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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
— IRVING KRISTOL
www.thewestfieldnews.com
75 cents
SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2016
VOL. 85 NO. 120
“Being frustrated is disagreeable, but the real disasters of life begin when you get what you want.”
Council votes to purchase Granville property by eminent domain despite last minute appeal by owner By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – During the public session of the City Council on Thursday, Attorney William Egan of Robinson and Cole spoke on behalf of Clark Boynton, owner of 429 Old Westfield Avenue in Granville, the former Olsen Property which the city has been planning to acquire by eminent domain sale. The property is adjacent to the Granville Reservoir, the source of most of the water for the City of Westfield. On the agenda for the meeting were two final votes, one for taking the real estate by eminent domain, and one for appropriating $440,000 for the taking for water supply pro-
tection purposes. Egan, who had just been retained, said that Boyden cleaned up the contamination on the property, removing an old bus, tires, etc., and resolved the issues that Tighe & Bond had previously reported. He said that Boyden would like to keep the property, and would be amenable to including a conservation clause, or selling the piece of the property with the brook that fed into the Granville Reservoir, which would cost the city less money. Egan said they understood there was a June 30 deadline for reimbursement by the state for half of the purchase, and requested to meet “with a small group of folks” in advance of that deadline, to discuss other options.
“It seems unfair that you were just hired. There have been public hearings held,” said Ward 4 Councilor Mary O’Connell. “I completely understand. We’ve been involved in many property takings,” Egan said. He said that Boyden lives down the street from the land, and has an interest in it. “I don’t see a problem as long as we do it by next month,” said Ward 3 Councilor Andrew K. Surprise. “We’re at the tenth hour,” said At-large Councilor and Council President Brent B. Bean, II. “I believe you need a survey to purchase the property, and an appraisal,” replied Egan. O’Connell said the appraisal has been done
Westfield students at Russell Elementary learn about their environment By AMY PORTER Correspondent RUSSELL – The children at Russell Elementary School have been getting to know their new environment close-up this spring with the help of naturalist Ted Watt and a $5,000 STARS grant (Students and Teachers Working with Artists, Scientists and Scholars) from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Watt is an environmental educator with the Hitchcock Center for the Environment in Amherst. His program helps children and adults understand the unique habitats and ecosystems of New England through handson instruction and mentorship. Russell Elementary principal Alison Hamilton began working with Watt on the grant last summer, which they called “Getting to know you.” Hamilton wanted to take advantage of the beautiful Hilltown school rental location while the students are there. Watt also came in for training with the teachers over the summer to explore common ground and expectations with them. “The program is standards based, and offers teachers hands on, often outdoors, opportunities that teachers don’t always have,” Watt said. He said a number of the staff wanted to know more, and extend their knowledge. “I love this school,” he said. “You can tell
See City Council, Page 7
WESTFIELD FIRE DEPT. PARAMEDICS
Drug related medical calls WESTFIELD — From May 13 to Friday, May 20, the Westfield Fire Dept paramedics responded to the following drug related medical calls: THERE WERE NO TRANSPORTS RELATED TO OPIATE OVERDOSES. NARCAN WAS NOT ADMINISTERED TO ANY PATIENT WITHIN THE LAST WEEK.
