Council reappoints on‑call traffic and redevelopment parking consultants to review developer studies

At the Jan. 7 Westfield council meeting the Public Safety, Transportation and Parking Committee and council approved three consultant appointments: an on‑call traffic consultant for town projects and separate redevelopment traffic and parking consultants to review developer‑supplied studies and represent the town in technical reviews.

Council members described the consultants' role as verifying developer traffic impact studies, advising the town on compliance with county and state regulations, and advocating for Westfield's interests with developers, the county and the New Jersey Department of Transportation when proposals affect county or state roads. The mayor and committee members said the consultants also testify at public hearings and help the town evaluate proposals such as lane reconfigurations, parking‑garage design and parking technology systems.

Councilman Michael Dardia said the on‑call consultant handles local traffic recommendations, while the redevelopment consultants are incumbents hired to review projects with larger traffic implications (the mayor and committee referenced prior work on the 1 Westfield Place traffic study). The meeting noted not‑to‑exceed amounts were set in the appointments and that the firms bill against that cap; if costs are expected to exceed the cap, the council must approve increases.

Committee members stressed that the town's practice of hiring its own consultants is intended to avoid relying solely on developer reports. "We have our own person to verify," a committee member said; another added that the consultants "advocate for us" in negotiations with developers and state/county agencies.

Ending: Council approved the consultant appointments as a package; committee leaders said the consultants will continue to review redevelopment traffic impact studies and report back to committee and council before major approvals.