WESTFIELD — James Hely, a longtime Westfield resident and a former member of the town council, was welcomed back to the dais on Tuesday after being appointed to fill the remainder of Councilwoman Dawn Mackey’s unexpired term.

Ms. Mackey, who was first elected to represent Ward 4 in 2018, tendered her resignation earlier this month for personal reasons.

Mr. Hely, who served as a state Superior Court judge until his retirement in 2023, was a member of the town council from 1985 to 1997 and is re...