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City Council considers end of year transfers, personnel reappointments By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – During Mayor Brian P. Sullivan’s briefing before the City Council meeting, he asked for immediate consideration to transfer $55,707 from funds remaining in two departments to the Westfield Redevelopment Authority to go forward with the demolition of Romani’s bowling alley at 11 Church Street. He said city advancement officer Joseph Mitchell had asked if there were money from sweeping accounts that could be applied for that purpose before the end of the fiscal year. Finance Committee chair Robert A. Paul, Sr., said the amount of Free Cash would go down, but his committee was looking favorably at the request. During the regular meeting, Mitchell said the money allocation to the WRA would be very specific, and look a lot like the last four transfers on the Church Street properties. The request passed, as did a series of other requests to transfer smaller amounts within departments for the purpose of closing the fiscal year. Another request which passed was $35,000 from the Veterans Department to the Community Development Department for the purchase of 340 Elm Street, in order for the city to demolish the building, which has access to the riverfront. At-large Councilor Dan Allie asked See City Council, Page 5
PVTA route changes may occur due to budget concerns By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD/PIONEER VALLEY—Due to a possible budget shortfall, the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) is holding a number of public meetings to discuss potential changes to nearly 20 busing routes in the Pioneer Valley. The meetings will be held to discuss with patrons of the service and others what potential impacts route modifications or removal could have on riders. PVTA’s Director of Operations and Planning Josh Rickman said that they currently face a $1.2 million deficit due to state budget cuts and reduced aid. This number could change however, as grant money could be awarded and budget discussions continue at the state level. According to Rickman, a decision on the changes is expected July 19. Meetings will be held in a variety of locations throughout the area over the next three-plus weeks, starting in Holyoke on Monday, June 19, and ending in Chicopee July 10, with meetings being held in a number of other municipalities, including Westfield at the Olver Transit Pavilion on Arnold Street, July 6, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. See PVTA, Page 5
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FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017
VOL. 86 NO. 142
Women feted for work keeping seniors safe Nobody Better! The Westfield Bombers hoist the championship trophy after defeating the Wayland Warriors in the Division 1 boys’ volleyball state finals 3-0 Thursday night at Worcester State University. See story and photos Page 9. (Photo by Bill Deren)
By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD-“Everyone has a right to be safe” was a central theme during a special award presentation Thursday at lunchtime at the Westfield Senior Center as two Council on Aging staff members were feted for their years of dedication to helping others live quality lives. Karen Noblit, senior benefits coordinator, and Fran Aguda, companion program coordinator, were honored by Highland Valley Elder Services with its annual award recognition conducted on Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Julie Pearce, Protective Services Program Director at Highland Valley Elder Services, presented the awards as more than 100 area residents who were awaiting their dessert looked on. Pearce said she nominated Aguda since she has had the “honor” of working cooperatively with her through the companion program. “Fran works tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of See Safe Seniors, Page 3
Westfield school administrators defend budget at Finance Committee hearing By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Westfield Public School administrators came before the Finance Committee for a budget hearing on Thursday, preceding the regular City Council meeting. Finance Committee chair Robert A. Paul, Sr. told school officials that Council members had six weeks to study the FY18 school budget. Paul then invited Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski to give an opening statement. Czaporowski said the district started the budget process in December, identifying $2.9 million over last year that was needed for a level services budget. They held several community meetings, and sought to base the budget on district priorities. Among the priorities that he listed were keeping class sizes to 20 for K-2, and to 25 for 3-12. He said the district would continue to pursue business and community partnerships for the schools, while strengthening academics. An Alternative Education program is in the budget, as well as a refocused Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) program. Also in the budget is a plan to integrate technology in the classrooms, and tackle deferred maintenance needs. Czaporowski said the current budget is based on the House of Representatives figure of $664,754 in Chapter 70 local aid, which has doubled from last year, and could still increase due to a higher Senate
ROBERT PAUL
RON RIX
figure. He said the district is asking for an additional $710,261 over last year’s budget. Business Manager Ron Rix then spoke in more detail about the financial picture. He said the district had negotiated out of severance, creating a bubble increase in FY18. Severance costs are $906,000 this year, (a $300,000 increase), but will go down to $576,000 next year, and $300,000 in two years. Rix said there are also 25 fewer positions in the budget, which means $420,000 less to pay in benefits. Paul asked Rix how many people are not yet hired for FY18. Human Resources director Paula Ceglowski said there are 50 positions to be hired. Paul estimated that 50 people meant approximately $3 million in salary and benefits. “They don’t have names, but they’re in the budget,” he said. Rix said that Paul was correct, but many of the positions are required to See School Budget, Page 3
Fran Aguda and Karen Noblit, front center, received awards from Highland Valley Elder Services Thursday. They are joined by members of the Protective Services division of Highland Valley, as well as State Rep. John Velis and Mayor Brian Sullivan.
Two men shot by BB gun while driving in Southwick By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Police Department received a report on June 9 that two men driving their respective vehicles were shot by a BB gun. According to Southwick Police Chief David Ricardi, a juvenile shot two pellets out of a window on Tannery Road, near Concord Road. Both men were hit by the pellets in the neck area. One of the men, Andrew Booth, a Westfield resident, said that he initially Andrew Booth has a thought he got hit by a bird. After leaving wound right behind his left ear. (Photo See BB Gun, Page 3 from Andrew Booth)
Huntington chooses Town Clerk after recount By AMY PORTER Correspondent HUNTINGTON – The recount of the Town Clerk election, which produced an unprecedented tie for Huntington, was held on Monday by the Board of Registrars. In the Town Clerk election, Kathleen Thomas, who is serving as Interim Town Clerk until June 30 and previously served as Assistant Town Clerk for the past seven years, received 139 votes. Judith Guyette, who
previously served as Town Clerk from 1983 to 2003 and currently is chair of the Alphonso P. Pettis Fund, also received 139 votes. It remained a tie after the recount, 139 for Thomas and 139 for Guyette, according to Huntington Administrative Assistant Helen Speckels. The Board of Selectmen then met on Wednesday, and had the option to either call a special election or appoint someone until June 30, 2018. Prior to the meeting,
Guyette contacted the Board of Selectmen to say that, due to personal reasons, she had decided to concede the election to Kathy Thomas, according to Speckels and Board chair Edward Renauld. At Wednesday’s meeting, the Board then voted to appoint Kathy Thomas as Temporary Town Clerk until town elections next May. Whoever wins that election will take over as Town Clerk, beginning July 1, 2018.
JUDITH GUYETTE
KATHLEEN THOMAS