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WEATHER TONIGHT Clear skies. Low of 44.
The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
— IRVING BERLIN
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 85 NO. 112
“Life is 10 percent what you make it, and 90 percent how you take it.”
75 cents
WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2016
Westfield fireworks location being sought
Children count down to the first firework launch at Stanley Park. (Photo by Liam Sheehan)
WESTFIELD – Mayor Brian Sullivan spoke with The Westfield News this morning and announced that the City is still seeking a location for the annual 4th of July fireworks celebration. The Mayor noted that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) guidelines prohibited the City’s request to use the grounds at Barnes Regional Airport for the location this year due to the proximity of an aquifer. Special consideration could be given to the
Mi Ranchito Tex-Mexican restaurant owners Douglas Hernandez and Yaisses Oliveras (center) and the Mariachi Emperadores were celebrating Mexican Mother’s Day at the Franklin Avenue location on Tuesday. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Mariachi band plays on Franklin Street Tuesday
See Mariachi Band, Page 8
Westfield Senior Center hosts State Chair of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs older adults. In addition, Garlick is looking for participants to share their needs and concerns so that State Legislators can plan for the future. This special event offers Westfield’s older adults a unique opportunity to participate in the legislative process without having to travel to Beacon Hill. The luncheon menu will include homemade Shepard’s pie, roll, and orange Creamsicle fluff for dessert. For more information, call the Westfield Senior Center at 562-6435.
By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation held a public meeting on its 5-year strategic Capital Investment Plan (CIP) in the City Council chambers on Tuesday evening. About two dozen residents, business owners and city officials came to hear how the state department plans to spend $14 billion dollars from 2017 to 2022. MassDOT previewed the multi-billion dollar investment plan for the Commonwealth, which covers all highway and municipal projects, regional airports, rail and transit, including MBTA and Regional Transit Authorities as well as the Registry of Motor Vehicles, which caused some concern at the hearing. “Too many major projects, and too few dollars,” commented Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Executive Director Timothy W. Brennan. This CIP is the first capital plan produced for all of the MassDOT Divisions, including the MBTA. In the past, MassDOT and the MBTA prepared separate capital plans on different annual cycles and each MassDOT Division used its own method to identify and prioritize capital investments. In this CIP, all possible capital investments were considered together, and funding programs were developed and sized taking all capital needs into account. “There is a disproportionate amount of funding going to non-highway projects,” said David Callaham, CEO of Palmer Paving Corporation at the meeting. Callahan said there will be a huge impact of a 30% proposed cut to Massachusetts highways. “The roads will deteriorate to 40% less than good,” Callahan said. He added there are also no plans in place to replace or replenish the 8-year accelerated bridge program. “These bridges will continue to deteriorate. This needs to be addressed,” he said. The CIP states that the $2 billion bridge program included would reduce the proportion of structurally deficient stateowned bridges to just two percent, if the same level of funding continues for 10 years. Callahan said there are also no metrics in the CIP that put the value on home-grown jobs from rebuilding the infrastructure. “78% of all lane miles are local roads,” Callahan said. He stressed that the state needs to continue to invest $300 to $400 million annually in the Chapter 90 program. “It’s the best bang for the buck,” Callahan said. The public is invited to review the CIP presentation at: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us. Public comments may be submitted via email to masscip@state.ma.us.
The Westfield News Radio Show Thursday Line-Up 6am-8am
This Thursday... Thursday... This 6am-8am: 6am-8am: BOB McKEAN Ed Watson
Executive Director Stanley Park
Mark Pres.Boardman Advisory& Jennifer Board Gruzska of WTA Westfield Rotary Club
DENISE C. GARLICK
Download WSKB from your Tune In Radio App or watch on Comcast Cable CH. 15
RADIO FOR THE WESTFIELD MASSES
By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Residents of Franklin Street and surrounding streets may have heard the sounds of a Mariachi band Tuesday evening. The Mariachi Emperadores were helping Mi Ranchito Tex-Mexican restaurant to celebrate Mother’s Day. “Today is the real celebration for Mother’s Day on May 10,” said owners
See Gun Bylaws, Page 8
WESTFIELD – Tickets are selling fast for Monday’s ‘Community Conversations’ Legislative Luncheon at the Westfield Senior Center. Tickets are $3, must be purchased in advance at the Senior Center and seating is limited. Westfield State Representative John Velis brings special guest speaker Representative Denise C. Garlick, the Massachusetts Chair of the Joint Committee on ElderAffairs. Representative Garlick will take time to outline resources offered by the Commonwealth to support
See Fireworks, Page 8
Karren Valliere and Bob Jenkins are entertained by the fireworks at Stanley Park. (Photo by Liam Sheehan)
New MassDOT Capital Investment Plan causes concern at public meeting
Longmeadow Voters take aim at proposed gun bylaws By SARAH LEETE TSITSO Correspondent LONGMEADOW – One by one, the three proposed bylaws brought by citizen petition related to guns in Longmeadow were shot down by a majority of the 1,000 voters who attended the town meeting May 10. Article 29 would have accepted a bylaw that disallows firearms, rifles and shotguns in any building owned by the town. The bylaw would not apply to federal, state or local law enforcement personnel. Alex Grant, the citizen who added these three petitions to the town meeting warrant, asked voters whether they believed guns belong in the library, in the Greenwood Community Center or Town Hall. If not, he encouraged residents to vote for the article. A number of voters spoke out against the measure, stating that it does nothing to keep residents safe and instead penalizes law-abiding citizens. Henry Lanouette stated that Longmeadow does not have a firearm problem and the bylaw would do nothing but pose a discriminatory burden on people who have done nothing wrong. James Frank disagreed, noting that as a surgeon, he has seen the impact guns can have on people. He said it is time the citizens of Longmeadow take a stand against the proliferation of gun violence. One resident in favor of the bylaw likened opinions on this issue to religion and politics. “I’m personally against guns,” she said. “But I’m not going to convince you and you’re not going to convince me.” Article 30 asked voters to accept a bylaw for gun licensing requirements whereby each person seeking a license or renewal to carry a firearm shall be required to describe their firearms in writing including make, model, caliber and serial number, and register those firearms with the police department. It would also require license holders to certify that the owner understands and complies with the state’s safe storage requirements. A number of voters believed this article was redundant as the state
city if the city absorbed the costs for testing the water both before and after the event which is not the direction the city was willing to take this year. The Barnes Aquifer is a protected area just east of the airport and the remnants of exploded fireworks nearby could seep into the ground jeopardizing the water quality. Mayor Sullivan said that he recognizes the desire to maintain this longstanding local