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Lawmakers approve compromise $40.2B state budget
See State Budget, Page 7
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JOHN STEINBECK — Queen Christina of Sweden
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 TUESDAY, JUNE 27,8,2017 SATURDAY, JULY 2017
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts lawmakers approved a compromise $40.2 billion state budget Friday that reduces spending levels to account for lower expectations for tax revenues. The budget trims spending about $400 million to $500 million from spending plans previously approved by the House and Senate and takes other steps to account for a $733 million reduction in anticipated tax revenues for the 2018 fiscal year that began July 1, according to summaries provided by legislative budget writers. The House approved the spending plan on a 140-9 vote, followed by the Senate, which backed the same budget by a 36-2 vote. Democratic Senate Ways and Means chair Karen Spilka said the budget increases spending on schools and local aid, but cuts spending in other areas. “This budget is not without pain,” Spilka said. “It is clear that the state is facing a shortfall in revenue that will have an impact on real people’s lives.” Democratic Senate President Stan Rosenberg called it “the harshest state budget since the last recession.” Spilka said the budget rejects a proposal unveiled last month by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker to rein in Medicaid costs, saying it doesn’t have what she called “necessary transparency.” The budget does, however, include a proposal by Baker to create a temporary employer contribution to help ease the cost of public coverage for workers, Spilka said. That plan calls for a two-tiered approach that builds off of the existing employer medical assistance contribution and would help bring in $200 million in new revenue during the 2018 fiscal year. The budget also factors in $250 million in recent health care savings Baker said he was able find. The compromise also sets aside $2 million for a state marijuana commission aimed at moving forward with the voter-approved law legalizing the recreational use of pot in Massachusetts. Passage of the budget could also lead to resumption of negotiations between the House and Senate on a
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Westfield looking at alternative to internet services for the city By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – The City of Westfield is currently working on an alternative to internet service for the city through an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Westfield Gas & Electric through Whip City Fiber (WCF). The IGA would utilize the 10-gigabyte ring that connects all city buildings and schools that was set up by Westfield G&E two years ago, but did not include internet connectivity. For the past three years, internet to the city has been provided under a contract with Comcast which delivers 200 megabytes of speed per second to the Technology Center, which in turn connects internet to the 10-gig ring. With the contract due to expire, a Request for Proposal (RFP) was sent out this spring for internet services to the city departments and schools that provide 1 gigabyte of speed per second. Comcast came back with the lowest bid, but the contract was never signed. Meanwhile, Mayor Brian P. Sullivan was meeting with representatives from Whip City Fiber, Purchasing, the Technology Center and the Law Department to look at a way to have WCF utilize the 10-gigabyte technology infrastructure that it manages for the city to also bring internet services through an intergovernmental agreement. “Everything will travel on the 10 gig ring through Whip City Fiber. It’s a single source of equipment, too, as opposed to having some equipment from Comcast, and some from Whip City
Jonathan Starr interviews with the Westfield Fire Commission during their meeting Friday
Westfield tentatively adds two more paramedic-firefighters By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—The Westfield Fire Department may be adding even more to their staff, after two individuals were given conditional offers of employment yesterday. The Westfield Fire Commission made two conditional offers of employment, one to current paramedic and previous interviewee Ryan Chenevert, and another to current Norton, Massachusetts firefighterparamedic Jonathan Starr. The offers came during a Westfield Fire Commission meeting Friday afternoon. According to Fire Commissioner Albert Masciadrelli during the meeting, another firefighter for the city had recently resigned. Chenevert was previously interviewed for the position, including appearing before the commission early last month. According to Masciadrelli, Chenevert could not be at the meeting but did accept
the conditional offer of employment. Chenevert must now pass a medical screening, hearing test, psychological screening and the Massachusetts Physical Abilities Test in order to be hired on the department. For Starr, who was present and had a brief public interview with the commission, he is requesting a lateral transfer to the Westfield Fire Department from the Norton Fire Department. The transfer must be agreed to by both of the department’s chiefs in order for it to occur. According to a letter submitted to the commission by Starr that was read aloud by Masciadrelli, Starr has seven years of emergency medical services experience. He has also gone through various training as a firefighter, and has served with the Norton Fire Department for two and a half years. Starr must now pass a medical screening, a complete background check and a drug test.
See Internet Alternative, Page 7
City ready to work on projects with $266k grant By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—The city will soon be starting energy-saving projects in Westfield schools, after a Green Communities grant was accepted by the City Council Thursday. The city of Westfield received approximately $266,000 in grant money as part of the Green Communities program through the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER). The grant, which was was first announced in March, was accepted
by the City Council during their meeting Thursday night. The money will go toward energy-efficient projects in Westfield schools and other municipal buildings, as well as the purchase of an electric vehicle for city employees to use. According to Mayor Brian Sullivan, the projects are expected to be beneficial to both the environment and the city. “In regards to Green Communities, we See Grant, Page 7
Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan
(WNG file
photo)
Still time to plant a summer garden
BFMC Presents ‘Posh Picnic at Tanglewood’
WESTFIELD – Have you ever wanted to grow vegetables? Do you believe that hard work and diligence can pay off in the long run? If yes, then now is the time to start growing a summer garden. If you like corn, eggplant, lettuce, zucchini, tomatoes, or a dozen other foods or flowers; any of them can be grown at home with a little time and some love. Adrianne Kunz, Nursery Manager at Kelly’s Home and Garden, provided advice on summer crop success. Before you start, the most important thing is knowing the difference between hot and cool crops. Corn and beans are considered hot and should be grown under direct sunlight, while zucchini and lettuce prefer
PITTSFIELD – The Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative (BFMC) presents its fourth annual Posh Picnic at Tanglewood in Lenox, MA on Sunday, July 23rd from 12:00 noon – 2:30pm. This unique event raises funds for BFMC’s educational initiatives which include workforce development courses and college workshops that teach the skills necessary to work on film sets. As Executive Director Diane Pearlman explains, “We are committed to strengthening and expanding our local workforce in the film and media industry. As we train more professionals and promote the region as a location for shooting, we create employment opportunities and support the creative economy.” The Posh Picnic at Tanglewood includes a delicious gourmet catered picnic lunch on the lawn, an eclectic silent auction, and Shed seating for the matinee performance of The Boston
See Summer Garden, Page 8
Adrianne Kunz, Nursery Manager at Kelly’s Home & Garden, tends to some flowers. (WNG file photo)
Time is running out to get a FREE month of Whip City Fiber high-speed internet! SIGN UP TODAY if you live in the Pontoosic Road area, Glenwood Heights to Laro and Canal Drive, Little River Road area to Feeding Hills Road, the Shaker Heights area, Munger Hill Road and Whispering Wind, or the Birch Bluffs and Colony Drive areas. Installations will be starting this summer. It’s your last chance for a FREE month of Whip City Fiber ($69.95 value)—sign up by July 15. POWERED BY
www.whipcityfiber.com | 413-572-0100
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VISIT US AT AMELIA PARK ICE ARENA Stop by Tuesday evenings from 5:00-7:00 pm and Saturday mornings from 10:30 am-12:30 pm. We’ll be answering your questions in the lobby of the Amelia Park Ice Arena. WHIP CITY FIBER DROP-IN CENTERS Open 8:00 am-5:00 pm | Monday-Friday WG+E Operations Center, 40 Turnpike Industrial Rd. WG+E Office, 100 Elm Street