullivan. His passion for civic engagement will continue to shape our community. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to call you, my friend. Your experience and historical knowledge will be deeply missed on the city council. Enjoy your well earned retirement, and thank you again for all you've done for Westfield on behalf of the city. We have a plaque present to you at this time. I think so. I Three you get three Minutes. Harry, Harry gave Harry. That won't even take three. Um, I just, first off, thanks to all the speakers, um,
you know, obviously known many all of you for many, many years. And at the end of the day, that's what this is all about. It's the commitment that everybody makes to public service, to better the community. And everybody who walks through this door or the hall or the door of city Hall is looking to make the quality of life for everyone in Westfield better. Um, and when everybody works together and respects the differing opinions, um, that's when we can actually come together and get things done. And I've been hugely fortunate, um, that this community has, has supported, um, a lot of projects that we put forward.
Um, they've supported me personally. Um, but at the end of the day, they really are supporting the better future, um, of the city of Westfield. And you couldn't do this job any of these jobs. And we all know as elected officials, um, or public officials that work, um, a lot of, a lot of hours work a lot with the public. Um, you can't do that if you don't have a really good, strong support system, um, to go home to at the end of the day. So I have been blessed, um, to have, um, a strong family in that regard. Friends who always show up and are always supportive.
And my wife Lisa, who, um, has allowed me to serve here has really been the backbone of of, of being able to do this. Um, somebody's always picking up the slack when you're out at meetings and doing the public events or, um, you know, representing the city, which is important to do with those events. It can't happen, um, without somebody who's there supportive of not only what you're doing, but also supporting the cause at the same time. And you all have your own families that you go home to, and they all provide that same, uh, service and benefit to you and to the community.
So I just want to say, um, it's been a great run. You all have my personal phone number, so you call, although Brent doesn't call anywhere near as much as he used to. So sorry about that. But feel free. Um, you know, this is our community. I'm not going anywhere. So I'm as committed to the future of the city, um, as I was the day. Um, I first ran for Gas and Electric Commissioner many, many years ago. So, um, on behalf of myself and my family, I just want to thank everybody for the very kind words tonight for the mementos, um, the present of whatever it is over there.
Looks, looks, uh, thank you very much. It really means a lot and the support, um, I can't tell you how important that has been to me personally. Um, so I just wanna say thank you. Thank You. Yeah, I'll say yeah, Constable Minski. Thank you, Mr. President. If I may, uh, from, from the chair, I want to thank Rick personally also. Uh, he, he got me into the civic duty in year 2000 when he appointed me to the planning board. Um, standards became higher after that, but he's really got me to where I am right now in the city
of Westfield, and I want to thank him. Thank you Bill. Anyone else? Council BI just quick, um, you know, I come from a different angle on this. Uh, I was appointed by Rick when I was like 26 years old on the water commission. Um, and I think that speaks to the importance you felt to having, you know, young people that were interested and, and have the energy to kind of make the city kind of move forward. And you know, I've, you know, obviously I've said it a hundred times and I think Jimmy told me to stop saying it, but I've been here for quite some time now. So not only serving under you, um, which you allowed us
to make our own decisions as commissioners too, which is really appreciative. Uh, serving with you as a counselor. Never thought it would happen, um, six years ago. Um, I think you leaving fills a hole. There's a hole within within this board. Um, you know, and especially on, on the outs of Tim O'Connor, Heather Sullivan, and Kevin Kelleher for that matter. A lot of years of service that is leaving the city. Uh, although everybody does chant sometimes, you know, bring on new people. The continuity, you know, and the, the historical knowledge that you brought
to this city helped me every day that I serve here. So I appreciate that and, uh, I know you have bigger and better things at this point than, uh, I think eight or nine grandkids to service yourself there. So, um, nice. Good luck to you and obviously I'll, I'll pick up the phone a little bit more Okay. At that point. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else? Councilor Al. Thank you, Mr. President. And so, uh, Rick, uh, while I was too young to remember, uh, your time as mayor, um, um, I would like to thank you, um,
uh, for your contribution and also, um, the insight in, in the discussion that this council had with issues, um, on the council. Um, our job is to vote and you have no control on a lot of the issues that come at you and the things that we've had to deal with. And just as Brent mentioned, um, it's had historical knowledge or that insight in how things work, um, and course you've held a lot of positions across the state and city and state government are totally intertwined. And um, I'd just like to thank you, um, for all your service. Thank You.
