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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
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Volunteers to be feted at Tuesday ceremony By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD – Eight people will be recognized for their “inspirational volunteer efforts” on Tuesday at City Hall during a special ceremony hosted by the NonProfit and Volunteer Network of Greater Westfield. The Non-Profit and Volunteer Network (NPVN), led by volunteer administrator Lynn Bannon, is a membership coalition comprised of Greater Westfield non-profit and volunteer groups that began collaborating during the spring of 2003. “The network’s mission is to share information and resources and promote volunteerism for Westfield-area organizations,” said Bannon. Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan will join Bannon in the City Council Chambers at 6 p.m. for the awards ceremony. Sullivan will present two of the nominated volunteers with a Volunteer of the Year award for their service and commitment to a local organization. The ceremony is open to family members and friends of the nominees due to limited seating. The 2016 volunteer nominees and their nominating organizations are: Noel Stella, Westfield Community Education; Laurie Matthews, Salvation Army; Colleen Brenzel and Mary Jane Stec, Volunteers in Public Schools; Tania Vancini and Lester Walshin, Westfield on Weekends, and Tom Fisk and Les Gladu, Stanley Park. Bannon noted that NPVN’s members include Amelia Park Children’s Museum, the Westfield Boy’s and Girl’s Club, Carson Center, Domus Inc., Forum House, Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, Baystate Noble Hospital, Salvation Army, Southwick Library Trustees, Stanley Park, Westfield Spanish American Association, Volunteers in Public Schools, Western Massachusetts Hospital, Westfield Athenaeum, Westfield State University, Westfield River Watershed Association, Westfield on Weekends, YMCA of Greater Westfield, and Young Singers of Greater Westfield. “There are hundreds of volunteer opportunities available in Westfield and surrounding communities,” said Bannon. “The NPVN urges you to think about volunteering at one of its member organizations. Contact a local non-profit organization and see how you can put your own energies and interests to work.”
75 cents
FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016
VOL. 85 NO. 84
Westfield resident Matthew Ryan and his son Jack spoke at the City Council meeting on Thursday against a 50-foot fire pit ordinance. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Amended fire pit ordinance passes By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – The City Council passed an amended ordinance to restrict fire pits and chimineas to within 20 feet of a structure or dwelling, instead of 50 feet, as originally proposed. During public participation prior to the vote, several residents raised objections to the ordinance, stating that 50 feet was unacceptable. Resident Matthew Ryan came to the podium with his son Jack, stating that as a single father who gets to see his son every other weekend, the time they spend around the fire pit helps to bond them as a family. “I hope the City of Westfield sees the importance of maintaining fire pits,” Ryan said. “Why do you want to take my chiminea?” asked another resident. During the discussion, Ward 4 Councilor Mary L. O’Connell, who serves on the Legislation & Ordinance Committee (L&O) said the Westfield Fire Department first came to the City Council with this request. She also pointed out that West Springfield allows no fire pits. “Fifity feet is a big distance. If our intention is to ban chimineas or fire pits in parts of the city, that’s essentially what we’re doing,” said At-large Councilor Dan Allie. He added that every manufacturer he could find recommended a distance of 10 feet from structures. “Twenty-25 feet is probably more than ample,” Allie said. Ward 2 Councilor Ralph J. Figy, who chairs the L&O Committee, said that as it stands now everybody’s fire without a permit is illegal. “The Fire Department came in with 75 feet. The committee convinced them of putting it at 50,” Figy said. “If you’re
unhappy with that amount of footage, maybe it needs an amendment, or we could put it back to committee.” At-large Councilor Daniel Knapik suggested that it be amended on the floor. “I would entertain a motion to amend to 15-20 feet,” Knapik said, noting that the City Council has always done what it felt was right, regardless of recommendations from other departments. “One of the distinctions is whether the pit has a screen on it,” said Ward 6 Councilor William J. Onyski, who also serves on the L&O. Several councilors suggested the ordinance go back to the committee. “The secondary danger that the Fire Department pointed out is the health issue, especially for family members with respiratory issues,” O’Connell said. “It seems we do have a nuisance ordinance health issue, with smoke coming into their houses. I would guess I’d encourage whatever footage we let residents know they should have the right to file a complaint,” said Ward 1 Councilor Mary Ann Babinski. Allie made a motion to amend the ordinance to 20 feet and include screens on fire pits. The motion to amend passed. At-large Councilor Steven Dondley asked how strictly the current ordinance is enforced. “That’s a great question. They respond to calls. They don’t have the time to scour back yards,” said O’Connell. “I would think if we change the number of feet, that would suffice,” Figy said. “If you have a hibachi, you can have a fire outside, barbeque-style. Look at gas grills. People use them right next to their garages. At some point, you’ve got to let people have some common sense,” Knapik said. The question was called, and the ordinance passed as amended by a majority vote.
