Special Ordinance to Fund Mobile Command Center for Westfield Passes

Special Ordinance No. 2180, a $360,000 bond ordinance which will fund the purchase of a generator, mobile command center and transfer switch, passed upon second reading at Tuesday's meeting of the Westfield Town Council. 

Councilman David Haas voted against the ordinance. Though he had previously voted for it two weeks ago, he said he woke up twice that night and decided to change his vote. While he said he supported the purchase of a generator for the Department of Public Works, which would account for $75,000 to $85,000, he did not feel that the expenditure of $260,000 on a mobile command center was warranted, even though it was "a once-in-a-lifetime deal."

A mobile generator that's pulled on a trailer by one of the vehicles that the Town already owns that could cost in the neighborhood of $40,000 to $50,000 seemed a more reasonable option, he stated. 

"I was never convinced of the need for the mobile command center," said Haas, who added that he viewed other items such as roads and the impending replacement of Houlihan and Sid Fay fields as greater priorities.

Councilman James Foerst said that while spending time in the municipal building during Superstorm Sandy, he became increasingly concerned at the thought of that building losing power, rendering the Town incapable of operating its 911 system. 

During the public comment portion of the meeting, resident John Blake said while he had no problem with the generator purchase for the DPW, he didn't know if the Town "absolutely needed" a mobile command center, especially if streets were impassable following a storm. He added that he was pleased to see that both Councilman Sam Della Fera and Mayor Andy Skibitsky seemed to have changed their opinion on Westfield's need to protect its residents without relying on its neighbors. Blake said he assumed residents could look forward to similar changes coming to the fire department. 

Della Fera said the flaw in Blake's logic was that when there is a fire in Westfield there typically isn't one occurring in each neighboring town simultaneously. When Superstorm Sandy hit, all towns were impacted. He also stressed that through the efforts of Westfield Police Chief David Wayman, the Town would be purchasing the mobile command center, which typically costs around $420,000 for approximately $280,000. 

Town Administrator Jim Gildea also noted that the Westfield Fire Department and Volunteer Rescue Squad would also have access to the mobile command center, referring to it as a "public safety piece of equipment" as necessary.

Skibitsky stated that in learning lessons from Sandy, the Town realized its ability to communicate with residents was "tenuous." In the event that a generator fails, or there is a gas leak or fire, with the flip of a switch, the 911 system can be effectively moved to this command center. 

During the public comment portion of the meeting, a former Westfield resident stated that she had circumstances that she believed were "extraordinary."

"I have personal relationships with at least five police officers," she stated.

While she said that she had respect for them as officers and cared about them "as people," there "seems to be a barrier that I perceive in filing a complaint and I perceive that barrier to be these personal relationships."

She stated that she was advised to file charges against these officers with the state of New Jersey and with the State Attorney General's office. She stated that if someone "not connected" to her in any way could take this information, she would appreciate it.

Skibitsky said someone would speak with her and added that he encourages any resident who believes there has been misconduct on the part of any of the Town's employees to take it the proper authorities. Gildea told the woman that she was welcome to speak with Wayman, which she then did privately outside of council chambers.