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www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 86 NO. 15
“Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality.” — EDGAR ALLAN POE
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017
L&O recommends step increases for City Council salaries By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – The Legislative & Ordinance Committee, comprised of Ward 2 Councilor Ralph J. Figy, chair; Ward 4 Councilor Mary O’Connell and Ward 6 Councilor William Onyski met on Tuesday to discuss the motion of Council President Brent B. Bean, II and At-large Councilor Dave Flaherty to raise the salary of the city councilors by $3,000. Flaherty and At-large Councilor Dan Allie were also in attendance at the meeting. “Instead of laying out out the
money, do you want to do a percentage?” asked O’Connell. “Brent and I have discussed this for several years. Last time, I killed it, because I didn’t think we were doing right by the budget. Now I think we are,” Flaherty said. He said the total increase would be only ($39,000) out of a $125 million city budget. Flaherty said he did comparisons with similar-sized cities in the Commonwealth. Westfield councilors receive $10,000 per year. Salem councilors receive $12,000; Holyoke and Brockton, $15,000. In Chicopee,
councilors are paid $12,000 to $14,250, depending on their duties and chairmanships. In Everett, which Flaherty said is very comparable to Westfield, Councilors receive $19,000 per year, and in Springfield, $19,500. Worcester topped the list, with councilors receiving $31,444 per year. Flaherty said he would like to offer the following proposal for Westfield: $13,000 salary in 2018, $13,500 in 2020, $14,000 in 2022, $14,500 in 2024, and $15,000 in See Salaries, Page 3
Chief Ricardi’s contract renewal approved by Select Board
New airport manager lands atBy DAN Barnes DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD–Eric Billowitz will have his hands full with a lot of tasks and information as the new manager of Barnes Regional Airport, but before all that comes another concern–coffee. “Right now I’m worried about how to make a cup of coffee and how the phones work,” Billowitz said. “There’s a ramp-up period to the position.” Indeed, the position of airport manager is a difficult one–even with knowing how to make a proper cup of coffee and how the phones work– but Billowitz and others feel that he is ready for the job. He comes into the position with over two decades of experience in aviation management and high expectations from several city officials, including the Barnes Airport Commission. Among those experiences were new business deals for airports he worked for and successfully acquiring a $40 million grant for another. The commission chose Billowitz after their initial choice–Marcelo Lima, of Birmingham–chose not to take the position. Billowitz was also considered for the position during the screening process, but he had to cancel his interview with the city due to the aforementioned $40 million grant he was attempting to wrangle in Rochester, New York, at the time, thus taking him out of contention for the position. However, Lima’s declination of the position allowed Billowitz to interview for the position later, and the commission felt this was beneficial for the airport. “It was a positive surprise because he wasn’t in the original round but he is a great choice for the city,” See Barnes, Page 3
Middle Pond, on Congamond Lake, has open ice due to the recently warmer temperatures. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
Town officials making the public aware of the dangers on the ice By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Police Department made a post on their Facebook Page, in regards to the dangers of open water on Congamond Lake during the winter. On Jan. 13, Southwick Police released the statement on their page: “Due to the abnormally high temperatures the last few days and nights, and warmer than normal temps being forecast for next week, the ice on all three ponds is extremely thin.” DPW engineer and Chairman of the Lake Management Committee for the town of Southwick, Dick Grannells believes that Middle Pond is looking the worst. “Middle Pond has a lot of open water,” said Grannells. Grannells explained how parts of the ice on Congamond Lake can be vulnerable to open water when warmer temperatures arrive. He said that there are two culverts on the lake that go from North Pond to Middle Pond, See Dangerous Ice, Page 3
By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK- At this week’s Select Board meeting, Southwick Police Chief David Ricardi was given a contract renewal by the Select Board and the town’s Chief Administrative Officer. The motion was made to reappoint Chief Ricardi through June 30, 2018. The original negotiations for extending Ricardi’s contract, started at a special town meeting last year. Once the vote was approved at the special town meeting, the state legisla- Southwick Police ture had to approve it in the fall of 2016. Chief Dave Ricardi Until then, the town couldn’t take action until gets a contract Tuesday’s Select Board meeting. Town offi- renewal that will cials are pleased that they have finally been extend to June 30, able to move forward with Ricardi’s contract. 2018. (WNG File Photo) “The Select Board and I are very thankful that David (Ricardi) will be able to finish his service with the town,” said Karl Stinehart, the town’s Chief Administrative Officer. Ricardi has been the Chief of Police since 2013 and is looking See Contract, Page 3
A way to bring awareness to drug addiction needs your help By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—The Westfield Drug Task Force is seeking new locations for its Wall of Healing and Hope. The wall, which is used to bring awareness to drug addiction and its victims, has been seen in several local places and will continue to be around the city for the foreseeable future. However, the wall needs new places to be put after their newest location and Kathy Sitler, the director of the task force, is looking for people to give the wall a new temporary home. “The wall was actually created in an effort to give people a tangible place where they can come and grieve or reflect, to pay tribute to a loved one who has passed away due to addiction, but also it was created to give people a message of hope,” Sitler See Addiction, Page 8
Author shares importance of strong female characters By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD-Blue Umbrella Books will host Berkshire author Paula Sharon on Jan. 19 for a discussion on the importance of strong female characters in teen fiction. “Using examples from popular young adult and new adult literature, television and movies, Ms. Sharon will explore the social impact of this rising trend,” said Jessica Martin, owner of Blue Umbrella Books at 2 Main St. During the 6 to 7 p.m. event, Sharon will also share her journey, and why, as a grandmother, she writes books for teens. Sharon is the award-winning author of almost
Eric Billowitz, Barnes Regional Airport manager.
L&O Committee members Mary O’Connell, Ralph J. Figy, chair and William Onyski.
Meet teen fiction See Author, Page 3 author Paula Sharon tonight.
Westfield water quality information data expected By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD— A plethora of water quality related data was released to The Westfield News on Wednesday and as we continue to provide you, the resident, with news and information, be aware that sometimes this takes more time. With that in mind, we are currently going through the documents and data about Westfield’s water, and will expect to bring you the story in Saturday’s edition of The Westfield News, so be sure to grab yourself a copy.