Westfield council introduces 2025 municipal budget with no municipal tax increase

The Westfield Town Council on March 31 introduced and approved the town's 2025 municipal operating and capital budgets, presenting a balanced plan that keeps the municipal portion of property taxes flat for 2025.

Council members and town staff said the package maintains a 0% municipal tax increase for the third time in the current administration's eight-year span and preserves a significant surplus while funding a multi-year capital program. Council finance chair Linda Hapgood, who led the presentation, described the budget process as her "Super Bowl," noting months of review with department heads and outside advisers.

The nut of the administration's presentation is fiscal continuity and continued investment. Town staff told the council the 2025 package begins the year with roughly $14 million in surplus, plans to leave about $7.2 million of that as a balance heading into 2026, and relies on a mix of nonproperty revenues now totaling roughly $22.8 million to reduce pressure on the tax levy.

Key capital and operating priorities outlined in the presentation include: - Paving and drainage: the town plans to pave about 11 miles of streets in 2025,…