Search for The Westfield News
WEATHER TONIGHT Clearing late. Low of 32.
The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2016
VOL. 85 NO. 99
Emily Mew, Western Massachusetts field representative for the Salvation Army, stands next to volunteer outreach coordinators Anita Barnes and Laurie Matthews at their new location on the campus of the Episcopal Church of the Atonement on Court Street.
Salvation Army in ‘transition’ year
By BOB SALSBERG Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts House on Monday began weighing some of the hundreds of amendments proposed to the state budget but did not appear inclined to make major changes in the nearly $40 billion spending plan for the fiscal year starting July 1. Among the amendments rejected during early debate was one calling for the elimination of a tax credit the state offers to motion picture producers. While critics have derided the tax credit as a giveaway to wealthy Hollywood interests, supporters say movie-making in the Bay State has a positive residual impact on many small businesses. Lawmakers also shelved Republican-backed proposals that called for lowering the state sales tax and exempting municipal governments from the gasoline tax, by ordering both proposals put to study. Rep. Brian Dempsey, a Haverhill Democrat who chairs the House Ways and Means Committee, said the budget which calls for a little more than 3 percent overall spending increase strikes a balance between fiscal discipline and maintaining highquality services.
By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD — For 15 years, volunteer outreach coordinators Laurie Matthews and Anita Barnes have been steadfast in their support of the Salvation Army and now more than ever, their time and talents are needed as the office completes its “transition” year to an all-volunteer staffing model. Since the mid 1950’s, the Salvation Army has served area residents and continues its mission through its “transition” year, according to Emily Mew, Western Massachusetts field representative. Currently, Matthews and Barnes are the only volunteers working in the office. “We started as a service unit – which we are currently – which coincides with many of the service units across the state,” said Mew. “Jack Danahey was the first outreach coordinator, then known as welfare secretary. In 1986 the first office opened on Elm Street and then later moved to Arnold Street.” Mew noted that the local office also covers the towns of Southwick, Russell, Granville, Tolland, Blandford and Chester. Since last summer, when demolition of the Arnold Street complex was determined, which included the Salvation Army’s 12 Arnold St. office, the staff and volunteers found refuge with one local nonprofit and two churches who opened their doors for a temporary fix until a new site could be found. Since October, the Salvation Army found a home in the lower level of the Episcopal Church of the Atonement, 36 Court St., with a side door entrance adjacent to the playground. For individuals needing assistance to access the office, a handicapped ramp is available and Matthews will come up to meet with individuals. “We want the community to know we are still here in Westfield but with a different model,” said Mew, as she met with Matthews and Barnes on Friday afternoon to review the month’s statistics and brainstorm how best to serve the community going forward. “We are still providing direct services,” said Mew, noting that when individuals or families are within the guidelines and rules set by the Salvation Army, assistance can be available for food, clothing, furniture, energy, shelter and transportation. “Our regular program from October through March 10 serviced 110 households, 68 of which were families,” said Mew, noting that reflects 275 individuals. Currently, Matthews conducts office hours on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon and asks that anyone seeking services meet with her at that time. Both Mew and Matthews stressed that Westfield has a “high need” for Salvation Army services, noting that during Thanksgiving they provided 335 families with turkeys and fixings and 386 families with Christmas gifts. Holiday gifts ranged from 4,128 toys to 3,096 clothing outfits. “Because of her time, dedication and leadership skills, the Salvation Army was able to service families during the holiday season because Laurie executed multiple Angel Trees and Adopt-A-Families by connecting families in need with big-hearted individuals and local companies and organizations,” said Mew. In addition, the Good Neighbor Energy Fund serviced 29 households, which includes 91 people.
See State Budget, Page 3
See Salvation Army, Page 3
House lawmakers open debate on state budget
Velis opposes so-called ‘millionaire’s tax’ BOSTON (WWLP) – The proposed “millionaire’s tax” law would establish a 4 percent surtax on annual incomes above $1 million. The “extra tax” would require a change in the state constitution, which would need approval from at least 50 state lawmakers, and then from voters through a ballot question. Supporters believe the surtax would
— AUTHOR UNKNOWN
75 cents
Westfield schools seek budget increase
City man charged after road rage incident By CHRISTINE CHARNOSKY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – A city man was summonsed to court after he lost his temper while driving. Sean T. Csogi, 27, of 600 Southampton Road, was released on his personal recognizance after being arraigned April 15 in Westfield District Court on charges of malicious damage to a motor vehicle. Westfield police joined Massachusetts State Police troopers who were involved in a road rage incident at 1:46 p.m. on February 3 that had started on Southampton Road. The two vehicles involved in the incident were stopped on the Massachusetts Turnpike near the MSP barracks when Westfield police arrived on scene, according to court records. Csogi told Westfield Police Officer Timothy Grady that the other driver had been operating his vehicle “erratically” and as he followed that vehicle towards the turnpike, the driver “was giving break tests and still operating erratically,” according to court records. Therefore, Csogi threw an engine plug at the other vehicle, which smashed the rear window. The victim told Grady that Csogi was the person who had been operating erratically. “As I was at the rear of the vehicle the window glass was inside and I observed a spark plug,” Grady wrote in his report. The victim said that Csogi “threw something” at his vehicle, which smashed the rear window, as he attempted to turn left into River Bend Medical Center, according to court records. Csogi is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on June 8. Staff Writer Christine Charnosky can be reached at christinec @thewestfieldnewsgroup.com Follow her on Twitter @charnoskyWNG
“A good scapegoat is nearly as welcome as a solution to the problem.”