Eagle Scout to build Southwick sand shed By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Staff Writer SOUTHWICK – The Board of Selectmen this week approved funding an Eagle Scout project proposed by Cote Small. Small asked permission to build a new sand shed for residential use. The current shed is in disrepair and in an inconvenient location. Cote proposed building the new shed at the Department of Public Works on College Highway at the forefront of the property. Much of the parking lot is fenced off to protect equipment, but residents would be able to access the new sand shed. “This will allow people to pick up sand and not enter the back lot,” said Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart. Board Chairman Joseph Deedy asked if there would be any Americans with Disabilities Act concerns. Small consulted with Building and Grounds Manager John Westcott on the project and Westcott assured the Board there were no ADA issues and there were handicap accessible parking spots as well as regular spots near the shed area. Cote requested $2,600 in materials and said the work would be performed over two weekends and he hoped to be done in May. The funds were already earmarked in the DPW budget.
“The world has achieved brilliance without conscience. Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants.” — GEN. OMAR N. BRADLEY
Donate Life flag raising celebrates survivors WESTFIELD (WWLP) – The flag celebrating the work of organ donors was raised Thursday at Westfield City Hall. Jeffrey Daley’s mother, Christine, helped raised the first Donate Life flag in Westfield three years ago. It is a way of organ recipients honoring their donors. “She received a kidney back in 2001, and it gave her fifteen years of life. After that, she passed away last January,” Daley said. Thursday’s flag raising was also an emotional time for Susan Sanders. She gave thanks to the donor whose heart now beats in her body. “The first thought that comes into my mind each morning, is to thank my donor. Thank you to my donor’s family. I say a prayer for them, and how special every day is, because I almost didn’t have that,” Sanders said. Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan said that he is hoping the Donate Life flag makes enough of an impression that potential organ and tissue donors will give more thought to extending the lives of people they have never met.
In this file photo Westfield Mayor Daniel Knapik, right, watches Jeff Daley, left, and his sister, Joanne, raise the Donate Life flag at Westfield City Hall last year. The Daleys raise the flag in honor of their mother, Chris. (WNG file photo)
Westfield fire substation rebuild bidding open
Eagle Scout Cote Small, at left, presents a proposal to the Southwick Board of Selectmen to build a new residential sand shed at the Southwick Department of Public Works. (Photo by Hope E. Tremblay)
Going once… going twice… Join us for a special event to help promote the value of Catholic education
WESTFIELD – The City announced on Thursday the opening of the bidding process for the general contract for the Little River Rd Fire Department sub station renovations and addition project. All submissions need to be received by the City of Westfield Purchasing Department located at City of Westfield, 59 Court Street, Westfield, Massachusetts 01085 by 2pm on May 5, 2016. At that time and place all bids will then be publicly opened and read aloud in Room 201. The Project repairs consist of, but are not limited to the following: construction of a 3,500 square foot addition to the existing Little River Substation. The addition will be a single story, slab on grade, wood frame structure. The project will also consist of renovations to the existing portion of the building, both interior and exterior, site improvements and possible construction of a storage building (Alt #1) as described in the contract documents. For more information, visit the City Purchasing office in City hall or visit http://www.cityofwestfield.org/Bids. aspx?bidID=68
2016 St. Mary’s Parish School Annual Spring Auction & Raffle
Saturday, April 9 5:00 p.m. St. Mary’s High School Gymnasium