Some of last year's $2.4 million in free cash was used to replace some aging municipal vehicles.
Christopher Keefe
WESTFIELD – Roadwork, sidewalks and sewers are areas the City Council has identified for free cash expenditures when that amount becomes known next month.
The list currently totals nearly $738,000, including a request for creation of a new assistant treasurer position listed by Councilor-at-large David A. Flaherty.
City Council President Christopher Keefe said the list is now under council review and a formal request will be sent to Mayor Daniel M. Knapik for consideration when available free cash is known.
Knapik said Monday he supports sidewalk and road repairs as well as enhancement of municipal departments. But, the mayor said “there are ways to make improvements throughout the city other than the use of free cash. We must be prudent in setting priorities.”
The most expensive items are $200,000 for sidewalks in and around the downtown addressing accessibility issues and the repaving of Loomis Ridge, also $200,000. Ward 4 Councilor Mary L. O’Connell is requesting the Loomis Ridge roadwork while councilors Agama Sweeney and Anne W. Callahan want improved access to sidewalks.
“Several sidewalk locations need wheelchair and handicapped improvements to make them accessible,” Callahan said.
Flaherty said creating of an assistant treasurer “will allow strategic planning for bonding, investments and retirement issues.”
The councilor said he suggested the position now because the council is preparing to appoint and new city treasurer because of the pending retirement of Gregory I. Kallfa.
“Westfield’s financial house needs bodies in it,” Flaherty said.
Councilor Brent B. Bean II is seeking $80,000 to bring an existing dry sewer line in the Hillcrest neighborhood on line. “The system is currently capped, never connected to the city’s system, and some homeowners have experience septic failures,” Bean said, explaining that about 200-feet of sewer main installation is needed to add that neighborhood to the city’s sewer system.
Councilor Brian P. Sullivan would like to see public ball fields at South Middle School on West Silver Street rehabilitated. He said estimates acquired from school officials indicate $60,000 is needed to improve the facility used by Westfield Little League and Babe Ruth along with school use.
Keefe has requested $90,000 for road repairs on Russellville Road and Union Street.
Westfield’s free cash last year amounted $2.4 million, which was used to finance municipal vehicle replacements, school maintenance projects and creation of a new public safety central dispatch department.
Available free cash is the amount of remaining funds from the previous year’s city budget, which must be certified by the state Department of Revenue.