Search for The Westfield News
WEATHER TONIGHT Cloudy with possible t-storm. Low of 57.
The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
“We are minor in
everything but our passions.” — ELIZABETH BOWEN
www.thewestfieldnews.com 75 cents
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016
VOL. 85 NO. 129
Providence Arboretum seen as ‘icon’ for future generations By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD-Nineteen serene and contemplative acres that surround the Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center will soon be blessed with another gift – the Providence Arboretum. Genesis officials will officially dedicate and bless the Providence Arboretum, an official ArbNet Level I Arboretum, at 2 p.m. on June 12. The blessing is open to the public. As visitors follow the winding driveway into Genesis, they will be surrounded by more than 400 specimens of woody plants, including the 35 species that comprise the core plan collection of the Arboretum that will provide solace for generations to come. “Mystery in the lives of the trees is there for our discovery because they simply reflect the mystery in our own lives,” said Sister Elizabeth Oleksak, Foundress of Genesis. The Sisters of Providence have ministered on the Mill Street property for 80 years and Genesis itself is celebrating its 40th year of creating an atmosphere which reveals the love of God for all creation and brings hope and healing to all who come, noted Oleksak. A 40th anniversary celebration at Genesis is planned this fall. Oleksak said the “mission” of the Providence Arboretum is to “raise awareness of the interconnectedness of all creation, infused with the Divine energy that makes us all One.” Additionally, the Arboretum’s “vision” invites all who come to experience the trees, individually and collectively, as a living icon – a visible reflection of the invisible. In the same spirit as Laudato Si’, the second encyclical of Pope Francis, subtitled, On Care for Our Common Home, the Arboretum is a place for people to receive the See Arboretum, Page 3
Parks & Rec programs run gamut from the arts to sports By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD-The city’s Parks and Recreation Department offers a wide variety of programs throughout the year for kids starting at age three, including special events that involve both parents and children. While program coordinator Jim Blascak’s son, Brooks, age two, is still too young to participate in programming, by three, “he’ll be ready” says Blascak. “Brooks already has a hockey stick, golf clubs, soccer and basketballs,” said Blascak, a lifelong resident who has served with the department for 13 years. “One of the reasons I enjoy my role is that we offer a lot of youth activities for all abilities,” said Blascak, adding that some programming is not based on competition. “Some of our programs have a non-competitive side,” said Blascak. One popular program that involves both parents and chilWestfield Parks & dren is the Father/Son and Recreation Department Mother/Daughter miniature golf program coordinator Jim tournaments. Now in its 15th Blascak is seen at Golf year, the tournaments are slated Acres where the popular June 18 at Golf Acres on Union miniature golf tournaSee Parks & Rec, Page 3 ment is slated June 18.
The two graduates from Mass. Fire Academy. (Photos provided by Westfield Fire Department)
Westfield looks to welcome two new firefighters By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD–The Westfield Fire Department is looking forward to welcoming two new graduates from the Mass. Fire Academy. Eric Liptak and Michael Sedlak are expected to graduate from the Mass. Fire Academy Tuesday, June 7. They have already been hired by the department, and as part of their conditions of employment they had one year to complete the Fire Academy. “It’s basic training for firefighters,” Westfield Fire Chief Mary Regan said about the Fire Academy. “They go through physical tests, ventilating roofs, hydraulics, what they need to do and how to work as a team–they learn how to be a firefighter.” The program runs for 10 weeks, and covers what is known as “Firefighter training one and two” to many firefighters and emergency personnel. In addition to the tasks listed above, the recruits learn about hazardous material recognition and response, interacting with fire and wrap up class with what firefighters call a “live burn”–where recruits enter an actively burning building at the Academy and go through all the actions of a firefighter in blaze.
However, Liptak and Sedlak will be expected to do more than fight fires when they come back from training. According to Regan, about 77 percent of the responses that the Westfield Fire Department does annually is on the emergency medical services (EMS) side. In 2015, Westfield ambulances responded to almost 6,000 calls, which included providing additional services to surrounding cities and towns. The total amount of calls needing response from fire apparatuses was 1,578. Also, the ambulances in Westfield operate at an advanced life support (ALS) level, meaning they are staffed by paramedics. What this means is that they have the ability to do more than basic treatments, and are provided with medications and advanced protocols. And so this means that firefighters need even more training to be on an ambulance. For the two newcomers, Sedlak is already paramedic-certified and Liptak is in the process of becoming certified, according to Regan. “We would prefer paramedic certification in Westfield because everyone serves as a firefighter,” Regan said. As a whole, the department is staffed by 89 firefighters, 38 of which are currently paramedics.
Michael Sedlak in his “turnout” gear, which is gear firefighters typically wear into a fire.
Eric Liptak in his “turnout” gear, which is gear firefighters typically wear into a fire.
Westfield construction updates By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—As the thumping and grinding of construction equipment continue to pummel the earth and our eardrums downtown, The Westfield News discussed the status and future of several projects downtown with two key planners in the city – City Engineer Mark Cressotti and City Advancement Officer Joe Mitchell. HERE IS A RECAP OF THE DISCUSSIONS. From Mark Cressotti, city engineer: • Regarding the Gas Light District, construction efforts will be continuing through the summer and up until at least Dec. Cressotti said though, “we’re going to wrap up as soon as possible,” giving residents some hope. • Summer Street and Spring Street will have continuing work done on them, as Westfield Gas and Electric and Public Works work on the infrastructure of the two streets. Currently, the two sit unpaved but traffic has been traveling on them. • Scheduling and elongating work will happen, in part because of the coordination efforts of Westfield Gas and Electric and the city, Cressotti said. Gas and Electric will be putting certain equipment underground during the times
The intersection of Spring Street and Summer Street, where the roads are currently unpaved. of construction, which may further delay projects. • The Pocket Park, which is in front of The Hangar on Church Street, will start to be under construction in the coming weeks. • Work progresses at North Elm Street and Notre Dame Street, but according to Cressotti there are some delays regarding coordination of the project, but it will be moving forward. Expect to continue to see traffic delays
“Retirement living the way you’ve always imagined” The Pioneer Valley’s BesT reTiremenT CommuniTy sinCe 1995 One Sawmill Park Southwick, MA 01077 Phone: (413) 569-1215 or (888) 569-6155 www.theamericaninn.net
Mon-Fri 9 to 5 Sat & Sun 12 to 4
going through there until further notice. • The Western Avenue project is being constrained by money from the state government, Cressotti said. This has resulted in the project being moved out a year. • Franklin Street repaving will be identified in the Mayoral budget to be addressed. This effort will be reflected in the FY 2017 budget, which begins See Construction, Page 3