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WEATHER TONIGHT
The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
Mostly clear. Low of 20.
www.thewestfieldnews.com
— ALEXANDER POPE
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015
VOL. 84 NO. 074
75 cents
Boston Yeti selling swag to benefit MSPCA’s animals in need By WILLIAM J. KOLE Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Yeti is using its newfound notoriety to help some fellow furry friends. The abominable snowman gained a huge following on social media during Boston’s epic winter by running around the city in costume and stopping to help dig out stranded drivers. Now the unidentified prankster is selling Yeti swag to raise money for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. All of the proceeds from the sales of stickers, buttons and bookmarks will benefit the MSPCA’s Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. The Yeti told The Associated Press in an email: “I can think of no better way to spin ones popularity than for the benefit of animals in need.” “From the beginning of this unprecedented winter, I’ve See Yeti, Page 3
A damaged road sign rests on a stone wall on Kline Road in Southwick where drivers are warned of a Sasquatch crossing the roadway. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
“What some call health, if purchased by perpetual anxiety about diet, isn’t much better than tedious disease.”
Council rejects local meal, room taxes
Work continues on a gazebo at Park Square which is being built by students in the construction technology program at Westfield Vocational-Technical High School. (Photo by Carl E. Hartdegen)
‘Almost perfect’ gazebo on track for completion By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The city should be able to enjoy the new gazebo at Park Square this summer thanks to the hard work of students at Westfield Vocational Technical High School (WVTHS). So far, 130 hours have been spent onsite and instructor Brian Falcetti expects it will be completed in 130 more. “If the weather cooperates we should have it just about done by the end of the school year,” he said. The gazebo was much different than the usual construction projects the school tackles. Usually an addition to a residence or a garage is the norm, but the gazebo afforded students the opportunity to delve into some unique construction. Assistant Instructor Richard LaBay said the roof was a challenge the students met exceptionally well. An inspector said a 2.5 to 3-inch “off” allowance on the diagonal beams in the roof was acceptable but WVTHS students were within half an inch off. “It’s almost a perfect building,” said LaBay.
Falcetti said there over 140 special cuts required to create the gazebo roof. While the students always take pride in their work, LaBay said the gazebo project is a special source of pride for the whole school. “Knowing their work will be seen by so many makes us very proud,” he said. Four groups of students have worked on the gazebo and the current juniors are going to finish the project. “It’s a really big deal for them,” LaBay added. Falcetti said the recent warm spell allowed them to install the windows, and the next step is the doors, then exterior vinyl siding, which will be white. “After that, the electrical students will come in and wire it. We will put up the interior clapboard and they will install the lighting,” said Falcetti. “Then we will finish up with trim.” Falcetti is hopeful it will be complete by the last day of school, especially because they already have their next project lined up. “We have a house project on the docket for September,” he said. “As long as the weather is good, the rest (of the gazebo) should be quick.”
See No Taxes, Page 3
Town Select Board request for inventory of federal surplus property still not answered
Westfield high jazz musicians to perform at Agawam restaurant WESTFIELD – Three Westfield High School jazz band members will perform at the “Youth Jazz Connection at EB’s” Thursday from 6– 7 p.m. at EB’s Restaurant on 385 Walnut Street in Agawam. Trumpet player Dan Hickson, alto saxophonist Alec Best and bassist John Kiefer will play several numbers alongside West Springfield native and master jazz guitarist Jay Messer. “The idea for a youth jazz workshop is something I’ve been thinking about for some time,” Messer said. “I’ve been a professional jazz musician (guitarist) for almost 40 years and it saddens me that as years go by, there’s less and less interest in what I’ve spent my whole life studying and performing, especially among young people. Jazz is one of the only art forms truly born in America. I’m hoping this project, to which I’m donating my time, can spark some excitement in area high school jazz band students and their friends.” Messer has performed Thursday nights for the past eight years at EB’s. He approached Ed Borgatti, owner of the family-friendly restaurant, to propose the project. “Eddie has always been a big sponsor of ‘givebacks’ and community programs, especially for youth,” Mr. Messer said. “We thought this was a great way to boost awareness and interest, while teaching students and providing performance opportunities they wouldn’t ordinarily have.” The “Youth Jazz Connection at EB’s” is open to all local high schools which currently have
