Westfield Finance Committee forwards $200,000 CPA group-home grant over dissent

City Council · Meeting of May 13, 2026

Westfield Finance Committee advances $200,000 CPA housing grant for brain-injury group home amid pushback. The panel voted two to one to recommend the Community Preservation Act appropriation to the full City Council for Berkshire County ARC's planned four-bedroom, ranch-style home at zero Cabot Road, part of a $1.736 million project for four residents with brain injuries or developmental disabilities. One member objected that approving CPA funds for what he called a private single-family home set an open-ended precedent, asking, "What's to prohibit me from saying, I want to build a house, and I want CPA funds?" The committee also unanimously approved a $40,000 transfer from the ambulance undesignated fund — standing at roughly $1.9 million — after Deputy Chief Bishop reported eight open fire department positions and projected annual overtime of $375,000, roughly $75,000 above last year.

A $187,000 free-cash expenditure for green infrastructure at Westfield Middle School was also forwarded to the full council.

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Source: the City Council meeting of May 13, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.