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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
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www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 86 NO. 20
“There
is no such uncertainty as a sure thing.” — ROBERT BURNS
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017
MassDOT visiting for Western Ave. project update By DAN DESROCHERS week will be to update citizens at the 25 Correspondent percent completion mark. The bulk of the WESTFIELD–State officials are expectproject is pavement rehabilitation, but ed to visit the city next week to discuss there will be turning lanes added on certain how the Western Avenue improvement portions of the thoroughfare and sidewalk project is coming along. width will be doubled in some areas in Members of the Massachusetts order to accommodate multimodal pedesDepartment of Transportation (MassDOT) trian travel. are holding a public hearing Tuesday, Jan. The project is set to cost around $6 mil31, at 7 p.m., at South Middle School on lion according to Cressotti, with state and West Silver Street, to provide residents federal funds making up the majority of with information about the project’s curfunding, including $2.5 million in cost rent status, as well as provide a chance to being earmarked from Westfield State MARY ask questions. The project is currently University. O’CONNELL slated to begin construction in 2019, while Still, the cost of the project could go up Ward 4 councilor going to bid for the fiscal year 2018. Cressotti said, and according to ward 4 “It’s a public hearing for the first time councilor Mary O’Connell, the cost for the for this project,” Mark Cressotti, engineer city is currently estimated at around $1.6 for the city of Westfield, said. “Mainly [MassDOT] million. wants to get information out, mostly right-of-way This $1.6 million will be used for sewer and water procedures, so it tends to be dry.” improvement projects, as well as stormwater drainage The project, officially titled the “Route 20 Access systems along the road. Improvement Project,” is a three-phase effort that will O’Connell though, is not for the project as it curimprove and modify road conditions along Western rently stands. She believes that the cost of the project Avenue, extending from Laura Drive to Lloyd’s Hill will rise for the city like Cressotti said, and that the Road. Currently, Cressotti said that the project is still in design and development, and the meeting next See MassDOT, Page 3
Westfield Woman’s Club seeking upgrade
Southwick sewer implementation committee discusses Congamond Rd. sewer options By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – The Sewer Implementation Committee discussed possible options for the Congamond Rd. sewer line project during their meeting on Tuesday night. DPW Director Randy Brown proposed three possible options for the project. Brown stressed that all of the options are very preliminary and nothing is near being set in stone. The first option is similar to the original plan that was presented at the informational meeting at the town hall last fall. It would include a combination of a gravity sewer and a force main sewer on Congamond Rd. The difference with option one from the original proposal is that there wouldn’t be any betterment. According to Brown, the town would act as the bank. The property owners on Congamond Rd. wouldn’t have to tie in since it wouldn’t be mandatory. Brown also mentioned that all three options would be funded by either loans or grants through the USDA Rural Development program. See Sewer Options, Page 3
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Another aspect of the proposed Western Avenue Project involves the complaints of damaged sidewalks caused by trees lining the street and what must be done because of it. Proposed plans at this point in time include current sidewalks to be redone and sidewalks put in place where there currently are none. (WNG file photo)
Westfield. The gear is replacing several pieces that were not in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) compliance. NFPA is the national governing body for firefighter safety. “Safety is the number one concern for us and it’s great to come in compliance and to put these 44 sets on the front line,” Westfield Fire Deputy Chief Patrick Kane, said.
By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent WESTFIELD – Members of the Westfield Woman’s Club foundation attended the Historical Commission meeting on Monday night. Barbara Trant and Sue West of the foundation, and also members of the Westfield Woman’s Club, proposed an idea to the Historical Commission about modifying the Court Street building’s entryway. Trant and West are looking to assist the woman’s club with the accessibility of the building that is located on 28 Court St. The two women needed the Historical Commission’s help with this process, as the woman’s club building has to be considered historic in order to have an upgrade. The CPC (Community Preservation Committee) would need the historical commission’s approval that the building is historic then they would be able to provide funding towards the project. The CPC would then present the project to city council as they are the governing body to approve or deny the request. If the CPC chooses to, that will be one avenue of grant money, or funding, for the woman’s club foundation to use towards the building entrance. The Historical Commission would also send a letter of approval to the CPC. At the meeting on Monday night, the historical
See New Gear, Page 3
See Woman’s Club, Page 3
Three Westfield firefighters pose in their new turnout gear. From left to right: Michael Hawthorne, Patrick Scanlon, Randy Quarles. (Photo provided by Westfield Fire Department)
Westfield firefighters receive new gear By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—The city’s fire department received new gear last week, providing additional protection to those who protect residents. The department received 44 new outfits of turnout gear last Thursday, which is protective clothing worn by firefighters during most rescue activities, especially fires. The new gear came from a Department of Homeland Security grant, which was partially matched by the city of
Actor seeks comedians, behind the scenes assistants for film By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WEST SPRINGFIELD — Chaunty Spillane is on a mission – to create a first-rate film – and to help some friends along the way. Spillane has come a long way from her theatrical high school days in Westfield, and now has transformed her career from model, actor and photo double to director/producer of her first film, the Screen Actors Guild contracted “Cancombe Lady Comedy Improv Sketch.”
“The production has a growing cast including SAG-AFTRA actors Frankie Imbergamo, celebrity chef/top winner of Emeril Live’s Italian Contest, Christine Cilano who is loosely affiliated with the Wahlbergs, Keith Fluker, Denzel Washington’s photo double/picture double, and Tierre Diaz, who has completed all four levels of improvisation classes at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York,” said See Spillane, Page 7
Chaunty Spillane poses as the Cancome Lady. (Photo submitted)