WESTFIELD — The Westfield Town Council held its final public meeting of 2024 on Tuesday. While the meeting was swift, several key pieces of legislation were approved and deliberated. Officials also recognized a sports team in their opening proclamation.
An ordinance that will allow the council to go out to bond for $915,000 in order to acquire a vacant property on the corner of South and Central Avenues was unanimously approved. Approximately 80 percent of the property’s total appraised value will be returned to the community though a grant made possible by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.
The town plans to create a pedestrian plaza and pocket park at the site after demolishing an old oil change shop that has not been in operation for many years. The purchase was unanimously approved by the council, and Ward Four Councilman James Hely spoke enthusiastically about the park project.
“This is a tremendous grant,” Mr. Hely said. “This property has long been – let’s call it an eyesore. This will be a tremendous improvement, an entryway for the town.”
Additional pieces of legislation aimed at improving the were presented to the general public in advertised hearings. There were two “Community Block Development Grants” presented to the public by the council.
The recreation department will receive a grant in the amount of $28,000, which would go towards senior citizen programming and transportation services. The second grant, of $20,000, would be allocated towards accessible improvements to Tamaques Park Playground Walkway. The public did not comment during either of these hearings.
Outside of finances, the other major event that occurred at the meeting was the acknowledgment of Westfield’s High School’s Women’s Soccer State Championship. Mayor Shelley Brindle led the proclamation for the team.
“Congratulations for an amazing, amazing season,” Mayor Brindle said. “The team demonstrated dedication, hard work, and team spirit.”
The team members were recognized at center stage with a round of applause from the public on their achievement, and Mayor Brindle had pictures taken with the team and coaches. Head Coach Alex Schmidt also reflected on his team’s season.
“I hope to say that all coaches are as proud as the two of us,” Mr. Schmidt said about himself and Assistant Coach KerriAnness. “Watching these seniors grow into leaders is truly transformational for us. We put a high priority on leadership; it doesn’t always happen, it’s really hard to do.”
Mr. Schmidt went on to say that the seniors of the team showed true leadership by putting their teammates first and creating a culture that will resonate for years to come.
