4 Republicans Sworn In, Tensions Rise On Westfield Town Council

WESTFIELD, NJ — Four new Republicans joined the Westfield Town Council on Tuesday and have already started to shake things up.

Todd Saunders for Ward 1, Michael Armento for Ward 2, Michal Domogala for Ward 3, and David Kiefer for Ward 4 were all sworn into office at the Jan. 2 Reorganization meeting.

Saunders, Armento, Domogala, and Kiefer all won over Emily Root, Erika Vargas-Garrison, Dawn Nichol-Manning, and Scott Katz in the November election.

Mayor Shelley Brindle gave her State of Town Address which included goals to maintain exceptional fiscal oversight, prioritize public safety, proceed with plans that began in 2015 to construct a new main firehouse on Central Avenue, continue to enhance Town Parks & Recreation offerings, and an update on One Westfield Place.

Brindle said that HBC | Streetworks Development will be going before the Planning Board for site plan approval in the first quarter. At the meeting updated renderings and architectural details will be shared to allow the public to get more detailed information and provide public comment.

She also said they she anticipates an announcement about commercial tenants later this year.

"This momentum is enabling us to announce tonight that we plan to accelerate the One Westfield Place public improvements timeline and aim to break ground on renovations to Quimby Street later this year," said Brindle.

Some residents voiced their opposition to Brindle's Address and showed support for the new Republicans on the Council.

Michael Blancato pointed out that the Democrats lost four seats in the November election along with the Edison Fields Referendum.

"It means the town has sent you a clear message that this is not the direction we want," said Blancato. "For the last 15 minutes, you talked about the direction that you want to go in and not the direction the people of this town want to go in. So please listen."

Susan Goodman also asked the Mayor and Council to listen to residents.

"Finally I begin to see some common sense on this council and I hope that you — mayor and sitting councilmembers who have been on here — will begin to listen to the common sense of the four new council members," said Goodman. "Please stop thinking about yourself and patting yourself on the back and listen to what the townspeople want for our town and keep it a small, sweet town and not destroy it."

During the meeting, the new Republicans voiced opposition to hiring Thomas C. Jardim and his law firm Jardim, Meisner and Susser PC as the Town Attorney.

"I believe that the Town should not continue to retain Mr. Jardim as town attorney based on the way he gave his legal opinion that the residents of Westfield were not entitled to a nonbinding referendum on the issue of the One Westfield Place project," said Kiefer.

Saunders and Armento also raised reservations about the hiring of parking and traffic consultants saying that they were not given enough information on the candidates.

Ultimately all the resolutions passed as the Democrats have the majority of 5 to 4 on the Council.

The next Council meeting will be held on Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.

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