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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
“Men are more often bribed by their loyalties and ambitions than by money.” — ROBERT H. JACKSON
www.thewestfieldnews.com TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2016
VOL. 85 NO. 46
75 cents
Name change ballot question nullified RENDERING - SHEET No. 5 - WESTERN AVE. (Source http://www.cityofwestfield.org/DocumentCenter/View/1133)
Modified Western Avenue project advances WESTFIELD – A press release has been issued by both the Mayor of Westfield, Brian Sullivan, and the City’s Chief Engineer, Mark Cressotti, on the latest with the reconstruction project of Western Avenue. In development for more than three years, the project has been the subject of four community meetings and spirited discussion from neighborhood residents, transportation advocates, and state transportation officials, among others. Most recently, project modifications were presented to the public at a community forum on January 26 at South Middle School. The Western Avenue reconstruction project has been broken into two phases: The first phase will extend from the vicinity of Llewellyn Drive eastward to the Lloyds Hill intersection, the second phase will reach from Lloyds Hill to
MAYOR BRIAN P. SULLIVAN Court Street. The project will allow for full-depth reconstruction of pavement, introduction of turning lanes in certain locations, installation of stormwater control, reconstruction of sidewalks and curbing, and installation of a ten-foot wide multi-use path on the northern side of Western Avenue. “The Western Avenue project is primarily a federally- and state-funded project,” Sullivan said. “Certainly, the road surface and stormwater management systems are in dire need of upgrade, and federal funding will help us to accomplish this.” Of course, with acceptance of federal and state funds for the project, the City is required to meet certain design standards. In meetings throughout December, state officials made clear their commitment to the “Complete
MARK CRESSOTTI Streets” initiative, which tasks engineers with providing safe and accessible options for all travel modes – walking, biking, transit and vehicles – for people of all ages and abilities. The design of Western Avenue is subject to these standards. “Over the past three years, the City has worked hard to communicate with abutters, Western Avenue residents, and elected leaders, Councilors O’Connell and Surprise, to accept their input and work to modify the design to the best of our ability,” Cressotti said. “I think we’ve reached a fair compromise, which takes into account the desire line of the neighborhood to maintain its historical charm with the requirements of MassDOT to accommodate other modes of transportation.”
By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Staff Writer SOUTHWICK – A request to change the name of the Southwick Board of Selectmen to the Southwick Select Board will not be on the ballot this year. Resident Ruth Preston presented signatures to the Board and asked to place the question on this year’s town election ballot. Last year, the same question failed to garner enough votes at the annual Town Meeting. Selectman Russell Fox said the law allows for a ballot request with 10 signatures or more for a ballot question, with approval from the Board. “That’s bad government,” said Fox. “Unfortunately I don’t support putting this on the ballot. Her recourse is to get 665 signatures and get it on next year’s ballot, but, I have no problem putting this on a warrant at Town Meeting.” Board Chairman Joseph Deedy said allowing a citizen ballot question with 10 signatures could “open the door” to numerous questions. Selectman Douglas Moglin was concerned with costs related to the change. Last year, he said, the request failed to pass in part because the finance committee did not recommend the measure because there was no estimate of financial implications from the change. Deedy said if it was a matter of just “changing the name on the door,” he was fine with the change, but they may need to change the name on all town bylaws and documents. The selectmen agreed they supported Preston’s idea, but a ballot question was not the proper avenue. “I have nothing but a lot of respect for Ruth,” said Fox. The Board agreed it would allow Preston to decide whether or not to submit the gender neutral name change as a warrant article.
See Western Ave., Page 3
Membership opportunities available at local farm By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD – In the coming weeks, Connie and John Adams of Yellow Stonehouse Farm on Root Road look forward to spending time in their greenhouses – organically planting seeds to get a jump start on the spring planting season. “Planting seeds indoors gives them a head start and then we plant the seedlings in the field,” said John Adams. “Planting plants helps ensure we have a more diverse crop since we don’t have to wait for the seeds to germinate.” The couple’s hilltop 55-acre property, close to the Southampton line, has the distinction of the Manhan River dividing the farmland, creating an ideal environment for growing vegetables and flowers, while living harmoniously with wildlife. The couple noted it is not unusual during the planting and harvesting seasons to see bobcats, bears, coyotes, and bald eagles up close. “We also see so many beautiful birds,” said Connie Adams. The couple is also proud to point out their new USDA certified organic farm certification. “The certification is the only system of food labeling that is subjected to
A tractor of squash is ready for the open style market at Yellow Stonehouse Farm. independent review, assuring consumers that toxic, synthetic pesticides used in conventional agriculture are replaced by management practices focused on soil biology, crop diversity, and plant health,” said John Adams. “After our commitment in 2012 to use organic practices, it took three years to get certified organic,” said Connie Adams. “We went through a rigorous process that included inspectors looking at the farm and all of our processes.” The couple noted that as their membership pledges have increased over the years, they soon realized that area residents sought “cleaner and tastier foods.” Membership applications are now available for the spring/summer harvest season on the farm’s website, www.yel-
lowstonehousefarmcsa.com, or by calling (413) 562-2164. “We have had community members coming from as far away as Connecticut,” said John Adams. “We hope to have 200 membership pledges for the spring/summer season.” Local community members share in the harvest by paying a membership fee up front to cover annual expenses. In return, members collect a share each week of fresh picked, hand-washed produce and additional pick-your-own crops as available at an open style market. Pick-up days available are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The full farm shares are “generously sized” to feed four persons. “Shareholders are partners with the farmer in growing food for the community,” said Connie Adams. “All shares include pick-your-own garden flowers and the use of our picnic areas located alongside the Manhan River.” The Adams will be cultivating 17 acres with certified organic vegetables and flowers for CSA (Community Involved in Sustainable Agriculture) shareholders this year. The fields will be ripe See Local Farm, Page 3
Rotary supports police Jennifer Gruszka, president of the Rotary Club of Westfield, presents a $3,614 donation to Westfield Police Sgt. Jeffrey Baillargeon, commander of the department’s Special Response Team, at the club’s regular weekly meeting at the Genesis Spiritual Life Center. Baillargeon spoke at the meeting Monday about the team’s role in the community and the tactics, training and equipment that his team needs to cope with the particularly dangerous situations it is called upon to face. The Rotary’s contribution will fund ballistic plates to augment the team members’ protective vests (such as the one he showed the Rotarians, foreground) so they will stand up to the heavier weapons sometimes encountered in their duties. (Photo courtesy the Rotary Club of Westfield)