By DAN MORIARTY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The City Council rejected two local option tax hikes Thursday by large majorities, declining to adopt either the room occupancy excise tax or the meals tax. The council’s Legislative & Ordinance Committee, which brought the two tax options out for debate, was equally divided on the option given to local communities by the state. Ward 2 Councilor Ralph Figy, the L&O chairman, said the two tax options have been in that committee since early last summer, but that the comRALPH FIGY mittee brought out the two motions because the 2016 fiscal year budget is currently being assembled and the council could take action to increase city revenue. The city currently collects a 4 percent room occupancy tax and the motion would have raised that to 6 percent, while the meal tax, now at 6.25 percent would have increased to 7 percent. “It’s hard to ask the state for more money when the city has not exhausted all of the local options to raise revenue,” Figy said. “This would address what (additional revenue) we’ve been leaving on the table.” Ward 1 Councilor Christopher Keefe, an L&O member who voted against the tax increases, said he was opposed to having those funds go into the city’s general revenue account. “It could go into a different purpose, such as a technology account,” Keefe said. “I think we ought to keep this in CHRISTOPHER our back pocket. KEEFE At-large Councilor David A. Flaherty also argued that action on those issues is premature. “We do need wiggle room, but I don’t want to
JAY MESSER any type of jazz element as part of their music curriculum. Participating school music directors will select two or three students, who’ll be taught by and play together with Messer. Schools will be invited back on a regular, rotating basis, providing the young adult musicians maximum education, experience and exposure. “The students will learn more about the genre, interpreting melody and improvisation,” Messer said. “They’ll also get a taste of what it’s like to play in front of a small, intimate gathering, which jazz often is. I hope it not only instills in them the desire to continue forward with jazz, but persuade others to join them.” Area high school music directors are encouraged to contact Messer through his website, www.jaymesser.com, or via email at jazzguitarjay@gmail.com for information on booking Connection sessions.
By DAN CROWLEY Staff Writer Daily Hampshire Gazette WORTHINGTON — A year after first requesting an inventory of federal surplus property obtained by the town’s Fire Department, the Select Board still does not have a complete list of that equipment. After verbally requesting the inventory from the state without success, the Select Board last week sent a written public records request to Jack Murray, commissioner of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, seeking an inventory of all federal surplus equipment Worthington has received under the Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program (FFP) during the past 10
years. The equipment has apparently been obtained by the Worthington Fire-Rescue Association, a nonprofit group run by the town’s firefighters. The Department of Conservation and Recreation coordinates the program, along with another one called the Federal Excess Personal Property Program (FEPP) that Worthington’s firefighters also use. An inventory of the equipment obtained under the FEPP program was provided by the Department of Conservation and Recreation to the Select Board in February. The board’s request last week follows a similar public records request made by the Gazette to the Department of Conservation and
Recreation nearly a month ago and which has not yet been fulfilled. “You almost wonder, is it that they don’t know, or they just don’t want to tell you?” Select Board Chairman Christopher K. Powell said of the record keepers. The inventory is critical for Powell to gain a fuller understanding of the federal and military surplus property in town and whether and how that equipment — most often wheeled vehicles — is stored, fueled, maintained, disposed of and used. It also would provide clues as to whether any of that equipment has left the town and under what circumstances. At times, some of the federal surplus equipment has See Surplus, Page 3
Plainville slots parlor to open June 24 PLAINVILLE, Mass. (AP) — The first gambling facility authorized under the state’s 4-year old casino legislation is scheduled to open June 24. Officials at the Plainridge Park Casino say their facility that features 1,250 slot machines will open on that date. The harness racing track has been undergoing a $125 million in renovations to become the first legal casino-style gambling facility in Massachusetts. The facility will not offer table games. State law allows for up to three full service casinos. Two have been approved, in Springfield and Everett.
Officials from Penn National Gaming, the owners of Plainridge, say the facility will also offer dining and entertainment at nine restaurants, retail space Read the and a parking garage. latest Casino Harness racing will connews on tinue. Page 7 Penn National officials say they will hire 500 employees.