Kaitlyn Bruce

The City Council agenda included numerous appropriations and transfers from Free Cash and other funds for various departments, including School Department capital projects, Parks and Recreation dugout renovations, DPW vehicle purchases, and IT infrastructure upgrades. Key items involved resolving prior year bills and funding digitization of payroll documents. Resolutions were submitted to accept grants from Factory Mutual Insurance and EOTSS for cybersecurity, and to allow the Water Commission to share water during emergencies. The agenda also featured several appointments and reappointments to commissions (Water, Planning, Airport, Light, Parks and Recreation, Registrars, Zoning Board of Appeals) and committee reports covering transfers for ambulance overtime, DPW equipment/services (greenhouse, mower, leaf collection, roadwork), and technology center upgrades. Public hearings were scheduled regarding underground storage tanks at Southampton Road and an interim restriction for Battery Energy Storage Systems. The Legislative and Ordinance Committee proposed several amendments to the City Code of Ordinances concerning stop sign locations, turn restrictions, and vehicle removal authority. Finally, a motion was referred to the Traffic Commission regarding lane designations for Union Avenue.

The agenda items for this meeting included discussions on the National Registry Update, the Wyben Schoolhouse Update, the 250th Celebration, Historic House Plaques, Ghost Talks, the Demolition Report for 12 West Silver Street, Social Media strategy, File Cabinet Findings, and Westfield Historical Commission (WHC) Participation in Schools. New business items included a railroad tie plate donation, selection of a CPC Representative and alternate, Election of Officers, and setting the agenda for the next meeting.

The agenda for the regular meeting includes a section for public participation on non-hearing matters. A public hearing is scheduled for Prabha Corp. regarding a special permit application to construct a commercial building exceeding 1500 square feet at 288 Elm Street, zoned CORE. Other business includes the annual election and designation of officers and representatives, effective February 3, 2026, for positions such as Chair, Vice Chair/Clerk, and Commissioner to the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission.

The agenda for the meeting included reviewing the previous meeting's minutes. New business focused on personnel changes, noting the retirement of Mrs. Baillargeon and the addition of Mrs. Amie Cashman as the Freshman/Sophomore Allied Health and Clinical Instructor. The current department organization was detailed, along with student enrollment statistics for the 2025-2026 school year across all four grade levels (Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores, Freshmen). Key dates were set for the Seniors CNA Pinning Ceremony and the Juniors CNA exam. Discussion items included scheduling clinical experiences at Holyoke Hospital, exploring alternative healthcare professional exploration opportunities for a student interested in Medical Social Work, planning engagement tours for Juniors/Sophomores, and acknowledging the receipt of over $31,000 in Perkins Grant funding for equipment and supplies.

The meeting agenda included key discussions regarding communications from the Chair concerning the Remote Meeting Policy, specifically the Video Policy and the Order of the Meeting. The Gas and Electric Communications section involved acknowledgments to various individuals and groups, including customer compliments for several staff members (Associate Lineman Fiber Technicians and Telecom Installer Technicians), and the distribution of the 2026 Meeting Schedule. Reports from the Gas and Electric division included action items such as the PHMSA Update, the Westfield Warm Fund Program Annual Report, annual reports for Drug and Alcohol Testing, Electric Services Installed, Gas Services Installed, Gas Leak Compliance, and Traffic Light Reports, along with updates on Capital Projects and the Energy Supply Outlook. Old Business items included a review of Sub-Committee Assignments and an update on the 99 Medeiros Way project. New Business covered the Multiple Service Lines Policy and the General Manager Review due date.