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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
never be humble to the haughty.” — JEFFERSON DAVIS
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 85 NO. 130
“Never be haughty to the humble;
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FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 2016
Mayor presents budget to City Council By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Mayor Brian P. Sullivan presented his budget to the City Council at the end of the meeting on Thursday, coming directly from handing out diplomas at the Westfield Technical Academy’s graduation ceremony. Sullivan said the budget of $138,385,913 represents a 2.1% increase over last year. He thanked his staff and department heads, calling the process “a lot of work, a lot of angst.” He said an additional $2.2 million has already been cut from what the department heads brought to him. The budget has no layoffs on the city side, but he said the School Department will be sending out pink slips. “You’re doing a whole lot more with a whole lot less,” Sullivan said, adding that the city has
“budgeted well.” The budget also uses $500,000 of free cash, leaving the city $1,090,000 in its account, he said. There are several new positions included in the budget. Westfield resident Amber Danahey began Tuesday as the city’s Community Outreach Coordinator in charge of communications and marketing opportunities. Two new dispatchers were hired who Sullivan said will be paid out of the overtime budget. He said $136,000 was paid out in overtime last year. The position of Deputy Superintendent of Parks & Recreation will be filled January 1 after a thorough inventory of the city’s parks, which Sullivan said need attention. A storm water coordinator will also be hired January 1, following the retirement this summer of Charles “Woody” Darling after 25
years of service. Sullivan said he has met with City Engineer Mark Cressotti and Director of Public Works David Billips, and assured the City Council that 100% of the Chapter 90 funds will be used for roads. “We will be rolling out our paving program in the near future,” he said, adding that the city will be doing more work in house using the new patch machine. The budget will now go through a series of Finance sub-Committee meetings with department heads, beginning with a meeting on June 7 with the school department. Sullivan ended his presentation by thanking former Mayor Daniel M. Knapik. “The way the city has been going the last few years is healthy,” he said.
Velis on House vote By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Rep. John C. Velis (D-Westfield) said that after a very lengthy debate, and some 35 votes, the Transgender Accommodation bill passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday with a vote of 116-36. The bill reads: Any public accommodation including without limitation any entity that offers the provision of goods, services, or access to the public that lawfully segregates or separates access to such public accommodation or other entity based on a person’s sex shall REP. JOHN grant all persons VELIS admission to and the full enjoyment of such public accommodation or other entity consistent with the person’s gender identity. “It was a very lengthy debate,” said Velis, who voted for the bill. He said there were several amendments put forward by some Democrats but mostly Republicans to beef up public security, for which he also voted. “I heard loud and clear about public safety concerns,” he said. For example, one amendment exempted sex offenders from the accommodation, which Velis said he was 100% behind, and was shocked that it did not pass. He also supported exemptions for multiple capacity locker rooms, for ones used primarily by minors, and for schools. He also voted for an exemption for law enforcement, to shield and protect them from any kind of liability. “I was in support of all of the amendments that addressed the underlying safety issues. Much to the surprise of many of us, all of the amendments were shot down,” Velis said. He said the votes were mainly along party lines, and he voted with Republicans on many of them. While the public focused on the aspect of the bill regarding restrooms and locker rooms, Velis said that the bill had more to do with diners and restaurants. For example, a transgender person could work at a diner under previous protections, but that same person could be asked to leave the diner after work if someone said they were made to feel uncomfortable by his or her presence. “I believe that we should live and let live,” Velis said. “The bill addresses blatant discrimination against folks that are different from us.” He added that he is concerned about the controlling narratives in America right now. In the 1960’s, when JFK was president, he said the prevailing topic was who would be the first to get a man into space. With the issues around suicide, homelessness, the heroin epidemic, cancer, and affordable education, he said it is nonsensical what is important to us as a nation. “I’m happy that the vote is behind us, and am anxiously looking forward to going back to Boston and truly make it better for the people of Westfield and the Commonwealth,” Velis said.
Karissa Foley of Westfield samples Strawberry Skyr at the Mayval Farm tent at the Westfield Farmers’ Market.
Daniel Osella of Skyline Trading Company, soon to open its doors on Elm Street, chats with Robert and Judy Brown.
