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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns

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“The trouble

with our age is all signposts and no destination.” — LOUIS KRONENBERGER

THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015

VOL. 84 NO. 108

75 cents

Agreement reached to settle lawsuits

Krysta Torres and Steve Robtor, students in the East Mt. Transition Program, show their crafts at the Open House. Torres made beaded necklaces, and Robtor showed a prototype of a doll house project. (Photo by Amy Porter)

Sherry Elander, transition teacher for Westfield Public Schools and Doris Love, paraprofessional, were excited about the turnout at the East Mt. Transition Program’s Open House on Wednesday. (Photo by Amy Porter)

Open house showcases students working with community partners By AMY PORTER Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The East Mountain Transition Program held a Community Connections Open House on Wednesday to showcase the program and student accomplishments, and to thank its community partners. According to Sherry Elander, transition teacher with the Westfield Public Schools, the program is respected across the state for providing exceptional transition service, guidance and support for students with intellectual disabilities and their families. When Elander first started working with the students in Westfield 17 years ago, there was one program for ages 14-22. She said most of these students remain at school until they turn 22. She recognized that the needs of students

ages 18-22 were very different than with the younger age group. “I created the transition program in the fall of 2007 with six students. Now we have 25,” Elander said. This is the second year that the program is housed in a building leased from Western Mass Hospital. Elander said the program only has to pay for the utilities for the building. The transition program focuses on selfdetermination, travel skills, and safety awareness. The students are also able to spend time with their people their own age. Students can also participate in programs at Holyoke Community College and at Westfield State University through the Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment (ICE) program, which provides dual enrollment opportunities for transition

students. Students have the opportunity to take college courses, for credit or audit, with supports determined through their individual education plans. Doris Love, a paraprofessional with the program, works one-on-one with transition students in the program. Love said 12 students are now in the college program. She also shadows students at work sites at Noble Hospital and Shaker Farms Country Club. “We need more job sites,” Love said, although she admitted the students have to rely on PVTA transportation from the East Mountain Road location, which is limited. Two of the students showcasing their crafts at the Open House were Krysta Torres and Steve Robtor.

WESTFIELD – According to a statement released by Dr. Elizabeth Preston, interim president of Westfield State University, the university has been informed this morning that the Office of the Attorney General has agreed to a settlement resolving the false claims complaint filed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts against former president Dr. Evan S. Dobelle. DR. ELIZABETH As part of the settlement, according PRESTON to the statement, Dobelle has voluntarily withdrawn his civil lawsuit against the university with prejudice and without costs. The court has taken the filing under advisement and a judge has not yet signed off on the agreement, according to the statement. “We hope very much that this will finally bring this chapter to a close,” said Preston in the statement. “We will provide further details as we have them.” Dobelle has agreed to pay the state $185,000 to settle the suit, related to allegedly unauthorized travel and expenses he charged to the university. In February, Dobelle withdrew his federal lawsuit against state and school officials blaming them for his departure, saying the legal fight’s cost was too great.

Driver pleads guilty in fatal accident case By CARL E. HARTDEGEN Staff Writer WESTFIELD – A Russell man has accepted responsibility for the death of a cyclist who was struck by a SUV while he was riding on Western Avenue. Howard M. Beardslee, 60, of 14 Old Quarry Road, died on Jan. 13, 2013, after his bicycle was struck by a 2007 Ford Explorer operated by Brain M. Benoit, 34, of 195 Woodland Way, Russell. The crash was investigated by Officer Michael Gamache of the Westfield Police Department’s Traffic Bureau who found that Benoit’s vehicle had drifted across the fog line. See Driver, Page 3

See Students, Page 3

New Westfield High School website launched By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD — A bold, fresh user experience was the catalyst behind Westfield High School Network Specialist Karen Bashaw’s redesign of the school’s website. “Most schools have a website,” said Bashaw. “They know it’s there but they don’t visit it often. I wanted to create this website with the parents and students in mind.” Since the launch of the redesign on March 2, Bashaw noted she has had a lot of “positive feedback” from students.

“Students are stopping in my office to tell me how much they like the new look,” she said. “Most importantly, they are coming back with fresh ideas to add to the site.” Bashaw said it was Principal Jonathan Carter’s vision to represent the school’s ambitions and “Bomber Pride” on the Web site and after their initial meetings, Bashaw set out to give the new site a 21st century appearance. “We have a new app for the website that quickly lets you see the school calendar, news, daily bulletin and a lot more,” she said.

Updated website features also include activities and upcoming trips, honor rolls, news articles and media, photo albums, the preschool website, staff directory with e-mail contact information, student club web pages, a link to “Anonymous Alerts,” and the Westfield High School Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO). “Considering how much work the faculty put into the other websites, they’ve been extremely understanding and I enjoy working with them,” said Bashaw. “We A 21st century look is how Westfield High School have articles written by students, we Network Specialist Karen Bashaw describes the school’s See WHS Website, Page 3 redesigned website. (Photo by Lori Szepelak)

ON THE STREET

What businesses or activities would draw you to downtown Westfield?

THERESA GIBSON More outdoor events and more restaurants.

BRIAN COOK National chain stores mixed in with the mom and pops, and more outdoor events.

GENIE MILILLO More parking areas and more restaurants.

JULIE CONNORS More outdoor entertainment like the summer concerts.

PAT MAJOR More outdoor concerts, a movie theatre, and more entertainment.

RYAN MAJOR A street hockey tournament area and an aquarium. PHOTOS BY FREDERICK GORE

Springtime Customer Thank You!

3 Days to FREE Ice Cream!

SunDay ~ May 3rd ~ 1 - 3

98 Southwick Rd • weStfield

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