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— AMBROSE BIERCE
75 cents
Velis against repealing jail time for traffickers
See Traffickers, Page 7
REP. JOHN VELIS
but he who can analyze his delusions is called a philosopher.”
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2015
VOL. 84 NO. 158
By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – State Rep. John Velis is working hard to change bills to repeal minimum mandatory jail sentences for nonviolent offenders. The reason Velis is opposed to the bills is because the language also includes a repeal for those charged with drug trafficking, including trafficking through children, and repeat offenders. Velis, a member of the Judiciary Committee, said many people came to committee meetings at the Statehouse last week to testify on the need to repeal the mandatory jail sentence. The problem, he said, is most people did not understand the bills in their entirety. “People said non-violent drug offenders should not be incarcerated,” said Velis, “but that’s not what this bill is about. A lot of this came from people who think they know what it’s about, but they don’t.” Bills were written by three legislators, including local Rep. Ben Swan of Springfield. Velis said that even if a particular drug dealer or trafficker has not committed a violent crime, the drug trade leads to violence. Velis said he doesn’t understand why Swan would support this. “Springfield has had 12 homicides this year already – you can’t tell me a significant amount of them were not due to the drug trade,” said Velis. Velis said drug traffickers sell to people
“All are lunatics,
Billips named to head Westfield’s new DPW
(COURTESY THE GREENFIELD RECORDER)
Local company gets expansion money BOSTON – Established in Massachusetts in 1837, Lamson & Goodnow is the oldest cutlery manufacturer in the United States. The company is proposing to invest $190,000 to relocate from their current facility in Shelburne Falls to a facility in Westfield. The relocation will allow Lamson & Goodnow to improve their manufacturing capabilities and improve accessibility to their vendors. The project is expected to create 18 full-time jobs and retain 12 full-time jobs in Westfield. The City of Westfield is supporting the project with a 5-Year Special Tax Assessment valued at $35,583. The Commonwealth’s Economic Assistance Coordinating Council (EACC) approved 16 projects for participation in the Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP), including Lamson & Goodnow. These projects are expected to create 606 new jobs and retain 879 jobs throughout Massachusetts, while leveraging approximately $197.8 million in private investment. “The projects we support through the EDIP program help build a framework for future growth and development across the Commonwealth,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. “Effective, targeted investments cultivate local companies, create new jobs for our residents, and grow our economy.”
Among the approved projects are eight manufacturing companies and two projects located in Gateway Cities. The EACC also approved seven locally-directed economic development projects, showcasing municipalities’ efforts to control their own economic growth. “Massachusetts is committed to supporting entrepreneurs and expanding businesses,” said Assistant Secretary for Business Development Nam Pham. “These incentives are an investment in job opportunities for our residents, and long-term sustainable growth in our future.” In partnership with local towns and cities, the EDIP is the Commonwealth’s investment tax credit program for businesses, and is one of the most effective tools in helping businesses grow in Massachusetts. EDIP tax credits and other incentives are available to companies that make qualifying investments in new facilities and create new jobs. To learn more about the program, click here. The EACC has approved 29 economic development projects since January. These projects will create 1604 jobs, retain 2481 existing jobs, and leverage $375.8 million in private investment. The EACC has assisted 16 manufacturing projects, and 10 projects in Gateway Cities this year. The EACC meets on a quarterly basis to review applications.
WESTFIELD – After celebrating Independence Day at Stanley Park for several years, local motorists may have become accustomed to the Fourth of July traffic pattern in the area of the park, which will be the same this year with only one adjustment planned. Lt. Larry Valliere, the commander of the department’s Traffic and Safety Bureau, reports that normal two way traffic will continue on Western Avenue before the display but, as in previous years, Lloyds Hill (and its intersection with Mountain View Road) will be closed at 6 p.m. to avoid traffic snarls on Western Avenue, which will be closed at 8:30 p.m. between Loring Lane and Overlook Drive. Parking will not be allowed on Western Avenue or on nearby side streets, such as Kensington Avenue or Granville Road, but free parking will be available at the Second Congregational Church, the Westfield State University commuter parking lot
with the entrance across from Westwood Drive, and the WSU south parking lot with the entrance across from Juniper Park School. Visitors with a valid handicap parking plate or placard will be allowed to enter Stanley Park by the west entrance near the tennis courts and will park as directed by staff. A park spokesperson pointed out that the park will be closed in preparation for event and visitors will be welcomed after 4 p.m. Kensington Avenue will also closed at 8:30 p.m. and residents hosting gathering or parties are advised to have guest come early. On-street parking is prohibited, so vehicles of guests have to be parked on the host’s property. Valliere said that in past years motorists have stopped, or just parked, on Kensington Avenue, which has added to traffic and See Fireworks Traffic, Page 7
SCHOOL STREET IS RE-OPENED!
e h T
The Westfield News Radio Show Thursday Line-Up 6am-8am
This Thursday... 6am-8am: BOB McKEAN
Executive Director Stanley Park
Mark Boardman & Jennifer Gruzska Westfield Rotary Club
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Coffees • edibles • News 62 School St. • Westfield
Mon-Fri 7am-5pm • Sat-Sun 7am-2pm
See Director, Page 7
RADIO FOR THE WESTFIELD MASSES
Fireworks traffic advisory announced
By DAN MORIARTY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The Water Commission and the Board of Public Works convened a special joint session, with each commission opening its meeting at 7 p.m. and each acting on a motion to adjourn at 7:04 p.m. Each board, during that four-minute span, approved motions to appoint the new superintendent of the reorganized Department of Public Works. The brevity of the appointment process may have been due to the fact that the boards were only presented with one candidate, Dave Billips. Both board voted unanimously to appoint David S. Billips to head the new department, DAVID BILLIPS which while created by the City Council months ago through an ordinance change, does not come into existence under July 1 with the new 2016 Fiscal Year budget Ironically, it was Billips who had proposed the new DPW structure. Billips has served the city as the head of the Water Resource Department for more than a decade and has acted at interim superintendent of the DPW since last August following the retirement of Jim Mulvenna. The City Council voted in April to combine all of the city departments responsible for maintaining the city’s infrastructure, into one Public Works organization based on the organizational plan developed by Billips, who in effect, eliminated his own job in the Water Resource Department. Mayor Daniel M. Knapik said the city had to go through the hiring process required of governmental agencies. Knapik said earlier this week that the city used a two-tiered approach to reviewing candidates who applied for the new post. A screening committee went through the resumes of the candidates and selected three to be interviewed by a separate committee. The interview committee, which included Human Resource Director Karin Decker, Community Development Director Peter J. Miller Jr., City Solicitor Susan Phillips, Water Commission Chairman Ronald J. Cole and Board of Public Works Chairman John Sullivan, interviewed three candidates Friday,