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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
“When the political columnists say ‘Every thinking man’ they mean themselves, ... ” — FRANKLIN P. ADAMS
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 85 NO. 201
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016
WTA’s AMT program receives FAA certification and surprise gift from Gulfstream By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Federal Aviation Administration officials from Washington D.C. were on hand at the Westfield Technical Academy on Thursday as John Feliciano, Flight Standards District Office Manager at Bradley official conferred FAA certification on the Aviation Maintenance Technology program. AMT instructor Galen Wilson spoke about what a proud day it was for him. “I’m a 30-year Air Force veteran,” Wilson said, adding that when he got out, he thought, “This is my legacy. This is what I did with my life and I’m very proud.” But now he said that working with the wonderful students in AMT, he realizes this will be another legacy. “This will be the best Aviation program in all of the country. That is my promise to you,” Wilson said. “People said you guys are crazy, you’re never going to get this done. 2 ½ years later we’re here,” said Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski, who was in on the development of the program from the start. “This is what can happen when institutions like this and industry step up and make it happen,” said Tony Janco, Sr. Advisor of the FAA Aircraft Maintenance Division in Washington, D.C. “On behalf of the Bradley FAA, I applaud this school for your achievement,” said Feliciano in awarding the certificate. Following the presentation, Gulfstream
Students in Westfield Technical Academy’s Aircraft Maintenance Technology program pose in the shop with instructor Galen Wilson (3rd from right) and Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski (2nd from right). (Photo by Amy Porter)
Fran Ahern, General Manager of Gulfstream Westfield (r) presents a check for $100,000 to (from l-r) Westfield Technical Academy principal Joe Langone, WTA Aircraft Maintenance Technology instructor Galen Wilson and Westfield Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski. (Photo by Amy Porter)
manager and AMT Advisory Board member Fran Ahern said that he and Peggy Champagne, HR manager of Gulfstream, also wanted to make a presentation. “For all of us in Aviation, we’ve been hearing about this technician shortage. For those of us in the industry, we’re affected by it. The airplanes don’t fix themselves. We need people to fix the airplanes,” said Ahern. He said he has also been involved in the program in some ways from the beginning, having supported the program financially with an initial $200,000 donation to be used over the first four years. Ahern then said they would like to do more, and Champagne brought out a presentation check for an additional
$100,000 for the program, surprising everyone in the room. “It’s fantastic! Gulfstream has been our biggest supporter,” said AMT Advisory Board chair Ken Dromgold following the presentation. Wilson said he already has ideas for the money. He said that the $100,000 could go towards improvements in the hangar at Barnes. The program plans to put a portable classroom outside the hangar that will have space for two classrooms, restrooms and a lunch room. “Now students won’t have to board the bus to go to the hangar for the morning, and come back for lunch. We can stay out at the airfield,” Wilson said.
Westfield Fire Dept. to get new equipment
Food Fest includes a way to deal with opiates
By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD–The Westfield Fire Department will be getting some new equipment after they received a grant from the Department of Homeland Security. The department secured $141,205 through the grant, which was initially announced through a press release from Richard Neal’s office Aug. 19. The money will be used to purchase 57 new sets of turnout gear, which is the protective equipment firefighters wear in many hazardous situations. This adds to the six new sets that the department received for newly-hired firefighters last year. The department currently has 89 firefighters, each with their own turnout gear that is provided through the department. Westfield Fire Chief Mary Regan said that the equipment is much needed to keep her men and women safe. “New gear reduces the chance for injuries to a firefighter,” Regan said. With the new turnout gear, several firefighters will have more up-to-date and improved protection. Regan said that this equipment not only protects against some hazardous materials, but also against bloodborne illnesses and pathogens, which makes them useful in situations that are medical
By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—As opiates continue to wreak havoc on Westfield and neighboring communities, the city’s Drug Task Force is attempting to bring knowledge and preparedness to residents. The Drug Task Force (DTF), along with Tapestry Health, is having an event at the Westfield Food Festival today, from 6-8 p.m., to help educate people about Narcan, generically known as naloxone, the drug used to reverse opiate overdoses. The event is informal and designed to allow people to come by and learn about nalox- A package of naloxone, the generic brand one in a brief period of time, of Narcan. while also asking questions and learning how to use a version of the drug in the case of an emergency. The event will take place at the downtown community police center on Elm Street. “This Narcan event is really the first kind of public training session, where
See Equipment, Page 8
Small tear at the knee of one of the firefighter’s turnout gear.
Improvements seen with stickers on docks at Congamond Lake By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – The Lake Management Committee discussed the importance of dock stickers on Congamond Lake during their meeting on Thursday night. The Committee talked about making sure all docks on Congamond Lake are registered and have the proper sticker. According to the committee, in years past, there was a major lack of stickers on docks on the lake. “In 2010, compliance was zero,” said Committee Chairman Dick Grannells. “There were maybe half a dozen docks that had Chapter 91 licenses. But, that all quickly changed when the Town of Southwick was able to make a big leap forward. As the State of
Massachusetts was usually responsible for handling any matters on Congamond Lake, the Town of Southwick was able to create their own LPP (Local Permitting Program). The program essentially allows the local town to make the decisions about all water structures on the lake, as the permit was approved by Mass DEP (Department of Environmental Protection). Grannells emphasized how having the Local Permitting Program directly benefits Congamond Lake. “The state money doesn’t come back to the town, when the state collects it, the state owns it,” said Grannells. “When we collect it, it stays in the town.” The local permitting program was activated for the 2010 boating season. It still
remains only a $10 fee for a resident of the lake to get a sticker for their dock. It is $40 for someone out of town to dock out of the marina. Both Grannells and Lake Management Committee Chairman Eric Mueller pointed out that it is also no longer legal for people to build a new pressure treated dock. Existing docks are grandfathered in, but having new docks can cause chemicals to seep into the lake. The recommendation is to have aluminum docks since they last longer and are easy to remove. \When docks on the lake are broken or don’t have stickers on them, letters are immediately sent out to the owner of the dock. See Congamond Lake, Page 8
See Narcan, Page 3
PUBLIC NOTICE:
Road Closure - Food Festival WESTFIELD — The Westfield Police Department Traffic Bureau announces a road closure for the Rotary Food Festival on Elm Street (Rt 10/202) from Franklin Street (Rt 20) to School Street. Friday, August 26, 2016 thru Sunday, August 28th. The road will close at 6:00 AM Friday morning and re-open by 7:00 PM Sunday evening. Detour to Continue 10/202 South: Turn right at Rt 20W (Franklin Street), take 2nd left onto Washington Street. Detour to Continue 10/202 North or Rt 20 West: Turn right onto Court Street from the center of town. Take 1st right onto Washington Street.