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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com
VOL. 85 NO. 291
See Taxes, Page 3
Council considering City-wide smoking ban By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Following a discussion that focused largely on enforcement, the City Council voted 8-4 on Thursday to support the smoking ban on all city-owned, operated or leased outdoor public places. A public notice on the changes will be published on Monday, and a second reading and vote will take place at the Dec. 15 meeting, according to city clerk Karen M. WESTFIELD CITY COUNCIL
See Smoking Ban, Page 3
Medical transport company looking to locate to Barnes By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD–Residents may soon see more helicopters flying in and out of Barnes Regional Airport. Barnes Regional Airport received a proposal from Air Methods, a national medical air transport company, to lease a 6.5 acre plot of land on airport property. Air Methods would utilize the area as a base of operations in Western Massachusetts to perform air medical evacuations and other transport services in the area. The area of the site is at the southern end of the runway at 89 Sgt. Dion Way, which is near the Massachusetts State Police barracks and the Massachusetts Turnpike. The location has no homes directly adjacent to it. Joe Mitchell, Westfield’s city advancement officer, said that the proposal includes Air Methods taking over an existing hangar and lot, but would need to perform some construction to the area for it to be complete. However, Lee Lancaster, Barnes Regional Airport’s interim manager, said that the construction would not include a helipad or heliport, which would mean no additional OK would be needed from the Federal Aviation Administration. Mitchell said that the potential contract would be a three-year lease, with a possible two-year extension. However, he was unable to specify the specifics of the extension and was also unable to give a price of a contract currently under negotiation. Prior to the interest expressed by Air Methods in the lot, it had remained vacant for over a year. The lot was previously occupied by the Cersosimo Lumber Company, who maintained the property under a four-year lease. If negotiations are successful, the inclusion of Air Methods would open the door for further non-fixed wing air traffic for the airport, which could give it another potential income source. Air Methods currently operates over 450 aircraft, most of which are helicopters. They were founded in 1980 and operate 300 bases of operations in 48 states.
Aerial view of the proposed location (Photo provided by Joe Mitchell)
Westfield Police Cadets looking for toys By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD–The Westfield Police Cadets will be holding a toy drive this Sunday to help families in need. The toy drive, which is in its second year, will occur Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will be at the Walmart on Springfield Road. The Westfield Police Cadets, an all-volunteer group of youths 14 to 20 years old, will be on hand to oversee the event, collecting toys and other items for families in need. Westfield Police Department will also be on hand as sponsors for the event and the cadets. Westfield Police detective Rick Mazza, who oversees the cadets along with Westfield Police officer Christopher Coach, said that while there isn’t a limit to how much they receive, the minimum they want is enough to fill three police vehicles– two SUVs and one Ford Crown Victoria–with toys. “We are looking to stuff as much as we can into each one of those vehicles,” Mazza said. “I hope we
75 cents
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016
City Council considers tax cuts and tax burden By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – The discussion of the tax shift took a back seat to the question of appropriations of Free Cash to reduce the FY17 tax levy during Thursday’s City Council meeting. Mayor Brian P. Sullivan, during his briefing before the meeting, requested $1,034,300 from Free Cash, which he said would leave more than $2.4 million in the account. “I feel comfortable leaving that number to get through the rest of the year,” Sullivan said. He said there is also over $7 million in the Stabilization Fund for emergencies. “This is the most money ever used to give back to taxpayers,” Sullivan said, adding that he hoped the City Council would use the appropriation to reduce the tax levy from 2.5% to 1%. He also said that the Council has to vote on it by Dec. 15, in order to get the tax bills out. At-large Councilor Dave Flaherty said the Finance Committee has set a meeting for Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. to discuss the matter, and asked the Council to wait until the Dec. 15 meeting to vote. During the meeting, Flaherty made an amendment to the motion, requesting that an additional $1,338,100 be appropriated from Free Cash in order to achieve a 0% tax increase. The amendment would leave $1.1 million in the Free Cash account if both appropriations are approved, according to Flaherty. Flaherty said that the Finance Committee expects that that the City will end the year with additional Free Cash, and if the request is approved by the City Council, the FY17 property tax levy will be equal to FY16 plus new growth. The amendment, to go to the Finance Committee, passed 10-2, with Ward 2 Councilor Ralph J. Figy and At-large Council Stephen Dondley opposing. During the public hearing on the tax shift, several business members in the community spoke in favor of reducing the tax shift to businesses.
“Great minds have purposes; little minds have wishes. Little minds are subdued by misfortunes; great minds rise above them.” — WASHINGTON IRVING
have to call the station for more vehicles.” Mazza said that in addition to toys, people are urged to bring diapers, baby wipes, money and even gift cards to the
event. “People don’t think to give gift cards but they work great,” Mazza said. “It See Cadets, Page 3
Allie proposes zone change notification amendment By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD– At-large Councilor Dan Allie introduced a motion to amend zone change procedure and notification of property owners at Thursday’s City Council meeting. The proposed ordinance change would require that all abutters, residents, taxpayers and property owners within 500 feet from the border of a property directly affected by a zone change be notified by the City Clerk by certified mail no less than fourteen days before a public hearing is held. “I realize that not everyone reads the newspaper everyday, has the time to watch Council meetings or continually check the city website,” Allie said about the motion. “It is important that everyDAN ALLIE one who might be affected by a zone change be notified, have the opportunity to attend a public hearing and make his or her voice heard.”
Cadets from last year’s toy drive. (Photo provided by Westfield Police Department)
See Zone Change, Page 3