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Westfield Mayor Jeremy Berman sworn in, outlines 2026 priorities including public safety and downtown revitalization
Summary
Jeremy Berman was sworn in as Westfield mayor and used his State of the Town to highlight the town's AAA bond rating, investments in public safety and first responders, downtown maintenance and holding developers accountable amid financial concerns about the '1 Westfield Place' project.
Jeremy Berman was ceremonially sworn in and delivered his first State of the Town address on Jan. 6, saying Westfield enters 2026 in "exceptional fiscal health" with a AAA bond rating and a healthy surplus. He listed public safety, downtown vitality, preserving the town's small‑town character, and infrastructure as priorities for his four‑year term.
"Westfield remains in exceptional fiscal health, maintaining its AAA bond rating," Berman said, noting the town will keep funding police, fire and volunteer rescue equipment at high levels. He said the town has begun work to request reduced speed limits on county roads and is "actively considering lower speed limits in school zones when children are present" to improve bike and pedestrian safety.
Berman said the town will "work to improve the maintenance and beautification of our downtown" and emphasized support for small businesses. He also pledged to "hold developers accountable" for ongoing projects, citing recent financial developments involving the town's development partner for the "1 Westfield Place" project as a possible area requiring "serious consideration and potential action." He offered no specific next steps for that project during the address.
The mayor highlighted completed procedural steps on affordable housing, saying the town's fourth‑round affordable housing plan has been approved and that "70% of our town remains zoned for single family residential use." He also described planned park and field renovations, an ongoing Timakus Park improvement plan, and investments in stormwater and sewer systems to reduce flood risk.
Berman closed by emphasizing transparency and resident engagement: he said he will continue "town talks" and that the council will prioritize fiscal responsibility and listen to all voices as it proceeds. The mayor invited residents to stay involved as the council begins committee work and implementation of the 2026 priorities.
The council proceeded immediately after the address into reorganization business, appointments and votes that will shape which officials and committees oversee the priorities Berman outlined.
