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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
“For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,/ When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,/ Must give us pause.”
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— FROM “HAMLET
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SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2016
VOL. 85 NO. 97
5 men treated for injuries including stab wounds after a fight involving 15 men
Public hearing scheduled for Westfield Schools FY17 budget
By CHRISTINE CHARNOSKY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – A violent fight among more than a dozen men roused residents from their homes shortly before 1 a.m. Friday morning. Police were called to 16 Yale Street at 26 Holland Avenue at 12:55 a.m. by numerous neighbors of Yale Street and Holland Avenue reporting a disturbance, according to police logs. Westfield Police Capt. Michael McCabe said a half dozen units responded to the scene where a fight was in progress. The melee involved approximately 15 people including a mix of adults and juveniles. Three men–one from Chicopee, one from Holyoke and one from Springfield–are considered the aggressors, McCabe said. They are considered the aggressors, he said, because “they came to Westfield heavily armed with dangerous weapons” with the intent to fight. Names are not being released at this time since the incident is still under investigation and charges are pending, said McCabe. Allegedly, a male from Westfield went to one of the suspect’s workplace in Holyoke earlier on Thursday to settle an argument regarding a girl, which resulted in a physical altercation between the two, McCabe said. Shortly before 1 a.m. Friday morning, the Holyoke suspect, along with the two other men, went to confront the Westfield man who had beat him up. The three men went armed with baseball bats, pepper spray, a wooden board and two knives, according to McCabe. The Westfield man had a group of friends over, and that group ended up engaging in a physical fight with the three men. One of the suspects swung the baseball bat, which is what started the fight, McCabe said. The three men were outnumbered by the group of Westfield men, McCabe said, and attempted to flee, but not before one of the suspects pulled out a knife and cut two of the Westfield men, McCabe said, but the lacerations and witness statements indicate that the knife was used strictly in self-defense. The three men were treated at Baystate Noble Hospital for various “bumps, bruises and contusions,” said McCabe, and two Westfield men were treated at the same hospital for stab wounds. Officers had to keep peace at the hospital since the men continued to yell at each other from their rooms. While assault charges are pending, McCabe said, Westfield police do not plan to file assault and battery charges since the knife was used for self defense.
By AMY PORTER Corresondent WESTFIELD – The Finance Sub-Committee of the Westfield City Council approved two funds transfers Thursday that take the Elm Street Urban Renewal Plan one step closer to beginning. Ward 5 Councilor Robert A. Paul, who chairs the committee and At-Large Councilor Matthew T. VanHeynigan met in a largely vacant building due to spring vacation. At-large Councilor Dave Flaherty, the third member of the committee, is hiking the Grand Canyon this week with members of Boy Scout Troop 109. Also present at the meeting was City Advancement Officer Joe Mitchell. The committee voted to approve the transfer of $358, 528 from the Stabilization Account and $151,322 from a short term interest account to the Westfield Redevelopment Authority (WRA) Intergovernmental Account, to give the city the $509,000 needed to purchase the last parcels of land for the project that will encompass the city block bordered by Elm, Arnold and Church Streets. The authorizations now go to the Legislative & Ordinance (L&O) Committee on Tuesday, April 26, and then back to the full City Council for a vote. “The City Council and Mayor have worked together to put this together,” said Paul. Originally, in February, Mitchell on behalf of the city had asked the Council to approve a transfer of $289,300 in Free Cash to start the process. Flaherty had questioned the wisdom of withdrawing funds from Free Cash, and worked with Mayor Brian P. Sullivan on other funding sources. Mitchell said the withdrawal from the Stabilization Fund still leaves the balance in the fund above $6 million. Once the transfers are approved by the full City Council, Mitchell said the next steps will be to have two appraisals for each of the four parcels, which include the Romani Bowling Alley. The WRA will then make an offer that is no higher than the highest assessment, and no lower than the lowest assessment.
