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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
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Westfield District Court has a new name By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—The Westfield District Court honored one of its own yesterday, renaming the building and having a dedication ceremony in honor of Westfield-born Justice John M. Greaney. The ceremony, which was attended by several elected officials and notable members of law, honored Greaney for his long career in the court system and beyond, which included time as a justice for the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, among other judicial positions. The Westfield District Court is located on Elm Street, and currently bears Greaney’s name on the front façade. “It’s significant because I’ve lived in Westfield all my life,” Greaney said of the
honor. “This is the court I worked at in law school and practiced law as a lawyer. To be honored this way brings me full circle.” Greaney served as a judge for 35 years in Massachusetts. In addition to his service on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Greaney served as the presiding judge of the Hampden County Housing Court, which was the second court of its kind in Massachusetts and the first outside of Boston, according to Judge Philip A. Contant, First Justice of the Westfield District Court. He also served as a Justice for Massachusetts Superior Court and the Massachusetts Appeals court, becoming the latter’s Chief Justice in 1984. He also was the director of the Macaronis Institute for Trial and Appellate Advocacy at Suffolk University Law School for seven years.
KATHARINE WHITEHORN
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SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 2017
VOL. 86 NO. 137
“The easiest way for your children to learn about money is for you not to have any.”
Previous to becoming a judge, Greaney also spent time in the Air National Guard and worked as a lawyer for Ely and King in Springfield for 10 years. However, according to Greaney it was his time at the court in Westfield working for Justice Garvey as a student intern beginning in 1961 that inspired him to become a judge. “I was struck with how he dispensed justice and compassion,” Greaney said. Greaney now works as a counsel for Springfield law firm Buckley, Richardson and Gelinas. Among those in attendance were Rep. John Velis, his uncle, former Representative and judge Peter A. Velis, Sen. Don Humason, President-elect of the Hampden County Bar Association Attorney Travaun Bailey and Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan.
Justice John M. Greaney stands beside the plaque that honored his service to the Mass. and local court systems.
Board of Health discusses increases, low recycling rate in Huntington
Westfield Woman’s Club Plans 2017 Tea On Wednesday, June 28, 2017 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. the Westfield Woman’s Club and its members will be hosting their 20th Annual Tea at Stanley Park. This is an event not to miss. This year the club and its members will be honoring Bob Plasse. A light lunch, raffle, hat parade are just a few of the fun and exciting activities scheduled for this great event. Tickets are $20.00 and can be purchased by calling Ann Mello at 413-330-4038. Pictured are Ann Mello, June Massee (Chairperson), Nancy Bryant, Priscilla Gover, Standing: JoAnn Wood, Lillian Hebert (President). (Photo by Lynn F. Boscher)
WSU admin. Dr. Christina Swaidan honored for diversity efforts WESTFIELD— Westfield State University Interim Dean of Undergraduate Studies Dr. Christina Swaidan of Windsor, Conn. has been selected as a recipient of 2017 INSIGHT Into Diversity “Giving Back Award” by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. Recipients of the “Giving Back Award” were nominated by colleagues and selected by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine based on their outstanding demonstration of social responsibility, involvement with students, fac-
ulty, staff, and the community, and commitment to serving underrepresented populations. “Dean Swaidan is a trusted champion of diversity and inclusion efforts on campus,” said Westfield State University President Dr. Ramon S. Torrecilha. “Her example and work at the university have created a lasting impact for our faculty, Dr. Christina Swaidan, staff, and students.” interim dean of Undergraduate Studies. See Diversity Efforts, Page 5 (Photo courtesy WSU)
By AMY PORTER Correspondent HUNTINGTON –At a public hearing Wednesday on a planned increase in rates at the transfer station, Board of Health member Thomas Hart said the increase was to encourage recycling in the town. “We’re at 22%. Most towns are at 35 to 42%,” Hart said. The Board of Health is considering increasing the cost of stickers for bags of trash. Currently, stickers cost $1 for trash bags up to 30 gallons, and $2 for larger bags, although that policy has not been enforced. The new policy would require $1 sticker for 13 gallon (kitchen) bags, and two stickers for 30 gallon and larger bags. To offset the increase, the board has also proposed reducing the annual permit from $35 to $30 for use of the transfer station. “For the people who are recycling on a regular basis, $2 a bag is punitive,” said Finance Committee chair Darlene McVeigh, who will begin a term as selectman on July 1. Highway supervisor Charles Dazelle also said the Board of Health should be considerate of other departments because of increased rubbish on the road, which he fears may result from the price increase, and would be the responsibility of the Highway Department. Town treasurer Aimee Burnham asked how the board determined $2 per bag, and not $3 or $1.50. Hart said the transfer station is “way in the red,” and Jackman added, “It’s a question of change,” referring to the $1.50 price which would require making change for customers who buy stickers at the transfer station. “If it’s money, then why did you drop the permit from $35 to $30,” asked Selectmen chair Edward Renauld. “We have a lower socio-economic population. It might be a hardship,” Burnham said. She also pointed out that the dump is not losing that much. Last year, they spent $49,497 on hauling and disposal, and brought in $48,081 in revenue. “You’re not in the red. This is an education issue,” Burnham said. In fact, Huntington is the second lowest town for recycling among the ten towns that participate in the Hampshire Resource Management Cooperative, according to Kathleen A. Casey, HRMC administrator. “According to the 2010 census, Huntington’s population is 2180; See Huntington, Page 5
Free Museum Activities Honor Dr. Seuss and PBS Kids SPRINGFIELD — Oh, the places you’ll go inside the all-new Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum on Saturday, June 24 when the Springfield Museums partners with local PBS station WGBY for a day celebrating Springfield’s native son, Theodore Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss), and his character,The Cat in the Hat. The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot about That is an educational children’s program from PBS Kids, airing daily on WGBY and WGBY Kids (the public television station’s 24-hour children’s service). It is also the name of the special June 24 day of family programs co-presented by WGBY and the Springfield Museums (wgby. org/seuss).Activities run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and they include meet ’n greets with live characters, appearances by children’s book author Tish Rabe, a special cat
presentation, screenings of the educational PBS Kids show, and much more. “PBS Kids is the most trusted source of children’s educational content on television,” says WGBY Interim General Manager Lynn Page, “and Dr. Seuss is probably the most famous children’s book author of all time. We’re so fortunate here in western New England to be able to make a day like this happen. We hope all the area’s children and families come out to learn, laugh, and celebrate The Cat in the Hat and PBS Kids with WGBY and the Springfield Museums.” All the Saturday, June 24 activities are free with museum admission. In addition, entrance to the See Museum Activities, Page 5
The Huntington Board of Health held a public hearing on Wednesday to discuss possible rate increases at the transfer station. (Photo by Amy Porter)