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Westfield Police motorcycle officer struck by vehicle By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—Westfield Police report an officer was injured in a crash involving a police motorcycle and another vehicle Monday evening. According to Westfield Police Capt. Michael McCabe, one officer was injured after a collision between the Westfield Police Department’s Zero Motorcycle, an electric motorcycle, and another vehicle that occurred around 7:10 p.m. The accident occurred in the area of Granville Road and Western Avenue. According to McCabe, officer Patrick Shea was injured and transported to Baystate Medical Center. On Shea’s condition, McCabe said that he would recover. According to McCabe, the accident occurred after the non-police vehicle was heading westbound on Western Avenue and had attempted to turn onto Granville Road. However, McCabe said the operator reportedly did not believe they could make the turn or make the turn safely and reportedly attempted to get back into the westbound lane on Western Avenue. The driver then reportedly collided with the officer’s motorcycle in the eastbound lane of Western Avenue, according to McCabe.
Southwick Police welcome new K-9 to their department By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – On Friday the Southwick Police Department announced that they have a new K-9. The K-9 is named “General” after Jack Jeneral, a Southwick resident who gave the police department an $8,000 donation towards the K-9 fund. Officer Mike Westcott, who is the new K-9 handler in the department, recently went to Shallow Creek Kennels in Pennsylvania where he ended up selecting General as the K-9. Chief David Ricardi is excited to have General aboard and see the K-9 department continue its success. “I’m looking forward to getting See New K-9, Page 8
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Cross St. decision discussed at School Committee
WNG FILE PHOTO
Ashley St/Cross St school verdict reached By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – On Monday, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled that Cross Street playground is Article 97 protected, reversing the decision of the Supreme Court and Appellate Court, and ruling in favor of the plaintiffs, Virginia Smith et al. The decision summary, recorded by C.J. Gants, read as follows: Article 97 of the Amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution, approved by the Legislature and ratified by the voters in 1972, provides that “[l]ands and easements taken or acquired” for conservation purposes “shall not be used for other purposes or otherwise disposed of” without the approval of a two-thirds roll call vote of each branch of the Legislature. — MAYOR BRIAN SULLIVAN The issue on appeal is whether a proposed change in use of municipal parkland may be governed by art. 97 where the land was not taken by eminent domain and where there is no restriction recorded in the registry of deeds that limits its use to conservation or recreational purposes. We conclude that there are circumstances where municipal parkland may be protected by art. 97 without any such recorded restriction, provided the land has been dedicated as a public park. A city or town dedicates land as a public park where there is a clear and unequivocal intent to dedicate the land permanently as a public park and where the public accepts such use by actually using the land as a public park. Because the municipal land at issue in this case has been dedicated as a public park, we conclude it is protected by art. 97. “The Massachusetts Supreme Court’s ruling amounts to a correction of the Superior Court and Appellate Court’s improper decisions. We appreciate all of the support from friends, family and strangers we’ve received over the past six years. We’ll have more to say in the coming days,” said Thomas Smith, speaking for the plaintiffs. Mayor Brian P. Sullivan and Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski said they would not be deterred in their focus on building a new elementary school. “It’s not going to change the vision I’ve had since the day I entered (this
“The ultimate goal is to build a school in that location, and service those students that need it the most.”
See Verdict, Page 3
Serious fire damage prevented by firefighter diligence By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—A fire was stopped from causing what could have been more significant damage to an apartment complex Sunday evening thanks to the diligence of on-duty Westfield Firefighters. According to Westfield Fire Deputy Chief Eric Bishop, members of the department reported seeing smoke coming from an apartment complex across the street from their department headquarters on Broad Street Sunday around 5:50 p.m. The department reacted, working to extinguish the fire that was found to be on a second-floor porch and had not yet caught fire to the interior of the See Diligence, Page 8
New inspection system off to a rocky start
Southwick Police K-9 handler Mike Westcott is seen with his new K-9 General. (Photo courtesy of Southwick
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By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Despite a press release from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation announcing that the “new public motor vehicle inspection system is operational today (Monday) across the Commonwealth and all service stations which completed their obligations for installing new equipment and participating in training for that equipment are now conducting public vehicle inspections,” service stations around the area were not open for inspections. At Lecrenski Bros. in Russell, customers were told that no inspections See Inspections, Page 8
By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Westfield School Committee vice-chair Cynthia Sullivan raised the decision by the Supreme Judicial Court in favor of Article 97 protection of the Cross St. playground at the meeting on Monday. “Personally, I’m very disappointed by this. It’s been going on for years,” Sullivan said, acknowledging that the decision has now been made. She continued by saying that a month ago, the district had already come up with a plan to build a 400-student school on the site, because of the decision to move the fifth grade into the middle schools. Cynthia Sullivan Jeffrey Gosselin “We identified this as an Westfield School Westfield School Committee Committee issue, that we don’t need a member member 600-student school,” Sullivan said. She said the School Committee has studied the issue, and wants to do whatever is best for the students. “I’m hoping the community will rally around a 400-student school,” she said. “It’s crucial that we move forward.” Sullivan also said she would be happy to speak with anyone about the building project, and encouraged members of the public to call her. Mayor Brian P. Sullivan said that the city has always had the welfare of the students in mind. “The ultimate goal is to build a school in that location, and service those students that need it the most,” he said. He said he would also be asking residents to get involved, noting See Decision, Page 3
The Westfield School Committee discusses the Cross St. decision at Monday’s meeting.
School activity reports liven up School Committee By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Almost every School Committee meeting begins with a presentation by one of the schools. On Monday, Russell Elementary School third graders demonstrated how they are learning numbers and operations in tens with sand bags and hula hoops. Principal Alison Hamilton said the idea came from a summer workshop on inclusion attended by third-grade teachers Deborah Chouinard and Kim Disessa, who coordinated the activity with physical education teacher Michele Tarbox. The six students split into a boys and girls team, aided by volunteers Brent B. Bean, II and State Representative John C. Velis. The students and volunteers then took turns throwing the sand bags into the hoops, which were valued at multiplications of tens, from 1 to 1,000. After throwing all the sand bags, they added up the scores, with the City Council president’s team coming out on top. Following the lively presentation, student representative Payton MacTavish from Westfield Technical Academy reported on various activities at the school, including a required plug for WSKB’s Tiger Talk on Thursdays from 8 to 9 a.m. with principal Joseph Langone and student services coordinator Rob Ollari. MacTavish said Tiger’s Pride restaurant has recently received an See Activity Reports, Page 3 State Rep. John Velis helps Russell School students with demonstration at Monday’s meeting. (Photo by Cynthia Sullivan)