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Traffic commission makes decision on two city roads By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—The city’s traffic commission has made decisions on two roads that residents have had complaints about recently. The Westfield Traffic Commission has determined that no further action will be made on Honey Pot Road and Root Road following traffic studies on the roads. The roads have been the topic of some complaints from residents who live on and around them in past meetings. Regarding Honey Pot Road, two traffic studies were done after residents brought concerns forth about multiple turns on the road and drivers allegedly traveling them in excess of the posted speed limit. The commission responded, conducting a traffic study and lowering the speed limit from 30 MPH to 25 MPH. However, there were still requests to lower it further, going as low as 20 MPH. Traffic Commission member and Westfield Police Chief John Camerota said that the determination to not lower Honey Pot Road again was made following the findings of the two traffic studies. “The reports would indicate no further action on our part,” he said. According to Camerota, an average of 210 vehicles per day were traveling the road during the study, which showed that
traffic not related to those who live on the road may be low. Camerota said that there are about 36 homes on the road, and if two people leave the homes and come back, that totals 174 trips on the road, which would leave about 36 trips not to or from residences, according to Camerota’s estimations. In addition, he said that there was “not a lot of speeding” during the time of the studies. The two studies took place over a total of five days, first from Aug. 28 beginning at 9:30 a.m., to Aug. 31 at 9:45 a.m., then a second from Sept. 5 at 10:30 a.m. until Sept. 7 at 12:45 p.m. Regarding Root Road, Camerota said that the traffic commission will also not change the speed limit from 40 MPH to 30 MPH on the road after a traffic study showed low amounts of speeding on the thoroughfare. The road was previously given areas of “No Parking” as a result of resident concerns but a speed limit change was not done. “Right now I don’t see enough to make a move towards 30 [MPH] but that could change,” Camerota said. “We’ll look at it, I promise you we’ll look at it.” However, Camerota said that most operators are comfortable with the current speed limit. According to the traffic study, 659 total vehicles were recorded traveling on Root Road from July 26 at 9:15 a.m., to July 28 at 11:15 a.m.
Huntington resident concerned about town’s commitment to designated scenic roads By AMY PORTER Correspondent HUNTINGTON – Jill Gaitenby Eldredge of Tucker Road in Huntington came before the Board of Selectmen on Wednesday to ask if the town was committed to maintaining its historic scenic roads. Eldredge said that she grew up on Tucker Road, and had ancestors in the area going back to the 1700’s. Her father, William Gaitenby started the Huntington Historical Society, of which she is a member. She said that Tucker Road and Sampson Road, both dirt roads, were designated as scenic roads at the Annual Town Meeting in May, 1994. According to Article 19 that year, which passed 42 to 24, the designation was given “to preserve the natural character and physical appearance of said roads; and to instruct the Planning Board, in exercising its responsibilities hereunder, to take into consideration sound planning principles, aesthetic considerations and preservation of natural resources, as well as public safety.” Eldredge said no other discussion was recorded. According to Mass General Law 15C, after a road has been designated as a scenic road any repair, maintenance, reconstruction or paving work done shall not include the cutting or removal of trees, or the tearing down or destruction of stone walls except with the prior written consent of the planning board, after a public hearing to be held prior to the work being done. Eldredge said her two main concerns involved the widening of Tucker Road at her property frontage and stone wall, and whether the town is committed to maintaining its historic scenic roads. She said in the 1990’s, she moved the stone wall above ground and five foot back. She said the highway department under the previous superintendent gouged into the base of the former stone wall and removed stones from it, and widened the road for trucks. Eldredge said she was concerned about her 200 feet of frontage and that the recreational value of the road has been diminished for walkers, joggers and horseback riders due to widen-
The Westfield Traffic Commission during yesterday’s meeting. Of those vehicles, 517–which was about 78 percent–actually traveled below the 40 MPH speed limit, while 111 traveled over the speed limit. Of the 111 that exceeded the speed limit, 13 went faster than 45 MPH. Camerota acknowledged that activity on the road has been increasing however, and said that another traffic study would be done and that residents will be heard. “As we hear complaints we’re taking measures and we’ll continue to look at it,” he said.
