WESTFIELD — As chair of the Finance Committee, Ralph Figy convened a budget reconciliation meeting of the whole on June 24 to take into consideration cuts recommended by certain councilors, following department reviews by the committee. The only recommended cuts came from committee member Richard Sullivan, who was out of town. Also absent was Councilor Nicholas Morganelli.
Figy presented Sullivan’s proposed cuts, beginning with the Department of Public Works, and recommended cuts including $24,000 from vacant positions in the Highway Department and $50,000 from a vacant tree trimmer position in Land and Natural Resources.
The majority of councilors said they were reluctant to cut open positions when a new DPW director is about to start. Earlier this month, the city hired Southwick’s DPW Director Randal Brown for the position that has been vacant for five years, during which Francis Cain has served as acting director. Brown will start in mid-July.
