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The Westfield News
“We are all snobs of the Infinite, parvenus of the Eternal.”
Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
— James Gibbons Huneker
www.thewestfieldnews.com TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2014
VOL. 83 NO.181
75 cents
Papermill Road named public way
Pols reflect on Sheriff’s tradition
By PETER FRANCIS Staff Writer WESTFIELD – North side residents have new reason for excitement, as Papermill Road, one of the most pothole-afflicted roadways in the city, has been named a public way by lawmakers, making it eligible for road improvement funds from Beacon Hill. An effort that has been pushed by Ward 6 City Councilor Christopher Crean, the cause was first taken to the State Senate by Sen. Don Humason, Jr. (R-Westfield) and then ratified by the House shortly thereafter. “It was a local option bill started by the City Council and it came down to the legislature through me,” said Humason. “Because it’s a local option bill, the legislature usually passes it no problem. It got through to the Governor’s desk and I anticipate no
By PETER FRANCIS Staff Writer WESTFIELD - Longtime Hampden County Sheriff Michael Ashe has been a fixture at the Hampden County House of Corrections in Ludlow for 40 years, having first been elected in 1974 and then every six years since. Ashe announced this past winter that he will not be seeking reelection in 2016 but it is his hope that a summertime rite of passage organized by his re-election committee will go on until his final day in office. On Aug. 20, the 37th Annual Sheriff’s Clambake will be held at the Springfield Elks Lodge #61 on 440 Tiffany St. Long considered the highlight DONALD of the political summer HUMASON JR. for Hampden County elected officials, incumbents and hopefuls, the event also attracted statewide office holders. Elected officials from Westfield, Democrats and Republicans alike, have long been fixtures at the event. “I’ve been going to it for years. I first started going as an aide to Mike Knapik when he was a House member, when it was held at the Grove behind Riverside Park, then it was the Grove behind Six Flags,” said Don Humason. “Politically speaking, it’s a rite of passage Rep. JOHN VELIS each summer. It is the place to go when you’re a politician to see people and be seen by people. “I was there last year as a candidate for State Representative, I’ve been there as a candidate for State Senate, and I’ll most likely be back again this year as a candidate for State Senate again,” said Humason. “When you talk about being a public servant, Sheriff Ashe has just been the epitome of it,” said John Velis, a Democrat just finishing his freshman campaign in Boston who will be vying for a full term this fall. “Last year at the clambake I was a candidate, and in talking to him, I was like a little kid in a candy store. And then for him to go out of his way to endorse me and to
See Public Way, Page 8
Stanley Park to ‘park itself’ in the 50s By Peter Francis Staff Writer WESTFIELD – For some residents of the Whip City, the 1950s were the most glorious decade of their lifetimes, spent watching The Honeymooners, wearing poodle skirts, or maybe working as a soda jerk at the drugstore downtown. It was also the first decade of existence for Westfield’s Stanley Park. Park supporters will soon be able to relive those happy days later this month, as Stanley Park of Westfield will be presenting “Park Yourself in the 50s” on Saturday, August 23, at 5:30 p.m. A night of “Rockin’ and Boppin’” is planned at the East Mountain Country Club on 1458 East Mountain Road in Westfield. A dinner and both silent and live auctions will be going on that evening, along with several 50s stars who will be on hand to See Park Yourself, Page 3
The city’s police and fire departments gathered Saturday at Whitney Field for a softball tournament and cookout for fun and camaraderie. Above, reserve officer Andrew Vega keeps his eye on the pitch as he prepares to swing for the fences. (Photo by Douglas LaValley)
Cops, firefighters have ‘a camaraderie thing’ By Carl E. Hartdegen Staff Writer WESTFIELD – Although the city firefighters have more than held their own in competition with police at the Guns and Hoses golf tournaments, when the departments met for a softball tournament Saturday the cops swept the board. Chris Kane, president of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 111, said that the double-elimination tournament was “a camaraderie thing” which the police and firefighters haven’t done for a few years. Kane said that the tournament at Whitney Field was an opportunity for the police and firefighters to get together with their families for a day-long social outing and, during breaks in the action on the diamond, everyone joined in for the cookout which included corn fresh from Officer
Chip Kielbassa’s farm. Each department fielded two teams and after both police teams played both firefighter teams the competition moved to the winner’s bracket and the loser’s bracket. “The team that one, they went undefeated,” Kane said and went on to report “the score (of the final) was 18-15, 18-16, something like that.” Kane’s ambiguity about the score of the tournament final correctly underscores that the tourney was not about winning or losing but was “just for fun.” There was one serious aspect of the afternoon when the group “passed the hat” and the proceeds collected were contributed to the Kevin J. Majors Youth Sports Foundation in the names of fallen Officer Jose Torres and fallen Firefighter Glen Walz.
Two teams of police officers swept a “just for fun” tournament against teams of firefighters Saturday at Whitney Field. (Photo courtesy the Westfield Police Association)
See Sheriff’s Tradition, Page 3
Riprap concerns Southwick Conservation Commission By Hope E. Tremblay Staff Writer SOUTHWICK – A resident of Berkshire Avenue met with the Conservation Commission last night to discuss an enforcement order he received earlier that day. Conservation Coordinator Dennis Clark first apologized to Joseph Young of 180 Berkshire Ave. for the lateness in which he received the notice. He said the dates of enforcement would be adjusted accordingly. Young was given the order because of changes he made to riprap on his property on Congamond Lakes’ Middle Pond. Riprap, also known as rip rap, rip-rap, shot rock, rock armour or rubble, is rock or other material used to armor shorelines, streambeds, bridge abutments, pil-
ings and other shoreline structures against scour, water or ice erosion. It is made from a variety of rock types, commonly granite or limestone, and occasionally concrete rubble from building and paving demolition. It can be used on any waterway or water containment where there is potential for water erosion. Young said he experienced erosion at the shoreline and showed commissioners photos of his home taken when he first moved in and again today that show the changes. Young said there was riprap in the water when he bought the house and property. “I had guys come in and stack it up,” said Young. “Before that, the beach was going into the water from all the boats.” Young said he did not apply for a per-
mit for the work because when he had work done to his path for similar erosion reasons, he was told he didn’t need a permit to repair something already existing. Clark said this was different because it wasn’t just a repair. “You changed a lot,” he said. Clark said Young’s neighbor had an erosion problem and riprap in the water and went through proper channels to fix the problem. “It’s not fair that one person can do it,” Clark said of Young. “Pictures don’t lie,” Young replied. “I pay $9,000 in taxes, dock fees, boat fees . . . I don’t have any environmental concerns.” “You do,” said Clark. “The bank was See Riprap, Page 3
Joseph Young of 180 Berkshire Ave. appeared before the Southwick Conservation Commission last night because of changes he made to riprap on his property on Congamond Lakes’ Middle Pond. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
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