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TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 TUESDAY, JUNE 27,19, 2017 WEDNESDAY, JULY 2017
Planning board votes on Little River Road proposal By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—After hearing concerns from residents and expressing some of their own, the Westfield planning board gave a negative recommendation for a proposed zoning change on Little River Road. The proposal was to change from rural residential and residence A to business A and included possible plans for a gas station to be placed where an existing convenience store is located. Concerns voiced about the proposal included questions about whether a potential gas station would fit into the area, which has farmland
nearby and is zoned rural-residential, though one of the applicants on hand spoke to the convenience the proposal could provide. Muneeb “Moon” Mahmood, who was the applicant on the proposed zoning amendment change, spoke in favor of the proposal. He said during the public hearing that a gas station in the area would give residents and others another option for fuel that was also more convenient. Also, Mahmood said that a petition that was in the currently existing store received over 600 signatures reportedly in favor of See Little River Road, Page 3 Muneeb “Moon” Mahmood addresses the planning board during yesterday’s meeting.
Veterans to benefit from classic auto show By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD – At its core – the Westfield Cruisers annual auto show in the city is about raising funds to assist local charities – and host a family fun day. Now in its 11th year, the “Wheels & Whiskers” car show has changed focus and is now the Veterans Classic Auto Show, with proceeds this year to benefit Homeward Vets, Inc., a nonprofit organization committed to filling a soldier’s home, according to Julie Leavitt, cochair of the event. Gary Francis, founder of the Westfield Cruisers, chairs the annual show. “The Westfield Cruisers have been See Auto Show, Page 7
Julie Leavitt is co-chairing the Veterans Classic Auto Show which will feature a raffle with prizes geared toward all ages.
JL Raymaaker and Sons is set to begin construction for the school sewer project next week. (WNG File Photo)
School sewer project set to begin By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – Earlier this week, DPW Director Randy Brown announced that the contact with JL Raymaakers and Sons has been signed for them to be the contractors for the school district sewer project. JL Raymaaker and Sons will start construction at some point the week of July 24, 2017. The Westfield News reported on June 17 that the Southwick DPW was in the process of awarding the bid to JL Raymaaker and Sons, since they were the lowest bidder at around $1.1 million. According to Brown, the road work for the project will be done first. The force main needs to be installed, which is from the parking lot of the Southwick Regional High School to the Southwick Rail Trail. This portion is expected to take three to four weeks. This first portion is important as it needs to be completed
Members listen to Butternut Basin presentation before voting to sell Blandford Ski Area Tuesday. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Members vote on future of Blandford Ski Area By AMY PORTER Correspondent BLANDFORD – Before a standing room only crowd of members and friends, the Springfield Ski Club held a special meeting of current membership on Tuesday to vote on whether to move forward with the sale of Blandford Ski Area to Butternut Basin. After hearing from Mike Gagnon, president of the ski club and Jeff Murdock, owner of Butternut Basin, 286 members, including proxy ballots of those not able to attend, were in favor of the sale. The vote was well over the two-thirds of the 338 current members required to move forButternut Basin general manager Dick McCann, with owners ward. Gagnon thanked the members Reggie and Jeff Murdock. (Photo by Amy Porter) for attending and said the meeting was paramount to the future of the to say that the Board of intent, so they could do their Blandford Ski Area. “We’re in Directors of the Springfield due diligence. The Board then sent a letter dire straits, and needed to take Ski Club was approached by action for the long haul of the Ski Butternut, and voted to enterSee Blandford Ski, Page 7 Area,” Gagnon said. He went on tain the sale with a letter of
Planning board decides fate of Southampton Road development By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—A development on Southampton Road was approved by the planning board after concerns from neighbors were met with changes to the proposal. The Westfield planning board voted to unanimously approve a development at 710 Southampton Road that included the potential for three buildings, including a possible restaurant with drive-thru capabilities. Rob Levesque of R Levesque Associates, who developed the proposal,
See Sewer Project, Page 7
See Southampton Road, Page 7
HOLYOKE – On Wednesday, July 19th, the Valley Blue Sox and BusinessWest will present the first-ever Running of the Mayors charity event during the Blue Sox game vs. the Winnipesaukee Muskrats at Mackenzie Stadium. Game time is 6:35pm with the Mayors set to dash in the middle of the seventh. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to do something off-beat and humorous, but doing it
for a good cause,” said Blue Sox President Clark Eckhoff. “We deeply thank the Mayors for their willingness to put a lot more than their time on the line to participate.” The Running of the Mayors
will feature local sponsors including Polish National Credit Union and Westfield Bank who will be putting up money for the Mayors to race on behalf of their local Boys & Girls Clubs. The Mayors – which includes Holyoke’s Alex Morse, Springfield’s Domenic Sarno, Chicopee’s Richard Kos, West Springfield’s Will Reichelt and Westfield’s Brian Sullivan – will race down the right field line in a short
sprint, past first base and to home plate. The first mayor to cross home plate wins a matching donation to their local Boys and Girls Club, allowing them to double their money. A bonus donation will go to the best-dressed mayor. Tickets to the game are on sale at www.valleybluesox. com or by calling the Blue Sox ticket office at (413) 533-1100. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for kids and seniors.
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Blue Sox host Running of the Mayors
Rob Levesque talks with the Westfield planning board about the Southampton Road proposal during their July 18 meeting.