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Hinds tapped by Senate President to attend National Broadband & Cable Policy Summit By AMY PORTER Correspondent BOSTON – State Senator Adam G. Hinds (D-Pittsfield) announced Thursday that he has been appointed by Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst) to represent the Massachusetts Senate at the 2017 Broadband & Cable Policy Summit, hosted by the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) on October 15-17th in Denver, Colorado. “Finalizing access to high speed internet is critical for ending the digital divide that holds our region back. This Summit is another way to continue to build our knowledge of how others have tackled the problem and explore emerging policy issues,” said Hinds. “I appreciate the Senate President for nominating me to participate in this important conversation.” According to NCSL, the Broadband & Cable Policy Summit (BCPS) is a partnership project intended to educate state legislators about broadband and cable technology and associated regulatory and policy issues. The BCPS will provide a balanced program covering a broad range of issues and gather the most important voices in the broadband and cable world today to interact with state legislators. The Summit will equip policymakers with the knowledge to tackle important developing and communications and technology issues and enable legislators to share best practices for enhancing access to these services for their constituents. “Expansion of broadband services to all residents of the Commonwealth, especially in western Mass, is critically important for economic development, education opportunities, and connectivity for Massachusetts to thrive,” said Senate President Rosenberg. “No one knows this better than Senator Hinds, who has been personally involved in bringing broadband to his district since taking office. It is my hope that this Summit will help him gain insight on how other states have approached these issues and how these strategies can be applied here to address broadband and cable issues moving forward.” “There is no other issue that my colleagues and I in western Mass. are focused on more than broadband,” said Hinds. “My first transition briefing, before I was even sworn into office, was on the status of Last Mile efforts in Massachusetts. We have a standing, biweekly conference call with state broadband officials, and are constantly trying to make progress working with residents, local officials, utilities, providers and other stakeholders. This is critical for our economy and opportunity, academic research at home, home sales, population decline and public safety.” Hinds’ next Speak Up Western Mass public forum/community office hours event will take place in Worthington on Monday, October 30, 2017 from 10:00am-11:30am in “The Hall,” at Worthington Town Hall, located at 160 Huntington Road. The coffee hour, featuring both Hinds and his colleague State Representative Steve Kulik (D- Worthington), is designed to be agenda-free, unscripted, and an opportunity for residents and local officials to ask questions, share concerns, and make recommendations on state issues to the members of their legislative delegation and district staff.
STATE SENATOR ADAM G. HINDS
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WRAFT to discuss water contamination By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—A local community group will be holding a conference this week to highlight the potential dangers of water contamination. The Westfield Residents Advocating for Themselves (WRAFT) will be holding a PFAS Panel Discussion that is free and open to the public on Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at North Middle School on Southampton Road. The discussion will feature several experts in fields like environmental chemistry and PFAS, or polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are also the set
of substances that have contaminated the city’s water in recent time and forced two wells offline. According to Kristen Mello, member of WRAFT, the discussion is meant to provide residents with more information and background and not meant to overwhelm. “This is an entry level conversation, this is a talk about science but you do not need a science background for this. This is a community level talk, this is to help ourselves get educated,” she said. “So, when people leave they know what they can do for themselves and for their families.” According to Mello, several health risks
are possibly linked to the exposure to PFAS. The panel discussion will feature four speakers and one group discussing various parts of the conversation. Mello said that each presentation will last about 15 minutes. There will also be a question-and-answer portion at the end for those interested, and if you are worried about asking questions Mello said that they can be submitted and asked by WRAFT members anonymously. Speakers will include Ward One City Councilor Mary Ann Babinski, who will make opening remarks. See WRAFT, Page 8
Fire Prevention Week tips from Westfield Fire Department The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services has announced this week as Fire Prevention week. (Photo courtesy of Mass Department of Fire Services)
