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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
Some clouds. Low of 35.
“I have always
imagined that
Paradise will be a kind of library.” — JORGE LUIS BORGES
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 84 NO. 280
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2015
Conservation commission to oversee drainage improvement
Velis to march for veteran suicide awareness tomorrow By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – Tomorrow morning, State Rep. John Velis will take a journey for his fellow veterans when he participates in the Carry the Fallen ruck march. He will join 200 others and march the Boston Marathon route, carrying a backpack to weigh him down. “We will fill them with water bottles and whatever else will make them heavy to symbolize the emotional weight carried by veterans,” said Velis. Carry the Fallen is a ruck march to benefit Active Heroes to raise awareness about the suicide rate of veterans. “Twenty-two veterans a day commit suicide,” said Velis. “One veteran suicide a day is too many.” Velis, a veteran and an active duty Army captain, said he wants to do something to help current and future veterans. “We need to fix this now so we can save the veterans of the future,” said Velis. Carry the Fallen is the largest event in the world to raise veteran See March, Page 3
Kathleen Palmer, on left, directs a scene from “It’s A Wonderful Life” with Jeremy Thayer, Elaine Hebert, Robert H. Clark 3rd, Mark Parsons and Mark Hebert. (Photo by Lori Szepelak)
Theatre group to stage ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD – The Westfield Woman’s Club stage will be transformed into Bedford Falls when “It’s A Wonderful Life” is offered next month by the Westfield Theatre Group. The theatre group, a department of the Westfield Woman’s Club, has been presenting productions for more than 80 years. Prior to a recent rehearsal, director Kathleen Palmer of Westfield encouraged area residents and especially families to consider attending one of the five performances planned. “Shows are family-friendly,” she said. “We want you to go home with a smile on your face.” Palmer has adapted “It’s A Wonderful Life” for the local stage with music and arrangements by Marion Dunk, also of Westfield. The 1946 American Christmas fantasy drama film starred James Stewart as George Bailey who had given up his
dreams to help others and whose imminent suicide on Christmas Eve brings about the intervention of his guardian angel, Clarence. Clarence shows Bailey all of the lives he has touched and how different life in his community would be had he never been born. “A great cast has been assembled and with a wonderful pit band and tech crew, the holiday scene will get off to a great start,” said Palmer. “I guarantee you will love every minute of it,” said Dunk. Performances are planned Dec. 4, 5, 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m., as well as a matinee performance on Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. A 15-minute intermission is slated with home-baked goods available for sale. “We also have new padded comfy seats,” said Palmer, noting donations had been made in memory of Mary S. Santucci and the theatre group board voted to purchase the chairs which See Theatre Group, Page 3
month, Gorman invites her husband, Gary, a chiropractor practicing at River Bend in Agawam, on the show. Several members of Baystate Noble Hospital have been featured on Gorman’s show.
See Conservation Commission, Page 3
Straight talk offered at hilltown forum
“I didn’t want to restrict the guests to doctors and physicians,” said Gorman. “Baystate Noble has so many services. I’ve had on case managers, nurses, therapists, all different disciplines that fit into the rhythm of the show. They add different flavors to the show.” Gorman speaks with her guests about their specialties in the medical field and breaks down confusing medical jargon for listeners, and what to be aware of as the seasons change to stay in shape year round. “I’ve learned so much from the guests I’ve had on.” Gorman said. “I’ve met a lot of talented people who always bring something new.” Working with the Council of Aging of Westfield, Gorman invites co-workers from the City of Westfield on the show. Talking with them on the air, Gorman said she’s amazed by how much they’ve been able to open up and learn from each other. “It’s an eclectic group of people and we have a lot of fun. That’s the reward – getting to know these people better,” said Gorman. When WSKB upgraded its radio antenna last winter, the opportunity for creating quality content to reach the See Wake Up Wednesday!, Page 3
See Straight Talk, Page 3
Tina Gorman wakes up Westfield Wednesdays
“Wake Up Wednesday!” host Tina Gorman.
By DAN MORIARTY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The Conservation Commission will oversee repairs to the outfall of the Little River drainage system to avoid delays in the next phase of the Route 187 improvements. City Engineer Mark Cressotti appeared before the board earlier this week to discuss how the city will make repairs to the outfall structure of the Little River drainage system into the Westfield River. The issue arose during the Conservation Commission’s review of the Notice of Intent (NOI) to upgrade the stormwater drainage system as part of the Phase 2 of the Route 197 improvements along Little River Road. The $15 million Route 187 improvement work was broken into three phases because of the scope of work. Phase 1, the Feeding Hills Road improvements, are nearly complete and the state Department of Transportation is preparing to bid the contract for phase 2, Little River Road. The final phase is the relocation MARK CRESSOTTI and construction of a bridge over Great Brook. The present bridge, at the bottom of Pontoosic Road, will be demolished and a new bridge will be constructed north of that intersection, closer to Old Feeding Hills Road.
By AMY PORTER Correspondent HUNTINGTON – Representative William “Smitty” Pignatelli spoke plainly as he addressed approximately three dozen town and school officials, business owners and residents of half a dozen hilltowns at the Gateway Collaborative Task Force launch on Thursday evening in Stanton Hall. He began by talking about growing up in Lenox, where his father served as a selectman and county commissioner for many years. He said his father, who at 91 still lives at home, saw the need for regionalization back then. Now, with the loss of industry, a shrinking population and 12 high schools with shrinking enrollment, Pignatelli said, “There is no sustainable model for schools anywhere in the Berkshires.” Using examples from the WILLIAM “SMITTY” Southern Berkshire Task Force he PIGNATELLI has worked on for the past two years, he said, “Now is the time to do things on a sub-regional basis.” Pignatelli pulled together six school districts and 17 towns for ongoing talks to discuss how to streamline procurement and services in the towns and schools. He talked about the potential of 17 towns having a shared building inspector, shared public safety and public health departments and a continuity of services from one town to another. He said the first step they are taking in the schools is in sharing technology services, with the first school saving thousands of dollars. “We should be able to do these on a collaborative basis,” he said. Governor Charlie Baker has taken notice, and is awarding the Southern Berkshire Task Force a Community Compact
REP. JOHN VELIS
WESTFIELD – Westfield State Community Radio WSKB 89.5 FM celebrated its one year anniversary at this summer. Tina Gorman, host of the new radio show “Wake Up Wednesday!” said she’s enjoyed her initiation into the new hit programming. Gorman joined WSKB in June as a co-host on Mayor Knapik’s show, “Mornings with Mayor Knapik.” It was her first time on the air, and Gorman asked how they were going to put the show together and Knapik told her “just wing it.” This freedom allowed Knapik and Gorman’s bold and creative personalities and high energy to carry the show. When the summer came to an end, Gorman saw a new beginning, and was offered her own show. Gorman’s enthusiasm and newfound love of radio made her the perfect choice for a host. “Knapik and I both had so much to talk about and our personalities could be competitive, which made the show lively, but I jumped at the chance to drive the bus myself,” Gorman said. “Wake up Wednesday!” provides medical information that varies from week to week on topics including breast cancer awareness, concussion treatments, healthy snacks, and sports hydration. On the first Wednesday of every
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