Anybody else, just real quick, uh, Rick, I always look over looking for knowledge and expertise and you've always been there to gimme the nod. So from the chair here, I really appreciate everything you've done. Thank you. Good luck to you. Anybody else? Councilor Adams? Yeah, sure, why not? You know, I guess I've always admired the guy that's done as much as he did, and I told him that the day, that night that he didn't win the election, and it was a fluke. That election was a total fluke. It had nothing to do with, you know, Rick didn't deserve it
or what, you know, what the outcome was because this guy has given more to the city than any of us. And, and no offense to any of us here, but more than probably anybody in this town has given more to the city than Rick Sullivan has. And I've always, I've always needed a few favors and I know I go to the guy with a juice right here, um, and he's still got it and he'll probably always have it. Um, there's been a lot of people that have from around here that's needed something in Boston, even after Rick, you know, wasn't serving down there. And Rick has made a phone call and gave some deserving people some interviews
that I've always appreciated that. And I wouldn't call him if the people didn't deserve it, but Rick was always there to make that phone call and make it happen. I mean, the people may not have got elected, but the people got an interview that Rick may not even have known, but I knew him and Rick said, I'd be happy to do something for you. So I've always appreciated what he's done. I've always appreciated what he has done for the city. And he's like, you can't even go on. And the people understand what he's done, um, and he's always done it with a smile. Um, so I think Rick's not going anywhere. Um, so I know I still got his number, so thank you Rick. Thanks
Jimmy. Councillor Harris, Thank you. Um, counselor, mayor, attorney, wonderful person. Ricky is an absolutely wonderful person and his entire family is an asset to Westfield. They are kind, loving people and donate much of their time to things that you don't even hear about. So thank you Mr. Sullivan. Thanks. Council Burns. Yeah, I wasn't gonna say anything, but I have to. Um, I know Mr. Martin me mentioned, uh, getting old,
but we go back to high school together, so that's old. But, uh, I certainly appreciate Rick. I've known him for years and years and years and, uh, I'm gonna miss him sitting next to me here. I don't know who's gonna be here now, but it's not gonna fill his seat. That's for darn sure. But, uh, again, thanks a lot Rick, and, uh, good luck to you. Good luck to you family. Thank You. Councilor Matthews Kane. Thank you, Mr. President. Um, I just feel I was really as lucky to have served on council with you, especially the time on finance. I'll vouch that he's still whip smart. He has a wealth of knowledge and you really ask questions
and you are a real model to learn how to be a city counselor to watch how you act. And I, I'm grateful, um, for the, that I was able to serve with you and I wish you the best thank in the future. Thank you. Councillor Stanion, then Mellow, and then Morgan, Ellie. Thank you Mr. President again. I'd like to echo all the words, the kind words everyone has said about, um, Councillor Sullivan. Um, I became city clerk in 1998, and I remember meeting with Mayor Sullivan at the time and he gave me, uh, advice that has helped my career and made my career successful. And I would always thank him for that.
And I always felt welcome going into that office for any questions that I had as the city clerk when he was the mayor. And of course, working alongside of him now as a city counselor has been a privilege and an honor, and thank you, and I wish you the best. Councillor Melo. Thank you, Mr. President. I come from a different point of view from everyone else. I just wanna thank the counselor across the way for being so generous with your time and your expertise with me. Everybody knows I'm the one with all the questions. I appreciate the fact that you always answered them and, and took my calls and hopefully still will
because of course I'm still gonna have more. But I, I very much appreciate your generosity with your experience and expertise with me. It has been a pleasure. Thank you. Constable Elli. Thank you, Mr. President. Yeah, I, I I mean Rick, we only got to know each other on the council, uh, recently since you joined the council because I kind of missed you as a mayor, uh, in the years when I started here. And then, uh, you were off to Boston and then I came back under the council. So it, it's just been a, uh, a real pleasure, uh, not only working with you, but I, I really have looked up to you as far
as the go-to person for an answer when I can't find the answer because you are so experienced in so many different ways, as was said earlier, but can't trump what your brother said. I mean, your brother's here tonight, so for him to speak for you, I can echo everything that everybody said, but much gratitude for all your service to the city and the citizens that make Westfield great. Thank you very much and God bless you and your retirement and God bless your family. Thank you. Thank you. That's it for councilors. Thanks everybody. Anybody else have anything else to address for the, somebody else out here?
