Search for The Westfield News
WEATHER TONIGHT Clear skies. Low of 67.
The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
“Suspense is
worse than disappointment.” — ROBERT BURNS
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 85 NO. 170
THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2016
75 cents
City man arrested after car chase
E-Z Pass Transponder Give-Away at the Westfield Senior Center a success WESTFIELD — The Department of Transportation assisted with applications and distribution of E-Z Pass Transponders Thursday, July 21, at the Westfield Senior Center. The free transponder was offered to participants of any age from Westfield and the surrounding communities.
By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD–After a Westfield man was allegedly caught speeding by Westfield Police, he attempted to get away and police said he swapped seats with his passenger during the pursuit. Franscisco Jesus Echevarria, 18, was arrested Tuesday evening and charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, failure to stop for police, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and speeding. Police said that they were traveling down Meadow Street when Echevarria, who was driving a 2006 Hyundai Elantra, allegedly drove by them at around 50 MPH. The posted speed limit on Meadow Street can range from 30 MPH to 35 MPH. FRANSCISCO Police said that they turned on JESUS their emergency lights and began to ECHEVARRIA follow the Elantra. Police allege that Echevarria however, refused to pull over. Instead, police allege that Echevarria led police on a chase west down Meadow Street to Union Avenue, refusing to pull over to sirens and commands and swerving several times, including between cars. During this time, police also alleged that Echevarria somehow got out of his seat and managed to swap with his unnamed female passenger so that she was allegedly driving and he was not. Police were able to stop the vehicle–which was by now being allegedly operated by the female–at the railroad trestle on Union Avenue when traffic was reportedly too heavy to bypass. Police arrested Echevarria and reportedly did not pursue charges against the unnamed female.
Town of Southwick announces new Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – The Select Board meeting on Monday July 11 included a session in which interviews took place. That same night, a decision was made. It was announced that a vacancy would be filled for the Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds for the Town of Southwick. Robert Johnson, a resident of Southwick, has been hired as the new supervisor, taking over for John Westcott, who previously held the position. Westcott will currently continue to be a part of the department before he steps down, as he is in progress with an old project. As the decision was made on July 11 that Johnson would become the new supervisor, he is expected to officially start working on July 25. Johnson will get his foot in the door working half-days before he starts his first week of full-time work beginning on Aug. 1. Johnson has an extensive background ranging from experience right in the Southwick community as well as positions outside the town. Having been a member of the Planning Board, Board of Water Commissioners, and Board of Assessors, Johnson is familiar with the role of town government in Southwick. “It helps with working with the people in the town hall,” said Johnson. “It helps with understanding the systems.” On July 19, Johnson resigned from the Board of Accessors in order to now become a town employee. Being in the landscaping business since 1989, Johnson has been able to deal with managing properties besides just doing the physical aspect of landscaping. “I was more of a property manager, I think than anything,” said Johnson. “We dealt with a lot of internal stuff, versus just outside work.” The background experience outside Southwick extends to Johnson’s 21 years of military service with the National
Flood pump station nearing readiness By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—The newly renovated Williams Riding Way Flood Control Pump Station underwent tests and is operational in an emergency, according to the Westfield Flood Commission. The tests were run yesterday morning by the Westfield Flood Commission. The renovations were done on the pump station that was last renovated in 1955, which was the same year as one of Westfield’s largest ever floods. Among those in attendance were Mayor Brian Sullivan, City Engineer Mark Cressotti and Ward 1 City Councilor Mary Ann Babinski. Cressotti said that the renovations cost
around $1.2 to $1.3 million and have been going for about two years. He stressed that the pump station is not officially open, but that the fiscal side of the project is complete. Barry Plumley, co-chairman of the Westfield Flood Commission, said that the renovations were in dire need for the pump station. “They had gas-driven engines installed right after the 1955 flood when they got it done,” Plumley said. “From then it hasn’t been maintained and has been neglected.” Cressotti echoed this sentiment when speaking to those in attendance. See Pump Station, Page 7
All three pumps.
See Supervisor, Page 7
Review: ‘Pirates of Penzance’ at Barrington Stage By MARK G. AUERBACH Correspondent A couple of years ago, Barrington Stage sent its production of On The Town to Broadway, receiving rave reviews and some Tony Award nominations for the Pittsfield theatre. This season, Barrington Stage reassembled the team to present the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Pirates of Penzance. This 1879 New York hit, revised by Joseph Papp’s New York Shakespeare Festival almost one hundred years later, is one of the unexpected summer delights, and a must-see in Pittsfield through August 13. The Pirates of Penzance, which unlike other Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, made its debut in New York before moving to London, has been performed frequently on both sides of the Atlantic ever since. However, when Papp revised the musical,
adding some musical snippets from other Gilbert and Sullivan hits, Ruddigore and HMS Pinafore, and casting rocker Linda Ronstadt in her Broadway debut, alongside teen idol Rex Smith, and movie star Kevin Kline, The Pirates of Penzance returned to Broadway with SRO status. Director John Rando has cast The Pirates of Penzance with some of Broadway’s and London’s brightest talents; and cleverly set them in action onstage and throughout the theatre. Darren R. Cohen’s musical direction brings out the best of Sullivan’s score, which sounds surprisingly “current”. A fine example is David Garrison’s “I Am The Very Model of a Modern General” is a patter song with hints of Sondheim, for example, mixed in with a cadence of Lin Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. Joshua Bergasse’s choreography keeps the ensemble moving non-stop,
and his dance numbers or the police are showstoppers. The Pirates of Penzance feels fresh and new, with simply dazzling staging, on a par with just about anything on Broadway today. Broadway’s Tony nominee Will Swenson, with his matinee idol good looks and cartoonish swagger, is a highly comedic Pirate King. Kyle Dean Massey, direct from Broadway’s Pippin and the national tour that played Hartford last year, is an appealing Frederick with a rich voice. David Garrison is a polished Major General. Jane Carr gives a satisfying performance as Ruth, the woman who raised Frederick. I loved Scarlett Strallen’s performance as Mabel, with a powerful coloratura soprano and a winsome demeanor. Kyle Dean Massey and Will Swenson in The Pirates of Alex Gibson’s physical dexterity as the Penzance at Pittsfield’s Barrington Stage. (Photo by Kevin See Pirates, Page 7 Sprague)