Communication: Bringing the City to You

Regularly-scheduled ward meetings
Reinstitute an Open Door Policy
Expanded City internet presence and social networking
Monthly newsletter “Message from the Mayor”
Enhanced Channel 15 services

Truth in Budgeting

Communicate with department heads, City Council, and city employees in budget development
Protect core city services: Public safety, roadway maintenance, education
It’s Your Money!: Hold public budgeting workshops where I can accept input from city stakeholders and update them on priorities
The city’s budget situation as of September 2009.
- The City Council at the Request of Dan Knapik forms an ad hoc committee to address impending budget crisis in the summer of 2008 (ad hoc letter). The ad hoc committee completes the first two items on the agenda by the spring of 2009. As a result of this effort the mayor is provided with a planning document projecting the city’s budget expenses for the next 5 years. The projections were based on modest inflationary growth in the budget. Additionally, the state of Massachusetts (“cherry sheet” so named because they used to be printed on cherry color paper) show that the city of Westfield has lost over 6 million dollars in state aid in the last two years. The state house news service releases a chilling article (Sept 2009) about the state of the state’s economy. This likely spells trouble again for cities and towns.
- City Projections: Projected Income and Expenses
- City Projections: Income
- City Projections: Expenses
- State of MA Cherry Sheet FY 2010
- State of MA Cherry Sheet FY 2009
- State aid cuts FY 2009
- Open Letter to the citizens of Westfield concerning the city’s FY 2010 budget
- The Budget: Now for the Rest of the Story
- Mayor Boulanger’s email to department heads calling for cuts
- Stabilization Account
- Mayor Boulanger's Letter to the City Council asking for Approval of the Acceptance of the Resolution for adopting the Local Options Meals Tax and Hotel Room Tax

Our Schools, Our Future

I will spearhead our City’s efforts to resolve our elementary school situation and our aging school building infrastructure.
I will provide clear leadership as an engaged Chairman of the School Committee.
I will communicate directly with parents, citizens, teachers, and parent organizations to ensure our students’ needs are being met.

Economic Development

Served on negotiating teams that have brought over $94 million in private investment and accounted for over 700 jobs to our City.
Will work to attract micro-industries to a green industrial park on city-owned land.
Continue my commitment to a vibrant Downtown.

Senior Issues

Worked on the City Council to implement senior volunteer tax work-off program.
Supported the expansion of City’s senior property tax abatement program to make more seniors eligible for tax relief.
Will provide leadership to reach a decision on the fate of a new Senior Center.