The most notable item on the agenda was the approval of the fiscal year 2026 budget. The budget process was initiated with a motion by a council member, which was subsequently seconded. During the discussion, members expressed their satisfaction with the budgetary process, highlighting the comprehensive efforts undertaken by the finance committee. A council member specifically commended another for their substantial contributions in organizing meetings and facilitating the budget discussions. Despite a personal initiative to propose cuts exceeding a million dollars—which did not pass—the member expressed support for the budget and thanked the council for considering the proposed cuts. The budget ultimately received majority approval in a roll call vote.

In a related move, the council addressed a crucial appropriation involving the transfer of $2 million from the free cash account to the fund balance reserved for expenditures. This appropriation, which was discussed in the mayor’s memo, was aimed at reducing the fiscal year 2026 tax rate. The council agreed to suspend the rules to allow for immediate consideration of this item, as it was not listed on the agenda. The appropriation was unanimously approved.

The meeting also included a detailed presentation from Vicki Lay Morro, the city auditor, who outlined the FY 26 Order of Appropriations. The council opted for a total presentation rather than a departmental breakdown, allowing for a comprehensive view of the allocations. Notable appropriations included $75,566,339 for Westfield Public Schools and over $9 million for the police department.

While the majority of appropriations were approved without debate, a procedural clarification was made regarding the handling of motions for appropriations. It was noted that motions needed to be explicitly made and accepted before proceeding to votes. This clarification helped streamline the subsequent votes, all of which passed with the necessary support.

Among the specific appropriations discussed, funds for the water department, sewage and wastewater treatment department, and ambulance services were presented and voted on without discussion, passing with unanimous consent. Additionally, the council addressed a significant appropriation related to gas and electric depreciation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining municipal lighting infrastructure.

The meeting continued with discussions on the depreciation account, where a correction was made regarding the appropriation figure. Initially stated as $7,250,200, the corrected amount was confirmed to be $7,713,000.

The council also considered the Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding for fiscal year 2026, which included allocations for personnel, open space, and historic and community housing reserves. A question arose about the ability to charge administrative fees against CPA funds, leading to clarification that expenses were primarily for advertising and committee-related costs. The proposed figures were based on estimates from collected revenues and state matching funds.

Other appropriations addressed during the meeting included funds for stormwater services within the public works department, the PEG access and cable-related fund, the Workers’ Compensation Fund, and the Operational Fund (Ope Fund). Each item was motioned, seconded, and approved through roll call votes.

The final appropriation discussed was for the debt decline fund, aimed at maintaining the debt service within the fiscal budget. A council member inquired about the fund’s purpose, with an explanation provided that appropriations would be utilized to prevent disruptions to departmental budgets if the required debt service exceeded the allocated amount. This item was also passed with unanimous support.