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TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 TUESDAY, JUNE THURSDAY, JULY27, 20,2017 2017
Westfield Police receive grant to reduce accidents By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—The city’s police department received a grant to help reduce car accidents in the city. The grant, which was for $25,000, came from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Highway Safety Division (EOPSS/HSD). The grant is going to be used for a Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), which Westfield Police Capt. Larry Valliere said will aim to reduce car accidents in certain problem areas. This effort is expected to include increased
traffic enforcement with additional personnel located in those areas. “We’ll pinpoint on the most serious problem areas and that’s where we will put our efforts,” Valliere said. According to paperwork on the grant provided by the Westfield Police Department: “[T]he STEP Grant provides funding for departments to conduct sustained, high-visibility, year-round traffic enforcement using data to focus sharply on specific times of year and days and locations when crashes and injuries are highest in their community.”
According to Valliere, the department will utilize the funds to attempt to fill 40 hours a week in additional enforcement. This could include utilizing radar and also stopping vehicles. Valliere said the effort will be to lower accidents, particularly rear-end collisions, which Valliere said happens frequently in Westfield, mostly due to three reasons. “Inattentiveness, aggressive driving and texting,” Valliere said. “Because it’s not always speed that causes collisions.” According to the grant paperwork, See Reducing Accidents, Page 3
Elm Street Notre Dame Street intersection.
Open space and recreation
Westfield Tech Aviation students will have presence at International Air Show
survey closes soon By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent WESTFIELD – The City of Westfield is in the process of updating the open space and recreation plan and city officials are reminding residents that July 31 is the last chance to complete the Open Space and Recreation Survey. The survey allows the community to give opinions on what would be best for future funding and policy decisions for open space and recreation. The Open Space and Planning Committee held a public session at North Middle School on June 21, 2017 enabling residents an opportunity to brainstorm ideas about what areas of town should be in the plan. Since the PVPC (Pioneer Valley Planning Commission) is leading the effort through a District Local Technical Assistance Grant, Jaimye Bartak, a Senior Planner for the organization, was at the public session to give a presentation and give residents information and awareness of the plan. If anyone is interested in taking the survey before it’s too late, visit the Open Space Plan page on the City of Westfield website in order to find out more information about the project.
At a public session meeting about the OSRP on June 21 at North Middle School, PVPC Senior Planner Jaimye Bartak discussed the project with residents. (WNG File Photo)
Celebrate Southwick on Saturday By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – Coming up this Saturday, Southwick residents and people visiting the area are reminded to check out any of the several events that will be occurring in town throughout the day. Starting the day is the 2nd Annual One Call Away Bike Ride and BBQ. Registration for the ride opens at 8am at Whalley Park with kick stands up for the 70-mile round trip motorcycle ride at 10:30 a.m. Riders are expected to return to Whalley Park around 2 p.m. During the trek through the Berkshires participants will take a break in Otis. It is $20 for interested riders and $15 for passengers. Once the bikers return, the family-style BBQ will start at 2:30 p.m. Other activities include a dunk tank, face painting, bounce house, pony rides, live music, vendors, a beer tent, and much more. The BBQ meal costs $10. A view of the Southwick Fireworks in the past years at Whalley Park. (Photo courtesy of Bill Curran). If some people aren’t as interested in the bike ride or the BBQ, the Mudfest at The Wick 338 motocross track is also occurring in the morning as the gates open up at 8 a.m. The mud flies will start at 10 a.m. It is $25 for a truck sign up and $40 for a UTV (Utility Task Vehicle) sign up. Admission for adults is $15 and kids who are 10-years-old and under are free. This event is scheduled to last until 6 p.m. While the Mud Fest is progressing into the late afternoon, the First Responders Appreciation Parade is going to kick off at 4 p.m. on 1 Hudson Drive. Another event put on by the One Call Away Foundation, this marks the See Celebrate Southwick, Page 3
By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Westfield Technical Academy’s Aviation Advisory Board met on Wednesday to hear updates on the Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) program and plans for their booth at the upcoming International Air Show at Barnes Municipal Airport on August 12 and 13. Assistant instructor Krysten Renihan and program coordinator Robert “R.J.” Horacek facilitated the meeting in the absence of committee chair Ken Dromgold and AMT instructor Galen Wilson. See Aviation, Page 3
R. J. Horacek, Steven Rawding, Aviation planner for MassDOT and Krysten Renihan. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Gateway Class of ’77 plans 40th reunion By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent HUNTINGTON-40 years. For members of the Class of 1977 at Gateway Regional High School, this fall’s get-together will be especially bittersweet. “Although it has been 40 years since we graduated high school, when I see my old classmates, it is like no time has passed at all and we pick up where we left off,” said Brenda (Emo) Gardner. Memories of “Greaser Night,” “Project Adventure,” “Gateway Gators,” and the class song, “Free Bird,” are etched in classmate’s minds and this fall they will be able to once again gather for an after-
noon and relive those carefree 70’s days. The reunion is planned Oct. 7 at the Westwood Restaurant & Pub, 94 North Elm St., Westfield. A social hour begins at 1 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres and a luncheon buffet at 2 p.m. The menu includes tossed salad, rolls and butter, Chicken Francais, citrus crumb scrod, seasoned vegetables, carrot and chocolate cakes. Tickets for the afternoon affair are $25 per person and reservations must be made by Sept. 22 by sending a check to Eileen Watson, 1 Aldrich Ave., Huntington, MA 01050. Checks should be made out to Eileen Watson.
For Mike Costello, who had been voted “class clown” by his peers, returning to the 40th reunion is a must. “I am starting to run out of places to talk about my grandchildren,” said Costello. “I know for a fact that this group is one of the most caring groups I could ever hope to find. I miss the love I once felt in what were to me hallowed halls.” Kathleen (Higgins) Curzon echoed those sentiments. “I’m looking forward to our reunion very much,” said Curzon. “There is a solid trust that remains with those you shared your child See Reunion, Page 3
Gateway’s Class of 1977 – with some members seen here five years ago in Huntington – will gather for its 40th reunion this fall in Westfield. In the front row with Eileen Watson, on left, are former Gateway teachers Betsy Barrows, Kenneth Barrows, and Robert Goewey. (Submitted photo).