WPD Chief Wayman Sworn In, Parizeau Says Goodbye

It was standing room only at Tuesday night's Town Council meeting. The came out in full force as Westfield resident was sworn in as the town's new chief of police. 

Acting on behalf of Mayor Andy Skibitsky who was absent, Councilwoman JoAnn Neylan thanked outgoing Police Chief John M. Parizeau for his 31 years of service before swearing in Chief Wayman.

"That's the first time I ever received a standing ovation," Wayman said following copious applause. "I'd like to thank the mayor and town council for having the confidence in me and entrusting me with the position of police chief. I will not let you down nor will I let down the residents of the town of Westfield." 

Outgoing Chief Parizeau, who left his post on March 29 but will remain on the books until Aug. 1, addressed the men and women of the department and said, "I hope your career is as rewarding as mine was. It went fast and I'd do it again." 

Central Avenue light controversy continues

Central Avenue resident Maria Carluccio told the Council of an eighth accident that occurred on Central Avenue near the midblock HAWK signal within the past year. A woman attempting to make a left turn had her passenger's side mirror knocked off by a driver attempting to pass her car, Carluccio explained.

Greg Kasko, who regularly attends Council meetings to advocate for the midblock pedestrian activated stoplight's relocation to the corner of Central and Clover, said he drove up on the accident's aftermath and phoned it in to police.

Carluccio questioned how many other accidents have occurred at that location that also go unreported by drivers who preferr not to risk increasing their insurance premiums.

Carluccio also asked Council members why they deferred to "the experts," Westfield's Consulting Engineer Gordon Meth and Pennoni Associates Inc., at the last meeting during which a midblock pedestrian activated H for placement on North Avenue between Clark and Charles Streets. Yet, she noted, when Meth and Pennoni Associates Inc. recommended that the HAWK signal on Central Avenue be moved to the corner and replaced with a traditional traffic light, the . 

"They're only experts when they fit the template," Carluccio said. 

Central Avenue resident Adina Enculescu, who has lived in Westfield for 31 years and whose driveway the light straddles, said not only has her property value decreased drastically, the light is unsafe for both pedestrians and motorists.

She also asked Town Administrator Jim Gildea when her driveway, which incurred $2,000 in damage two years ago during the light's installation, would be repaired.

Gildea said he had placed a call to Union County Engineer Tom Mineo on Enculescu's behalf. Enculescu said the damages have not been repaired to her satisfaction.

"In 2008 and 2009, there were no accidents," Enculescu said. From 2010 until now, there have been eight, she continued. 

Kasko also said since the construction of the light began (in July of 2010) there have been nine accidents involving vehicles attempting to make left turns, as opposed to eight in the previous nine years.

During his allotted 10 minutes, Kasko was interrupted twice by Neylan who questioned whether he was going to talk about "anything new." Kasko said whether or not he had anything new to say, he'd appreciate it if he could have his time "uninterrupted."

In other news

The Council appointed Robert Benacchio to the Board of Architectural Review through Dec. 31, 2013. The 2012 municipal budget and the 2012 D budget were also adopted. 

The next Town Council meeting will be held at 8 p.m Tuesday, May 8 at the .