Monday, June 9, 2014

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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns

www.thewestfieldnews.com

VOL. 83 NO.134

MONDAY, JUNE 9, 2014

How many fools

does it take to make up a public?” — Nicolas Chamford

75 cents

Use of surplus insurance fund opposed

Road study nearly complete By Hope E. Tremblay Staff Writer SOUTHWICK – The results of a study of Southwick’s roads will soon be complete. Department of Public Works Director Randal Brown said Beta Group has finished its assessment of the town roadways and is compiling the data to prioritize projects. Beta Group, based out of eastern Mass., has had RANDAL crews in Southwick BROWN looking closely at the roads. “They are looking for any deficiencies in the roadway such as cracking and other things,” said Brown. “They measured road width and noted whether or not they were striped, and gave each road a rating of 0 to 100, with 100 being a brand-new road.” Beta Groups crews just finished the field work last week. “Now they are compiling data and will present their report,” said Brown. “The report will be a guide.” Brown said prioritizing the roads is based on roads in the most need of repairs, as well as which roads are most heavily traveled. “I am hoping to meet with the consultants next week to go over a draft report,” said Brown. The town must go to bid for the work and Brown said there are funds in the budget to begin paving by fall. “We get funding from Chapter 90 money from the state in the range of about $360,000, plus the town also allocates funds,” he said. “My goal is to do some improvements every year – this has to become a yearly program in order to maintain our roads.” In March, the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved contracting with Beta Group for a $16,700 pavement program. Brown said he solicited quotes from three companies for pavement programs. Only two returned bids. The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission proposal was $9,400 and Beta Group was $16,700, said Brown. “Despite the higher cost, I feel the Beta Group program is superior,” he told the

“The public! the public!

Samantha Smith blow soap bubbles during the graduation ceremonies for the Westfield High School Class of ‘14 Friday evening. See additional graduation photos Page 6, 7. (Photo by Carl E. Hartdegen/www.thewestfieldnews.smugmug.com)

Class of 2014 graduates

St. Mary High School Class of 2014 members Dominika Staszko and Nathan Tremblay in the front row, Jacob Neilsen and Corey Papineau in the second row look on. (Photo by Don Wielgus)

Gateway-Regional High School Class of 1964 President Diana Dayhill-James, presents a gift to Class of 2014 President Jonathan T. Wyand during a graduation ceremony at the school Friday night. (Photo by Eric Wallis/ www.thewestfieldnews.smugmug.com)

Members of the Southwick-Tolland Regional High School Class of 2014 celebrate during a graduation ceremony in the school gymnasium Friday night. See additional graduation photos Page 6, 7. (Photo by Frederick Gore/www.thewestfieldnews.smugmug.com)

See Surplus Insurance, Page 3

See Road Study, Page 3

WSU Alumni Assoc. to host annual Reunion Weekend WESTFIELD – The Westfield State Alumni Association will host its annual Reunion Weekend, two days of activities for Westfield State alumni, Saturday, June 21 through Sunday, June 22. All alumni are invited, but there will be specific activities and receptions for the Classes of 1964 and 1989, as well as alumni of Residential Life/Orientation Staff and the Urban Education program. “Returning to campus for reunion weekend is like returning home,” said Kathi Bradford, director of Alumni Relations. “Seeing your classmates, spending time on campus, living in the residence halls with lots of laughter, memories, and fun…We hope our alumni will return and reacquaint themselves with our beautiful campus and remember the wonderful times they spent here.” Reunion Weekend features many planned outings and activities. The Class of 1964 will have the option to take a shuttle to the Berkshires to visit the Norman Rockwell Museum. Alumni can take a tour of the campus to see the new construction and changes that have happened since their graduation. There will be an Alumni Store open in University Hall, Westfield State’s newest housing unit. Saturday afternoon features a Reunion Weekend BBQ with food, a cash bar, and entertainment. Following the barbeque will be “Cup Time in the Courtyard” featuring the music of “Just George,” a Westfield State

By Dan Moriarty Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The City Council voted Thursday to use more than $800,000 to pay the ice and snow removal account deficit before the end of the of the fiscal year on June 30. State law allows cities and towns to deficit spend on snow and ice removal because of the unpredictability of New England winters, but those deficits have to be paid before the end of the fiscal year or they are added to BRIAN P. the base of the fol- SULLIVAN lowing year’s budget, resulting in even higher tax rates. “The city and mayor do not have to fully fund the snow and ice removal account under state law because Mother Nature does not tell us what she is doing from year to year,” At-large Councilor Brian Sullivan said Thursday. “It’s the only account we can deficit spend, some years that deficit is not that much.” Mayor Daniel M. Knapik requested the council members to approve the transfer of those funds from the city’s health insurance account to cover $488,360 in the snow and ice account for payment to private contractors and $335,807 for supplies, primarily sand and salt. Knapik said last week prior to the City Council meeting that the city had the health insurance funds available because of a surplus in the account and the fact that the city declared a premium holiday, meaning that neither the city nor municipal employees were required to pay a monthly premium. The council had to vote on both of Knapik’s transfer requests, with a 10-2 vote to approve the $488,360 transfer and a vote of 9-3 on the $335,807 transfer. At-large Councilors David Flaherty and Dan Allie voted against both transfers and were joined my Ward 4 Councilor Mary O’Connell on the second vote. “If we have a surplus in the health insurance account, shouldn’t that surplus go toward future health insurance obligations and not the snow and ice account

Convention will be big test for Coakley

Westfield State alumni pose in front of Scanlon Hall during the 2011 reunion weekend celebration. (Photo submitted) alumnus singer. Also featured will be a slideshow presentation for the Residential Life/ Orientation Staff and a celebration dinner featuring music, dancing, a cash bar, an interactive photo booth, and a buffet. The weekend concludes on Sunday with a reunion brunch. To register for Reunion Weekend, visit www.westfieldalumni.org. There are a number of packages offered including a full registration weekend ($150 for

residents, $125 for commuters), or specific dining options including Saturday BBQ and Cup Time for $30, Saturday Celebration Dinner for $50, and Sunday Reunion Brunch for $20. Visit the Westfield State alumni website for more information and a complete schedule of events. For any questions regarding Reunion Weekend, please contact Kathi Bradford at (413) 485-7355 or KBradford@westfield. ma.edu.

By BOB SALSBERG Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts Democratic Convention looms as the biggest political test for gubernatorial hopeful Martha Coakley since an ill-fated U.S. Senate campaign against Republican Scott Brown more than four years ago. Analysts say anything less than a solid showing by the current attorney general at next weekend’s state convention could signal lingering doubts among party insiders. After Coakley’s upset loss in the special election following the death of Democratic icon Edward Kennedy, she won a lightly contested re-election, and polling has shown she remains a popular public figure in Massachusetts and the early front-runner to succeed outgoing Gov. Deval Patrick. State Treasurer Steven Grossman, business executive Joseph Avellone, former federal health care administrator Don Berwick and former Homeland Security official Juliette Kayyem are also running and counting on their share of support from the 6,000 delegates scheduled to gather in Worcester. While the top vote-getter will emerge as the party’s endorsed candidate, others need to collect at least 15 percent of the delegates to advance to the September primary. In an interview, Coakley said finishing first was See Coakley, Page 3


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