TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OPENING REMARKS: OCTOBER 25, 2022

(The following remarks were delivered by Mayor Brindle at the October 25, 2022 Town Council meeting.)

Good evening, everyone, and thanks to all who are joining us both here in the Council Chambers and online tonight. 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.

NEW BUSINESSES
The momentum in Downtown Westfield continues! Since we last met, we’ve attended ribbon cuttings for Bimmer Hub BMW Repair, as well as the newly expanded Mimi & Hill on East Broad Street. In addition, we anticipate early November openings for the new Akai Lounge and the AHD & Co. design showroom – both located on Elm Street – in the coming weeks. In early 2023, we look forward to welcoming Mochimoly Donuts, German Doner Kebab, Fresh & Co., and of course, Millburn Deli!

ONE WESTFIELD PLACE PREVIEW CENTER
Also on Elm Street, you’ll find the One Westfield Place Preview Center, where HBC | Streetworks Development is providing a place for residents to view their redevelopment proposal, ask questions, and find out details.

Thank you to the many residents who have already visited the Preview Center to view the proposal and provide your input. For those who have not yet had the chance, I encourage you to take advantage of their newly expanded hours. Self-guided tours, where you can explore the center at your own pace, are available Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 - 5:00 and Saturday from 1:00 - 4:00. There are also weekly open houses on Wednesday from 5:30 - 7:30, or you can book a 90-minute curated group tour.

Before you visit, I would suggest first reviewing the expansive FAQs on our website, which also includes a link to a comprehensive parking report, as well as those written by HBC | Streetworks Development at onewestfieldplace.com. Both of these documents provide helpful and detailed information on the issues that matter most to residents, and will continue to be expanded as additional questions come in over time.

You can also expect a series of Facebook Live discussions in the coming weeks on the issues of greatest interest – traffic, parking, PILOTs, demand for commercial and residential space – and more.

Lastly, please make sure you’ve signed up to receive newsletter updates from HBC | Streetworks Development. They are using this helpful tool to send out updates about their hours, as well as facts and answers to questions they are hearing throughout the week.

There are many ways to stay informed about this proposal, and your participation in this exciting process is critical as we work together to shape the future of our downtown.

NOVEMBER 8 ELECTION
The November 8 election is quickly approaching, and it’s important for everyone to understand their voting options: Vote by mail, early in-person voting (opens October 29), and in-person voting on Election Day.

As of yesterday, 38% of Westfield’s registered voters had submitted their vote by mail ballot, so we still have a long way to go to match the 85% return rate that we’ve experienced previously. There is no time like the present to get your ballots in! This is a critical election, so please exercise our country’s greatest democratic privilege by casting your vote. For information on polling locations and voting deadlines, visit the Union County Board of Elections website.

WESTFIELD ART ASSOCIATION EXHIBIT

And we’re happy to announce that residents have another reason to visit us in Town Hall. Thanks to the Westfield Art Association for curating an art exhibit in our main hallway. Beauty in the Everyday is a photography show featuring the work of Matt Allouf and Lenny McDonald with industrial landscapes, insects, and cityscapes. The exhibit will run through November 29 and is available for the public to view during business hours.

GO BLUE DEVILS!

Congratulations to our incredible Westfield High School student athletes!

The Boys Soccer team claimed their second straight county title in their 11th shutout of the season on Saturday night. The undefeated Girls Soccer team also won their second straight county title, and the top-seeded Girls Volleyball team secured its second county championship in three years. In addition, the top-seeded Girls Tennis team repeated as sectional champions.

It’s another great year for our high school athletic teams. Huge congrats to the Blue Devils!

UPCOMING EVENTS

AddamsFest
Thanks to everyone who has come out to support our fifth annual AddamsFest! The events have been a tremendous success, drawing visitors from as far away as West Virginia and Tennessee, and continuing to fulfill our goal of making Westfield a seasonal destination by celebrating our native son Charles Addams. From returning favorites like the Haunt Your House contest, Wicked Windows, Family Fun Day, the Masquerade Ball, and Charlie’s Ale Garden, to the new comedy show with Impractical Jokers and seance at Addams Tavern, there has been something for everyone. Tomorrow, AddamsFest has the privilege of hosting a special advanced screening of the new Netflix series, Wednesday, ahead of its release next month.

There’s still time to check out the two most Charles Addams-centric events that pay homage to his artistry. On Thursday, Addams enthusiasts can attend Chatting with Charlie, which will re-air a 1981 PBS interview with Addams, followed by a private tour of the Evolution exhibit at the Rialto. You can also view this unique exhibit during its final weekend from Friday through Sunday, which is an amazing opportunity to see how Addams’ work evolved from an idea to publication. For more information, visit addamsfest.com.

Gun Safety Discussion
Join Nancy Kislin, author of Lockdown: Talking to Your Kids About School Violence, for a discussion about how parents can talk to their children about gun violence in schools and the community. This event will be held on October 27 at 6:00 PM in the Cranford Community Center, and is sponsored by the Westfield Democratic Club for all members of the community at large.

Friends of Westfield Memorial Library Book Sale
Don’t miss the 11th Annual Children’s and Teens’ Book Sale on October 26-29, hosted by the Friends of the Westfield Memorial Library. All funds raised go directly back to the library via Friends-sponsored programs. It’s the perfect time to update your favorite reader’s bookshelf or your classroom library.

Darshana
Thanks to the library and to the Human Relations Advisory Commission for hosting Darshana: A Glimpse into the Hindu Civilization on November 5 at 10:30. This event celebrates the 3.2 million Hindus who call America their home, and we are fortunate to have many Hindu neighbors in and around Westfield.

Green Team Events
Join the Westfield Green Team for a weekend of activities on November 5 and 6 with the Green Energy Fair and Town-Wide Storm Drain Clean-Up Volunteer Day. For details, visit our website.

TONIGHT'S AGENDA
We have a brief legislative agenda this evening. Before we get started, I wanted to mention that the proclamation for Imagine, which appears on tonight’s agenda, will instead be read at our next meeting. And now, I’m going to turn it over to Fire Chief Duelks as we proudly recognize the promotions and swearing in of six members of the Westfield Fire Department.

With that, let's get to work.
Thank you.

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