Search for The Westfield News
WEATHER TONIGHT Clear skies. Low of 61.
The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com
Music festival scrapped for private party By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Staff Writer SOUTHWICK – Mort Vining Road resident Diana Flynn withdrew her request to host a music festival on her farm and instead plans to host a private party of the same size. Flynn approached the Southwick Board of Selectmen last week about permits for the event planned for Oct. 3. Flynn said last week that the event started out as a party at a friend’s home in Otis and she was taking over and making it public. Flynn planned to sell up to 250 tickets, which she said would be purchased mainly by friends and family. The Board told Flynn there were several concerns and Flynn was told she would have to pay police for traffic control, have an EMT at the overnight event, and would need electrical inspections, among other requirements. Flynn met with the Board last night and said she decided to keep it a private event because of costs. “We’re just going to apply for whatever we have to for a private party and look at the spring (for a festival,”) Flynn said. Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart said there were no permits required for a private function. He said it would be like having a wedding on the farm. Selectman Douglas Moglin said he had no issue with a private party with live bands as long as it was “manageable.” Flynn said she expected up to 200 people, including guests camping overnight, and she would accept donatioins but not charge admission. Several of Flynn’s neighbors spoke out and one said she was concerned about the number of people coming. “We’re just concerned because 250 people sounds like a lot, and what if more than that show up,” she said. “We’re on the same road and we pay high taxes and we don’t expect to have traffic like that.” Flynn reminded everyone that her property is 63 acres and the guests would mainly be See Private Party, Page 3
Russell 1st Day of School Russell Elementary School staff greet students as they exit their bus. See additional photos Page 8. (Photo by Amy Porter)
that can withstand a man who can conquer himself.” — KING LOUIS XIV
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015
VOL. 84 NO. 218
“There is little
75 cents
City seeking to purchase bank property Westfield Superintendent of Schools Dr. Suzanne Scallion gave her report to the School Committee Monday, one day before the start of school. (Photo by Amy Porter)
New beginning for Westfield schools after ‘bumpy ending’ By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – At Monday’s School Committee meeting, Superintendent Dr. Suzanne Scallion gave her report one day before Westfield Public Schools were set to open. Scallion said she was looking forward to seeing the kids come back. She recommended dressing for the heat, and bringing an extra water bottle to school. Scallion said after a “bumpy ending” to the last school year due to cuts, “This is the best feeling I’ve had before an opening.” She commented on the many changes to the coming year, including moving some Special Education classes due to the closing of Juniper Park Elementary School. Among the moves, the CLEAR Autism Program will meet in the Paper Mill Elementary School, and the QUEST Program will meet in the Southampton Road School. Juniper Park students will be attending the Russell Elementary School beginning on Tuesday. She thanked Pamela Kotarski and Noreen Jachym for their incredible job on transportation with all the changes for the coming year, and urged the public to drive slowly. Scallion asked the School Committee to start thinking about setting fees for transportation.
“We lost good folk who found jobs in other districts, and couldn’t wait for the recall letter”
By DAN MORIARTY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – City officials are planning to seek the approval of the City Council later this fall for the purchase of Berkshire Bank property on the north side of Central Street. Community Development Director Peter J. Miller said the acquisition will be a friendly transaction without the need to use its eminent domain power to take the property, comprised of a building located directly to the rear of the R Leveque Associates building on School Street, and a gravel parking lot located behind the Westfield News offices on School Street. The friendly purchase is a key issue in the use of $200,000 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for the purchase because of language in the federal appropriation, approved by Congress, prohibits use of the CDBG money in property acquired by eminent domain takings. Miller said that his department will have to have a review assessment performed and that will be a public comment period relating to the property purchase. “It has to go to the City Council which I anticipate will happen later this fall,” Miller said. City Advancement Officer Joseph Mitchell said the city had originally earmarked those CDBG funds for the purchase of the Riomani property on Church Street. “There is language in the appropriation that you can’t use those funds to take lane by eminent domain if there is a commercial component,” Mitchell said. “I tried to argue that a (municipal) parking garage is not a commercial project, but was told that it’s part of a commercial project, See Property, Page 3
SUPERINTENDENT DR. SUZANNE SCALLION “It’s time,” she said. “Whatever we decide is okay. I want taxpayers to have an opportunity to weigh in.” She also said that start times for schools, which impact the transportation contract, need to be re-examined. “We could have an elementary school time that starts earlier, and high school that starts later.” Currently, the elementary schools begin at 9 a.m., which Scallion called “late.” High School starts at 7:20 a.m. Scallion said starting even 15 minutes later could make a difference for these students according to studies. She said now is the time to look at all of these issues. “The bus contract looms large,” she said of the $25 million multi-year See Schools, Page 3
Airport noise abatement meeting slated By DAN MORIARTY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – Residents are invited to attend a public meeting Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in the North Middle School to hear details about changes to the Westfield Barnes Regional Airport noise abatement program. Airport Manager Brian Barnes said that the presentation will includean an explanation of a new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) noise contour map which identifies residents who are eligible for the noise abatement assistance program. The FAA is funding 95 percent of the noise mitigation program cost, with the state and city each funding 2.5 percent. The FAA has modified the rules of the on-going noise mitigation initiated after F-15 fighter jets were moved from Otis Air Base on Cape Cod to the 104th Fighter Wind of the Massachusetts Air National Guard stationed at Barnes Regional Airport six years ago, replacing the A-10 ground support fighters, a much quieter airframe. The noise mitigation program was initiated after a study of noise levels was conducted and boundaries based upon 70 and 65 decibels (dB) were established for the noise mitigation program for residents living near the airport. “We have to update the map every four years,” Barnes said Monday. “The contours directly impact residents and See Airport Noise, Page 3
Share your ‘First Day’ photos We want to see your first day of school pictures. E-mail them to pressreleases@thewestfieldnews.com. Put "First Day of School" in the subject line and let us know who's in the picture.
Together we will deliver a higher state of caring... for you. 115 West Silver Street • Westfield, MA • baystatenoblehospital.org For a physician referral or appointment call 413-572-5070.