MAYOR'S UPDATE:

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 13

Thanks to everyone who joined us on Wednesday night for the Facebook Live discussion about One Westfield Place proposal updates and financials. Our redevelopment finance professionals, along with Town Administrator Jim Gildea and Finance Committee Chair Councilwoman Linda Habgood laid out many of the benefits of the project and responded to questions that have been received since the December 19 presentation. In addition, we heard from Streetworks executives about the incredible amount of public input they’ve received to date and how that has informed the new modifications to their proposal – which includes an additional traffic signal at North and Clark, a significant reduction in housing units from 34 apartments to 16 townhomes at North and Clark, and the elimination of a floor from the South Avenue office buildings, among others.

We have received some great feedback that the presentation helped to simplify what is a complex topic and dispel some widespread misconceptions. For example, did you know:

• First and foremost, there is no reliance on residential taxpayers to fund any aspect of the project
• The proposed project represents a $350M+ private investment by HBC|Streetworks in Westfield
• The $213M in PILOT revenue will fund $52M in public improvements that the Town could otherwise never provide without raising property taxes
• There will be $140M in discretionary PILOT revenue left over after debt service that can be used to support school projects, lower taxes, improve parks, and/or provide new services
• Westfield’s population has declined by 2,700 residents since 1970
• Westfield has lost 2,000 jobs since 2015

A growing community is a healthy community! The One Westfield Place proposal provides an opportunity for a transformational private investment in our town that will benefit taxpayers for decades.  

If you missed Wednesday's presenation:

• You can catch the replay here. 
• The Town’s presentation slides can be found here.
• Streetworks’ presentation slides can be found here.

The Town Council will meet on Tuesday night, where Streetworks will make its formal presentation to the Council about its proposed changes and our Town finance professionals will also present to the Council. The purpose of these presentations is to give the elected officials a chance to ask questions ahead of the January 31 introduction of the Redevelopment Plan ordinance.

As a reminder, all Town offices will be closed on Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

MLK DAY OBSERVANCES

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Westfield invites the community to join in their annual commemoration of Dr. King on Monday, January 16, beginning at 12:30 with the long-standing community tradition of marching to the annual service from the MLK Monument on the South Avenue Circle. Upon arrival at Holy Trinity at 1:00 PM, the community will celebrate Dr. King’s legacy of racial, social, and economic justice with keynote speaker, Rev. Jeremy Jinkins, student contest awards, a recitation of the official Dr. King Litany, fantastic music, and refreshments. Contact MLKWestfield@gmail.com for more information.

The Westfield Community Center, located at 558 West Broad Street, will also be hosting a pancake breakfast from 8:30-11:30. Tickets are $5 for children and seniors, and $8 for members and others. For additional details and tickets, call 908-232-4759.

Thank you to the WHS Community Service Club and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Westfield, who are joining forces on this year’s MLK Service Drive to collect toiletries and other personal care items for the Westfield Food Pantry. Items most in need include shampoo, conditioner, body wash, feminine hygiene, razors, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and hand/body cream. You can drop these items off at the bins outside of Holy Trinity or the main entrance to Westfield High School, or you can shop off of the Amazon wish list, which will deliver the items directly. If you would like to instead contribute directly to the Westfield Food Pantry, you can do so via PayPal.

Thank you to the Union County Board of County Commissioners for partnering with the Town to establish a drop-off point at the Westfield Police Department for their MLK Day of Service Supply Drive to benefit Moms Helping Moms. Drop off diapers, wipes, formula, maternal/baby hygiene, and menstrual products in the Police Station from January 16-31.

NATIONAL DAY OF RACIAL HEALING

January 17, 2023, marks the seventh annual National Day of Racial Healing. On this day, individuals, organizations and communities across the U.S. come together to explore their common humanity and build the relationships necessary to create a more just and equitable world. The National Day of Racial Healing is part of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Truth, Racial, Healing & Transformation efforts.

This is the seventh year of the program and the first year Westfield Memorial Library will host a community-wide Racial Healing Circle, which will be held from 6:30 - 8:30 PM.

Many thanks to the Human Relations Advisory Commission and Westfield Memorial Library for partnering with the Rutgers School for Public Affairs & Administration and Social Justice Matters to bring this event to Westfield. For more information, or to register for a seat, visit the library’s website.

WINTER CONSERVATION CENTER HOURS

In addition to the previously announced Saturday hours of 9:00 - 3:00, the Conservation Center is also open Monday through Friday throughout January from 9:00 - 12:00. For a full list of items accepted with and without a permit, visit westfieldnj.gov/conservation.

ANIMAL LICENSE RENEWALS

For my fellow pet owners, don’t forget that the annual animal licensing renewal process is open through January 31!  You can renew by mail, in-person at the Town Clerk’s office, or online at westfieldnj.gov/animal-licenses.