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TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 8, 2017 TUESDAY, AUGUST 2017
ARTS BEAT EXTRA
Westfield’s Joshua Burrage to make Broadway debut in ‘Cats’ Jonathan Starr (L) and Ryan Chenevert (R) are sworn in as Westfield firefigher-paramedics during yesterday’s Westfield Fire Commission meeting.
Two sworn in as Westfield firefighterparamedics By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—Two more individuals became sworn-in firefighter-paramedics yesterday and a new captain is being sought by the Fire Commission during their meeting yesterday. Ryan Chenevert and Jonathan Starr were sworn in during the Westfield Fire Commission meeting yesterday. The two were previously offered conditional employment and since then have passed the steps necessary to become sworn in. Chenevert and Starr, both paramedics, became the fifth and sixth firefighter-paramedics hired by the department since February of this year. Chenevert was one of three applicants who interviewed for a position in June. While he did not earn a position then, he later was given a conditional offer of employment in early July by the Westfield Fire Commission. As for Starr, he was previously a firefighter-paramedic in Norton, Massachusetts, and had requested a lateral transfer from the Norton Fire Department to the Westfield Fire Department. From a previous article written about Starr and Chenevert: “According to a letter submitted to the commission by Starr that was read aloud by Masciadrelli, Starr has seven years of emergency medical services experience. He has also gone through various training as a firefighter, and has served with the Norton Fire Department for two and a half years. According to Westfield Fire Chief Mary Regan during the meeting, the fire department is fully staffed now, with one long-term injury that the department is waiting for the retirement board to act upon. The commission also voted to begin the process to fill a vacant captain position in the department. The request was made by Regan, according to the agenda.
By MARK G. AUERBACH Correspondent Westfield native Joshua Burrage, who joined the national tour of the Broadway musical Newsies shortly after graduating from Westfield High School in 2014, has been cast in the current Broadway revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats. He began rehearsals this week as a “swing”, learning six different parts in the musical. When he begins performances next month, he’ll be ready to step into the roles of Plato/Macavity, Alonzo, Tumblebrutus, Coricopat, Pouncival and Carbucketty. Burrage expects to perform frequently, although like any understudy, he may not know his performance schedule until the last minute. “This will be my Broadway debut. A serious dream come true!”, says Burrage, who toured with Newsies nationally for two years. “I’ve been in New York City, living here for the first time. It’s been a weird adjustment going from constant travel to now being in one spot, but I Westfield’s Josh Burrage has secured a part in Broadway’s definitely was ready for some stability! I’ve been taking “Cats.” (Photo submitted) the time going to as many auditions as possible, taking lots feels surreal. There are no words! I am very, very grateof dance classes and voice lessons, and creating a life in ful!” the big Apple!” says Burrage. Cats runs through December 30. For details: http:// The original Broadway production of Cats broke all www.catsthemusical.com/ kinds of records and became the fourth-longest running ——— Broadway show in history. The current revival opened in Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American New York on July 31, 2016. University and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked Burrage says “It’s been a blast so far (living in New for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newsYork). This has been a dream of mine since I was a kid, papers and radio. Mark produces and hosts ArtsBeat and being able to do what I love in my favorite city…it Radio on 89.5fm/WSKB Radio.
Informational meeting held for WHS/Curtis Blake school partnership By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – The Westfield High School and Curtis Blake Day School (CBDS) partnership was explained in more detail at an informational meeting on Monday at the high school. Adam Garand, director of special services in Westfield spoke about the development of the pilot program for ninth graders with language-based learning disabilities (LBLD), and Linda M. Lafontaine, principal of CBDS, explained the strategy-based approach to teaching reading at the school, which goes until eighth grade. Garand said the need became apparent when a graduating eighth grader at CBDS needed the same level of service and more options for high school, including high school sports. He said the idea of a morning session at Curtis Blake for reading and math, then lunch and an afternoon session at Westfield High School started to take shape. Lafontaine spoke about the specific strategies her school uses to teach students who may be dyslexic or have other impairments in decoding the written word. She went through
Select Board discusses police chief replacement process By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – During Monday night’s meeting, the Select Board discussed the process of how they will select the next Chief of Police for the town. The contract for town employment for the current Chief, David Ricardi, will expire in 2018 at which time he will retire. During the last Select Board meeting two weeks ago, Vice-Chairman Joe Deedy raised the issue about beginning the Police Chief selection and hiring process and he reiterated that statement on Monday night. “We need to look at this process sooner rather than later,” said Deedy. When considering the next Chief, whether it be an outside department hire or promoting from within the Southwick Police Department, Southwick Police Chief Dave Deedy noted that it should be clear that the Ricardi gets a contract renewperson selected already have the proper train- al that will extend to June 30, ings and qualifications in place so that it 2018. (WNG File Photo) doesn’t affect Ricardi’s retirement. Select Board Clerk Russ Fox commented about how the Chief hiring process took place in the past. Besides having police officers within the Southwick Police Department interviewing for the position, See Chief Replacement, Page 3
Parent Karen Lewis and CBDS principal Linda Lafontaine speak after the presentation. (Photo by Amy Porter) the research-based building blocks that are used with each student every day through integrated instruction. She said language-based learning disabilities don’t go away, but students learn strategies to overcome them. See Partnership, Page 3
Southwick woman appointed to VFW Auxiliary National Chairmanship NEW ORLEANS, LA – Juliette Mason of Southwick, Mass., a member of Ransford W Kellogg Auxiliary #872, participated in the 104thNational Conventionof the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary held July 22-26 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, La. The convention marked the beginning of her 20172018 term as National Chairman for the 11 states in the Eastern Conference in the Veterans and Family SupportProgram. A highlight of the convention will be the first annual Circle of Excellence Ceremony tonight, where 35 Department (state) pres-
idents will be honored for their leadership during the 2016-2017 year. Other highlights included the opportunity for members to view all 48 entries of the Young American Creative Patriotic Art entries and the “Buddy”® Poppy displays, in addition to attending several joint events with the VFW, such as the Joint Opening Session and the Patriotic Celebration on Tuesday evening. During the convention, National President Colette Bishop commended the 2,000 attendees for all their hard work in honoring veterans and supporting See Chairmanship, Page 3
Southwick’s Juliette Mason has been named National Chairman for the 11 states in the Eastern Conference in the Veterans and Family Support Program. (Submitted photo)