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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com
VOL. 86 NO. 78
“Take the attitude of a student, never
be too big to ask questions, never know too much to learn something new.” — OG MANDINO
75 cents
TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
City of Westfield officials remember Barbara Russell By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Colleagues remembered former City Councilor Barbara J. Russell, who passed away on March 22, 2017. Barbara served the City of Westfield from 1986 to 2001. Her husband, Richard F. Russell, a retired Westfield Fire Department captain and decorated U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran, passed away in 2011. Councilor Mary O’Connell, who began serving Ward 4 after Russell left in 2001, said the first time she met her was after she was appointed to the Westfield Redevelopment Authority, and went before Russell, who chaired the Personnel Action Committee.
“What struck me at the time was her professionalism. She was cordial and warm, but very professional, asking me specific questions. She was a dedicated public servant,” O’Connell said. City engineer Mark Cressotti also thought well of her. “I worked with her on the City Council and afterwards. She was pretty instrumental in moving the Great River Bridge through the Varelas administration. You’ll find her name on the plaque,” Cressotti said, adding, “I always appreciated working with Barbara, and I’m sorry to hear the news.” Former Mayor Rick Sullivan said that he and Barbara were colleagues on the City Council and during his term as Mayor. “Barbara was the
definition of a local official. She was available to her constituents, always listening and taking the pulse of what was important to them, and where the community needed to go,” Rick Sullivan said. He also spoke about her work on the bridge project, acknowledging how appropriate that her name is on the plaque. “She was also very family-oriented, and involved in local athletics. First and foremost a wife and a mom, still she found the time to give back to the community, and serve on the City Council,” Rick Sullivan said. “I served alongside Councilor Russell for many years. She loved Westfield and worked very hard for
the children of the city. Barbara was all about family and keeping the simple things in life as the center of her work. She always had a smile on her face, and that was contagious,” said Mayor Brian P. Sullivan. “If it was good for the kids of Westfield, the environment or for Parks and Recreation, it was good for Barbara Russell. It was such an enjoyable time to be in city government during her time in office,” the Mayor remembered. Visitation for Barbara Russell will be from 12:00PM – 2:30PM on Saturday, April 8th at Firtion Adams Funeral Home, 76 Broad Street, Westfield, followed by a Funeral Home Service at 2:30PM.
BARBARA J. RUSSELL
Westfield Fire Dept. hires one
Cody Chatterton being sworn in by Westfield city clerk Karen Fanion, while Fire Commissioners Carlo Bonavita (L) and Albert Masciadrelli (R).
By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD–The city has made official the hiring of another firefighter-paramedic for the city’s fire department. Cody D. Chatterton was appointed to the department as a full-time firefighter-paramedic during a fire commission meeting yesterday evening. Chatterton was previously extended a conditional offer of employment, barring that he passed several screenings and tests, which he did. Chatterton is the third firefighter-paramedic the department has hired in less than three months. “I’m really excited,” Chatterton said. “I’ve been in private [emergency medical services] for six and a half years and I’m ready to be a career firefighter.”
Fort Meadow’s pre-schoolers learn about engineering
Proposed winery going through appeals process By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent GRANVILLE – Just a few weeks ago, a public notice was issued by the Town of Granville concerning an application by Travis Stopa and family, who wants a special permit to open up a winery. The Stopa’s proposal includes a farmer winery and a building and vineyard with a tasting room that could be rented out for private events on their Reagan Road property. On March 27, the winery discussion was taken to the Zoning Board of Appeals. According to board member Matt Brown, the special permit was approved after a 4-0 vote was taken by the board. Moving forward, Brown says that there is now a 30-day appeals process in which the Stopa family can’t make any progress on their business for 30 days, as members of the public have the chance to appeal the approval. If the winery was able to get through the appeals process, it would then have to be taken to the planning board to get the dimensions on the buildings, meet up to code with the building inspector, apply for a liquor license, and other steps would have to be done. There will be more updates and information as this story continues to develop.
Chatterton was one of five interviewees for the department that were chosen from the Massachusetts Civil Service Examination. Initially, two vacancies were available on the department, which were filled by Chatterton’s fellow interviewes Zachary D. Kareta and Matthew B. Potter. However, a third position opened, and rather than interviewing additional candidates Fire Commissioner Albert Masciadrelli said that they opted to choose Chatterton. Chatterton previously had to pass a medical screening, hearing test, psychological screening and the Massachusetts Physical Abilities Test in order to be hired on the department. He now has to complete the Massachusetts Fire Academy within a year of his appointment, unless scheduling conflicts arise within the academy.
The WHS Girls Gymnastics team received an Above and Beyond certificate from Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski.
Sports teams honored at School Committee By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – The City Council chambers was packed with students at the start of Monday’s School Committee meeting, as three teams from the two high schools were honored. Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski presented the Above and Beyond certificate to the Westfield High School gymnasts, who have won ten straight MIAA Western Mass championships, and remain undefeated on the season and in 170 straight contests. He said this year was a squeaker as the team won the regional championship by five hundredths of a point. “You are amazing and well deserving. You make Westfield proud,” Czaporowski said to the team. Athletic director Eileen Flaherty then introduced MIAA assistant director Rich Riley, who drove down from Franklin to recognize two of the boys’ teams. Riley said he wanted to recognize the teams for demonstrating the pillars of community service and for serving as role models for their fellow student athletes. First up, the Westfield Technical Academy’s basketball team was See Teams, Page 8
The Town of Granville issued a public notice about the proposed winery. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
FUNdraise for your community hospital
By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – For Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center’s presentation to the School Committee, principal Joanne Hentnick began with a slideshow of the 3-5 year olds playing with pulleys, catapults and building blocks. Teacher Sandra Guilbert, the Harold Grinspoon Award winner at Fort Meadow, said that pre-schoolers are “natural engineers.” Guilbert, who teaches an engineering course to the other teachers at the school, See Fort Meadow, Page 8
Fort Meadow Principal Joanne Hentnick and teacher Sandra Guilbert, the Harold Grinspoon award recipient at the school, talked about their programs to the School Committee on Monday. Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski is on the right. (Photo submitted)
Saturday, April 29, 2017 Stanley Park, Westfield
• 7:30 a.m. Registration – 9:00 a.m. Start Time • Register now at: Baystatehealth.org/noble5k Pre-registration is preferred. • New fundraising incentives • All participants will be crowned at registration Teams welcome! • Participants who raise $50 or more will receive a commemorative wicking shirt! • For questions please call Stephanie Johnson at 413-794-7853 or email Stephanie.Johnson@BaystateHealth.org CS1712805
Baystatehealth.org/noble5k