Students in Mrs. Ayr’s second grade class in Russell Elementary gather around naturalist Ted Watt as he explains their seed-collecting project before they go outside. (Photo by Amy Porter) within 5 minutes the atmosphere of a school. I knew it would be fun within 5 minutes. The teachers are knowledgeable, caring, and know how to expect the best from their kids. Both the kids and the staff are really excited about the location.” “It’s a real good match,” said Hamilton. ““Everybody loves it. Kids love it, and teachers love it.” The grant pays for three meetings with each class, and a culminating assembly which will be held on June 9 at 2 p.m. at which the classes will present their work and their findings. Each grade is doing a different project. Fifth graders are learning about animal habitations, tracking, animal
skulls and dentition. First graders are also learning about animal tracks, bird seed preference, and nesting materials. Hamilton said students discovered mole hills and tunnels, and were encouraged not to step on them. Fourth graders are studying erosion, and took digital photos for their classes. Kindergarteners are working on an engineering standard, and understanding temperature. Watt brought in rubber models of salamanders and frogs, and they talked about how they keep warm through the winter. Both second and third graders are See Naturalist, Page 7
‘Along the Garden Path’ fundraiser slated By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD — In 1934, city residents were first introduced to Grandmothers’ Garden, and now 82 years later, dedicated gardening volunteers ensure that the colonial revival style, awardwinning garden remains as vibrant as the day it opened. The 18th annual garden tour, titled “Along the Garden Path,” is planned June 25-26 to raise funds to meet the continued financial challenges to maintain the garden. Lynn McCann and Dick Holcomb are co-chairs of this year’s fundraiser. On Thursday morning, both McCann and Holcomb were enthusiastic about the restoration and ongoing maintenance that is carried out by the dedicated volunteers involved with the garden.
and is a state secret, and the City Council does not have access to it. “If this vote were extended for two weeks, would you have a final proposal in two weeks,” she asked Egan, who said they would. Next to the podium came Charles I. Darling, the city’s water superintendent. “There is no more important piece of land than this one,” Darling said. “One thing you don’t want is a farm on your watershed.” Darling said the state ranks this as one of the highest priorities for protection of water sources. The majority of water for the city of Westfield comes from the Granville Reservoir.
Lynn McCann and Dick Holcomb are co-chairs of the 18th annual garden tour at Grandmothers’ Garden. “In the last year the main garden paths and bed edgings were rehabilitated and two new stone benches were installed,” said McCann. Holcomb added that this season, the paths and bed edging in the herb garden will be reha-
bilitated, new benches in the gazebo will be installed by Westfield Technical Academy students, and additional benches in the garden will be replaced with stone benches. The garden, originally created as a memorial to
Grandmother Steiger by her son, occupies the northeast corner of Chauncey Allen Park, a property donated by Albert Steiger to the city. “The garden is abundantly filled with period flowers and plants, interspersed with spring bulbs, annuals, fragrant herbs, flowering trees and shrubs,” said McCann. A major revitalization and historic recreation of this tranquil space was initiated 18 years ago. “This effort of restoration and maintenance is ongoing and is being carried on by area gardening volunteers,” said Holcomb. Both McCann and Holcomb credited Pat SteelePerkins and Joy Bunnell for their ongoing efforts to oversee volunteer projects. “Grandmothers’ Garden is See Garden Path, Page 7
Photo club capturing life in the city By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD — Three friends with a passion for photography have set their sights on shining a light on the city – with their cameras. Brian Grady, Jeff Blood and Demetrios Kanavaros founded the Whip City Photo Club with a simple premise – meet likeminded photo enthusiasts who enjoy sharing their experiences and tricks of the trade. The next gathering of the group is planned for May 28 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., meeting outside of the Hangar Pub and Grill on School Street. “When we get together it is a lot of storytelling because we enjoy sharing experiences,” said Grady, who has a journalism and film background. Blood echoed those sentiments. “Over the years working in video production, I learned techniques from still photographers when I was covering the same events,” said Blood. “They showed me how to anticipate what is going to happen. I found I had more in common with the still guys since you become more disciplined at it.” For Kanavaros, his “appreciation” for photography started in childhood on excursions with his dad. “Photo trips with my dad are a fond memory,” said Kanavaros. “Working in his dark room was also a really fun pastime.” Blood also noted his “passion” for photography started with a father/son moment when he was 17. “My dad explained the camera basics including f-stops and shutter speeds,” said Blood. “From there I studied lighting and examined photos in National Geographic magazines for angles. Why not steal ideas from the best photographers.” Each time the club meets, participants are asked to drop a suggestion in a hat and then one topic is drawn. See Photo Club, Page 7
Jeff Blood, Brian Grady and Demetrios Kanavaros are founders of the Whip City Photo Club.