generate more than $2 billion in revenue that would be spent strictly on education and transportation. Some western Massachusetts Democrats believe that a “millionaire’s tax” would be unfair, and discourage people from doing business in the state. “I don’t think at this point in time, still reeling from 2008, that we should be raising taxes on anyone,” said State Rep.
John Velis, (D) Westfield, “Those residents who are making a million dollars or more started to set up residencies in other Commonwealths, for example Florida that doesn’t have an income tax,” said State Rep. Thomas Petrolati, (D) Ludlow. That debate is schedule for Wednesday, May 8.
By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – The Westfield Public School District presented a first look at the FY17 budget at a public hearing Monday night at South Middle School. Superintendent Dr. Suzanne Scallion said the nearly $60 million budget has been a work in progress since February. “This is my fifth and final budget, and we’ve faced cuts every year,” Scallion said. DR. SUZANNE “I’m very excited the next leader SCALLION comes in from the ranks,” she added, referring to the recent hiring of Stefan Czaporowski, principal of Westfield Technical Academy, as the new superintendent. She said he came to the district offices last week during school vacation to go over the budget with them. Business Manager Ron Rix then presented a broad overview to the School Committee and school district personnel who comprised most of the audience at the hearing. He said the $59,625,602 the district is requesting is a level service budget, with no new initiatives but a focus on “deepening what we’re doing.” However, it is not a level-funded budget due to increases in fixed costs for 2017 of $1,749,602, the amount over last year’s approved budget of $57,876,000, and represents a 2.9% increase. The biggest increases are in negotiated steps and longevity and in severance, as well as in circuit breaker funds for special education and out of district special education services. The district is anticipating $106,542 savings in transportation from the new bus contract in 2017, as well as $221,000 in personnel savings to help offset some of the increases. Another uncertainty is in the amount of Chapter 70 aid Westfield will receive from the state. The Governor’s budget contained a figure of $20 per student, or $110,080 for Westfield. The House budget raised that figure to $55 per student, for a total of $302,720 to the district, and the Senate has yet to vote. Rix said the final amount of aid will be somewhere in that range. Broken down, the new budget has the same ratio of 80.1% for personnel, and 19.9 for expenses. Rix said the priorities for the district in 2017 include continued academic growth at all levels, professional development, See Schools, Page 3
Union St. open after crash WESTFIELD (WWLP) – Union Street in Westfield has been reopened after a serious car accident early Tuesday morning. A section of Union Street was closed off in the area of Moseley Avenue and Carpenter Avenue. Westfield Police said that the accident happened around 1 a.m. Tuesday morning, but has since been cleared up. 22News saw that a car hit a tree and flipped over on its roof, but it is unclear if there were any injuries. Westfield Police also said they are not allowed to give out any information about the victim or exactly what happened, but it is now being handled by the District Attorney’s office. There was damage to the front yard and fence, but the house was not hit.
2 men arrested after Hazmat situation on Woodmomt St. WESTFIELD (WWLP) – Westfield Police have re-opened a section of Woodmont Street after several bottles filled with an unknown liquid were found there Monday night and two teenagers were arrested. A State Police Bomb Squad robot was deployed to deal with with a Hazardous Materials situation that closed part of Woodmont Street in Westfield. Westfield Police Lt. Jay Pitoniak said police received the call from a neighbor just before 5 p.m. “She said she found a bottle outside the house,” Pitoniak said. “When she went to pick it up, she noticed it was foaming and had metal pieces in it.” Pitoniak said the Westfield Fire Department was called, as were State Police, the State Fire Marshal, and the Bomb Squad. 22News cameras shot video of a robot being deployed between two houses at 83-88 Woodmont Street and video of a man being taken away in handcuffs. Pitoniak said the robot recovered “3 or 4” of those bottles. Police arrested two residents of 88 Woodmont Street, Sean Barrett, 18, and Patrick Baker, 19. Both were charged with “placing an explosive or hoax device.” Pitoniak said investigators have not yet determined what was in the bottles.