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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
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“It is quite true what philosophers say: that Life must be understood backwards. But that makes one forget the other assumption: that it must be lived forwards.” — SOREN KIERKEGAARD
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FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2017
VOL. 86 NO. 107
Movement in legislature on hilltown turnpike exit By AMY PORTER Correspondent BOSTON – Representative William “Smitty” Pignatelli (D-Lenox) secured language for the 4th Berkshire District in the House of Representatives’ version of the FY18 State Budget, which was passed last week. The language in the final House budget would require that the Department of Transportation study the feasibility of building a new exit between exits 2 and 3 of the Massachusetts Turnpike and report
back to the legislature by January of 2018. There are twenty-nine miles between those two exits. The exact language in Section 71B of the budget reads: ‘The department of transportation shall conduct a feasibility study on a new exit between exits 2 and 3 of the Massachusetts Turnpike. The department shall submit its findings to the joint committee on transportation and to the clerks of the house of representatives and senate on or before… January 1, 2018. “The distance between exits two
and three of the turnpike is the longest on the state highway.” said Rep. Pignatelli. “A new exit there could potentially be a huge economic driver for the area while relieving congestion in Westfield. With the implementation of the new all electronic tolling system, a new exit is more feasible now than it has ever been.” Although Blandford has long been talked about as the logical exit due to the location of the turnpike rest stop, the language asking for the study is open-ended.
Fire Chief attends instructors conference Stefan Czaporowski addresses the crowd gathered for the second annual Shining Star Awards at Westfield Technical Academy
Students and parents honor educators during the Shining Star Awards By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—A parent-led organization gave awards to several of the city’s educational professionals yesterday during a ceremony to honor those who work with students with disabilities. The Westfield Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) held their second annual Shining Star Awards Ceremony at the Westfield Technical Academy, giving awards to a total of 27 recipients. The awards are organized to provide parents and students a chance to show their appreciation for teachers and other education professionals by allowing them to nominate for the award. “The awards are for any service staff who go above and beyond,” Michele Douglas, SEPAC member, said. “We are really trying to See Awards, Page 3
Future of Blandford Ski Area questioned By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Conversations and rumors have been circulating via social media about the future of the Blandford Ski Area, since an emergency meeting was held in April and an early membership drive fell short. Blandford Ski Area, which is owned by the Springfield Ski Club, celebrated its 80th season this winter and is the oldest club-owned ski area in North America. 35-year member Don Belisle of Westfield said that he’s heard the club is actively seeking a buyer, and he’s not happy about the rumors. “Members should be kept informed,” Belisle, a former board member and treasurer of the club said, adding that the club owns the mountain, not the board of directors. “With a little bit of effort, we can keep the club going. We’ve run that club in leaner times than this,” he said. In response to an inquiry from The Westfield News, Mike Gagnon, president of the Blandford Ski Area sent the following email: “The Blandford Ski Area Board of Directors is currently reviewing all options to insure the continuous operation of the ski area and we have yet to determine what our exact path forward will be. That being said, we cannot provide any further details at this time but will disclose information as soon as it becomes available.” The annual meeting of the membership past and present will be held on May 23 at 7 p.m. at the Blandford Ski Area lodge.
By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – Southwick Fire Chief Russ Anderson attended the FDIC (Fire Department Instructors Conference) in Indianapolis from April 24 to April 29. Chief Anderson was one of three Chiefs selected by the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts which also included Charlton Fire Chief Charles E. Cloutier Jr. and Needham Fire Chief Dennis Condon. Anderson and the other two Chiefs had a clear purpose for the trip; to find out if any of the classes and workshops presented at the conference are programs that they could implement in Massachusetts. According to Anderson, they attended nearly 30 presentations over the course of four days and found the experience a clear benefit to their position. “There were definitely things that we saw that we’d like to bring back to Massachusetts,” said Anderson. While time was spent observing various programs, the Southwick Fire Chief enjoyed the whole experience at the conference. “It was definitely an overwhelming experience,” said Anderson. “There were just so many educational opportunities, it was pretty amazing.” Anderson noted that he would like to see more classes on the international trend in firefighter’s safety and, with the recent increased cancer rates in firefighters according to the NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health), more education and training in the area of firefighter health and wellness. The largest firefighting conference in North America, FDIC brought in 33,979 attendees, 58 countries being represented, 798 exhibitors, and 385,296 sq. ft. of vendor space.
