WESTFIELD — Westfield residents will not see an increase in their municipal-tax-levy obligations this year thanks in part to an unprecedented $15.4-million surplus that town officials say will likely position the community for future success.
“The town performed very well last year,” said Councilwoman Linda Habgood. “This is only the second time in the last 20 years that we have been able to deliver a flat tax rate.”
Other contributing factors to this year’s zero-percent increase, Assistant TownAdministrator Heather Re-Ferratti said, include a $3.65-million settlement that was reached between the town and the Westfield Senior Citizens Housing Corporation in 2023 and a 99.42-percent tax-collection rate. The year 2023 also was a strong one for parking and court revenues, both of which have been edging back up since the 2020 shutdown.
The town hopes to collect $31,300,597 in taxes in 2024, and plans to generate $22,079,888 in additional revenues, for a total municipal budget of $53,380,475.
The budget was successfully introduced Tuesday evening with the council’s unanimous support.
This year’s budget, Town Administrator James Gildea said, will allow the town to “substantially invest” in public safety, parks and recreation, paving and drainage, public services and personnel to support these efforts “now and in the future.”
Some of this year’s priorities include the purchase of a new fire engine, a town-wide street-sign replacement campaign and the replacement of the Memorial Park playground equipment with more accessible ADA-compliant play structures. The town also plans, among other initiatives, to complete the renovations at Houlihan/Sid Fay Field (part of which will be funded through an arrangement with AT&T), pave about 19.5 miles of local roads, renovate and upgrade sanitary-sewer pumping stations, repair underground pipes in known problem areas and invest in new personnel across multiple departments.
The town also plans to hire professional consultants who will be retained to help Westfield facilitate stream-cleaning efforts along Robinson’s Branch, find new opportunities for Tamaques Park and complete a fueling-station renovation at the Department of Public Works.
In recapping some of last year’s accomplishments, Ms. Re-Ferratti noted that the town managed to pave 15 miles of roads (nine of which were funded by local utility providers), complete various drainage projects and park improvements and invest in both staffing and equipment for the fire and police departments.
The council also introduced its $4,484,000 capital budget on Tuesday, which, if approved, will be used to fund the purchase of new municipal vehicles and communications equipment, provide additional support to the police department and install new traffic-safety devices. The capital budget, Mr. Gildea explained, can be allocated to any “tangible assets or projects that cost at least $5,000 to complete” and have a “useful life” of at least five years.
“This is a budget that we can all be very proud of,” Mayor Shelley Brindle said. “This is the best budget that we have ever been able to produce, and it will give us the chance to deliver on all of the priorities that have been presented to us by our residents.”
The governing body additionally extended its congratulations to the members of both the Westfield High School Boys Winter Track Team and the Boys Swim Team on Tuesday for earning consecutive state championship titles in their respective sports.
“You have set a very high bar, and we’re very proud of all of your accomplishments,” Mayor Brindle said, addressing the athletes. “For our district to have one championship team is a major achievement, but the fact that we are recognizing two separate teams tonight is truly remarkable.”
Both teams were honored with official proclamations.
The budget is expected to receive the council’s final approval following a public hearing at the end of April.
