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TUESDAY,AUGUST JUNE 27,29, 2017 TUESDAY, 2017
School Committee faces failing pump station and accepts gifts at meeting Some of the teachers listened to the speakers under the shade tent. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Photo provided by family member of Cameron Davis.
Police seeking missing teen By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD–Police are looking for a 15-year-old boy after they report he allegedly got out of a van on Elm Street. According to Westfield Police Capt. Michael McCabe, police are seeking Cameron Davis, 15, after he exited a van on Elm Street Aug. 27. Police received the report at 8:55 p.m. Sunday evening that Davis was a passenger in a van that, when stopped in downtown Westfield, he exited the vehicle and ran away. The Westfield Detective Bureau released a statement via social media about the incident on Monday: “Davis was a passenger in a van on Elm [Street] near the courthouse. When the vehicle came to stop, Davis jumped out of the van and ran out of sight. He was last seen at this location and was wearing a red sweatshirt. According to McCabe, Davis is reported to be Caucasian, 5 feet, 5 inches tall, about 115 pounds, with long brown hair and a scar on his forehead. However, Davis’s family member, Cassandra Fleming, reported that Davis is about 5 feet, 6 inches to 5 feet, 7 inches tall, 130 pounds, and his hair may be tied in a ponytail. If you have information, contact the Westfield Police Department at (413)562-5411 or email officer Juanita Mejias at j.mejias@cityofwestfield.org.
Student speakers welcome back teachers and staff at Convocation By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – The annual convocation welcoming teachers and staff back to school held at Bullens Field on Monday began with a delicious barbeque of chicken, corn on the cub, baked potato, ziti and cookies prepared by the culinary staff and students of Westfield Technical Academy and Westfield High School, along with barbequed ribs donated by Gary Cloutier from Cloot’s Auto Body. School Committee members and district administrators could be seen behind the grill and serving under the tent, making sure that everyone got their fill. But it was the students who served as the special guest speakers who stole the show. Westfield Mayor Brian P. Sullivan opened the program, welcoming the new teachers, administrators and veterans back for another year. School Committee vice-chair Cynthia Sullivan thanked members Diane Mayhew and Kevin Sullivan for their help, along with City Councilors Brent B. Bean, II, William Onyski and Matthew VanHeynigen. Sullivan also said the School Committee was there to support the teachers in any way that they could. Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski thanked the Mayor, City Councilors
South Middle School eighth grader Charles Darling. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Westfield High School senior Fiona Cioch. (Photo by Amy Porter) and School Committee members for their ongoing support, and briefly shared his goals for the new academic year, ending by saying “great things are happening in the Westfield schools.” Before introducing the students, Czaporowski explained why he invited them. “Last year, our key note speakers included an elementary and high school staff members from the district. Our guest speakers today are students. I thought it would be very beneficial to hear from them. They are going to talk a little about their experiences in our schools. To me, student voice is important…I hope that you agree,” he said. First to speak was Highland Elementary fifth grader Ali Isam. “During my five years at Highland, I was lucky to have such great teachers,” he said. Ali went on to say that the teachers were always kind, and always gave him self-confidence. “You’re doing a great job,” he told them, saying the things his teachers say always motivated him, and they make him feel welcome by smiling at him. Ali then listed all of the teachers by name he had since kindergarten. “All of my teachers care for my growth as a student at Highland,” he said. He ended by thanking them for creating “a beautiful and safe learning environment,” and said he was looking forward to meeting his new teacher, and seeing his friends and former teachers when he starts school. South Middle School eighth grader See Convocation, Page 3
By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – At Monday’s School Committee meeting, city engineer Mark Cressotti said the City of Westfield plans to install a new pump station closer to the road to replace the one currently located at the southeast corner of Westfield High School near the turn to the teachers parking lot. He said Westfield engineer Mark Cressotti the new pump station will shows plans for the new pump station serve both city residents on at Westfield High School to the Montgomery Road and the School Committee on Monday. school, and will replace the old one. He said the plan required the district to transfer the property where the new one will be installed to the Department of Public Works. Mayor Brian P. Sullivan said it was important to move on this project, before the old pump station has more problems. Vice-chair Cynthia Sullivan said her only concern is down time for the high school. Cressotti said he would work with the school principal, to ensure that doesn’t happen. The School Committee unanimously approved the transfer of property. Following the meeting, Cressotti said the existing pump station needs rehabilitation, so instead the city will build a new one that would serve the community. He said the funds for the project were in the $4 million bond for sanitary sewer extensions approved by the City Council in May. Cressotti said the new pump station will be closer to the road than the old one, which is off of the teacher’s entrance. He said that one will be removed, and a separate drive to the pump station will be put in. “It will relieve them of the responsibility, and save the school money in maintenance,” he said. Westfield Public Schools business manager Ron Rix said the existing pump station is the original one from 1972, and has had numerous failures which the school has had to pay for out of its maintenance budget. Rix said the district had $200,000 in its capital improvement plan to replace it for the last two years, but now that the city is taking it over, they can remove that item. “It’s a very good thing,” Rix said.
Gift donations acknowledged at School Committee meeting The School Committee also approved over $36,000 in cash and material donations to the schools at Monday’s meeting. Among the bigger items was $9,300 from the Southampton Road PTO to purchase and install fans in the Southampton Road Elementary School gym. Baystate Noble Hospital donated $5,000 to the Westfield Technical Academy’s Allied Health gift account, which the committee voted to set up earlier in the meeting. Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski said the gift was the first of its size to Allied Health at the school. WTA’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program received a Pitts Special S-1C aircraft, with an approximate value of $10,000 from John Chester of Wilbraham. The AMT shop also received a kit-built Moneria glider, with an approx. value of $3,000 from Robert Dill Burchard and the estate of George Bunnell. Secure Energy Solutions donated a Nikon microscope, valued at $4,000 to WTA. Mobiusworks of Westfield donated $1,500 to purchase jackets for the SkillsUSA Club, and South Agawam Shops & Storage Facility donated silk screens to Graphic Arts, with an approximate value of $1,100. Auto Collision also received two cars for students to work on; a 2007 Toyota Corolla valued at $1,800 from Trudy Weaver of Westfield, and a 2004 Jeep GCK, valued at $500 from Michael Steples of Westfield. Also, the Home Depot donated tile, self-watering pots, and a Baker’s rack, valued at approximately $5,203.96 to various shops. Czaporowski acknowledged all of the donations during his remarks at the meeting.
Board of Health considering fluoridation to town water By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – During the Board of Health’s next meeting on Thursday Sept. 7, they will be seeking information about fluoridation to the town’s water supply. Dr. John Fisher, a dentist who practices out of Salem, Massachusetts and who is an advocate for fluoridation, will be speaking to the board. The Board of Health is considering the possibility of having fluoridation in Southwick’s public water supply and they have invited Dr. Fisher in to hear about the benefits of fluoridation. At this time the Board is solely gathering information on the matter. Although, if the Board of Health were interested in having fluoridation in the town’s public water supply and wanted to move forward with it, the town of Southwick can mandate it with a vote, but it can then be overturned by a vote at a town election. According to Board of Health Director Tom FitzGerald, Holyoke and Longmeadow are currently the only towns in Western Massachusetts who have fluoride in their public water supply. For more information or any questions or comments about the upcoming meeting, contact the Board of Health at 413-569-1212.
The Board of Health is considering the possibility of having fluoridation in Southwick’s public water supply. (WNG file photo)