Frequently Asked Questions

The City Clerk's Office does not offer notary services to the public.

Burial Permits are $15.00 and must be paid for before the permit is released in the MAVRIC database. They can be paid for one of two ways: 

1. In Person by coming into City Hall at 59 Court Street, City Clerk’s Office, 2nd floor. 

2. Online by using our online payment center. We will be notified via email as soon as payment is made and will release the permit the same day. 

For more information:

Appointments can by made by calling 413-572-6241, or sending an email.

Westfield Wetlands Protection Ordinance

Download Conservation Ordinance 1109

For routine, non-emergency situations that do not require immediate assistance. Some examples include calling for a copy of an already filed police inquiry, phone number, parade times, etc. Utilize local web site resources including Mass 2-1-1 for general information requests.

When calling from a traditional land line phone in Westfield, your call will be routed directly into our 9-1-1 Center. If you dial 9-1-1 from a cell phone, the call is routed by cell tower location information to the 9-1-1 center you are physically located at the moment.

Please visit our Jobs Opportunities page to see what our current openings are. You must complete an application to be considered for any job with the City of Westfield.

There are several programs offered by both the Federal Government through the VA, and by the City of Westfield and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that provide financial assistance to qualifying veterans and/or their surviving spouse/dependents. Please call our office at 413-572-6247 to make an appointment. 

Please CLICK HERE to go to the VA Surviors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance website.

Please CLICK HERE to determine if you are eligible for Chapter 115 benefits.

A list of all elected mayors of the City of Westfield can be found here:

The Parks and Recreation department is located at 4 Holcomb Street Westfield, MA off Court Street. Look for the signs on Court Street. The last left before the Baystate-Noble Hospital in a cream color sided building. Office phone is 572-6263.

No, all registrations must be completed with full payment. Register on online at WESTFIELDMAPARKSREC.COM or mail in form from brochure, use the drop or stop in the Parks and Recreation office 4 Holcomb St.

Most of the programs we can accommodate your request unless it requires a tryout or skills assessment. Please put your request on line or on the registration form.

Yes. Some programs fill up quickly. If they are full you will be added to the wait list.

Yes, the request must be received three working days before the program starts. A $10.00 cancellation fee applies. You must complete a vendor form and send along a letter requesting why you want a refund. Refunds take three weeks to process. You can always keep a credit on your household for future programs. Once you have placed a credit on your household you cannot transfer it back to a refund.

We don’t want to have any child left behind due to economic setbacks. The department has a Scholarship Fund to help. The fund will subsidize the program fee for a youth participant 17 years of age or younger or a student in High school. See Scholarship form and requirements.

Yes. The department has always had a policy of first come first serve. When an opening comes up we call those on the waiting list.

Yes. The Park and Recreation department has a program in the summer called Adventure Zone. Full childcare Ages 5-12 a full day camp. Hours 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Participants bring a lunch with ice pack or cooler, water and snacks. Call the department with any questions or attend our parent meeting listed in our brochure. All payments are due the Friday before each Monday online or in person. The staff does not accept payments for the program, only field trip payments. A newsletter will go out each week letting you know what field trips are scheduled. Adventure Zone will offer a rich program experience for participants. Activities include, but not limited to arts and crafts, sports, tournaments, field trips, swimming once a week, guest speakers and visits to the spray park.

The department will advertise for Seasonal positions in Westfield Newspaper. Positions are also listed on the Personnel City Website.

Yes youth can volunteer during the summer only.  Call the department for a Volunteer Packet and list where you would like to volunteer. Some programs are looking for coaches. If you want to coach your child’s team please write it on your registration form. All volunteer coaches require a CORI/SORI Criminal Back ground Check and read then sign the Conflict of Interest Law form.

The department has a scholarship Fund. All donations are made payable to: Parks and Recreation Scholarship Fund or “Add Up” on line or on your registration form.

Under permits use of areas parks and facilities. You will need to call the office at 572-6263 well in advance to get your name on the next agenda for approval by the commission. And drop-off use of area permit to the parks and recreation office. 4 Holcomb St. Please keep in mind, we have a once a month commission meeting.

Contact us at the Parks and Recreation Department at 413-572-6263. We replace all flags in parks each spring in May. If you see a torn flag in a park please call us in the office.

We do not reserve the areas, however you can plan a birthday party, Please keep in mind, that other younger children will be at the park and will wonder why they cannot have any cake or ice cream. Please pick up trash and wash tables down after the event. Please inform your guest’s parent/guardians, that there is no smoking or alcohol allowed at any playground or park per city ordinances. Thank you!

Yes, you may as long as the owners’ of the dogs pick up after them using the dog dispensers. Please pick up any trash after the event and remind all other owners of the rules before entering the gate - including no smoking, or alcohol allowed per city ordinance. Thank you!