Russ Anderson was one of three Chiefs from Massachusetts to be selected to attend the FDIC in Indianapolis. (WNG File Photo)
The budget has now gone to the Senate for consideration in a few weeks. A member of Sen. Adam G. Hinds (D-Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden) staff said that Pignatelli had made Hinds aware that he has secured the language in the budget. Hinds is very supportive of the initiative, according to the staff member, and will speak about it with Sen. Donald F. Humason. Jr. (R-Second Hampden and Hampshire) . Hinds and Humason are working together on budget issues.
MARY ANN BABINSKI
REP. WILLIAM “SMITTY” PIGNATELLI
DAVID FLAHERTY
JOHN J. BELTRANDI III
Cabot Road industrial park gets pushback By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – On the second reading and final passage of an order to transfer 66 acres on Cabot Road to the city to allow permitting for a proposed industrial park, several City Council members put a halt to the process. Ward 1 Councilor Mary Ann Babinski said she had concerns, and was changing her vote for the second reading. Babinski said she had been involved in the discussions when the land was changed from rural residential to Industrial A in 2010-2011. She said the residents who were opposed to that change went to meeting after meeting, with many different reasons for keeping it rural residential. Babinski said when they lost, the residents were given assurances that the parcel would be environmentally friendly, small businesses, and saw the exact same plans that were recently shown in the Legislative & Ordinance committee. Then three years later, the Niagara Bottling Company looked to purchase half that acreage for a plant. “The city went totally against what they had just promised the neighbors up there. The project didn’t happen. Niagara went away,” Babinski said. Council president Brent B. Bean, III, who said he was present for the discussions, noted that there were a few reasons that it went away, and promises made to the residents was one of the reasons. “It didn’t happen, and the industrial park was put on hold to concentrate on the Airport Industrial Park,” Babinski said, adding, “I’m not here to stop businesses. The residents up there need some kind of assurance.” Babinski said until the
City Council has oversight and enforcement over any kind of business that goes in, she will not be voting for it. The current language in the order requests the authority to dispose of the property in accordance with Massachusetts Law Chapter 30B, and that the mayor be authorized to sign any and all documents necessary to effectuate and disposition. “I’m not going to be voting for it either,” said At-large Councilor David Flaherty. “This is not what they were promised. By giving them too much freedom, we’re getting ourselves into trouble.” Flaherty then went on to list several other areas in the city that are available for development. “I’m in favor of protecting this land. There aren’t many places in town that have 60 acres and flat lands,” he said. “The plot is ready to be permitted by the state. The special permit process is working for the neighbors,” said Ward 6 Councilor William Onyski, adding that there is a grant available of $93,000 for permitting from the state. Ward 2 Councilor Ralph J. Figy said that he was wrong when he referred to the property as being “shovel-ready” in an earlier meeting. “I just see a budget coming that’s a crunch. You can either raise taxes or have new growth,” Figy said. “The property has been vacant since 1982. It’s not on the aquifer, and we’re getting money back from the state,” said At-large Councilor John J. Beltrandi, III. “All that is being asked is that you stick to the plan, and put assurances in there that are environmentally friendly,” Babinski See Industrial Park, Page 5
Boise Cascade operations still face opposition
Broadway Chair at Blandford Ski Area. (Photo submitted)
By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – The public hearing on a change in operating hours for Boise Cascade continued during Thursday night’s City Council meeting. Rob Levesque, of R. Levesque Assoc. said the company had been working since the initial public hearing on March 17 to remedy some of the issues raised by abutters, especially pertaining to lighting and traffic. The Boise Cascade Company on Fowler St. Ext. off of Union St. distributes
building materials on a wholesale basis to lumberyards, home centers, industrial accounts, and other retail businesses. Levesque referred to a letter sent to the City Council on April 6 in which Boise Cascade changed their request from 24-hour operation to a special permit to operate from 6 a.m. to 3 a.m., from May 1 to Oct. 31, through their busiest season. Currently they are open from 6 a.m. to 12 midnight. They also said there would See Operations, Page 3
Jim Wickman and Nathan Oliveri of Boise Cascade, and Rob Levesque of R. Levesque Associates at a recent public hearing.