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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015
VOL. 84 NO. 168
“Freedom is
always and exclusively freedom for the one who thinks differently.” — ROSA LUXEMBURG
75 cents
Commission to decide on fireworks parking By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Staff Writer SOUTHWICK – The Parks and Recreation Commission will decide Tuesday what to do about Whalley Park on the night of the fireworks. The Commission met for an emergency meeting Thursday at the request of Commissioner John Whalley, who approached the Board of Selectmen last week because bylaws do not allow for the closing of the park now that it is open. This posed a problem for the July 24 fireworks, which will be set off from Whalley Park. Board Chairman and Rotary Club member Joseph Deedy was concerned that people would go to Whalley Park to watch the fireworks, then go home instead of parking at the Southwick Days carnival at the Southwick Recreation Center and enjoying the entertainment there. Deedy was worried the open park would direct traffic away from the carnival if people could park there. The other concern, said Whalley, was that if the park was open and 150 cars or more were parked for the fireworks, the Commission would have to rent police to conduct traffic and port-a-potties because bylaws consider it a special event if there are more than 150 vehicles. Whalley suggested they could charge $10 per car if they opened the whole park to offset the cost of the rentals and police, or they could limit the number of cars. “What if we cap it at 149 cars,” said Whalley. “And you could charge people who enter on foot.” Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Kelly Magni said they would just about break even if the park was open for parking. Deedy said July 24 was qpproaching too quickly to make a
Parks and Recreation Commissioners John Whalley and Kelly Magni speak with Rotary Club member Joseph Deedy regarding town fireworks last week at Town Hall. (Photo by Hope E. Tremblay) big change. “It’s too close to the deadline to move things,” said Deedy. “In all honesty I’m all for moving it next year.” Deedy approached the Commisssion several months ago about having the entire Southwick Days event at Whalley Park, but it wasn’t open yet. “Now here we are three weeks before the event,” he said. “The following year you can have it and move it.” Magni said they could move the location of firing closer to the front of the park because the radius required around the
firing would mean fewer cars could park there. Whalley then suggested purchasing larger fireworks so the radius would increase. “A 10-inch shell needs a 1,000 foot radius,” said Magni. Deedy said that would solve the problem of diverting parking away from the carnival but still allow for foot traffic for spectators who want to watch the fireworks from the park. Whalley said he would take some measurements and the Commission would make a decision at its meeting Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.
Westfield Little League plans capital campaign
Photo by Michelle Hamel
4th of July fun Photo by Wendy McCann
Photos from this weekend’s Independence Day celebrations; Hampton Ponds Assoc. 4th of July Parade, Southwick Boat Parade, and Wyben Parade., Traditions can be found on Pages 3, 7, 8.
Photo by Lynn F. Boscher
By JANINE QUEENIN Correspondent WESTFIELD – Play ball! After the annual opening day parade and toss of the ceremonial first pitch, baseball and softball season began for Westfield Little League at Cross St., Papermill, Sadie Knox, and Hampden Pond fields. Once a source of civic pride, Westfield’s ball fields now suffer from age, neglect, and lack of funding. To address these concerns, Westfield Little League will launch a capital campaign in September to fund field improvements. According League President Ken Diegle, the decision to run a $50,000 capital campaign came after a league-sponsored review of the fields. “(We) started a capital campaign after a board member suggested a thorough review of the fields and inventory of the league’s equipment. We didn’t know we needed it as much as we did,” said Diegle. The City of Westfield owns the fields, but much of the maintenance and funding for improvements comes from the league. This system led to uneven field quality that varied based on the volunteerism of parents and allocation of league resources. Diegel said quality fields are about more than just aesthetics, “First it’s about safety,” he said. “The fields need fresh grass, so balls have a true bounce. If not a true bounce, someone could get hurt.” The league also sees field improvements as integral to the future and the ability to maintain a vibrant sports program. “(We’re) trying to grow the league whose numbers have decreased in recent years due to competition for players from other sports,” said Diegel. “Improving fields will help keep players we have and prevent them from going to other leagues. If (they’re) playing on good fields, we’ll keep them all the way through their Little League career.” The league currently funds the program and improvements to the fields with registration fees, team and banner sponsorships, and a league-wide raffle. During the capital campaign, Diegel hopes to secure in-kind donations, grants, monetary donations from businesses and individuals, and receive support from the City. According to Diegel, the City committed to making some improvements to the fields. As part of that commitment, the Mayor’s office commissioned a survey to review the city’s park and recreation areas. “For the past five years the Mayor has been looking at the City to see where we’re lacking,” said Tammy Teftt the city’s chief procurement officer. “He started with buildings and has moved to recreation fields and Park and Rec buildings. (The Mayor) proposed spending $225K to make improvements to existing bathroom and concession facilities at six of the city’s parks including Cross St., Papermill, and Sadie Knox.” Released in November 2014, the survey results identify deficiencies at all of the City’s park and recreation fields and makes recommendations for improvement. Specifically to Little League, the survey lists bathroom facilities, concession stands, and dugouts as needing attention. “Projects will done based on a needs assessment and other considerations like, can the work be done in-house or should it be sent out to bid and what is the timeline of the project,” said Teftt. “(The city) will try to encompass everything in the report to get it done.” Last week, the City Council considered the Mayor’s proposed $1.8 million bond order for athletic field improvements. The finance committee voted to keep the funding proposal in committee for further consideration. “(There’s) not an appetite (in the City Council) for any additional debt load,” said City Councilor Matt VanHeynigen. “With the (new) school, senior center, and a host of others in line, its earliest consideration will be in August.” To date, Little League has secured several grants and private donations to help reach its funding goals. In 2015, it raised private funds to procure a new groomer for Sadie Knox field, purchased a super sopper used to soak up excess water for Papermill field, and installed a new fence at Cross Street field. “(We) haven’t waited, if there is excess money in the general fund we’ll use it to make improvements now,” said Diegel. “Next up will be new grass for Sadie Knox, a new scoreboard at Papermill, and an irrigation system at Hampden Ponds.” Diegel has high hopes for the future of the league. “A state championship or regional championship (series) would be great,” he said.