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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 85 NO. 142
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016
See Pavement Program, Page 3
Humason files amendment regarding Soldiers Home BOSTON – During debate of The Veterans HOME Act, a bill focused on offering expanded benefits and services for veterans, the State Senate adopted an amendment this afternoon that aims to retain local control of the Holyoke Soldier’s Home. The amendment, filed by Senator Don Humason and cosponsored by Senators James Welch and Eric Lesser, specifically strikes language that would have granted principal oversight authority to a new SEN. HUMASON office that the bill would create within the Department of Veterans’ Services. “There is a real sense of pride and ownership when it comes to the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, both on campus and in the surrounding communities,” said Senator Don Humason. “So it was important that we did all we could to preserve local autonomy and ensure people with strong ties to the Soldiers’ Home and Western Massachusetts are able to play a lead role in its day-to-day operations and future.” “The Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke provides outstanding care for veterans in our region,” said Senator James T. Welch (D–West Springfield). “The amendment that passed today will allow the Home to continue its excellent work, maintaining local control of a See Admendment, Page 3
— E.M. FORSTER
75 cents
School administrators say early retirement incentives saved jobs
Westfield Mayor, city engineer announce 5-year Pavement Management Program WESTFIELD – Mayor Brian P. Sullivan and City Engineer Mark Cressotti announced Thursday the establishment of a five-year pavement management program for Fiscal Years 2017 to 2022. The program generally calls for milling of 2-inches and paving an overlay of the same thickness. This saves on the cost of raising structures and minimizes conflicts with driveways and other intersections. Streets identified for mill and overlay for the coming construction season are Franklin Street, from Summer Street to Allen Street; northernmost portions of Montgomery Road; and Southwick Road, from Mill Street to the Southwick town line. Combined, these projects represent nearly $1.2 million in construction. Projects will be funded by the state’s Chapter 90 Local Road program. “This pavement management program has been a work-in-progress through the Engineering Department,” Mayor Sullivan said. “The Department has worked to assess road conditions on all public streets and assign pavement condition scores and we are using those scores to prioritize our limited funds,” he continued. In addition to new pavement, the program includes multiple streets for preventative maintenance which involves either crack
“One has two duties — to be worried and not to be worried.”
The team. Top row (from left to right): Mike Csekovsky, Chase Ouelette, Garrett Barube, Christopher Pedersen, Logan Osek, David Ouellette. Bottom row (from left to right): Jase Castell, Nolan Wondolowski, Tyler Neal, Renato Switzer, Callum Aieta.
Youth baseball team visit Westfield police By DAN DESROCHERS Correspodent WESTFIELD–It’s not often people are excited to be in a police station, but for a local youth baseball team yesterday that’s all they were. The Rookie Westfield Police Association team and their families were given a tour of the facilities by one of their coaches, Mike Csekovsky, who is also a Westfield police officer. The players, ranging from ages 6 to 8, along with their parents and some siblings, were able to see much of the equipment police use, as well as given a tutorial on police work. “The tour was amazing and the
kids are fired up,” head coach Erik Pedersen said. “Maybe this sets a standard.” The children, most of whom have never been in a police station before, saw a lot of what law enforcement use on the job daily, but were also enamored by the simpler things. One example was during their stay in the lobby, where they found a security camera that was filming them, and playing the video on a screen inside the police station. The boys proceeded to jump and gesture at the camera, excitedly yelling. The crowd was also treated to See Visit, Page 3
Westfield Traffic Commission hears concerns, plans changes By DAN DESROCHERS there is a way to reduce the Correspodent amount of trucks going WESTFIELD—Residents down Papermill Road. can expect some changes However, the Commission coming to their roadways warned the residents that soon. there may not be an immeThe city’s Traffic diate fix, noting that the Commission met Wednesday, information would have to which will be the last meeting be compiled and a warrant until Sept. 21. The group would have to be written heard one complaint from and passed. residents, as well as made As for the changes that several changes to some local will be coming to the roadroadways. ways, most of the changes Two local residents spoke regarded signs. to the commission about The first is North Elm JOHN freight truck traffic that curSt., where WEPCO is locatCAMEROTA rently travels down Papermill ed, will be getting a solarPolice chief and powered crosswalk light, in Road, noting that the travel Commission down the road has been order to allow safer crossChairman excessive. ing for pedestrians along Police chief and the oft-traveled road. Commission Chairman John Camerota, Also, signs will not be put up on who had a police officer monitor the Summer St., where parking is currently traffic on the road recently, contended permitted for an hour to two hours at a that the traffic that went through when time. The Commission decided to allow they were there was not considered sig- unrestricted parking on the west side of nificant. the street, but prior to the construction “I can tell you this, during the hour that is currently happening on the street, that the officer was sitting there, there there were signs restricting parking. were about eight trucks an hour,” Additionally, upon the request of Camerota said. Ward 6 City Councilor William Onyski, In spite of this, the Commission the Commission okayed putting in a agreed that there should be more stop sign on Walker Ave., where it research done on the area to find out if meets with Papermill Road.
By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – 11-13 teachers will be taking advantage of early retirement incentives offered by the Westfield Public Schools in May, saving at least ten jobs, according to school administrators. Altogether, about 35 teachers and staff will be retiring from the district this year. “That won’t happen again for many years,” said retiring Superintendent Suzanne Scallion. “It allows us to hire replacements lower on the pay scale.” She said the district saved about $700,000 in retirements, assuming replacements earn on average $20,000 less. “That was an enormous benefit this year,” she added. She said that in a typical year, 12-15 staff retire from the district. JENNIFER Scallion said that the WILLARD incentives that were offered encouraged people to go out at less than the maximum benefit. A $15,000 incentive that will be paid out over two years was offered to certain teachers that qualified to retire early. On June 15, the day that teachers must be notified if they are at risk of losing their jobs, eight Unit A (Teachers) were given non-renewals. Non-renewals are given to teachers in the first three years who don’t have recall rights. Four Unit B (Assistant Principals and Supervisors) were also given non-renewal notices last week, but three have already been placed in Unit A. No Unit A teachers that had recall rights were laid off. “We had massive teacher retirements this year, unheard of,” said Director of Human Resources Jennifer Willard. “There easily would have been 10 layoffs had we not had all the retirements,” she added. She said the positions of some of those retiring will be eliminated, allowing the district some flexibility. Both Scallion and Ron Rix, the district’s director of business services, said they were building in contingencies to the budget, which won’t be approved until the June 30 City Council vote. The Finance Sub-Committee has recommended an additional $600,000 cut to the school department budget.
Local woman receives award for community service By DAN DESROCHERS Correspodent WESTFIELD—For Westfield-West Springfield Elks Lodge member Donna Slocombe, helping veterans is what pushes her. Slocombe, who lives in Florence, received the State Elk of the Year award from the fraternal organization on June 11. The award, which recognizes the work of a member for their community, is considered to be the most prestigious a member can receive. “I was shocked,” Slocombe said with a laugh about being given the award. “The gentlemen behind me who have the award are all such wonderful people, and it’s such an honor just to be within their ranks now,” she said. Slocombe’s work has revolved around volunteering for veterans, including serving at the Holyoke Soldier’s Home and the VA Hospital in Leeds. She is also volunteering at the upcoming 5K run/walk June 25 for Lift, a nonprofit group that works to get veterans gym memberships to help cope with stress. “You don’t know how the little things you can do for a veteran makes them so happy,” Slocombe said. “And I always leave feeling like they did more for me than I did for them. “The best thing you can do for a veteran is just spend time with them,” she said. Slocombe said that her inspiration has come from a number of places, but one specific moment came during See Service, Page 3