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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
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‘Storm Chasers’ Goal – Save Lives By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD-From his screened-in porch, bolts of lightning and severe storms grabbed Danny Lorenzatti’s attention – and imagination – at a young age. “I have always been fascinated with weather,” said Lorenzatti on Tuesday night on the observation deck overlooking Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport. “I also liked to run outside and stare as the storm grew.” From those early beginnings, Lorenzatti, along with three friends, have harnessed that love for weather into a hobby as the Western Massachusetts Storm Chasers. Lorenzatti is joined by Chris Bovino of Wilbraham who works for Northwest IT Systems, Josh Rutola of Granville who works as an emergency dispatcher for the local police, fire and EMS service, and Peter Cowles of Westfield, who works in the city’s IT Department. “We all have full-time jobs,” said Lorenzatti, who serves on the Westfield Fire Department, as well as in domestic operations as part of the Barnes Air National Guard Base. “We all pride ourselves on accurate weather reporting on our Facebook page,” adding he is self-taught and uses a variety of applications (“apps”) and websites as resources when sending out Facebook posts. The men are all “certified storm spotters,” according to Lorenzatti. For Chris Bovino, who grew up in Westfield, his passion for studying the weather also started at an early age. He joined Lorenzatti at the observation deck for the interview – using an anemometer to check wind speed at Barnes.
“My parents always watched the local news and TV stations that encouraged people to call in weather conditions including snow totals,” said Bovino. “I would go outside and measure the snow, call in my total, and my name would appear on television. That was cool for a 7-year-old.” While thoughts of becoming a meteorologist faded over time, Bovino completed a certificate program in weather forecasting at Pennsylvania State University in addition to his regular studies. “It’s fun to take the knowledge I have about weather forecasting and educate others through our Facebook page,” said Bovino. Technology plays a major role in how weather is forecasted and the men relish the many apps and websites available at the tips of their fingers – from Skywarn, Storm, Radar Scope and the Storm Spotter Network to the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In addition, Cowles serves as the team’s ham radio operator through the Ham Radio Network. Danny Lorenzatti and Chris Bovino are members of the Western Massachusetts Storm Chasers. Lorenzatti holds a ham radio while Bovino checks the wind speed at the WestfieldBarnes Regional Airport on an anemometer on Tuesday night. “It is hard to chase weather so we have a lot of followers on Facebook who provide us with real-time information too,” said Lorenzatti, noting because of the area that each storm chaser lives in, weather patterns affecting Westfield See Storm Chasers, Page 8
Dr. Greg Forbes, a severe weather expert for The Weather Channel, center, is seen in 2012 with Danny Lorenzatti and Chris Bovino during the Southern New England Weather Conference. The three men spent 30 minutes discussing severe weather. (Submitted photo)
where presumption overshoots and diffidence falls short.” — GOLDA MEIR
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017
VOL. 86 NO. 112
“Ability hits the mark
Jax is seen with his handler, Southwick Police officer Tom Krutka. (Photo from Southwick Police Department)
Jax retires after 10 years of dedicated service to the community By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – In a release from the Southwick Police Department’s Facebook Page Monday afternoon, it was announced that the department’s K-9, Jax, has retired after 10 years of service. Starting his career in Southwick back in May of 2007, Jax’s retirement will be effective May 31, 2017. The decision was made by his long-time handler, Southwick police officer Tom Krutka. The department was saddened that it was time for Jax to retire but quite appreciative of what the K-9 has meant for them. “I can’t say enough good things about the dog and how useful he has been to the department,” said Chief David Ricardi. Krutka complimented Jax’s tremendous talents on the job. “Jax was an exceptional narcotics dog,” said Krutka. “He got that reputation early in our career.” Jax was involved in numerous operations. He not only worked with Krutka for the Southwick Police Department but for the Hampden County Task Force, Federal Task Force, and surrounding communities like Westfield, Agawam, and Suffield. One of Jax’s proudest moments as a K-9 dog came in 2014 when he assisted in the largest drug bust in Agawam’s history. On October 17, 2014, police seized 118 pounds of marijuana and $1.1 million in cash. Along with police officers from several departments and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Agents, Krutka and Jax helped with a search warrant at a specific location in Agawam.
By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—The city’s fire department chief, Mary Regan, urges residents to use caution when being solicited for donations. The suggestion came after Regan said the department was approached by a resident who had reportedly received a letter in the mail asking for a donation for the Firefighters Charitable Foundation (FFCF). According to Regan, the foundation does not work with the Westfield Fire Department and WESTFIELD any donations made may not necessarFIRE CHIEF ily benefit the local department. MARY REGAN “Someone came in with a letter in hand and wanted to be sure it’s something we were doing,” Regan said. “We don’t know anything about it and it’s not associated with anything we are doing.” Regan added that the department is not soliciting for any charitable contributions at this time. According to the FFCF website’s “Our Mission” page, the foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that “provides direct aid to victims of fire or disaster, other non-profit agencies, and volunteer fire departments. FFCF is not a union or a representative of individual firefighters or their departments.” An initial request for an interview was not granted by FFCF at the time of this article.
Public servants in the city given thanks By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—The city’s mayor, as well as the human resources department and Sen. Don Humason’s office, gave thanks to the many public servants in the city yesterday. In an event at Westfield city hall yesterday afternoon, Mayor Brian Sullivan and Drew Renfroe, representative from Sen. Humason’s office, gave proclamations to many of the city’s public service unions, as well as coffee and cake, to honor the city’s public servants. The act was done in conjunction with National Public Service Recognition Week, which takes place from May 7 to May 13. “We wanted to do something different to say thank you,” Sullivan said during the event to the many public servants attending. “Through our office and Humason’s office, we want to say thank you.” Employees from throughout the city were lined up down the hall near the Mayor’s office to witness and receive the proclamations. Sullivan addressed the crowd, suggesting that often gratuity is not extended enough. “I’m not sure with phone calls you get told thank you enough,” Sullivan said. “Whether it’s the potholes, tree trimming, trash collection…as mayor, I understand the hard work you do.” Renfroe, who also spoke briefly, agreed with Sullivan. “Public servants receive a lot of calls, a lot of angry calls,” he said. “But public servants aren’t recognized enough.” Among those in attendance were members of the Westfield Fire Department, Police Department, Department of Public Works, Personnel and employees of the Westfield Public Schools. See Servants, Page 5
See Jax, Page 3
Rep. Velis speaks out against Sugary-Drink Tax WESTFIELD – Representative John Velis has denounced a proposed surtax on sugary-drinks as harmful to middle-class taxpayers and small businesses. The bill in question, proposed by Senator Lewis of Winchester, would put a tax on drinks with high levels of sugar- up to $0.02 per ounce on drinks with more than 20 grams per 12-ounces. It would be the first statewide legislation of its kind meant to reduce sugar consumption and obesity by making consumers think twice before purchasing a soda or
juice with added sugar. “I support the overall intent of the bill, but I can’t support a new tax that would take more money out of the pockets of hard-working taxpayers and the small business community. Two cents doesn’t seem like much these days, but when you add it up, the cost of your average 20-ounce Coke will increase by $0.40,” said Representative Velis. “If taxpayers still choose to drink it, they’ll pay more, but if they opt out because of the tax, the business has lost a sale. It’s no good for
anyone.” The tax is largely considered to be regressive, meaning that it will hit those on the lower end of the income scale more. For example, where a wealthier family may choose to drink fresh juice, a middleclass family will usually opt for the less expensive option with added sugar. Additionally, a tax of over a dollar on a jug of lemonade would hit the wallets of See Tax, Page 3
REP. JOHN VELIS