Search for The Westfield News
WEATHER TONIGHT
The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
Partly Cloudy. Low of 43.
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 86 NO. 44
By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD-As the unemployment rate for young veterans ticked up again nationally, State Rep. John Velis (D-Westfield) finds the numbers “troubling and problematic.” Recent figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) note the unemployment rate for the youngest generation of veterans jumped to 6.3 percent in January, the fourth time in the past seven months that group has been higher than the overall veteran rate. At press time, approximately 211,000 Iraq and Afghanistan era veterans are looking for work, according to the BLS. For all veterans, the January unemployment rate was 4.5 percent, up slightly from December but under 5 percent for the 20th consecutive month, according to BLS data. In his new role as vice chairman of the state Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, Velis said he is “deeply honored” to be serving in this leadership position and plans to “act quickly” on legislation that will soon come before the board. Velis, a combat veteran and current member of the United States Army Reserves, said he brings a
— MARGARET MEAD
75 cents
“unique and valuable perspective” to the committee which will serve him well. Velis said one of his chief objectives is securing employment for unemployed and REP. JOHN underemployed veterans in VELIS Westfield and across the state. “It breaks my heart whenever I receive calls from veterans who say they can’t find a job and have to get food stamps,” said Velis. “We have to offer employers incentives to train and hire these veterans.” Currently, for-profit employers in Massachusetts may be eligible for a federal tax credit through the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program if they hire a qualifying unemployed veteran. An unemployed veteran is a person discharged or released from the military during the five years preceding the hiring date who received unemployment benefits for at least four weeks during the one-year period ending on the hiring date.
California’s Oroville Dam problems could be learning experience in Westfield By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD–Though it may not seem it, the problems that Oroville, California area faced this month could impact Westfield, too. Earlier this month, the Oroville Dam was in danger of unsafely releasing stormwater that had gathered in its spillway. The dam, which is the tallest in the US, had seen extensive damage from storms in February and threatened lives and property of those in the area. Over 180,000 people were evacuated from the area. And while people have been allowed back into the area, the concern now, according to the Westfield Flood Control Commission, turns to other dams across the country that were built around the same time and similar in nature to the Oroville Dam, including two in Westfield. See Experience, Page 8
See Western Mass. Vets, Page 8
DPW moving forward with new fuel station
RANDY BROWN DPW Director
citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017
Velis to ‘bring Boston to Western Mass’ for Vets
By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – For the past few years, the Southwick Department of Public Works has been seeking a new fuel station for the town. At Tuesday night’s Select Board meeting, that hope got another step closer. A motion was made by the Select Board to award a bid to a contractor so the process on building the new fuel station can start. Lemelin Environmental Services out of Chicopee was awarded the bid at an asking price of $143,900. According to DPW Director Randy Brown, there is also $28,000 in engineering fees for the town to pay. With the town having a total budget of $216,000 in appropriated funds for this project, Brown says that there is about $48,000 that will stay in the budget account for the future. The DPW constantly has a need for the fuel station so it will be located at the DPW headquarters. Previously, the fuel station was behind the police and fire departments. “It makes sense to relocate those to the garage,” said Brown. For the fuel station, there will be two, 2,000 gallon tanks. One tank will be gas and the other will be diesel. Another addition to the fuel station will be the fact that the tanks will be above ground whereas the current fuel station was below ground. Brown says that stations below ground have stricter regulations with the state, including more inspections. By having an above-the-ground fuel station they will have less regulation to deal with while still meeting the requirements with the state. Lemelin Environmental Services will most likely begin construction this summer.
“Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed
Gateway Towns prepare for budget season By AMY PORTER Correspondent HUNTINGTON – Town officials from five of the six Gateway hilltowns met on Wednesday to consider the initial Gateway Regional budget projections, and prepare for the March 1 public hearing on the budget to be held in the Gateway performing arts center at 7:00 p.m. Darlene McVeigh, co-moderator of the Gateway Towns Advisory Committee and Huntington Finance Committee chair, said the current projection is a nearly $160,000 increase for the Gateway budget. “Even though they’ve held expenses to $159,000, there is a $246,000 increase to the towns assessments,” McVeigh explained. She said the increase is based on a state formula, including number of students from each town for the above minimum and nonfoundation contributions, and is not equal to all the towns. Three towns, Chester, Huntington and Russell, will have an increase in their assessments, while Blandford, Montgomery and Middlefield will have a decrease. McVeigh said that currently Russell’s increase is nearly at 10%. Gateway Towns Advisory Committee co-chair Darlene McVeigh and Derrick Mason of Russell. (Photo by Amy Porter)
See Gateway Towns, Page 8
64th Annual WHS POPS Concert set for March 3, 4 By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – The 64th Annual POPS Concert, featuring the Westfield High School band, jazz band, junior varsity jazz band and jazz combo will be held on Friday and Saturday, March 3 and 4 at 7:30 in the Westfield High School gymnasium. Tickets are $10 for adults, and $5 for senior citizens and students. Appropriately entitled “When We’re 64,” a good part of the music will be centered around the Beatles, said WHS instrumental music director Patrick Kennedy. There will be three featured medleys recognizing different musical periods, including the early Beatles, Beatles Love, featuring pieces from the Cirque de Soleil soundtrack; and Abbey Road, a symphonic portrait with music from the end of the band’s career. Some of the highlights of the concert will include the JV jazz band performing “I want to hold your hand,” Twist and Shout,” and “Hey, Jude.” The jazz ensemble will play the Buddy Rich version of “Norwegian Wood,”
plus Paul McCartney’s “Live and Let Die” and “Something,” by George Harrison. The jazz combo and vocal combo will perform “In my Life,” and “Let it Be.” Other music at the concert will include songs from the movie “Beetlejuice,” and the concert will end with its classic closer, “Sentimental Journey” by the Dixieland band. Earlier on Friday, March 3, will be the Senior Citizen Lunch and Concert, with lunch at 11:15 a.m. followed by an abbreviated concert at 11:45 a.m. The event is funded by a grant from the Sarah Gillett Services for the Elderly, Inc. A limited number of tickets for the lunch and concert are still available at the Council on Aging. Lunch will be provided by family consumer science teacher Margeret Toomey and her culinary students. Kennedy said this will be one of the best POPS concerts in recent years, and he hopes to see a packed audience. “I’m proud of the way the kids are working. They are a special group of students,” Kennedy said.
PATRICK KENNEDY WHS instrumental music director