Local fire departments supporting Fire Prevention week By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK/GRANVILLE/TOLLAND – On Oct. 2, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services announced that Oct. 9 through Oct. 15 will be Fire Prevention week throughout the state and several area towns and cities will be hosting events for their respective communities this week and throughout the month. Among those departments is Southwick, who won’t be having an event this week but will certainly be coordinating a program with the SouthwickTolland-Granville Regional School District in order to bring fire prevention awareness into the schools. See Local, Page 8
Latest buzz on bees planned at WSU
By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—With Fire Prevention Week around the corner, the Westfield Fire Department wants to remind residents to be safe, especially when cooking. Fire Prevention Week runs from Oct. 9 to 15 in Massachusetts, according to the State Fire Marshal, and awareness is being brought to having two ways out of a fire. In addition, Westfield Fire Deputy Chief and Fire Prevention Officer Eric Bishop wants residents to practice safe cooking at homes, which is the number one cause of fires in the home. “Cooking fires were 49 percent of all fires reported in oneand two-family homes and 90 percent of fires in apartments, dorms and rooming houses,” Bishop said, citing information from the State Fire Marshal. In fact, from the Department of Fire Services, there were a total of 10,181 fires related to cooking in the state in 2016, totaling an estimated $8.4 million in damages, and cooking was also the leading cause of residential injuries related to fires. Bishop said that most cooking fires occur due to food that is unattended, so a key in preventing these kinds of fires is to be watchful and present when cooking. “Stand by your pan,” Bishop said. Other tips from Bishop include not wearing loose-fitting clothing when cooking, keeping pot and pan handles turned inward to prevent the potential for spills and to create a “3-foot child free zone” in the area of your stove. If a fire does start in a pan, then Bishop said that a lid can be put onto the pan, or baking soda can be used to help smother the flame, but never throw water onto a grease fire. However, another point that Bishop stressed was that firefighting should be done by professionals to reduce chance for injury. “Majority of victims’ injuries happen when fighting fires,” Bishop said. “Leave the firefighting to trained professionals.” Instead, Bishop suggests leaving the building immediately See Fire Prevention, Page 8
By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD-As beekeepers across the state diligently work to sustain their hives under attack, the Massachusetts Beekeepers Association will hosts its fall meeting at Westfield State University to address concerns and offer solutions. The association, known as Mass Bee, will conduct its gathering on Nov. 11 in Scanlon Hall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Coordinating logistics for the meeting are members of the Hampden County Beekeepers Association, Nathan Sperry of Russell, instructor and department head of horticulture technology at Westfield Technical See Westfield State, Page 8
Westfield Fire Deputy Chief and Fire Prevention Officer Eric Bishop
Fall farm stand road trip By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD – Now that fall has officially arrived, have you considered a road trip to view the foliage – meandering the back roads of our neighboring communities and stopping to explore the varied farm stands along the way? Across our region, there are farmers who connect with the South Deerfield-based Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA), which provides a “Local Hero” designation for their business. CISA’s Be a Local Hero, Buy Locally Grown® membership and marketing campaign is the longest running and most comprehensive buy local program in the United States, according to Claire Morenon, CISA’s communications manager. “When you’re traveling, visiting a local farm is a great way to connect with the people and the landscape of a new place – you can see beautiful farm views, chat with the people who work that land, and enjoy its bounty, all in one stop,” said Morenon, adding, “even for people who live around here, a local farm is a perfect fall destination for picking apples or pumpkins, or just picking up your groceries in a lovely spot.” Currently, there are 275 local farms that work with CISA throughout the Pioneer Valley, helping to build the local food economy. “We want people to support all local farms,” said Morenon. “But the yellow Local Hero logo indicates a farm has joined with 275 of
their fellow local farms and over 160 local restaurants, retailers, and other businesses as members of CISA’s Local Hero campaign.” With fall in full swing, there are a wide variety of crops for one’s choosing, ranging from apples, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and carrots, to cauliflower, corn, garlic, onions, parsnips, pears, potatoes, pumpkins, winter squash, and turnips. Additionally, many farmers are selling beef, maple and honey products, and even homemade goodies and handcrafted treasures. Are you ready for a drive? CISA farms in our area are creating unique experiences to entertain all ages this fall – from farms in Granville to Southampton, as well as several hill towns. For a complete list of CISA farms and activities in the coming weeks, visit buylocalfood.org. Are you in the market for “wonderful” fall produce? At the Yellow Stonehouse Farm on Root Road, Westfield, the USDA certified organic property is brimming with winter squash, gourds, pumpkins, potatoes, root vegetables and kale, according to owner Constance See Farm Stand, Page 8