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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
“I am living on hope and faith ... a pretty good
diet when the mind will receive them.” — Edwin Arlington Robinson
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 86 NO. 36
75 cents
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017
Ashley St. School holdup costs calculated Zachary D. Kareta smiles as he is being sworn in by the Westfield Fire Commission as one of Matthew B. Potter takes oath from city clerk Karen Fanion during his the two newest firefighter-paramedics for the swearing in as one of Westfield’s two newest firefighters, as Westfield city of Westfield. Fire Chief Mary Regan looks on.
Westfield Fire Department swears in two By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD–The city’s fire department increased their staffing by two last night, after officially swearing in Zachary D. Kareta and Matthew B. Potter onto the force during a public meeting at city hall. Kareta, of Westfield, and Potter, of Monson, will be joining the department full-time, with a tentative starting date of Feb. 25. Both have prior experience working on an ambulance and at volunteer fire departments, and each are certified paramedics. While they will be employed on the department officially, both must still go through the Massachusetts Fire Academy within a year of their official appointment in order to remain on the department, barring extenuating circumstances.
“They’ve gone through quite the ordeal to get to this position,” Westfield Fire Commissioner Albert Masciadrelli, said during the meeting last night. “I want to thank them for their professionalism and perseverance.” Kareta and Potter were chosen from five candidates that were interviewed by the department through the Massachusetts civil service process. Previously, both had to take a civil service examination and physical abilities examination (PAT), which are both part of the process to being considered for employment by Westfield Fire Department. Additionally, after Kareta and Potter were appointed by the commission last month, both had to pass a second PAT, medical, physical and psychological examinations and a criminal offender
record information (CORI) inquiry. For Kareta, his experience includes four years working as an EMT, as well as six months as a paramedic. He was also per diem on the Southampton Fire Department as a firefighter-EMT. “I’m very excited,” he said. “It took a long time to get to this point but I’m excited to start my career with the city.” Potter’s experience is similar to Kareta’s. Like Kareta, Potter has also worked as an EMT for four years, and he has spent the past seven months as a paramedic. Potter also has experience with firefighting, serving on the Monson Fire Department on a per diem basis. “I’m extremely enthusiastic to start,” Potter said. “Westfield has a great reputation and I’m excited to be a part of this organization.”
Council on Aging board braves snow for meeting By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Although the Senior Center facility was closed due to snow on Monday, the Council On Aging Board held its monthly meeting as planned at 1 p.m. in City Hall. James Liptak, board chair, gave a report on Hilltown Valley Elder Services, a nonprofit agency which works with Councils on Aging in 24 communities in Hampden and Hampshire counties. Liptak said a recent survey by the agency showed that 75 to 80% of seniors do not want vegetarian meals. The Easthampton congregate meal site closed due to low numbers, and the Huntington site closed due to Council on Aging Board Barbara Taylor, Elizabeth Boucher, City Council liaison Ralph J. Figy, John Dr. Leary, Jr., Alice Dawicki, James V. Liptak, Cynthia See COA, Page 3 Anderson, and COA Executive Director Tina Gorman.
By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – During the debate over redistricting, and the response after the Supreme Judicial Court decided to hear the appeal on Article 97 protection for the Cross St. playground and the Ashley Street elementary school project, people kept saying that the holdup and litigation has cost the city “millions.” There are three cost centers associated with the school project: litigation, building materials, associated storage and nonuse and the expected savings from school consolidation. The litigation has not cost that much, according to city solicitor Susan Phillips, largely because a lot of the legal work has been done in house by the Law Department. Phillips said the actual money spent for court is just under $22,000. Phillips explained that there have been a couple of different cases. The city was initially sued by Ernest and Elizabeth Simmons for a 3-foot side yard variance, which the Zoning Board of Appeals granted in 2011. That case was handled inhouse by then part-time litigation attorney William O’Grady. Superior Court Judge Richard J. Carey ruled that the ZBA’s decision was legal and awarded the city summary judgment two years later on June 18, 2014. On September 5, 2012, Smith et. al v. The City of Westfield asked the Superior Court for an injunction to prevent moving See Costs, Page 3
The new elementary school proposed for Ashley and Cross streets.
A public meeting is a public meeting by any other name–unless it’s a public hearing By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—In recent months the city’s many elected boards, especially planning and city council, have seen an influx of public participation and frustration. While this public participation is good for democracy, it is important to be aware of what discourse is expected with these boards and what kinds of meetings there actually are in the city. With the increased knowledge of the different types and the way they are expected to be conducted, it can help streamline the meetings while also improve the addressing of concerns that citizens have. What is a public meeting? “A public meeting is any time a body meets,” Sue Phillips, See Public Meeting, Page 8
Southwick Fire Department reminding residents about safety hazard By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – With the recent snow storms that have swept through Western Massachusetts, the snow has piled up. It has piled up so much that the Southwick Fire Department wants to remind the community of the hazards that can occur. Posted on their Facebook page, the Southwick Fire Department informed residents of Southwick that they should clear their fire hydrants. The post asked
people to please shovel a three foot area around all fire hydrants. The fire department is grateful to those in the community who take the time to clear the area around hydrants. “If they can clear their hydrants, it’s just that much better of a safety benefit,” said Southwick Fire Chief Russ Anderson. A fire hydrant that has snow piled over it could cause firefighters to be unable to locate it or not realize the hydrant even exists. Anderson says
The Southwick Fire Department is encouraging residents to clear off their fire hydrants.
that it also forces the firefighters to use a fire hydrant that is farther away. The fire department also wants Southwick residents to clear out their heating vents. According to Anderson, certain heating systems have exhausts that goes out the side of the house. Clearing the vents would allow the proper ventilation. If you have any questions or comments about clearing fire hydrants or heating vents, call the Southwick Fire Department at 413-569-6363.
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(WNG File Photo)
ALL WELCOME!
Whip City Fiber Info Session Wednesday, February 15 | 5-7 pm Westfield High School Cafeteria Drop in Event—questions answered, raffle, refreshments served!
Hope to see you there!