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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
— STENDHAL
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 85 NO. 213
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016
$1.5M campaign launched for Athenaeum By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD-The Westfield Athenaeum is a “historical gem” in the eyes of director Daniel Paquette. During an interview in the Athenaeum’s Whitney Study on Thursday morning, Paquette was passionate when he announced an ambitious fundraising effort was underway titled Rise to Knowledge Campaign that seeks to raise $1.5 million by the end of 2017. A public kick-off and reception is slated Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to noon to showcase an artist’s rendering of the upcoming renovations and answer questions about the project. “The funds will support a building and renovation project to make the Athenaeum universally accessible, safer for children and families, and ensure the beauty and historic integrity of our beloved building for generations to come,” said Paquette, noting this effort is the first major renovation at the Athenaeum in 50 years. “It is our hope that these renovations will ensure the Athenaeum will not need more upgrades for another 50 years,” he added. The Athenaeum has graced the downtown area for more than 150 years, and Paquette noted this campaign is the first
The side entrance to the Westfield Athenaeum will undergo renovations this fall. time in 50 years that the library has asked the public to support renovations and improvements to the building. “Many people don’t realize that the Westfield Athenaeum, although open to the entire community, is not a city department,” said Paquette. “We are continuously grateful for the support and funding we receive from the City of Westfield, Mayor Sullivan, and our City Council. Their support will allow us to move forward with contractors and bring our plans to life.” Paquette noted the city’s Community Preservation Committee had allocated funds to the project which was voted on
by the Westfield City Council. The first vote came on Aug. 22, when an appropriation of $300,000 was approved. Then, on Sept. 1, the City Council approved $550,000, bringing the total community preservation award to $850,000. The Community Preservation Committee was established following a public referendum in 2003 after the adoption of the Community Preservation Act (CPA), according to Paquette. “The CPA surcharge on property tax bills generated the revenue that is then redistributed within the community,” he said. “The committee is responsible for the review of applications, and recommends the expenditures to qualified projects. Such expenditures are then subject to mayoral endorsement and an affirmative vote by the Westfield City Council.” Paquette also announced that the Athenaeum has received $20,000 from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners which will be used for planning and design purposes. With the campaign already halfway to the $1.5 million goal, Paquette said the Athenaeum’s board of directors are “excited” to share their vision with the See Campaign, Page 7
Daniel Paquette, director of the Westfield Athenaeum, notes that a temporary ramp will be located at this entrance while renovations are made to the side entrance.
Dr. Adam Garand shares his vision at SEPAC fall kickoff meeting
Teens team up to help others By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD-Teens M.A.D. (Making A Difference) members are once again donning sneakers for the fourth annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk of Pioneer Valley, planned Oct. 16 at Stanley Park. The 10 a.m. walk is conducted in conjunction with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, according to Crystal Brown, MS, senior market manager, New England Division of the American Cancer Society (ACS), based in Holyoke. Brown recently met with members of Teens M.A.D. at Stanley Park, one of the first teams to again sign up to participate and support the cause. Most of the team members are juniors at Southwick High School. Ashley Marchetti, team leader, said her mother, Lori Marchetti, was the inspiration for her involvement in the walk last year. “So many close family members and friends have been diagnosed with breast cancer and participating in this walk allows me to help people,” said Marchetti. “It’s been eyeopening to see how money raised is helping others. It’s a good feeling.” Lori Marchetti, who also works in the Holyoke ACS office as the office coordinator, echoed those sentiments. “Last year I mentioned the walk See Teens, Page 7
Bill Rose, president of the Westfield River Watershed Association, displays some of the essential items he has for a day of fishing on the Westfield River.