Anybody else wanna address the council? Councilor Harris. Thank you. I have two items, uh, Mr. Present. First I'd like to present, um, a gift card to the city clerk Bruce, on behalf of the city council, One to their favorite restaurants are her and her wonderful people that work in her department, and we thank you for what you do. Thank you all the time. Thank And second, if I might, um, please, Mr. President make, uh, another statement regarding gold star families. Uh, today, down in Boston Memorial Hall,
gold Star Christmas Tree dedication was made to the Gold Star family. And the governor says, this is the most meaningful event. 37-year-old United States Navy Seal, Christopher Chambers, a 2005 Westfield High graduate, died defending our country in active duty to honor him. A plaque was dedicated to him in a ceremony December 11th at Westfield High. We think of his family now, a gold star family. Mayor McCabe asked everyone to remember the Gold star families and the sacrifice they've made and endured in pursuit of the country's freedom. And he has always acknowledged me
as a gold star daughter at events. I'm very grateful to him for that and to Mayor Brian Sullivan, who was the first mayor to publicly introduce me as a gold star daughter. My father was not yet 25 when he died in active service. I was just a very young child as a gold star daughter, I think especially of Christopher's daughter Kennedy. And how she like me, will not have her father's arms to hug her ever again. Three years ago when the Heroes Act was passed, our Westfield City Council proudly supported it and passed it, giving many acknowledgements
to Gold Star families. What I found out a bit later was that the benefits provided such as tax consequences and Gold Star license plate was for spouses, mothers, and fathers, but not for the children of fallen heroes. For three years, I've asked to please include the children for those benefits to our state senator and anyone else who would listen to no avail. I'm asking that counselors and others who pride themselves in being involved in state affairs to please pursue this
and give all benefits to the Gold Star families so that gold star daughters like me and Kennedy and Gold Star Sons won't have to listen to politicians on Memorial Day. Say again. We will never forget our gold star families because you did. You have and you continue to thank you to the counselors, veterans and citizens, and representative peace who have been so very kind to me on Memorial Day. You are all appreciated. I thank all the citizens, the public for your support of the Gold Star families. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else like to address the council
before we move on to business? Seeing none communications from the mayor. Item one, councilor Figgy. Thank you Mr. President. Motion to suspend the rules for immediate consideration. Second. Motion made it seconded. Any discussion on suspension? All in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? Now under suspension counselor. Thank you Mr. President. Like to make a motion for the approval of the appropriation, the amount of $300,000 from free cash to the Westfield Skate Park project account to fund renovations. Second. Motion made it seconded. Further discussion counselor. Thank you Mr. President. Uh, timing is, is of the essence with this.
The, uh, hope is to get all the paperwork done and get the project out to bid early, uh, late winter, early spring. In order to do that, all the funding needs to be in place. This is not something that's new to the council. We heard about it at our last meeting. We knew it was coming and it's here. So I encourage my colleagues to support this motion. Any further discussion on this? Seeing none. Roll call. Madam City Clerk. Fania. Yes. Figgy? Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews. Kane? Yes. Mellow? Yes. Morgan Alley? Yes. Oniskey? Yes. Sullivan? Yes.
