Westfield Finance Committee approves body cameras, fire gear and $2.4M snow deficit

City Council · Meeting of May 27, 2026

Westfield's Finance Committee approved four appropriations totaling more than $2.6 million at its May 27 session, headlined by a $124,380 transfer to fund 87 police body-worn cameras and a $2.43 million free cash draw to wipe out the DPW snow and ice deficit. The committee voted 3-0 to transfer funds from the Police Department's full-time hourly account to cover the city's share of a $298,380 five-year contract with Motorola, after the city secured the maximum available state grant of $174,000; Captain Hall warned the deal collapses if the Patrol Union does not sign a labor agreement before June 30 and cameras are not deployed by August 31. Two Fire Department requests of $26,568 each, one for a rusted 2012 service vehicle body, one for six sets of NFPA-expired turnout gear, were approved unanimously.

The snow and ice appropriation of $2,432,242.42 will leave the city's certified free cash balance at roughly $6 million or less, and Human Resources Director Vicki told the committee the city's health insurance self-insurance trust fell from $15 million to a projected $6 million this fiscal year, driving a 15 percent premium increase voted 3-2 by the trust committee.

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Source: the City Council meeting of May 27, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.