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WEATHER TONIGHT Clear and cooler. Low of 54
The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
“Without promotion something terrible happens: Nothing!” — P.T. Barnum
www.thewestfieldnews.com SATURDAY, JULY 5, 2014
VOL. 83 NO.155
75 cents
WG&E finally sees black ink By Dan Moriarty Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The Westfield Gas & Electric Department managers reported that the utility had a profit in both its gas and electric divisions during May, closing toward the original revenue forecast on which the department’s operating budget is built. The New England utility industry, as a whole, is still recovering for the exponential increase in the cost of delivering natural gas to the region the past two winters. Natural gas is plentiful in the nation, but the lack of pipeline access to the Northeast has caused transportation prices to climb tenfold during the coldest days last winter. The transportation cost is typically between $2 and $3 per MMBTU, but that in January that cost spike to DANIEL HOWARD more than $30 on some days and the February average was $15 a day. That increase in the delivery of natural gas also trickles down, actually gushes, into the cost of electricity because more than half of the natural gas consumed in the region is for gas-fired electrical generation. Jay Kline, the department’s Financial and Accounting Manager, said to the Municipal Light Board last night that the May financial reports are “good news, both division were above the original forecasts, both had strong performances in May, which is usually a quite month.” Kline said the department’s use of power and revenue spiked during the coldest period, but the cost of that purchased gas and electricity far outstripped the revenue coming into the department. The financial report gives figures for month-to-month and annual comparisons. See WG&E, Page 5
Analysis: proposed sewer rate increase
Independence Day parade Residents from the Hampton Ponds area of the city enjoy Independence Day as part of a parade sponsored by the Hampton Ponds Association Friday. For complete photo coverage of the parade check the Monday edition of the Westfield News and www. thewestfieldnews.smugmug.com. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
Disc Golf course proposed By Hope E. Tremblay Staff Writer SOUTHWICK – Known as a recreational community, Southwick may soon add the latest sports craze – disc golf – to its offerings. Resident Freda Brown and business partners Drew Gardner and Chris Barde met with the Southwick Planning Board this week to discuss creating a disc golf course on Brown’s property on John Mason Road. Gardner explained that disc golf combines frisbee and golf on a course that includes fairways, greens and even sand traps. “It’s like golf, but you throw weighted frisbees,” he said. Gardner passed around a disc to the board and audience. Slightly smaller than an average frisbee, the disc was rubbery and slightly weighted around the rim. “We want to create a course on this property and create other passive recreational opportunities in Southwick,” said Gardner. Brown owns 125 acres of land that she wants to preserve as much in its natural state as possible. She told the board the course would fol-
Fireworks traffic changes By Carl E. Hartdegen Staff Writer WESTFIELD – After celebrating Independence Day at Stanley Park for several years, local motorists may have become accustomed to the Fourth of July traffic pattern in the area of the park, which will be the same this year with only one adjustment planned. Lt. Larry Valliere, the commander of the department’s Traffic and Safety Bureau, reports that normal two way traffic will continue on Western Avenue before the display but, as in previous years, Lloyds Hill (and its intersection with Mountain View Road) will be closed at 6 p.m. to avoid traffic snarls on Western Avenue. Parking will not be allowed on Western Avenue or on nearby side streets, such as Kensington Avenue or Granville Road, but free parking will be available at the Second Congregational Church, the Westfield State University commuter parking lot with the entrance across from Westwood Drive, and the WSU south parking lot with the entrance across from Juniper Park School. Visitors with a valid handicap parking plate or placard will be allowed to enter Stanley Park by the main entrance near
the tennis courts and will park as directed by staff. A park spokesperson pointed out that the park will be closed in preparation for event and visitors will be welcomed after 4 p.m. As dusk approaches, Valliere said, Western Avenue will be closed to all traffic about 8 p.m. from Loring Lane to Overlook Drive “We’re going to play it by ear” he said, but added that the road will be closed between 8 and 8:30 p.m. This year, Kensington Avenue will also close at the same time. Valliere said that in past years motorists who stop, or just park, on Kensington Avenue, have added to traffic congestion. There are “only about 10 houses on the street” he said, and officers will visit the residents to make sure they know – and will tell any guests they expect – that the road will close as the time for he fireworks display nears. After the sparks stop flying, about 10 p.m., Western Avenue will remain closed for 15-30 minutes until the main throng of pedestrians leaves the park. When the roadway reopens, all traffic will be required to turn right on to See Traffic, Page 5
low the land’s natural terrain and very few small trees would be cut. “It wouldn’t be clear-cut like a traditional golf course,” said Barde. A sand pit on site would be cleared to make a gravel parking lot and small buildings – such as sheds – would be located there as well. Brown asked the board what she needed to do to get the plan in motion. “Apply,” said Board Vice Chairperson Roz Terry, “as long as it’s within the town by laws.” The group was given a copy of the commercial recreational use bylaws by Town Planner Alan Slessler prior to the meeting. Terry suggested they include every possible design in their site plan, even if was something that was planned for the future, so they would not need to return for modifications. “Look at the big picture,” she suggested. “If you think you might want bathrooms, a banquet hall, a pro shop – put it in there now.” Gardner said the up and coming sport has become popular but there are few courses in
By Dan Moriarty Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The Water Commission initiated a discussion of revenue generated by the city wastewater fee which supports the operation of the wastewater treatment plant and expansion of the city’s sewer system. The City Council bifurcated the sewer and sewerage treatment functions of the city when it created the Water Resource Department, moving the treatment plant out of control of the Board of Public Works and under the Water Commission. That division has put the mechanical part of the sewer system, the treatment plants and sewerage pump station, under the Water Commission, which now controls revenue generated through the wastewater fee, but left the gravity system, the sewer lines, under the control of the BPW, which has no revenue stream to maintain or expand the system. Historically, there has been a annual problem with both the Water Division, which provides city residents and businesses with drinking water, and the sewerage treatment plant budgets because state law limits the current fiscal year budget number to the total receipts of the previous year. The City Council has to cut the budgets, then later restore funding for both departments, often several times a year. The Water Commission, which is authorized to set the water rates, has initiated a process of increasing rate to generate sufficient annual revenue to end the cut and restore process. The sewer fees are set by the City Council, which usually makes it a political decision, rather than a pragmatic decision based on the cost of doing business. Water Chairman Ron Cole said the commission makes decisions on the water rate based on hard data, what rate supports the cost of operating the water division and supports the ability to finance bond See Sewer Rate, Page 5
See Disc Golf, Page 5