Adams? Yes. Allie? Yes. Bean. Yes. Tran? Yes. Burns? Yes. Um, item two. Councilor Figgy. Thank you Mr. President. Please have Madam City Clerk re item two and refer to finance. Second. Second. Motion made it seconded. Madam City Clerk Two Transfer of $150,000 in the ambulance designated account to the ambulance overtime account. Thank You. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Now in the hands of finance Item three. Councilor fiy, we are still under suspension. Yes, we are. Thank you. I'd like to make a motion to the approve resolution except a grant amount of $6,300
for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to the health Department for improvements to the recycling program at Twist Street. Second. Second. Motion made it seconded. Further discussion, counselor? Yes. Thank you. I received a call from, uh, Deb Vena about this item. This is time sensitive. Uh, depending upon how everything shakes out when the next finance committee meeting is, we may lose a 6,300. So she requested that the 6,300 be approved under immediate consideration. There is no city match to this grant. Uh, it is basically just to help in the work
around the equipment and stuff of the, uh, transfer for recycles. Thank you. Would you read the resolution by title only, sir? Gladly resolution to file and accept a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to the City of West. Thank you. Any further discussion? Roll call. Ban, city clerk Fanon? Yes. Figgy? Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews. Kane? Yes. Mellow? Yes. Morgan Elli. Yes. Oniskey? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Allie? Yes. Bean. Yes. Beltran? Yes. Burns? Yes. Motion. Return to regular order.
Second. Motion. Made a second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Now back to regular order. Item four, Councillor Harris. Thank you Mr. President. Please ask Madam Clerk to read number four and refer to the Personnel Action Committee. Second. Second. Motion made it seconded. Madam City Clerk Four. Submitting a change to the job description for Fire Chief. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Now in the hands of PAC unfinished business. Item five, councilor Fanon. Thank You Mr. President. Motion for a second reading and file. Final passage of an order of taking of real estate for a public way for Scenic Road. Right of eminent domain.
Motion made and seconded. Any discussion, counselor? No. Thank you. Roll call please. Fanon? Yes. Faye? Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews. Kane. Yes. Mellow? Yes. Morgan Alley? Yes. Oniskey? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Allie? Oh, yes. Bean. Yes. Beltran? Yes. Burns? Yes. Thank you. Item six, councilor Fanon. Thank You Mr. President. Motion for second read and final passage of a lay order for Scenic road. Second. Motion made it second. Any discussion? Counselor? Nothing. Roll call. Madam City Clerk Fanon. Yes. Fige? Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews. Kane. Yes. Mellow?
Yes. Morgan Elli. Yes. Oniskey? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Allie? Yes. Bean. Yes. Beltran? Yes. Burns? Yes. Thank you. Item seven, councilor Fanon. Thank you Mr. President. Motion for second reading and file. Passage of an order of taking of real estate for a public way. Pheasant road. Pheasant drive by right of eminent domain. Second. Motion made it Second and further discussion. Roll call Madam City Court. Fanon. Yes. Fige? Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews. Cain. Yes. Mellow? Yes. Marelli? Yes. Oniskey. Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Allie? Yes. Bean. Yes. Yes.
Burns? Yes. Thank you. Item eight. Councilor Fanon. Thank you Mr. President. Second. A motion for a second reading and final passage of a lay order for pheasant drive. Second. Motion. Made it second for the discussion. No seeing none. Roll call Madams. Court. Fanon. Yes. Figgy? Yes. Harris? Yes. Matthews. Kane. Yes. Meow. Yes. Morgan Alley. Yes. Oniskey? Yes. Sullivan? Yes. Adams? Yes. Allie? Yes. Bean. Yes. Bill? Yes. Burns? Yes. Motions, orders or resolutions? Item nine. Councilor Fanon rounding it out. Motion of Councilor, Fanon and Oniskey to review the letter ordinance
and refer to l and l and law. Second. Motion made it seconded for the discussion. Counselor? No, just refer to committee please. Okay. Anything? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Any announcements? Councillor Piggy. Thank You Mr. President. Just like to take this opportunity to wish the citizens of Westfield as well as my colleagues here. Happy Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you. Second, who's gonna argue with, okay. Anything further? Councillor Harris. Motion to adjourn.
Second motion Made it seconded. All in favor? Opposed? You're now adjourned. Have a great Christmas everyone. Thank you for coming. Thank you.