WESTFIELD – In his new role as chair of the Personnel Action Committee, Nicholas Morganelli, Jr. brought forward recommendations to the City Council on Feb. 5 of several new appointments to city boards and commissions forwarded by Mayor Michael McCabe. All of the appointments were approved by the council after discussion.
Edward Watson of Chestnut Street was appointed as a member of the Airport Commission, replacing Kate Phelon, for a term to expire in February 2029. Watson was the founder of Mobius Works, an organizational management company. In 2014, he also co-founded Air-One Flight Training and helped found the Aviation Maintenance program at Westfield Technical Academy. Morganelli said he is a private pilot with a passion for strengthening Westfield’s resources, and would bring a collaborative mindset, strong work ethic and deep respect.
Councilor Cindy Harris called him “a fantastic addition” to the Airport Commission. She also thanked Phelon for all that she has done over the years.
Jason Bean of Linda Drive was appointed as a member of the Municipal Light Board, replacing Adam E. Roman, for a term to expire in February 2028. City Councilor Brent Bean II recused himself from the discussion.
Morganelli said Bean has a bachelor’s from Keene State and a master’s in public administration from Westfield State, and began his career as an environmental technician working with NASA’s Earth Observing Satellite Systems, supporting water resource management analysis in New England. He later worked as an engineering technician with Heritage Surveys and Engineering. Since 2005, he has worked full-time with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation as a transportation planner, where his responsibilities include statewide policy development, land use planning, implementation of standard operating procedures and GIS-based planning analysis.
Bean also served on the Westfield Conservation Commission from 2012 to 2019, the Westfield Little League Board since 2016, and has been involved in the Hampden County Sheriff’s Association since 2015.
Morganelli thanked Roman for his long service to the Municipal Light Board and said Bean has long expressed an interest in serving on the board.
Jeffrey Gelinas of Ingersoll Drive was appointed as a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, replacing Michael Tirrell, for a term to expire in February 2027. Gelinas earned his bachelor’s in business administration from Westfield State and a master’s from UMASS Amherst. His professional background includes manager of sales training at OMG, Inc. in Agawam, where he develops training programs, collaborates with leadership and supports professional development across multiple divisions. From 2002 to 2022, he was a science teacher at Westfield Middle School.
Morganelli said Gelinas’ commitment to athletics and youth development is reflected in his extensive coaching experience, including assistant coaching roles at Westfield High School and head coaching positions in junior varsity, varsity and collegiate golf. In 2021, he became head coach of the women’s golf team at Westfield State University.
Richard K. Sullivan Jr. of Wild Flower Circle was appointed as a member of the Board of Registrars, replacing Maureen Peterson, for a term to expire in February 2029.
Morganelli said City Clerk Kaitlyn Bruce sent a letter to the mayor in support of this appointment, stating “it is of the utmost importance that the city have a Board of Registrars who are trustworthy, dependable and active.” She said she recommended Sullivan because of his dedication to the city of Westfield and expertise in elections, which she said will be an asset.
“Mr. Sullivan, as we know, has had an extensive career and also a long history of service to the city, including City Council and mayor,” Morganelli said, adding that the committee was pleased to recommend this appointment as part of Sullivan’s retirement activities.
Jennifer Gilbert of Prospect Street was appointed as a full member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, replacing Richard K. Sullivan III, for a term to expire in February 2027.
Gilbert has a bachelor’s degree of science in civil engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and has worked for the past 16 years as a project manager at Tighe & Bond. Her experience includes sewer separation design, sewer replacement, stormwater management and MassDEP-funded projects. She is professionally affiliated with the Water Environment Federation and the New England Water Environment Association.
Morganelli said she concluded her letter of interest in the appointment by stating that her professional background, local knowledge and commitment to Westfield would allow her to add value to the board in this capacity.
John Moran was also appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals as the first alternate, replacing Jennifer Gilbert for a term to expire February 2027. Morganelli said in his letter of interest that Moran described himself as a lifelong resident of Westfield with a strong connection to the community, and a genuine interest in contributing his skills to service in local government.
Moran has a bachelor’s in science in criminal justice from Westfield State College and a juris doctor from Western New England College School of Law. He is admitted to the bar in Massachusetts and Connecticut, and has worked as a contract attorney, served on a high-volume litigation team at Liberty Mutual, and in his current role as an associate attorney with Lyon and Fitzpatrick LLP in Holyoke.
Also appointed with one objection to her out-of-town residency was Melissa Fitzgerald Ogulewicz, a business owner at 7 Day Avenue in Westfield, as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals as the second alternate, for a term to expire in February 2028.
Morganelli said in her letter of interest, Ogulewicz described her decade of experience as a local West Springfield Realtor with work encompassing residential and commercial property, zoning considerations, and land use and development challenges. According to her letter of interest, she has lifelong ties to Westfield due to ownership and management with her husband of Fitzgerald Home Solutions, giving her hands-on experience with property ownership and renovation. She also described her experience in zoning considerations, property use, development challenges and the balance required between growth and community interest.
City Councilor James Adams, who also serves on the Personnel Action Committee, said the family is renovating the property on Day Avenue to add a storefront for their thriving business there as they expand their operations.
City Councilor Bridget Matthews-Kane, who had the sole objection to the appointment, asked the committee if they had tried to find someone who lives in Westfield. “I think we have to approach that with a lot of trepidation. I am concerned that she doesn’t live in Westfield. She does have a business in Westfield and also works out of West Springfield. I’m unable to vote for somebody who is not from Westfield,” she said.
Adams said a previous appointment supported by Matthews-Kane to serve on Off-Street Parking was not from Westfield either. “She’s highly qualified. If we do it for one, I can’t see why we can’t do it for this person.
“Off-Street Parking needs to be somebody who understands downtown parking really well, and the pool of applicants is as small as a donut hole. I would argue that ZBA has a larger pool of candidates,” Matthews-Kane said.
City Councilor Dan Allie pointed out that the mayor chooses the candidates to come before them. “We have a large pool of boards; we’re simply approving a large pool of candidates,” he said.
“We had a wonderful man who served many years on Off-Street Parking, who didn’t live in Westfield. We did craft an ordinance to allow people who have businesses in Westfield,” said City Councilor Daniel Knapik. He said there has been a lot of debate over the years on this topic, but ultimately it is the mayor’s choice. “Many business owners put in a lot of effort,” he added.
“You can have a lifelong resident that really is more invested in another city or town where they have a business or go to work. I like the idea of opening our boards and commissions, you’re really missing out on some of the talent out there,” said Morganelli.
City Councilor Kristen Mello did not discount Matthews-Kane’s comment. “This is the one board I can think of outside of the Board of Health that can grant variances to our zoning ordinances. I want to highlight Councilor Matthew-Kane’s concern. If we are not fully invested in Westfield, that could prevent conflict. It’s not your average board,” she said, before joining the other councilors, except Matthews-Kane, in approving the appointment.
