Search for The Westfield News
WEATHER TONIGHT Cooler. Cloudy with showers likely. Low of 47.
The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
“Education is hanging
around until you’ve caught on.” — ROBERT FROST
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 85 NO. 225
75 cents
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016
Westfield’s past comes alive on Facebook By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD-Photographs of everyday life can bring back a smile – and fond memories – and a Facebook page that now has more than 5,000 local members delivers on that promise. The Facebook page, “You’re From Westfield, Mass., If You Remember,” was created by Warren Holmes several years ago and after his retirement, Ken Stomski assumed the reins as administrator. “This group was originally created to appreciate memories of Westfield of yesteryear,” said Stomski. “A lot of people have been reunited through this group.” Stomski initially became involved with the Facebook page as a member, sharing memories of Westfield’s past. “When Warren decided to retire he asked the members if anyone would like to take over the administrative duties,” said Stomski. “There were several takers, but I was chosen due to my experience with Facebook and my love of
WESTFIELD GREEN, 1930. Westfield, both now and of our history.” Stomski noted the city’s history is important to him because “we need to remember where we came from. It is great to see how we have advanced, but we need to remember our roots.” For anyone under 30, an empty lot downtown is their only recollection where the PVTA pavil-
ion is now being built, according to Stomski. “I remember JJ Newberry’s being there,” he said. “There are many people who are members of our group who were around who remember the Flood of 1955. Also, there was a canal that went thru downtown Westfield. You will find that out as you go over some of the posts in our group.” On any given day, a wide variety of photographs, recollections and questions abound which allows anyone to take a trip down memory lane – and perhaps solve a mystery or two. “There is a wealth of information that has been posted in this group,” said Stomski. “You can search for ‘Knight Club Soda,’ ‘Davio’s,’ ‘Professional Building Fire,’ or ‘Building 451’ or any other thing you are looking for. If it has been posted in the forum, you will see the responses.” Two local residents who enjoy sharing Westfield’s past with followers include Danny Nason and Kathleen Palmer. “I love the Westfield Facebook page,” said
Palmer. “Everyone loves to look back into their own times as well as seeing what Westfield looked like back in ‘them there days.’” Palmer added the Facebook page is a See Westfield Alive, Page 8
Gregory Smith of Montgomery directs a question to historian and author David Powers during a book signing at the Westfield Athenaeum. Powers’ lecture launched the fall and spring lecture series. Diane Snyder is seen in the background.
Notice from DPW was due to caution, not concern By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—The Department of Public Works said there is nothing to worry about after a small amount of water from one of the contaminated wells made its way into the water distribution system yesterday. A notice was sent out to residents yesterday afternoon letting them know that the water from well two—one of the contaminated wells that was shut down recently—was put in the system during testing of the well. The alert was sent out due to an “abundance of caution” according to the notice, as well as due to EPA regulations. The amount put into the system is not considered dangerous in any way. “It’s 10,000 gallons going into a system of 4 or 5 million gallons,” David Billips, director of Westfield Public Works, said. “It’s a small volume that’s not going to affect the water.” Billips added that the water from well two, although offline due to possible contamination with PFOA and PFOS chemicals, is at a borderline level of contamination and may be “within the margin of error” in the testing. He said that the water from well two went into the system solely while testing the water, and it was not to replenish the system or to indicate that well two was back online. He also said that the department will look at other avenues next time they test. “Next time we test it will go into waste rather than into water supply so this won’t happen again,” he said. The tests are due back in about a month.
Ken Stomski serves as administrator for the Facebook page, “You’re From Westfield, Mass,, If You Remember...”
Pynchon Lecture Kicks Off Athenaeum’s Speaker Series By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD-Since 1956, historian and author David M. Powers has had a fascination with William Pynchon, founder of Springfield. On Wednesday night, Powers shared insights about Pynchon – his origins in England, his roles in government, and his understanding of Native peoples – along with his “ill-fated theological undertakings,” during a talk that launched the Westfield Athenaeum’s fall and spring speaker series. “This is a wonderful opportunity to also have an author talk to us about banned books during national Banned Books Week,” said Joyce Peregrin, public services librarian, noting Pynchon’s 1650 book titled “The Meritorious Price of our Redemption” was the
first book banned and burned in Boston. For one hour, Powers engaged the audience in the Lang Auditorium with a unique portrait of the man best known for founding the city of Springfield. Through dates, quotations, and photographs, Powers mapped out Pynchon’s achievements, his shrewd business dealings, interactions with government officials and the Native peoples – and also explained in detail his bold treatise on the Atonement. Powers is the author of “Damnable Heresy: William Pynchon, The Indians, and the First Book Banned and Burned in Boston.” “Pynchon’s Christ is timeless and pristine,” said Powers. David M. Powers spoke during Powers shared pages of Pynchon’s banned Banned Books Week at the Westfield Athenaeum. See Speaker Series, Page 3
Hazard mitigation plan update
Foundation Annual Meeting Under the leadership of a board of area professionals, community stakeholders and alumni, the Westfield State Foundation’s sole purpose is to support the University through active fundraising and advocacy. At its Annual Meeting recently held the Foundation donated $200,000.00 to Westfield State University. Above, James Leahy, Chairman of the WSU Foundation presents a check for $200,000.00 to Dr. Ramon Torrecilha, President of WSU.
By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—The Hazard Mitigation Committee held its second public information session Wednesday evening, to discuss changes to the plan and get more public feedback before the plan’s final edit. The committee, along with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC), is looking to update the city’s hazard mitigation plan, which is expired by FEMA standards. The plan is set in most municipalities in order to limit the amount of long-term effect an emergency or disaster can have in an area. The plan was last updated in 2008. According to FEMA standards, the plan must be updated every five years in order to qualify for FEMA and MEMA grants to help fund many hazard mitigation projects, like dam and levy repairs, flood control equipment, snow removal and hazard preparedness. However, if a disaster were to strike, FEMA and MEMA would still assist Westfield, even if the hazard mitigation plan has expired. The committee had several pieces within the plan that were updated, either because residents made suggestions, committees and other officials made suggestions, or both. The question of course, is funding, since many of the projects will cost money. “Some of the big projects the city hopes to pursue, they’re in the plan that they will be done in five years, but the question is if the funding is there,” Ashley Eaton, PVPC land
use-environmental planner, said. Eaton outlined the larger projects that the city would have to undertake in the meeting. Some of the items include developing an electronic system to track burn permits, since the current system is paper-based and difficult to use for easy notification of permit holders, such as when it is unsafe to burn brush. Another item was from the city’s engineering and public works departments, who highlighted localized flood-prone areas in the city. These included North West Road near Little River, Union Street and East Mountain Road intersection and Lloyd’s Hill Road. Eaton also highlighted that the city, since it made updates to the Westfield River levy system, will now be looking at the Little River levy system to see if it is working adequately. If not, that could be another potential update. Other updates include a possible tree warden position, better management of debris following storms or other events, as well as increased education for residents before and after incidents occur. Eaton said that anyone with comments, concerns or ideas is urged to submit them to her via email at aeaton@pvpc.org. All messages must be sent by Sept. 28 at 11:59 p.m. If you would like to see the plan as it is currently, you can go to: bit.ly/WestfieldHMP (the link is case-sensitive). The final edit of the hazard mitigation plan will be submitted following the close of the commenting section, Sept. 28.