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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
Possible early t-storm. Cloudy. Low of 57.
— JEAN-PAUL SARTRE
www.thewestfieldnews.com
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2017
VOL. 86 NO. 147
“Three o’clock is always too late or too early for anything you want to do.”
Community members recognized for heroic efforts By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – The school committee recognized more than a dozen people at their meeting on Tuesday night. Superintendent Jen Willard gave some individuals a certificate of appreciation for their efforts in helping save a life. A 31-year-old staff member at Southwick Regional High School, whose identity has been held, collapsed at the high school on Tuesday June 6 with a heart ailment. The individual was revived with an AED ( A u to ma tic Emerg en cy Defibrillator). Members of the community who came to this person’s aid include the
high school nurse, the school resource officer, an on-duty police officer, an on-duty EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), dispatch, staff members at the high school, and employees at Noble Hospital. Before handing certificates to the deserving “heroes”, Willard touched on just how special the people are that assisted in the emergency situation. “You have done nothing but impress me, you we’re calm and you were all-around supportive,” said Willard. “You are what makes this community special.” Jessica Bishop, who is a Southwick firefighter and EMT, was at the scene and praised everyone involved.
“This was just teamwork,” said Bishop. “People reacted under professional manners.” While a medical emergency is never something that any first responder wants to have happen, it will always be something they are prepared for. “This is what we train for,” said Southwick Fire Chief Russ Anderson. The AED that was used to revive the person was made available due to a grant from KEVS Foundation, which is an organization that was created by Kevin Major’s mother Susan Canning. Major died six years ago after suffering a heart attack while on Congamond Lake.
Superintendent Jen Willard hands an individual a certificate of appreciation as Police Chief David Ricardi and Fire Chief Russ Anderson thank him. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
Westfield State and Westfield Public Schools launching new program
Westfield State University President Dr. Ramon S. Torrecilha addresses School Committee Monday evening. (Photo by Amy Porter)
By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Westfield State University President Dr. Ramon S. Torrecilha presented a new program to the School Committee on Monday evening that will help Westfield students prepare for college. Called the Westfield Promise, the program is intended to help high school students to focus on a college career and to bank transferable college credits. Torrecilha said the number of high school students going to college is dropping. This program will demystify the process, by engaging high school juniors. In the first year, juniors enrolled in the
program will take a stretch college course at their high school, co-taught by a Westfield State professor and high school teacher, which will earn transferable credits to Westfield State. Stretch refers to a college course normally taught in a semester that will be taught over a whole school year. During their senior year, students in the program will take classes at Westfield State, earning up to 9 credits per semester. In addition to the courses, the students will have the opportunity to sit down with a faculty member to discuss college plans. “Ok, what’s your passion. Tell me your passion, and I’ll find you a major. Major in your passion,” Torrecilha said would
Southampton Road proposal back in front of planning board By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—The planning board met this week and most of the discussions and hearings were continued, except for a private commercial development on Southampton Road receiving some criticism and worry from residents and board members. The Westfield Planning Board continued its discussion on a development proposal at 710 Southampton Road. The proposal is for three commercial buildings to be constructed on the lot, with one being a possible restaurant with drive-thru capabilities and potential 24-hour operation. The location does have some residential abutment and residents that said they live nearby voiced their concerns to the board, and board members also had questions about the development. The discussion was a continuation from a previous one, which occurred on May 16. The board had requested more information on the project and Filipe Crevo of R Levesque Associates, who is overseeing the plan, was at the meeting to provide additional information. According to Crevo, the Conservation Commission approved
be the conversation. He said that Westfield State is taking a risk, because the students in the program may not attend the university. However, he said, as long as the students attend higher education, it’s a good investment. Dr. Shelley Tinkham, Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education, who also attended the School Committee meeting, said the program targets first generation college bound and low income students, but everyone is welcome to apply. Requirements are a 2.5 GPA, “adequate” MCAS performance and the recommendation of a guidance counselor. See Promise, Page 3
Second seminar to focus on deck safety
Filipe Crevos of R Levesque Associates talks with the Westfield Planning Board. the plans, and the city’s engineering and public works departments provided feedback, with the revisions being “acceptable.” There were still no tenants specifically listed for the site however, and there was still a potential for the 24-hour and drive-thru options to be fulfilled, if a tenant fits the need. The potential for 24-hour service did not bode well with William Carellas, planning board member. “I think we should make a time restriction on a drive-up,” he said. According to city planner Jay Vinskey though, that sort of limitation may not be allowed. “Limiting an allowed use by right, I’m not sure if you can do that,” he said. Additional concerns were voiced about light trespassing from the property. Members of the planning
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board had noted that there was light trespass onto Micro Abrasives, a nearby company. Crevos said that the lighting has shielding on it though, and is angled downward. He also said that vegetation in the area isn’t taken into account when measuring the trespass. “The photometric plan we have is produced by the vendor we use and it doesn’t take into account the existing vegetation,” Crevos said. “That would shield some of the light.” He also said that the residential area that is near the property had zero light trespass. Other criticism came from residents, including those from adjacent Meadowbrook Lane. One resident complained that the traffic on Southampton Road was already a See Proposal, Page 3
By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – The Town of Southwick is sponsoring their second seminar focusing on a specific aspect of the 2015 IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) that homeowners may not be aware of. The first seminar on May 9 focused on general information about the 2015 IECC. The latest training will take place on June 27, from 1:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Southwick fire station and focus on the construction of building safer decks. Officials estimate that around 50% of decks built in backyards of homes wouldn’t pass inspection. That percentage of unsafe decks caught Southwick Building Inspector Art Lawler’s eye so he wanted this particular seminar to address the proper building techniques to reduce any future risk of problems within Southwick. This seminar is just another in a series of outreach programs that Lawler has initiated after he attended an event a couple of years ago that was sponsored by the Building Officials of Western Massachusetts. “This is a good tool for us to get it out there to the homeowners that build their own decks,” said Lawler. Along with homeowners, contractors are also strongly encouraged to
attend this free event. Lawler said that it is important for contractors to know the exact building codes for decks so inspectors like he don’t have to fail the inspection and put the contractor or homeowner in a delay or increase the project costs. “I want to get the contractors aware because it saves them money,” said Lawler. “We want to get it all done right the first time, it’s better for everybody.” Lou Daviau, who is the Territory Manager for Simpson Strong Tie Co., has done a number of building code presentations in the past and is expected to be an informative presenter. “He’s really knowledgeable,” said Lawler. “He’s been in the field just about his whole life.” If you are a homeowner or contractor, and would like to attend the seminar on June 27, contact the Southwick building department and pre-register by no later than June 23.
ART LAWLER
Review: ‘Fun Home’ at The Bushnell
Traffic advisory:
By MARK G. AUERBACH Correspondent It seems that the Broadway musical has re-invented itself in the last couple of years. Instead of a barrage of tuners adapted from recent Hollywood hits or wrapped around the music of a particular composer or group, Broadway has looked to fresh sources–an American historical figure, a Canadian town’s experiences following 9/11, or a portrait of an
The Joseph Ave & Papermill Road construction project will be conducting a detour of traffic on Papermill Road at the Joseph Ave intersection impacting both directions starting Monday 6/19/17. The detour is supposed to take place only during their working hours approximately 7am to 4:30pm. This detour is expected to remain in place for several weeks.
See Fun Home, Page 5 Kate Shindle in Fun Home at The Bushnell. (Photo by Joan Marcus)