09/18/2024
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Councilwoman Dawn Mackey has submitted her letter of resignation to the Westfield Town Clerk from her position as Ward 4 Councilmember. The resignation will be effective on September 23, 2024.
βFor the past seven years, it has been my profound honor to serve the community of Westfield as the Ward 4 representative, and it is with true sadness that for personal reasons I am resigning my position,β said Mackey.
Mackey has served as Ward 4 Councilmember since January 1, 2018. In that time, she has held various leadership positions that have included liaison to both the Downtown Westfield Corporation and the Public Arts Commission, as well as the Chair of the Code Review & Town Property Committee and AddamsFest.
In these roles, she initiated changes in Town ordinances to spur economic growth in an evolving market β allowing craft breweries, makersβ spaces, pet daycares, and murals to meet the needs of downtown property and business owners. She also spearheaded the concept of an unbiased road assessment program to prioritize future paving sequences, as well as the utility-funded road paving that has since resulted in approximately 50 miles of road being paved since 2019 at no expense to taxpayers. Under Mackeyβs leadership, the Westfield Public Arts Commission has introduced the Central Avenue underpass murals, the Art Takes Flight butterfly exhibit and, most recently, the exhibit of the Seward Johnson sculptures throughout town. As Chair of AddamsFest, she has mobilized hundreds of community volunteers to establish a new tradition in Westfield every October, which celebrates the heritage of Charles Addams and has drawn visitors from over 100 communities across the country.
βDawn is a consummate public servant who, for the past seven years, has made an extraordinary impact on our community,β said Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle. βHer incredible work ethic, community-first mindset, and boundless creativity have been tremendous assets not only to the Town Council, but also to Westfield at large. Among her many achievements, she has been a tireless advocate for our downtown businesses, ensured we held utilities accountable for fully paving roads theyβve torn up, elevated the role of public art in our community, and forever put Westfield on the map as the creative visionary behind our annual AddamsFest festivities. On behalf of our entire community, I extend my deepest gratitude for the vast contributions she has made and the legacy she leaves behind.β
βEven among my more noteworthy accomplishments on the Town Council, the day-to-day work of constituent services remains the most rewarding,β added Mackey. βI have met with hundreds of residents in person and on the phone and have prioritized listening to their concerns in order to help them resolve their issues. These are the moments when I most appreciate what it means to be a part of the engaged Westfield community. I remain excited about Westfieldβs bright future and look forward to seeing what comes next.β
Upon receipt of Mackeyβs resignation letter, the Town Clerk has notified the Westfield Democratic Committee per the State statutory process, that it must provide the Town, within 15 days, three names for the Town Council to consider for Mackeyβs replacement, which will occur by a vote at an upcoming Town Council meeting.
