Council Briefed on July 7 Agenda

The contract to redevelop the South Avenue business district will likely be awarded during the July 7 Town Council meeting.

Town Administrator Jim Gildea informed the council on Tuesday night that town officials and the Downtown Westfield Corporation are currently reviewing the bids received by the town on June 9. Gildea explained the officials are performing due diligence on the bidding companies and deciding how to award the bids. It is possible that several contractors will be hired for the project in order to handle the various aspects of the redevelopment. This process is causing the delay in the awarding of the contracts.

The South Avenue redevelopment project has been on the town's radar for several years, following the redevelopment of the central business district on the northside of town. This project is likely to bring the aesthetic quality of the neighborhood closer to the northside business area.

In addition to the South Avenue project contracts, the council will likely handle several routine finance issues. These include refunding recreation and permit fees to residents who overpaid, issuing warrants for unpaid taxes and a hiring a risk management consultant. In going with past council practice, these minor issues will likely pass unanimously with little discussion at the July 7 meeting.