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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 85 NO. 236
The Westfield News will run its masthead in pink, in recognition of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2016
Westfield seeks input on priorities for $1.3M CPA funds
Side view of the infrared asphalt truck.
New infrared asphalt truck coming soon to Westfield By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD–The Department of Public Works is putting the finishing touches on getting their new infrared asphalt truck up and running. The vehicle is expected back from final repairs in the next few days at which point crew members will learn how to operate the new machine. The technology was produced by Kasi Infrared and crew members will be taught about the vehicle from the same company. The vehicle cost about $180,000 for the city, but it is expected to reduce the amount of road repairs needed, as well reduce the amount of manpower and other benefits, which offsets its cost. “Patches used to get replaced in a year or a month,” Francis Cain from the Department of Public Works said. “With the new infrared technology repairs will last significantly longer.” The existing form of asphalt repair is known as “patch-and-go,” which means that the potholes are filled with asphalt and the crews move on. This form of pothole repair though, can cause issues. With current asphalt patching, the repair has seams around and under the patch, which causes water to enter under it. This can lift or loosen the asphalt, especially with high amounts of mois-
ture or frost heaves during the winter months. Additionally, the asphalt can also come loose from traffic going over the asphalt. For instance, when you drive your car over asphalt you may hear pebbles pinging off the metal of your car’s undercarriage, and that is the asphalt wearing away. Other traffic can include snow plows, which Public Works employees suggest can wipe away an entire patch at once. With the infrared technology, the existing asphalt that needs repair is heated by infrared that’s on a 6 feet by 9 feet platform that is lowered down over the area. This platform heats the asphalt to over 350 F and loosens it to the point where workers can scarify, or break up, the surface with rakes as far as 3 inches deep. From here, the new asphalt mixture is added to the existing asphalt and is leveled. Then, some additional oils and a spray are used to help maintain the mixture and to seal it. According to Brian Cheddar, sales manager for Kasi and the man who will be educating the crews on the technology, this process creates a seal for the repair through “thermal bonding.” This bonding creates a seamless repair, which does not allow for moisture to get under the See Infrared, Page 3
Westfield man settles police brutality lawsuit against Hartford police officers NEW HAVEN – The City of Hartford has settled a lawsuit against three police officers accused of illegally entering an apartment and beating a man before and after he was handcuffed. Lawyers in the case told a federal judge in New Haven on Tuesday the civil case against the Hartford officers was settled. Terms haven’t been disclosed. Jonathan Bussolari, of Westfield, Massachusetts, says the officers entered his girlfriend’s apartment in Hartford without permission while responding to a noise complaint in November 2012. He said the officers beat him without provocation and smashed his face into doors and walls. Bussolari said he suffered facial wounds, a concussion and eye damage. Officers William Gorman, Justin Nelson and Peter Shon said in court documents Bussolari resisted arrest. They deny using excessive force.
By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – On Thursday, October 13, the Community Preservation Committee will conduct a public informational hearing on the needs, possibilities and resources of the City regarding projects locally funded through the Community Preservation Act (CPA). The meeting will take place at 7:00 PM in Room 201 at City Hall, and the public is encouraged to attend. Westfield voters adopted the Community Preservation Act in 2002, allowing a 1% CPA surcharge on property tax bills (and enabling supplemental state funding not available to non-CPA communities). CPA funds are used for acquiring, improving or preserving land for open space and recreation; preserving and restoring historic resources; and creating and supporting community housing. The Community Preservation Committee recommends how these local CPA funds are spent on qualified public or private projects. A Community Preservation Plan, available at www.cityofwestfield.org is being developed to evaluate funding requests and to guide the Committee’s efforts. The purpose of the public hearing is to get taxpayers’ input on what types of projects they would like to see funded through the CPA, according to Jay Vinsky, principal planner for Westfield. “Hopefully, some people will show up, (so we can) further refine the priorities the Community Preservation Committee should be focusing on. They’re looking for input,” Vinsky said. According to Vinsky, there is just over $1.3 million total in local CPA funds. Remaining from the FY17 appropriation is $55,000 that is restricted for open space projects, $55,000 for housing projects, and $55,000 for open space, housing, historic or
MOSELEY STREET SCHOOL recreation projects. Unspent funds from previous years include $52,495 for open space projects, $282,620 for housing projects and $817,956 for open space, housing, historic or recreation projects. In addition to that total, this year’s state match is yet to be determined. Last year, Westfield received $119,720, a 29.7% match, Vinsky said. The money must be used for CPAapproved projects. The most recent projects funded through the CPA were $200,000 for the Moseley Street School renovation for affordable housing, and $850,000 for renovations at the Westfield Athenaeum, approved at the September 1 City Council meeting. Vinsky said they want to hear some feedback from the taxpayers on whether they are doing the right thing with the funds, which are collected on taxpayer bills. The City is a member of the Community Preservation Coalition, which maintains a statewide searchable CPA Projects Database where a list of all of Westfield’s CPA projects through FY2016 can be found.
Beatlemania returns to city
Rotary Club recipients Dave Sutton, Rich Anderson, and Kathryn Chandler, pose for a picture at Tucker’s Restaurant for the ceremony. (Photo by Greg FItzpatrick)
Southwick Rotary Club honors three recipients By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Rotary Club awarded three recipients at Tuckers Restaurant on Wednesday night with the 2016 Community Service Recognition. Kathryn Chandler, Rick Anderson, and Dave Sutton were all honored for the work that they have done throughout the community. Ellen Miles was the Coordinator for the event and is also the Chairman of Vocational and Community Service for the Rotary Club. Miles also noted that this year is the 20th year the Rotary Club has been holding this event. District Governor of the Rotary Club, Frank Wargo, was present at the event to support the Southwick Rotary Club. Wargo noted what the theme was for this year’s Rotary Club. See Rotary Honors, Page 3
WESTFIELD – Tickets are selling fast for the “Keep Music Education Alive” event scheduled for November 10th. The Westfield High School Band is hosting Beatlemania in a benefit concert in the high school’s auditorium to raise funds to support music education in the school. The Beatlemania Stage Show will be performing the complete Beatles experience from the Ed Sullivan day’s right through the Magical Mystery Tour, Sgt. Pepper and Abbey Road with original costume changes and authentic Beatles instruments. The musicians from Beatlemania have performed professionally alongside the likes of Carly Simon, Hall and Oates, BJ Thomas, Kiss, Todd Rundgren and others. Band members have also written songs with Cher, Billy Joel, Michael Bolton, Joan Jett and several movie sound tracks which included “Wayne’s World”,” Light of Day” and others. The concert will be held November 10 at 7:30 PM. The Westfield High School music students will be performing live with the Beatlemania musicians during the concert on WHS Music Director Pat Kennedy said “This event is both educational and a fun way for the Westfield High School Band to raise money and will be a great experience for the students to perform with a professional group of musicians.” The proceeds will be used to support
Westfield High School’s music program that enrolls students in the band and orchestra. The Westfield High School band has over 100 students enrolled in the school music program. Concert promoter Paul Lococo said, “You never know who will be the next John, Paul, George or Ringo or in fact the next number one hit group.” Tickets for the show are available on line atwww.purplepass.com, at Rocky’s Ace Hardware on Main St. and The Press Room on School St. or by calling 800-316-8559. “Tickets are expected to sell out quickly with only 750 seats availble in this intimate venue for concert goers. Three years ago Beatlemania sold out the Westfield auditorium so buy your tickets early.”Stated Lococo.
The Westfield High School Band is hosting Beatlemania in a benefit concert Thursday, Nov. 10.