TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OPENING REMARKS: JULY 12, 2022
(The following remarks were delivered by Acting Mayor Parmelee at the July 12, 2022 Town Council meeting in Mayor Brindle's absence.)
Good evening, everyone, and thanks to all who are joining us both here in the Council Chambers and online tonight. I am filling in for Mayor Brindle this evening in my role as Acting Mayor, as she is currently out of town. As a reminder, public comment will be accepted in person only, and we are live streaming for viewing only via Facebook. As always, the replay will also be available afterwards on Facebook, YouTube, and TV 36.
UPCOMING EVENTSAs a reminder, there are some great seasonal events coming up.- Next Monday is the DWC’s 20th Annual Pizza Run! You can still register to run, or come on out and cheer on the participants. Full details are available on the DWC’s website.
- Also from the DWC, their Annual Sidewalk Sale Days are back! Downtown streets will be lined with some of our local retailers’ best products from July 14 - 17. It’s a great opportunity to support our local businesses.
- The Westfield Community Concert Band will play its final summer performance this Thursday in Mindowaskin Park at 7:30 PM. Join them as they close out their 110th season!
- Also on Thursday, the Fire Department will host an Open House for the public from 7:00 - 9:00 PM, where residents can view equipment demonstrations, see the firehouse and operations, explore the fire trucks, and talk with our first responders. Thank you to Chief Duelks and his team for organizing what will be a great community event.
- Save the date for National Night Out on August 2, where our Police, Fire, EMS, Public Works, Recreation, and Library departments will be on hand for an evening of activities for the whole family from 6:00 - 9:00 at the North Avenue train station lot.
- The Second Annual Through the Lens Photography Exhibit from the Public Arts Commission is on display all summer, showcasing the work of local photographers along the sidewalk adjacent to The Rialto on Central Avenue. The prints are also available for sale, the proceeds of which will be applied towards future public art initiatives. Special thanks to Councilwoman Mackey and the entire Public Arts Commission for their work to bring this exhibit to life. For more information, visit our website.
- And of course, don’t miss the Farmers Market every Saturday and Sweet Sounds Downtown every Tuesday in July and August. Tonight’s Sweet Sounds is rescheduled for tomorrow night due to the forecast for storms tonight.
COVID VACCINATIONSFollowing the recent approval by the CDC to offer COVID vaccinations to children age six months and above, the Westfield Regional Health Department will be offering its next vaccination clinic for ages six months through four years on Thursday, July 14, from 2:00 - 6:00 PM.
Vaccines for ages five and above will be offered on July 29 and August 12. An online appointment is required, and can be made at westfieldnj.gov/vaccine-appointments as availability permits. |
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TONIGHT'S AGENDAIn terms of tonight’s agenda, I’d like to provide a brief overview of some of the key items we’re voting on tonight.
- From the Finance Policy Committee, we will hear an ordinance on first reading to approve the updated four-year salary schedule for our Fire Department employees, which begins the implementation process of the new FMBA contract that was approved at the last meeting.
- On the Code Review & Town Property Committee front, we have a resolution to approve a liquor license transfer, from Nos Vinos to Westfield BK Corp. Our understanding from the businesses is that this does not currently involve any operational changes at Nos Vinos.
Also from Code Review, we’ll vote on a resolution in opposition to a recent NJ Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control set of conditions on limited brewery licenses that impacts craft breweries in the state – 141 of which are in New Jersey, including Lions Roar here in Westfield. Mayor Brindle has conveyed that these new restrictions put an unnecessary burden on small breweries like Lions Roar, who are still digging out from the pandemic. Dictating terms such as limiting the number and size of TVs they can have, how many events a brewery can host, etc, is a deflection from what really needs to change, and that is New Jersey’s archaic liquor license laws which should be immediately addressed by the State Legislature.
The Mayor is a member of the NJ League of Municipalities Liquor License Reform Task Force, and she looks forward to collaborating on potential legislation that modernizes our liquor license laws in order to drive economic development, while mitigating any potential impact to current license holders.
- And from the Public Works Committee, we’ll vote on a resolution to submit grant applications to the NJDOT’s 2023 New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Municipal Aid Program for the improvements to Clover Street, Frances Terrace, and Clark Street. These streets were selected not only for their paving needs, but also because they require drainage and ADA ramp improvements that qualify under the NJDOT’s grant program.
With that, let's get to work.
Thank you.
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