S&P Global Ratings assigned its 'AA' long-term rating and stable outlook to the City of Westfield, Mass.' series 2019 general obligation (GO) municipal purpose loan bonds and affirmed its 'AA' long-term rating, with a stable outlook, on the city's existing GO debt. The rating reflects our opinion of Westfield's adequate economic indicators that continue to grow, supporting positive budgetary performance that has led to stable reserves. We expect that long-term liability costs are elevated and that they will likely remain a limiting rating factor as costs continue to increase due to low funding. The city's full-faith-and-credit pledge, subject to Proposition 2 1/2 limitations, secures the GO debt. We rate the limited-tax GO debt based on the application of our criteria
