The council meeting began with the town manager presenting a letter from Police Chief Mark Williams, who commended the professionalism and teamwork of officers involved in a complex incident on August 26. The situation unfolded with multiple 911 calls reporting a pedestrian struck near the Pride Station. Officer Michael Healey arrived first, providing medical assistance to the injured pedestrian while collecting witness accounts. The officers managed to apprehend the suspect, who had fled the scene and subsequently crashed a mail truck into the People’s Bank. The suspect, found to be under the influence of alcohol, was arrested. Chief Williams expressed his gratitude towards the officers, acknowledging their effective handling of the chaotic situation and noting that the pedestrian had been discharged from the hospital the next day and was recovering well.

A major focus of the meeting was the ongoing process of developing a fair and competitive compensation plan for non-union town employees. The council discussed the need for a revised wage structure, as the existing framework had not been updated since around 2016. A study conducted by Human Resources Services Incorporated aims to create a clear wage system to improve hiring and retention of talent, setting salaries at the 75th percentile to ensure competitiveness in the job market. The council emphasized the necessity of a structured approach to implementing the new wage plan while maintaining salary equity.

The meeting also addressed the town’s infrastructure and urban planning. A planning assistance grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office on Energy and Environmental Affairs will allow Jeff Speck’s urban planning firm to provide a conceptual redesign of the Rotary in the town center. A public presentation of the findings is scheduled for September 30 at the senior center, with ongoing discussions at the library to engage the community. This initiative aims to enhance the town’s central area, promoting better traffic flow and pedestrian access.

In addition to these topics, the council approved several one-day liquor licenses for upcoming events, including a music festival fundraiser at the Masonic Lodge, the Taste of Greece event at the Greek Orthodox Church, an Oktoberfest at East Village Tavern, a wedding reception at St. Paul the Apostles Church, and a Vietnamese New Year celebration fundraiser. Each motion passed unanimously following roll call votes.

The meeting also covered financial matters, including the approval of prior year bills and a discussion on a new copier contract based on usage. The council addressed a fire department bill related to a state hazmat team member’s physical exam, with unanimous support for its approval. They also deliberated on the copier lease usage across various departments, recognizing the need for careful monitoring of usage patterns to prevent budget overages.

The town manager updated the council on several infrastructure projects, including ongoing sidewalk construction on Westwood and Maple Street, and paving operations on Kulie Avenue, Avery Street, Harkness A, Anthony Drive, and West Allen Ridge. Despite the lack of updates from the Department of Transportation regarding Summers Road and Prospect Street, there was optimism about potential progress in the fall.

Further updates included a survey circulated by the planning department to gather resident feedback on housing needs and upcoming community events, such as a candlelight vigil on September 11, a recycling event on September 13, and Celebrate EL hosted by the Rotary Club on September 27.

As the meeting concluded, the council outlined action items for the next meeting, including a recap of capital projects, recommendations from a licensing committee meeting, and updates from the police and fire departments. Discussions with Westfield Gas and Electric regarding fiber installation were ongoing, with expectations of finalized numbers to inform future plans.