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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 86 NO. 5
Police captain retires after 32 years of service By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—One of the city’s long-serving police captains has retired. Hipolito “Paul” Nunez has retired after 32 years on the force, with the final six of those years as administrative captain for the department. Nunez had several accomplishments while on the force, including combining the police and fire dispatch to create Westfield’s communications center, and becoming the first and only Hispanic officer to earn a rank in the department beyond patrolman. “When I look at my career, I look at a lot of things I did,” Nunez said. “Uniting the fire department and police department, uniting communications.” Nunez said that his work with the department is something that he is proud of, and that it was the residents he served that helped him feel that way. “People say I made a difference in their lives, and that’s what you do it for,” he said. However, it wasn’t always positive. Nunez said that the most difficult time was when one of his fellow officers, Jose Torres, was tragically killed while directing traffic for a construction project in 2012. In addition to losing a fellow officer, Nunez lost a friend, and he had the unfortunate task of answering questions and addressing the media on that tragic day. “I was the public information officer at that time and the media wanted a story,” he said. “But they tried to pull things that aren’t there.” Nunez continued to serve the department as captain however, overseeing the communications and computers of the department, and worked with assistant city solicitor Shanna Reed to eventually combine the fire and police dispatches to create the communications center . “He was an outstanding administrator,” Westfield Police Chief John Camerota, said. “His responsibility was all of our computer systems and his biggest accomplishment was the dispatch center. He’s certainly going to be missed.” Mayor Brian Sullivan said that he and the city appreciate Nunez’s efforts over his career and recognize his importance to the community. “He has given back to this city time and time again by representing himself and his career in law enforcement,” Sullivan said. “The Nunez family should be proud of [Nunez] and his accomplishments. Nunez will not be leaving the public service sector of the city completely, however. In addition to being a director of the Boys and Girls Club of Westfield—of which he has been a member for 30 years—he is also president of the Kiwanis Club and was recently chosen to be a member of the Westfield public safety communications commission. As a member of the latter commission, Nunez will help to oversee the communications center he helped create and continue to assist those who serve. After all, Nunez believes that those officers on the street are the true heroes. “Those guys who put on the uniform every day and patrol those streets, those are my heroes,” Nunez said. “Without a doubt those are my heroes.”
Hipolito “Paul” Nunez, who retired from Westfield Police Department this week.
“I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches. If suffering alone taught, all the world would be wise. ...” — ANNE MORROW LINDBERGH
75 cents
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2017
Westfield Police investigate animal cruelty claims By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—Police and animal control are investigating a claim of animal cruelty that had been made on Thursday. Both entities were called to an address on Miller Street on three separate occasions on Thursday after someone claimed that there was a dog there who was being mistreated by being left outside for long periods of time and that the animal was “distressed,” according to the reports. In addition, concerns were posted on Westfield-based Facebook forums regarding the treatment of the dog, with some suggesting that they may go and take the dog in an effort to reportedly save it. Westfield Police Capt. Michael McCabe said that several officers had investigated the matter at 5 p.m. and again at 11:30 p.m. and did not notice any signs of cruelty or abuse to the animal, however. The reports said that the Photo of the reported dog from the street. dog—a Belgian Shepherd—was fed, healthy
and protected at 5 p.m., and then again around 11:30 p.m. it was reportedly “happy and healthy,” according to McCabe. Additionally, McCabe reported that the police also observed a shelter with at least three walls, as well as bedding for the animal. The dog also reportedly had food and water. According to Massachusetts General Law, chapter 140, section 174E—which was updated in November 2016—the protection of the dog is met if it has a shelter of at least three sides, proper bedding, enough room to stand and turn in the shelter, proper-fitting collar and tethering that is no longer than 10 feet, 4 to 7 feet from the ground and that doesn’t weigh more than one-eighth the dog’s weight. The above applies as humane according to the law, as long as the dog is not left unattended for five consecutive hours in a 24-hour See Cruelty Investigation, Page 7
Fire Department calendar fundraiser under way By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Fire Department has brand new 2017 calendars for everyone in town; and that means everyone. The fire department has delivered the calendars to every resident in Southwick free of charge. The calendars include every personnel member of the fire department, scattered throughout all 12 months and pages. Advertisements are also featured in the calendar, with businesses that helped pay for it. “We want to thank the businesses that helped support making the calendar,” said Southwick firefighter Jessica Bishop. This marks the first time that the Southwick Fire Department has created calendars. The Southwick Fireman’s Association first came up with the idea and helped the fire department support additional costs towards the calendar. In every calendar sent to the homes was a self-addressed envelope with a postcard on it The Southwick Fire Department’s 2017 calendars have been delivered to every See Calendars, Page 7 resident in town. (Photo courtesy of Southwick Fire Department’s Facebook Page)
‘Friends’ of Athenaeum Plan Crafting Extravaganza By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD – Crafter Donna King is promising a “relaxing, enjoyable” day during the first Crop, Crafts & Card Making Retreat, sponsored by the Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum. King, also secretary for the Friends group, is spearheading this fundraiser which she expects to generate a lot of interest among craft enthusiasts. “I have led the card-making workshops at the Athenaeum and since they are always so well received, I thought an allday retreat would also be popular,” she said. With ongoing construction efforts at the Athenaeum, the Carriage House at the Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center on Mill Street was chosen for the day’s festivities. “Not only is the Carriage House beautiful, it is also handicap accessible and all workshops will be conducted on the first floor,” said King.
King noted that whether a person enjoys scrapbooking, card making, knitting, crocheting, painting, quilting, sewing or coloring, there will be something for everyone at the March 4 event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $50 per person which includes a light breakfast and buffet lunch with choices including salad, pizza, soup, burritos, as well as snacks and drinks throughout the day. “Please bring any project you are working on and join us for a day of creativity, fun, food, laughter and relaxation with friends old and new,” said King. A host of vendors will be
featured during the day including Stampin’ Up!, Kiwi Lane, Heritage Makers, Creative Memories, LuLaRoe, Jafra, 2 Sisters Custom Made Pages, and GILTE Phyls baked goods. “We will also have others with products, catalogues, and make and takes,” said King. “Various machines will be available, but you must bring your own mats and cartridges.” King said that demonstrations will include cupcake decorating, repurposing old cards into new ones, calligraphy, and reupholstering a dining room chair seat. “Experienced knitters will be
available to help with projects, and a licensed massage therapist will offer chair massages for a nominal fee,” said King, adding that free hand massages using Jafra products will also be offered. A raffle is also planned during the day, ranging from gifts from vendors to local donated restaurant gift cards and craft supplies. “We welcome any raffle donation from a local business,” said King, adding the Friends group is a 501(c) 3 organization. Pre-registration is required by Feb. 24 and checks for $50 can be made out to FOTWA, attn: Donna King, 51 Gladwin Dr., Westfield MA 01085-2511. For questions or more information, contact King at (413) 262-4934 or via email to friends@westath.org. “This is a feel good event that also promises to bring in a nice profit for the Friends so that we can continue to support and fund free services and programs at the Athenaeum,” said King.