City Council’s Big Budget Moves: From School Fields to Animal Shelters

The council met on Feb. 19 and decided to release $2. 3 million from the city’s free‑cash pile, a move that follows the mayor’s request and the Finance Committee’s nod. The biggest chunk—$2 million—was earmarked for Westfield High School’s new athletic fields. City Treasurer‑Collector Matthew Barnes had already funneled $2 million from Westfield Gas & Electric’s in‑lieu‑of‑taxes (ILOT) payments into free cash. By using that money now, the city plans to clear part of the debt before turning the project into a bond. This should lower future interest costs, according to Finance Chair Daniel Knapik. Other approvals were unanimous too. The Health Department got $11, 900, $44, 500 and $170, 720 to patch up the landfill’s groundwater well and cap, preventing erosion damage. The Animal Control Department received $18, 000 to replace heating units that had failed in the fall; a property owner contributed $9, 000, so the city only paid the rest. In addition, donors chipped in $3, 782 for shelter upgrades—$2, 713 from Rainbow Rescues and smaller gifts from local residents and a hardware store.The council also voted to spend $9, 500 on re‑framing historic portraits in City Hall’s Council Chamber. The room had been empty since 2017 because of air vents, so the portraits were moved to smaller frames to fit better. Although the Massachusetts Historical Commission and other bodies declined to fund it, the council decided it was a modest expense compared to larger projects. Finally, $49, 918 went to the Personnel Department for digitizing payroll records, which state law requires to be kept for 50 years. The city plans to use a specialist vendor and hopes to sell the old storage building soon.