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Westfield council approves reorganization slate, board appointments and temporary 2026 budgets
Summary
At its Jan. 6 reorganization meeting the Westfield Town Council approved acting-mayor appointments, a slate of board and mayoral appointments, committee assignments, and temporary 2026 operating and pool utility budgets, voting unanimously to carry the motions.
The Westfield Town Council on Jan. 6 approved a slate of reorganization appointments and temporary budgets to start municipal operations for 2026.
Mayor Jeremy Berman proposed Jen Gilman as acting mayor and Vik Venkataraman as alternate acting mayor for 2026; the motion was moved by Councilman Narmiento and seconded by Councilwoman Raesch Madwar, and the council voted in favor. The mayor then read and the council approved a broad set of council and mayoral appointments naming liaisons, planning board members and representatives to county committees and redevelopment bodies.
The council approved board appointments across municipal bodies, including the Board of Health, Recreation Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Library Board, Westfield Housing Commission, Public Arts Commission, Human Relations Advisory Commission, Mental Health Council, and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Board. Each appointment included a term through dates ranging from 2026 to 2030 as read into the record.
Finance Committee Chair Vik Venkataraman moved 23 finance‑related resolutions (21 to be considered as a package) covering items such as the cash management plan, petty cash accounts, third‑party payroll provider, designating official newspapers, appointments of auditors and attorneys, procurement of professional services, redevelopment counsel and planners, risk management services and an agreement with Community Grants Planning and Housing for affordable housing administration. The council also approved a 2026 temporary budget and a 2026 temporary pool utility budget; both were seconded and carried following roll call.
Other committees reported and had their committee appointments approved: Public Safety, Transportation and Parking moved three consultant appointment resolutions and carried them; Code Review & Town Property and Public Works committee appointments also passed. The council recorded motions, seconds and affirmative votes for each package, and the mayor declared the motions carried.
No contested votes or roll-call dissent were recorded in the meeting transcript for these reorganizational items. Several appointments will run through dates specified in the record (2026–2030) and will determine which council liaisons and professionals oversee the mayor's stated priorities for the coming year.