Sales steady on first day of Farmers’ Market By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD-Sunny skies and a warm breeze welcomed patrons to the first Westfield Farmers’ Market of the season on Thursday, along with music by performers including Greg Hart and Duane Woody of Hart/Woody on the lawn of the Episcopal Church of the Atonement. In its second year under the management of church officials, vendors returning for another fruitful season include Moe’s Donuts, Pignatare’s Farm, Mount Warner Vineyards, Calcraft Relishes, Rudy’s Greenhouse, Stony Creek Farm, Ellie’s Oils, Relax. Rinse. Repeat., Trotwood Acres, Windycrest Farm, and Mike’s Crafts. New vendors to the market include Boomsma Family Farm, specializing in forested pork with no antibiotics or hormones, Mayval Farm, offering milk, cheeses, and maple syrup, and the Skyline Trading Company, selling specialty breads including white baguettes, focaccia, sour dough ciabatta, sourdough rolls and their “famous pretzels.” New at the market is an increased grant administered by CISA (Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture), allowing SNAP customers who scan their cards at the market to receive up to a $10 match per week on their SNAP purchases. Vendors were eager to greet patrons and also
provide samples of their specialty products. One of the popular tents was at Mayval Farm, offering samples of Skyr (pronounced “skeer”), a thick and creamy Icelandic cultured dairy product that is technically a cheese but tastes similar to strained yogurt, according to Margaret Parsons who helps run the farm with her family. Other samples included cheddar cheese curds, described by Parsons as “tasty little bits of fresh cheddar cheese perfect for a quick snack, plain or flavored with buffalo wing seasoning, garlic, or chive blend.” “The Strawberry Skyr was delicious,” said Karissa Foley of Westfield who had stopped by the tent. Moe’s Donuts is also a popular stop for patrons, including Carole Verardo of Granville. She was purchasing churros for her daughter, Jenny Doser of Westfield, owner of Relax. Rinse. Repeat. Doser is also a market vendor. “I like being outdoors, purchasing homemade products, and supporting local businesses,” said Verardo. Ray Lariviere of Calcraft Relishes was once again selling his popular zucchini relishes and bread and butter pickles, noting sales were especially busy at the start of the market. See Famers’ Market, Page 3
MAYOR BRIAN P. SULLIVAN
Vernon Decoteau, longtime pastor, has died BELCHERTOWN (WWLP) – A well-known local priest who had befriended a former U.S. president has passed away. Father Vernon Decoteau, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Belchertown, died Wednesday night. Decoteau was 68 years old, and had been recovering from bypass surgery. The Diocese of Springfield’s official news website, iObserve, reports that there has been a great outpouring of grief and messages of support after Bishop Mitchell See Decoteau, Page 3
VERNON DECOTEAU
Margarites, Britland take top awards at Gateway HUNTINGTON — Jenna Margarites was named both Valedictorian and Golden Achievement winner at Gateway Regional High School at the senior awards ceremony held June 1. Classmate Davis Britland was named Salutatorian. Jenna Margarites has achieved numerous academic awards, including: National Merit Scholarship Commended Student; AP Scholar with Distinction; Smith and Regis College Book Awards; Ecoteach Field Reporter Award; Emerging Leader Passion for Action Award; American Legion Oratorical Contest District and Regional Winner, and Elks Most Valuable Student State Award, among others. She was a founding member of Gateway’s Best Buddies club and has served as its President and Vice President. She was also a founding member of Model United Nations and served as its Director of Fundraising and Finance, and earned an Outstanding Delegate award at EmpireMUNC. A student leader, she served as Communications Coordinator,
Executive Committee Member and State Delegate to the Massachusetts State Student Advisory Committee with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She is Secretary of the Student Council and Class Vice President. Margarites volunteers with the Westfield branch of Special Olympics. She is taking a gap year in Senegal through the Global Citizen Year program, after which she will major in biochemistry at Haverford College. Jenna is the daughter of Deborah Hersey of Westfield and Charles Margarites of Westfield. Davis D. Britland has been President of the Class of 2016 for three years. He is the Model United Nations Historian, a 4-year member of the Drama Club, and 4-year member of the cross-country team (Co-Captain) and serves on the Tech Crew of the Gateway Performing Arts Center. He is a member of the National Honor Society and is also a Boys State alumni. Britland has volunteered with the Gateway Booster Club, Gateway After-School Program and
Huntington Book Fair, and is seasonally employed by Justamere Tree Farm and Kinnebrook Farm. He was a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student and will attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the fall and major in either biomedical or aerospace engineering. He is the son of Chris and Lisa Britland of Worthington. Many additional awards and scholarships were presented at the ceremony, which was followed by a reception for the class and their families in the Gateway courtyard. In opening the assembly, Principal Jason Finnie thanked faculty and staff, the class advisers Jennifer Auclair and Heather Dekarski, and announced the staff retiring this year adding, “I wish you all the best; it is impossible to replace you.” Class president Davis Britland followed by welcoming the students, staff and families attending. “I would be lying if I said that voicing these remarks was easy. I’m feeling happiness See Gateway Awards, Page 3