Dog Park Rules and Guidelines
Upon entering the dog park, you agree to follow the safety rules and guidelines for the dog area:

• Leash your dog when entering and exiting the dog area and IMMEDIATELY upon any sign of aggression.
• Keep your dog within view and under control. Never leave your dog unattended.
• Clean up after your dog anywhere in the park. Plastic bags and poop dispensers are available on premise in order keep the park healthy and beautiful for all to enjoy.
• Limit (2) dogs per visit.
• Do not bring in aggressive dogs, female dogs in heat, very young puppies, and sick dogs. Dogs displaying aggressive behavior will be asked to leave.
• Smoking, food, and drink (except for training treats) are not allowed within the dog enclosure.
• Young children under the age of 8 are NOT ALLOWED in the enclosed area for their safety and children younger than 16 will have to be accompanied by an adult.
• Dogs must be licensed dogs and up to date with vaccinations.
• Dog tags must be worn or proper documentation must be accessible.
• Respect the park and everything in it, including animals. The park has been unused for many years, please keep all animal habitats clean and be careful of the wildlife. Be on your guard and watch your children at all times. Please help to keep this park clean of litter and use the trash barrels. And remember to pick up after your dog (s) with the waste bags and drop into dispensers.
• These rules are listed on our website here.

New Tree Planting Information

SeeClickFix - Report an Issue

The Fire Department requests 2 sets of plans of your new construction and/or house renovation.  Prior to Fire Department review, both sets of plans must have the smoke, carbon, and heat detector locations clearly marked as to where the detectors will be installed.  The plans should include every level of the house including basement.  

For houses undergoing renovation, the plans must include the original house floor plan in addition to the renovation and/or addition.  The structure dimensions and gross floor square footage should also be indicated.  

Payment for the plan review will be collected once the plans have been approved and are ready to be picked up.  The cost for the plan review is $.02 per square foot with a minimum of $40.  The office accepts exact cash or a check.  Plan reviews can also be paid online with an electronic check, credit or debit card.  

Please call (413) 572-6330 or (413) 572-6307 to make the smoke detector inspection appointment.  The business office is available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to take your phone calls.  We recommend the appointment be made 2 to 3 weeks prior to your scheduled closing date. 

Payment options are:  

1.  Pay online with a debit or credit card or an electronic check. This payment should be made as soon as your appointment has been scheduled.  The link for online payment can be found here.

2.  Pay with a personal check, bank check or money order at the time of the appointment.  Checks are payable to the City of Westfield.  Cash cannot be accepted at the time of the appointment.

The office accepts exact cash or a check made payable to the City of Westfield.  Credit cards and debit cards are not payment options in the office.  

A link is available on the "Smoke Detector" and "Fire Prevention & Permits" webpages to pay for Annual Inspections, Quarterly Inspections, Smoke Detector Inspections & Re-inspections and Plan Review fees with an electronic check, credit or debit card. (Processing fees do apply and the amount varies.)

This system is used by the City of Westfield Emergency Management, Police, Fire, Dispatch, Public Works and Public Health.  It will be utilized to notify residents of major emergencies within the City or things which may create a major disruption to the City.

The Rave Alert / Smart 911 system is NOT connected to the school’s system which is designed to notify parents of events impacting the school system or broadcasting information they feel parents should know.

The City will NOT utilize Rave Alert/ Smart 911 for non-emergency related activity.   You will not receive calls about a parade, fireworks, trash pickup, or events on the green.   These types of notices will come from the City Website if you have signed up for alerts there.

There are different systems due to the various reasons that departments in the City may need to notify citizens.   We specifically separate Emergency notifications for there are many residents with no children in the school system, thus they do not want to receive school alerts.  There are many citizens who choose not to receive non-emergency alerts.  Many citizens choose only to be notified of emergency situations.

To sign up, go to the link below: https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/reg.action?pa=westfieldma

The system is capable of providing a lot of assistance to citizens based on information gathered.   When we do future upgrades, information you have entered can be received if you make a 911 call from your registered phone.   You do not have to enter everything now or even later if you choose not to, just your basic information such as your cell phone number and email address provides enough information to be notified.

Yes, your information is secure and it is not shared.  It is only in the system for alert notifications through Rave Alert / Smart 911.

When you receive a call from the system, it will be a City of Westfield Emergency Management number.   There will be an alert message sent and once you receive the first message, you can capture the number and load it in your phone and label it so you know that it came from the City of Westfield Rave Alert / Smart 911 system.

The City was utilizing an emergency notification system called Rapid Notify.   Rave purchased this company and to be more state of the art and robust, they have asked their customers to move over to the Rave Alert Notification System.    We chose to stay with Rave due to their quality of service, price point, and general feedback shared by other communities.  Rave is one of the leading systems used in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

If you have additional questions, you may contact the Emergency Management Director at (413) 568-1222.  Leave a message and he will call you back, or you may email emanagement@cityofwestfield.org