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Residents press council on sewer easement and affordable-housing analysis during public comment
Summary
Two residents spoke during public comment: Rich Manakowski read an email from Town Administrator James Gildea confirming a 10-foot storm sewer easement on Block 2502 Lot 14 (HBC Street Works); Carla Benacci urged professional analysis and robust public engagement on the town's affordable-housing response and the state redevelopment plan.
During the open public-comment period at the Dec. 17 Westfield Town Council meeting, two residents raised planning and housing concerns.
Rich Manakowski (address provided in the record) read an email he said he received from James Gildea, town administrator, confirming a 10-foot-wide storm sewer easement on a property owned by HBC Street Works, identified as Block 2502, Lot 14. The email, read into the record, stated the owner is aware of the easement and that the planning-board site-plan review will consider designs accommodating the easement or propose a modification. Manakowski asked that that exchange be included in the official record.
Carla Benacci said she had two development concerns for the council to consider: the town's forthcoming affordable-housing response and the newly released state redevelopment and development plan. Benacci urged the council to allow time for professional planning analysis, public engagement and to consider challenging or providing alternate calculations to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) advisory numbers. "At this time, there's only six weeks remaining, and we have not seen any kind of information regarding the analysis," she said, urging the council to prepare thorough analyses and public outreach before any vote.
Neither speaker asked for immediate council action; both comments asked the council to ensure planning and transparency ahead of future votes and hearings. The town staff and planning-board processes were referenced as the next steps for matters involving easements and site-plan review.