See Fight, Page 7
See Elm Street, Page 7
Ward 5 City Councilor and Finance Committee Chair Robert A. Paul (center) and At-Large Councilor Matthew T. VanHeynigan (right) heard from City Planner Joe Mitchell before voting to approve funds transfer that take the Elm Street Urban Renewal Plan one more step forward. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Elm Street Urban Renewal Plan takes another step forward
Articulture stage is set to support local artists By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD — The front door to Whip City Music was open Tuesday night and the songs of Stumpy McToad & Cliché rehearsing for a new city event could be heard as passersby walked along Elm Street. Bill Westerlind, marketing and communications director of ArtWorks | Center City Westfield, a new grassroots organization started last fall, stopped in to meet the bands and thank them for their upcoming performance on April 30 at Articulture WESTFIELD. “Articulture is all about you,” noted Westerlind to those gathered inside Whip City Music. “This is your time to shine and share your music with the community.” Articulture WESTFIELD, a mixed arts and cultural event at the Westfield Woman’s Club, 28 Court St., will include musical stage performances, a gallery of visual art such as paintings, photography and sculpture, and literary events by local authors. Westfield On Weekends is presenting the event in conjunction with ArtWorks | Center City Westfield. General admission is $5 with children under 12 admitted free. Additional donations during the performances are welcomed. “The price of admission is good for the entire day,” said Westerlind. “Come and go as you please, and visit some of the wonderful city eateries in-between performances.” Westerlind added that Articulture is the organization’s first collaborative event so they want all details “executed well” so patrons will See Articulture WESTFIELD, Page 8
By AMY PORTER Corresondent WESTFIELD – The School Committee will hold a public hearing on the proposed FY17 budget on Monday, April 25, 6:30 p.m. at the South Middle School auditorium. “We will be presenting a level service budget,” said Superintendent of Westfield Public Schools Dr. Suzanne Scallion. Scallion said that to run a level service program for next year, the district is currently about half a million off the mark. “That sounds like a lot of money,” she said, but in reality only represents less than 1% of the nearly $60 million budget. Between now and the end of the year, Scallion said the district will shut down purchasing and sweep all of their See FY17 Budget, Page 7
WESTFIELD FIRE DEPT. PARAMEDICS
Drug related medical calls WESTFIELD — From Friday, April 15 to Friday, April 22, the Westfield Fire Dept paramedics responded to the following drug related medical calls: 1 POSSIBLE OVERDOSE 1 PATIENT GIVEN NARCAN NO DEATHS
Westfield Public Schools and Westfield Police Department schedule lockdown drills WESTFIELD – Superintendent Suzanne Scallion released a statement Friday morning detailing the lockdown drill dates of the combined efforts of the School, Police and Fire departments. A team of Westfield Public School administrators representing every level from elementary to high school, has been working with the Westfield Police and Fire Departments to make sure the city’s students, staff, and families have a current, research-based, and educationally sound safety plan. This plan aligns with the recommendations from Governor See Lockdown Drills, Page 7
Plants galore and much more slated at fundraiser
Joe Desilets and Tony Polo jam during a rehearsal for Articulture WESTFIELD.
By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD-A boutique featuring yard art and ornaments is among the surprises that await patrons at the Westfield Garden Club’s fundraiser on May 14. “This sale is the best bargain around,” said Sandi Gil, garden club chair. The Garden Club, a division of the Westfield Woman’s Club, had taken a hiatus from the annual plant sale but with new leadership, the idea was once again resurrected. During the course of several months, the 25 active members engaged in four workshops creating a multitude of flower baskets and planters that promise to get one’s attention. Sandi Gil, president of the Garden Club, a division of the Westfield Woman's Club, and Muriel Nihill, co-chair of an upcoming plant sale and boutique, give us a sneak peek of what one will find at the sale. Sandi Gil, president of the Garden Club, a division of the Westfield Woman’s Club, and Muriel Nihill, co-chair of an upcoming plant sale and boutique, give us a sneak peek of what one will find at the sale. “We had three members who especially stood out helping us with the projects,” said Gil. “Jean Rosenblum, a professional designer, ensured that some art would have a threedimensional perspective. Michele LaPalme, a professional artist, helped our members with color combinations, and Sandy Lehman was the creative person behind our outdoor See Garden Club, Page 8