Southwick Police receive reports of multiple car break-ins
Jill Eldredge of Tucker Road in Huntington asked selectmen to recommit to its historic scenic road designation. ing. She said that more recently the DPW removed another two feet of bank in front of her wall, along with the fill that she had placed in it, in order to install a ditch for drainage. Huntington Highway Superintendent Charles Dazelle said he did not take two feet of bank from the road, and there was still 5-6 feet from the stone wall to the ditch. He said the road has been the same width all the way down. He also said the road is all rock, and needs a good foot of gravel . “It’s complicated to do anything on the road,” Dazelle said. Selectman Darlene McVeigh asked if the regulations would allow the road to be tarred. Eldredge said the regulations state that scenic roads can be tarred, but half of the residents living there don’t want it, due to increased speeds. She said the speed limit should be no more than 15mph on the road. McVeigh asked Dazelle when he was planning to go back up to Tucker for more work. He said the soonest would be in April of 2018. He told Eldredge he would be happy to get together with her then, and move the ditch out. Chair Edward Renauld suggested that Eldredge get together meanwhile with the Planning Board to create a town bylaw for scenic roads, similar to one from Weston, MA that she had shown them. Selectman Karon Hathaway said she would be tagging onto Article 19 that was approved in 1994. Renauld asked Eldredge to make sure she worked with the DPW on the bylaw. “It’s not just going to be for Tucker Road,” he said.
By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – On Tuesday evening, the Southwick Police Department issued a notice through social media about receiving multiple reports this week of car break-ins. According to the statement, the car breaks-ins have occurred in the West section of town. Det. Sgt. Robert Landis went on to say that all of the reports took place on streets off of main roads where there is not a lot of motor vehicle traffic, other than vehicles that live in those neighborhoods. It was reported that the doors of all of the vehicles broken into were unlocked and in some instances the keys were left in the
ignition. The suspected thieves took money, purses, credit cards, and electronic devices. Landis is asking residents to look out for each other and make sure their vehicles and belongings are secure. “People need to be a little more vigilant,” said Landis. “It’s important for people living in these areas to report things out of place.” The Southwick Police Department sent out a town-wide announcement last night to notify residents of the reported car breakins and to be on the lookout. While police are looking into a few leads, this investigation is ongoing.
WSU addresses discriminatory display WESTFIELD – A Westfield State University student posted to social media Tuesday evening images of offensive language of a discriminatory nature that was found written on campus. The University has stated that the incident is being investigated and those found responsible for these actions will be held accountable and disciplined. Dr. Ramon Torrecilha, President of Westfield State University issued the following statement to student and all staff members of the university: “Dear Campus Community: It has been brought to my attention that discriminatory and highly offensive language has been posted on a message board outside of a student’s room in New Hall. I am strongly disturbed by the motivation to engage in such a hurtful act against another individual. We are currently investigating this unacceptable behavior. This will not be tolerated and is in strong contrast with the values and mission of Westfield State University. At Westfield State, we are an inclusive community. Staff and students alike are drawn to our welcoming and supportive culture. We are here to
An image captured via social media shows the statements written on the campus of Westfield State University. inspire, encourage and challenge each other in positive and healthy ways. Civil discourse is encouraged; acts intended to pain and intimidate others are not. I urge us all to continue to celebrate our differences, not call them out in a divisive and hurtful manner. At a time when enough hurtful and careless messaging is on full display in our nation and world, let’s take solace in our compassionate and thoughtful community at Westfield State and celebrate the many powerful issues and passions that unite us.”
Fire Academy graduates include one Westfield firefighter By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent SPRINGFIELD—A Westfield firefighterparamedic was among the 21 graduates from the fifth class of the Massachusetts Fire Academy’s Recruit Firefighting Training Program in Springfield. Westfield firefighter-paramedic Cody Chatterton graduated with 21 other men from 10 departments across the western Massachusetts area yesterday, culminating a 50-day training program at the Springfield location. With Chatterton finishing, the Westfield Fire Department will be back to full staff, according to Westfield Fire Chief Mary Regan. “We will be full staff for the first time in a long time, and no one will be away for school,” Regan said. “Very excited, it’s about
time.” According to Regan, there are still unspecified injuries, but aside from those the department is at full staff. In addition, there is no expectation to hire any new personnel in the near future. She said that the full staffing could have positive impacts on the department, both from a public safety and from a personnel perspective. “This will not only affect responses but workload,” she said. Regarding the training, Regan said that it gives firefighters a chance to gain practical experience in the field, which is valuable in today’s firefighting. “Firefighting today requires a lot more skills than just the basics,” she said. These skills include safety, decision-mak-
ing, how to operate a variety of tools and apparatus, as well as working in what is known as “turnout gear,” or the heavy protective clothing and equipment that is worn when firefighters are responding to certain emergencies. From a press release by the Department of Fire Services on the graduation: “Students learn all the basic skills they need to respond to fires and to contain and control them. They are also given training in public fire education, hazardous material A photo provided by the Massachusetts incident mitigation, flammable liquids, Department of Fire Services of the 21 Fire stress management, confined space rescue Academy graduates. techniques, and rappelling. The intensive, ten-week program for municipal firefighters Chatteron was previously appointed to the involves classroom instruction, physical fitdepartment on April 3 by the Westfield Fire ness training, firefighter skills training, and Commission. live firefighting practice.