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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2014
VOL. 83 NO.158
“He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything.” —Thomas Carlyle
75 cents
Council again defers fire department vote By Dan Moriarty Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The City Council, which has twice deferred action of the two Fire Department labor contracts, declined to act again last night because its demand, authorized under state law, for the financial information for the first year of the contract packages has yet to be provided by Mayor Daniel M. Knapik. “We have a line drawn in the sand,” Ward 4 Councilor Mary O’Connell said last night as the council resumed its consideration of the two contracts, “We’re not getting the answers from the corner office, so I will make a motion to table this.” Knapik submitted contracts for the International Association of Firefighters, Local 1111, which represents the rank and file firefighters and with the Westfield Fire Department Supervisors Association, which represents the department’s deputy chiefs. Both contracts became effective back to Jan. 1, 2014.
BRENT BEAN II
DANIEL M. KNAPIK MAYOR
City Council Finance Chairman Christopher Keefe said that he requested that financial information from Knapik, the Fire Department and the Law Department, but received a response only from the Law Department stating that under state law the council is entitled to receive the financial information. “Nobody is willing to step forward and explain (the financial issues),” Keefe said. “I’m stumbling around in the dark.”
Council President Brent B. Bean II said the council is acting within its authority, and responsibility to taxpayers, in requesting that information. “It’s a simple request about the cost of the contracts,” Bean said. “I don’t understand it. It’s fair to ask for the allocation of money. We’ve been more than reasonable. It’s fair for us to ask for this information.” At-large Councilor James R. Adams asked what happens
Westfield senior center building team rebuilt By Dan Moriarty Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The city has hired a new company to serve as the project manager for construction of the senior center, selecting P-3 to serve as the city’s owners’ project manager (OPM) for the final construction phase because of the firm’s experience with senior center construction projects. P-3 also has performed the OPM function for several projects involving the senior center architect, Dietz & Company Architects of Springfield, and with Forish Construction of Mainline Drive, the general contractor.
MARY L. O’CONNELL
BRIAN P. SULLIVAN
to the contracts and firefighters’ salaries if the issue is again tabled for the next six weeks while the council is on its annual summer recess. “If, and when, we get the answers and approve these contract, there will be a retroactive check to catch them up,” O’Connell responded to Adams. Ward 6 Councilor Christopher Crean, a member of the Finance Committee, said that further inaction by
CHRISTOPHER KEEFE the council will have little effect on the issue. “We’re seven months into this already. Six more weeks will make little difference. I say wait,” Crean said. “It’s like salt in a wound that nobody has gotten back to us.” At-large Councilor Brian Sullivan said the council has already approved the funding for the contracts in the current 2015 fiscal year budget. “We’ve already approved
the finances. Waiting is not doing anything. People are still getting paid,” Sullivan said. O’Connell said the pay is based on the old contract which remains in force until the council approved the new pact, but the delta between the two salary levels is small. “They’re not getting much of a raise and they will not get the extra money until we approve the contract, then they’ll get a lump sum payment,” she said. Keefe agreed that the amount of money is not huge, but argued that the council is being ignored. “We’ve made two written requests to the mayor, fire chief and solicitor and only the solicitor has responded,” Keefe said. “Is the council willing to take crumbs, or (do we want) answers. Mass. law says we’re entitled to that information.” The council then voted six times to table the two contracts See Fire Department, Page 3
Zoo at the Moo
P-3 is well known to city government having recently been involved on four city projects, serving as the project manager for the Energy Management System (EMS) project at city schools and municipal buildings, including City Hall. P-3 has partnered with Dietz for the Westfield Vocational Technical High School energy efficiency work completed last year. City Purchaser Tammy Tefft introduced P-3 President Dan Pallotta and Michael DelVecchio who will serve as See Builder, Page 3
Abandoned dog taken to shelter By Carl E. Hartdegen Staff Writer WESTFIELD – A dog apparently abandoned at Papermill Playground Monday evening has found its way to the city’s animal shelter and will be available for adoption in a week. City police were alerted Monday evening, by two concerned residents, of the puppy tied to a bike rack at the playground. One of them said she is scared of dogs but nonetheless was concerned when she saw the dog tied out with a bowl of dog food, a bowl of water and a bag of dog supplies. She enlisted the help of her sister and son who approached the dog and found that his name is Frampton. The woman said that the bag left with him contained a note with his name and some basic supplies including a tie out stake, some dog food and a leash.
The Forest Park Traveling Zoo brought a parrot, snake, tortoise and lizard to Moolicious Monday for the weekly Zoo at the Moo event. The free program takes place Mondays at 11 a.m. throughout the summer. (Photo by Hope E. Tremblay)
See Dog, Page 3
Summer events planned at Town Beach in Southwick By Hope E. Tremblay Staff Writer SOUTHWICK – The Parks and Recreation Commission have planned several special events this summer at the Town Beach. The first is Kid’s Day at the Beach July 30 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. “We will have ice-cream and watermelon, games and activities,” said Commissioner Susan Grabowski. “And kids get in free.” Each child will receive a ticket for an icecream at the gate. Commissioners agreed at their meeting last night that in addition to free snacks, they would have a special lunch at the concession stand of a hot dog, chips, and fountain beverage for $2.50 that day.
Southwick Town Beach (File photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore) A second summer event is a town tradition – the Senior Sizzler. Set for Aug. 4, with a rain date of Aug. 11, the Sizzler is an event for Southwick’s
senior citizens. “We will have watermelon, play cards and Jack and His Guitar will perform,” said Grabowski.
The Town Beach is located at 14 Beach Road. Recent improvements to the beach include upgrades to the restrooms and dressing areas and wheelchair accessibility all the way to the water. The hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Life guards on duty at all times. Minors need to be accompanied by an adult at all times. Fees are as follows: Town Resident $2 Out of Town $3 Out of State $3 Child 7 thru 13 $1 Seniors 62+ Free Children 6 and under Free Active Military Free