WESTFIELD — Incumbent Nicholas Morganelli III of Prospect Street will face challenger Marybeth Berrien of Roosevelt Avenue in Ward 1 in the only contested City Council race in the city’s Nov. 2 election.

This race will appear on ballots only in Ward 1, which includes neighborhoods north of the Westfield River and west of North Elm Street and Southampton Road. The councilors representing Westfield’s other five wards, and the seven councilors elected at large, are running for re-election unopposed.

Councilors serve two-year terms. The councilor elected in November will begin his or her term in January 2022.

Reminder Publishing sent both Ward 1 candidates identical questionnaires covering several topics of interest to voters. The candidates’ answers to two of the questions follow, in their own words. Candidates were asked to limit their responses to 150 words. Responses are listed in the order that candidates will be listed in the ballot: incumbent first, then challenger.

Q: What is the most important challenge facing Ward 1 in the next four years, and how will you address it?

Nicholas Morganelli: To put it frankly, quality of life. The most common items I hear about are traffic, development, noise, truck issues, trash dumping, road upkeep (potholes). I’ve always worked to address issues in a timely manner and correspond with residents to listen to concerns, solve problems, and work toward improvements. I consider my vote on issues affecting Ward 1 a vote on each resident’s behalf. I will vote against anything associated with the truck fueling station at the Mass. Pike jughandle, and will continue to vote against development that does more harm than good. Increasing truck trips and traffic deteriorates our roads and decreases the quality of life, with exhaust pollutants and noise, to say the least. The little recreational space we have in Ward 1 is slowly diminishing, and I will always work to protect it.

Marybeth Berrien: I feel the most important challenge facing Ward 1 in the next two years is going to be educating and engaging the residents of Westfield about how important maintaining the environment and the aquifer in Ward 1 will be for the city, while also balancing incoming business proposals. Also, getting the residents of Ward 1 to actively participate in what is being proposed in our ward, and understanding the ramifications of such proposals. As a council person, I will actively engage with Ward 1 to help facilitate the saving of our resources.

Q: What three goals do you hope to have accomplished at the end of your two-year term?

Nicholas Morganelli: I had planned to create a Westfield Finance Summit where taxpayers can weigh in on spending. COVID-19 put the brakes on that, and I hope to initiate this in the coming months. This was my idea two years ago, and it aligns with the reasons the Westfield Taxpayers Association formed. The goal for the summit is to engage more citizens for input to our city budget, as I would like to see our city government operating as streamlined as possible.

Marybeth Berrien: 1. My first goal is to have quality engagement with the residents of Ward 1. Informed residents will keep me accountable to them. My first priority is what the residents of Ward 1 want, and I will do my best to help them get it.
2. My second goal is to help Westfield look into the future and be more proactive and less reactive when issues come up. Forward thinking and long-term goals will help us to be a more financially stable city.
3. Lastly, I would like to have the city recognize the value of the open spaces in Ward 1 that are zoned industrial, and work toward attracting businesses that are environmentally friendly and eco-conscious to help sustain the area and what it has to offer.

More questions and answers

Reminder Publishing’s voter guide will continue in the pages of The Westfield News over the next week and a half. Pick up the newspaper every other day for Ward 1 City Council questions and answers, starting Oct. 22, along with election-related articles, candidate statements and letters to the editor. To add your thoughts to the conversation, send your letter to the editor to pressreleases@thewestfieldnews.com, or 181 Root Road, Westfield, MA 01085.