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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
“I would rather see the United States
respected than loved by other nations.” — Henry Cabot Lodge
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 85 NO. 139
TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016
75 cents
Board of Appeals denies petition request at public hearing
Firefighters Dave Matsuk and Aaron Bannish stand harnessed to Stokes basket.
Southwick firefighters walk Stokes basket down rocky and leafy terrain.
Southwick firefighters have to prepare for anything By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent SOUTHWICK—As several fire department vehicles and an ambulance where lined on the roadside, 19 firefighters and EMTs trekked through the wilderness. The firefighters and EMTs were not going through the wilderness for a lost hiker, though. Instead, Southwick Fire Department personnel went to the Granville Gorge in Southwick to practice what is called “low-angle rescue,” or a rescue that happens on uneven and sloped terrain. It is one of the many ways firefighters are constantly learning to be prepared, even when they are volunteers, like the majority of Southwick’s personnel are. And the firefighters and EMTs have used this particular training once before, which shows just how important it is for them. “The preparedness was there, but the process itself was lengthy,” Lt. Mike Ferraraccio said. He was speaking about the first time the firefighters used the training they were learning yesterday, after a man fell into the gorge. They said that the man who fell survived. Southwick EMT and instructor Eric Brogan said that, to date, the department has used the training on three different occasions, so it is important to practice it and be ready, especially when it is rarely used.
“At least once a year we have training [for low-angle rescue],” Brogan said. “And we’re developing a new program for 14 volunteers on weekends.” For the low-angle rescue, the firefighters and EMTs formed two separate teams and performed two different portions of a rescue. For one, they had to secure a safety mannequin onto a Stokes basket, which is a type of stretcher with multiple handles that allows for rescue of people where they are not able to reach easily, and then secured to an all-terrain Polaris vehicle and driven out. The second group then participated in a slope rescue, where they had to successfully lower a mannequin, also loaded onto a Stokes basket, through brush and rocky terrain, being guided by two fire personnel and a pulley system. According to training officer and Capt. Mike Kennedy, lowangle rescue is one of the many programs that they partake in. Next month he highlighted a water rescue practice that will happen at Lake Congamond, and they regularly practice search and rescue, ladder use and other advanced firefighting techniques. And in spite of the department being a mostly volunteer department, all training and equipment is provided free-of-charge to the personnel. For those interested, Southwick Fire Department is still seeking volunteers. Visit http://www.southwickfire.org/ or 413-569-6363 if you’re interested in volunteering.
By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – The Board of Appeals held a public hearing at the land use room of the town hall on Monday night. The hearing was centered on a petition that was requested by Clear Footprint LLC, a development company out of Central Florida that distributes solar arrays. The petition was focused on the open-field, 2.08 acre property of 22 Tannery Road. The owner of the Tannery Road property, Scott Lamon, was contacted by Clear Footprint LLC, as they were interested in having solar arrays installed on the property. Clear Footprint was represented at the meeting by Frank Westgate of Westgate Land Survey, a partner to Clear Footprint for this particular project. The request was that they want a 20 foot setback on the front of the property as well as a side setback of 30 feet so the solar array can be built on the lot. As the Board of Appeals stated that in the bylaws, the setback has to be a total of 75 feet, Clear Footprint’s measurements of 20 feet and 30 feet don’t add up to that standard. Clear Footprint presented their hardship in their petition, believing that the strict enforcements of the requirements from the Board of Appeals would make it a hardship from a business point of view. Board of Appeals Chairman Paul Gregoire, Associate Member Christopher Mastroianni, and member Thomas Stapleton came up with the agreement that they would decline the petition request at that moment. Westgate then made the decision to withdraw the request without prejudice and come up with a new request in the near future. Mastroianni made the motion to accept the withdrawal without prejudice. Lamon voiced his opinion as the owner of the property and the potential outcome there could be with having solar arrays as an option that he noted to be viable and environmentally friendly. “Everybody benefits, the larger this array, that’s my stake in this”, said Lamon. “I think it’s perfect for the town, perfect for the lot, and I think it’s a win for the taxpayers.”
Southwick Board of Appeals meeting, Monday, June 13, 2016.
Watch where you put your grease By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—The Board of Health has implemented new rules for fats, oils and grease disposal. Fats, oils and grease, or “FOG” as industry professionals call them, can clog septic and sewer systems, which can cause significant damage. The Board of Health is attempting to get the word out now to residents, as well as implement new guidelines for food establishments to follow when it comes to disposing of FOGs. “We’re trying to be proactive and not reactive with this thing and try and be ahead of the ball on this one. It’s something a lot of people aren’t aware of,” Steve Cipriani, Board of Health code enforcement inspector, said. When FOGs are put into septic and sewer systems they can congeal and harden, Cipriani said, which can then cause blockages. These blockages can then cause systems to back up, as well as hefty repairs for homeowners and
JOSEPH ROUSE Director of Public Health
the Department of Public Works. FOGs can come from a number of sources. While the obvious ones include cooking oils and greases, it may also be from cheese, yogurt, milk, meat and salad dressings. The proper disposal of these would be to throw the cooled greases away in a waxed container, such as a milk carton. And regarding food that can produce FOG, rather than putting it in the sink and through a garbage disposal, try to dispose of as much as you can in the garbage. “Limit as much as you can what goes down the drain, because it can affect everyone one way or another,” Cipriani said. For businesses, Cipriani said the new regulations will include cleaning their grease systems four times per year. Inspections will be done, and if clogs are still found then there may be requests to do additional cleanings. Also, Cipriani said that businesses that produce low amounts of FOG can apply for a variance through the city,
Sausages cooking in a greasy pan. Both elements can cause clogged drains. which would require less frequent cleaning measures. For those businesses that fail to comply, the fine system increases with each offense. The first offense is a written warning; second offense is $100; third offense is $250; and fourth offense is $500. Also, each day that the issue persists will be considered an additional offense. For residents, there are no fines, as the guidelines are not tied to any enforcement. For more information, residents can contact Director of Public Health Joseph Rouse, at (413) 572-6210.