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TUESDAY, JUNE 27, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13,2017 2017
Community Preservation projects discussed at quarterly meeting By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – The Community Preservation Commission held its quarterly meeting Thursday at City Hall. Vice chair Thomas E. Sharp asked city planner Jay Vinskey for an update on available Community Preservation Act funds. Community Preservation Committee members Vincent Vinskey said altogether there is about $700,000 remain- Olinski, William Porter, Cynthia P. Gaylord and Thomas E, ing in the account, including unspent funds from previous Sharp. years which will be available after state certification. The $250,000 allocated to the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail in be added to the total. In July, Vinskey said the state had budJuly for design work on the central section and $135,000 to geted for a 15% match for the coming year. the Westfield Woman’s Club for a exterior work had been New projects before the commission were then discussed, deducted from that total. Vinskey said the CPA funds are at the end of the annual cycle, and any new state matches will See CPC, Page 8
Granville Fire purchases new rescue vehicle By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent GRANVILLE – Last week, the Granville Fire Department announced that they had just purchased a brand new rescue truck. The previous rescue truck was a 1978 Chevy and the department decided it was time to get an upgrade. Minutes down the road in Connecticut, the New Hartford Fire Department was also looking for an upgrade to their rescue vehicle and agreed to sell Granville Fire their previous truck, a 1997 International,. Granville’s new rescue vehicle features a five-passenger cab and an increase in space for storage allow-
ing them the ability to carry additional rescue equipment. “It’s a vehicle that gets a lot of use throughout the year,” said Granville Fire Chief Matt Ripley. “It’s been something on the books that has needed to be upgraded.” Ripley also added that since this truck is an automatic, it may be easier to get more fire personnel signed off to drive the truck. At a special town meeting on Dec. 14, 2016, a vote was passed by Granville residents to allow $25,000 appropriation to be used for the purchase of a new rescue truck.
Jay Pagliuca performs part of the staged “War of the Worlds” radio program while the Westfield High School Jazz Band is in the background in October 2015.
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WHS ‘threat’ a false alarm WESTFIELD – A robo-call done by Westfield High School principal Charles Jendrysik around noon on Thursday notified parents and guardians that a reported threat against students was found to be false. School officials reported that their anonymous tip notification system was utilized by an unknown individual to report a concern for student safety. School administration, in conjunction with the Westfield Police Department, quickly investigated the allegation and determined that the threat against student safety was unfounded and all students returned to their normal class schedule.
The new rescue truck that Granville Fire purchased was appropriated through town funds. (Photo courtesy of Matt Ripley)
WSU hosts panel discussion about the victims of Human Trafficking
(WNG file photo)
Old time radio shows being staged WESTFIELD – Westfield State University’s WSKB-FM and “J.P.’s Talk About Town” will present two 1940s-style radio mystery plays live on-stage on Saturday, October 21. The plays – “The First Edition Matter, a Johnny Dollar Mystery,” and “Death, Literally,” an original comic murder mystery by Michael “Buster McMahon,”will both be presented at the Westfield State’s new Catherine Dower Performing Arts Center, starting at 7 PM. The performances will be recorded and broadcast on Friday October 27th on WSKB-
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FM at 6:30 AM. The performances will also be uploaded to YouTube afterwards. “The First Edition Matter” features the character of Johnny Dollar, made famous in a CBS Radio series that ran from 1949 until 1962. Johnny Dollar was billed as “America’s fabulous freelance insurance investigator,” and most episodes opened with Johnny getting a phone call from an insurance company official asking that he investigate a claim. “The First Edition Matter” will feature some See Radio Shows, Page 8
Cleaning day Sunday at Old Burying Ground By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Cynthia P. Gaylord, chair of the Historical Commission is seeking volunteers to join her this Sunday, October 15 from 1 to 3 p.m., armed with an old toothbrush, to clean the grave stones at the Old Burying Ground on Mechanic Street. Along with toothbrushes, Gaylord said bringing a spray bottle for water would be very helpful. Supplies will also be handed out to volunteers. Already committed are a group of 30 from Munger Hill Elementary School’s fourth grade boy scout troop. Volunteers will also assist with straightening some of the stones. “The cemetery is believed to be among, if not the oldest, historic cemetery in Massachusetts still located in its original location,” Gaylord said in advance of last year’s cleaning day. Gaylord said the Historical Commission can accommodate as many volunteers as can come. For more information, email c.gaylord@schoolsofwestfield.org.
WESTFIELD – Hampden County District Attorney Anthony D. Gullini and West Springfield Police Department Detective Alissa Burke will headline a panel discussion of the human costs and trauma suffered by victims of Human Trafficking at Westfield State University. The discussion will take place on Wednesday October 18th from 5-7pm in Scanlon Hall on the campus of Westfield State University. The panelists will discuss the harm to the victims, the societal cost and the profits made by human traffickers at the expense of their victims, who are predominantly women and children. Moderated by the university’s Criminal Justice Department Chair Dr. Daniel Price, the event will be hosted and sponsored by the Department as part of its Justice Series of lectures. The event is free and open to the public.
First Annual Westfield PumpkinFest WESTFIELD - Westfield on Weekends is proud to present the first Westfield PumpkinFest, this Saturday, October 14 from noon to 7:00 pm. The event will utilize Park Square and surrounding areas along Court, Elm, Broad and East Main Streets. Some of the highlights of the day will include pumpkin carving, games, music, buskers and activities for children and families. Downtown area businesses will have special sales, giveaways, and special activities throughout afternoon. The event will end with a Pumpkin lighting on the Green. “This event started as a small event but as more people got involved it has turned into something much larger. While this is the first PumpkinFest, I believe that it will continue and will be something that people look forward to each year. The business community, non profits, and residents have truly come together to help plan this event” said Bob Plasse, board member of Westfield on Weekends. The major sponsors for this event include Westfield Gas and Electric/ Whip City Fiber, Easthampton Savings Bank, Westfield Bank, Berkshire Bank, WSKB, Rosewood Home and Gifts, Witalisz and Associates, John S Lane and Sons, Georges Jewelers and the Short Stop Bar and Grill. ——— This is a free, public event. For more information, please visit http://www.westfieldonweekends.com.
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