Experienced and novice anglers can benefit from Free Clinic By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent HUNTINGTON — Some of Bill Rose’s fondest memories growing up were times when his grandfather took him fishing in a rowboat at the Oxbow. “I grew up in East Longmeadow with a brook close by so since I was six, I have loved fishing,” said Rose. Rose, president of the Westfield River Watershed Association, is now enjoying his retirement years with family and friends – and as often as he can – exploring the tributaries of the Westfield River. “My passion is catching and releasing native brook trout,” said Rose at the scenic turnout across from the Huntington Health Center which will be the setting for the annual Fly Fishing Clinic slated Sept. 17. The free event is planned from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is conducted in conjunction with the
New ACS Breast Cancer Book offers newly diagnosed hope By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent The American Cancer Society has updated an engaging, question-and-answer book to help newly diagnosed patients digest the crucial information needed to navigate through their breast cancer experience. Breast Cancer Clear & Simple: Second Edition: All Your Questions Answered was written to help women with breast cancer and their caregivers know what to expect, what to do, and how to get through what can be an overwhelming, lifechanging experience. Professional illustrations throughout the book help patients understand how breast cancer starts in the body, supplemented with facts about breast anatomy, the lymph system, and the types of See Book, Page 7
Western Massachusetts Fly-Fishing Association. “There will be fly-tying demonstrations, fly casting instruction, and aquatic insect and plant identification,” said Rose. “Feel free to bring along your fly rod, both for help with casting and to make sure it’s assembled properly.” Rose is passionate about fishing and does his homework before he enters the water. He takes a water sample to determine the insects present and then uses two of his favorite guide books – Trout Stream Insects by Dick Pobst and Art Flick’s Streamside Guide to Naturals and their Imitations – so his “Bill’s Retirement Plan” box (that was given to him by his children) will contain the dry flies he needs to snag one of the stocked rainbow trout, brown trout or Tiger trout in the river. See Anglers, Page 7
Southwick Fire holding class for prospective EMTs By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent SOUTHWICK—The Southwick Fire Department is hosting an EMT course this fall to help residents become certified EMTs. The course costs $750 per student, and includes 198 hours of training, including classroom, online and hands-on training. The program is looking for Southwick residents, but is also open to nearby municipalities if the 30 seats do not fill up. The class begins Oct. 4 and ends Jan. 21. The program is being run by Human Services Training Consultants from West Springfield but will be provided through the Southwick Fire Department, with all training happening at the department, as well as instructors coming from the department. “We are going to be able to provide EMT training at our facility and it’s a great asset to have a class like this,” Southwick Fire Chief Russ Anderson said. Anderson said that the program may help
By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – The Westfield Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) held its fall kickoff on Thursday with speaker Dr. Adam Garand, administrator of special services for Westfield Public Schools, who shared his vision for special education in the district moving forward. The meeting, which was scheduled for the South Middle School library, was moved to the cafeteria due to a conflict. Melissa Rutkowski, one of the parent coordinators of SEPAC, welcomed the dozen or so parents and educators in the room, explaining that SEPAC was active in trying to make things better for them and their children. Rutkowski introduced Garand, who said due to the room change he was unable to show the presentation he had planned, but was happy to meet with the group. “The Parent Advisory Council is a critical component to any district,” Garand said, noting that he has already met with the group several times since he started July 1. “It’s been really great,” he said about his first few months in the position. He said that his sense of how to go about educating students – all students, is to use a team approach. “Every educator has a specialty. When they work in isolation, children don’t benefit,” he said. He said special education teachers have a specialty also, which is in understanding strategies and methodologies. Garand said he also believes in the tools approach. For a child who is not able to learn effectively, what tool can be used to help circumvent a disability. “(Schools) compartmentalize these kids by what they can’t do. We need to be experts at designing skill opportunities for kids,” he said, adding that See SEPAC, Page 7
Tyler Buscemi of Southwick Fire getting acclimated to the back of an ambulance. He is a firefighter taking this year’s EMT course. to improve the amount of EMTs the department has, as they continue to search for new members. See EMTs, Page 7
Dr. Adam Garand (L) speaks with parents at the SEPAC meeting on Thursday. (Photo by Amy Porter)