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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 85 NO. 253
The Westfield News will run its masthead in pink, in recognition of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016
Public voices their concerns with athletics center By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent WESTFIELD – Prior to the Planning Board meeting on Tuesday night, the board posted a notice at the entrance doors inside the City Council Chamber room in City Hall informing the public attending the meeting that there would be no public comment being offered or talked about in regards to the ongoing hearing on the Roots Athletics Center. A public hearing will take place at a Planning Board meeting on Nov. 1 to further discuss Root Athletics. The City of Westfield Principal Planner, Jay Vinskey, reported to the Planning Board on Sept. 29 in a letter the issues raised from the public participation in a prior Planning Board meeting. According to Vinskey’s letter to the board, he
visited the Roots Athletics Center on the morning of Sept. 24. Vinskey’s first thing to point out is the fact that Root Athletics did install field lighting. Vinskey states in the letter, “Outdoor lighting has been installed at the fields, despite the fact that testimony and a letter from the applicant (12/12/14) indicated there would be none. The approved site plans do not show field lighting. While I was not there at night, I cannot attest to any light trespass.” In result of that, on Oct. 7, the City of Westfield’s Superintendent of Buildings, Carissa Lisee, acknowledge the fact that Root Sports is still using the lights. As Lisee’s letter was directly towards Roots Athletics President Frank DeMarinis, Lisee ordered that Roots Sports ceases and desists. “Since you have failed to comply with the origi-
nal order that was emailed to your company on Thursday September 22, 2016, I am ordering you to immediately cease and desist all use of the outdoor soccer fields until a modified site plan is submitted and approved by the Planning Board.” Next in Vinskey’s letter was the public’s talk about inadequate parking. Vinskey observed anywhere from 40 to 50 cars parked along Root Road since Root’s parking lot was full. Vinskey then went on to say, “While on-street parking is not illegal, the Board fully expected the site could accommodate all parking demands offstreet.” As Root Sports is also looking to have more outdoor athletic fields, they are looking to utilize artificial turf. In Vinskey’s report to the board, it
from Heidi Leonard)
Southwick Fire mascot, Marshall, has been found
State grant helps WSU continue inclusion efforts By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD — Last month, Westfield State University announced an award of $157,924 by Governor Charles Baker to support the university’s Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative (ICEI) Program. The grant covers tuition, books, materials, the salary for a coordinator and employment specialist, and additional programming needs. “As a university that was founded upon the principles of offering an education without barriers, the Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative is very much aligned with our mission,” said Westfield State University President Ramon S. Torrecilha, Ph.D. ICEI provides dual-enrollment opportunities for students ages 18-21 that have intellectual disabilities and
See Athletics Center, Page 7
The outdoor lighting is seen to be reflecting off another neighboring house at night. (Photo
By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – Marshall, the Southwick Fire Department’s inflatable mascot, has been found. After a suspect emailed Fire Chief Russ Anderson last week that he had Marshall, it was demanded that there be a $500 ransom and the money would have to go towards the Our Community Food Pantry in Southwick. On Monday, Southwick firefighter Jessica Bishop met with Sally Munson of the food pantry and handed Munson a check that totaled over $800 that went towards the food pantry. See Southwick Fire, Page 3 Governor Baker took a photo opportunity with AMT students (l-r) Jared Fournier, Brandon LaViolette, Devon Dupuis, Nate Spiller and Vadim Lukin. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Governor Baker tours Westfield Technical Academy By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – On Tuesday, Governor Charles Baker toured the Westfield Technical Academy’s Aviation Maintenance Technology shop, guided by instructor Galen Wilson and students from the program. Governor Baker came at the suggestion of Mike Knapik, director of his western Mass office, before continuing on to an invitation to tour Gulfstream Aerospace. Also on hand to greet the governor were Rep. John Velis, Mayor Brian P. Sullivan, Westfield Public Schools superintendent Stefan Czaporowski, and Technical Academy principal Joseph Langone.
See Inclusion, Page 8
Turnpike removal project starting on Halloween By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD–In addition to tricks and treats this Halloween, residents in Westfield will also have more construction in the city. The city announced today that the state would begin the “Turnpike Removal Project” to remove turnpike booths on Interstate 90. The project will begin Oct. 31 and according to a notice sent out from the city, it will be around-the-clock work to remove the booths. See Toll Booths, Page 3
See WTA Tour, Page 8
State program provides freedom to those with disabilities
Sherry Elander and Doris Love of the East Mt. transition program in Westfield. (Photo by Amy Porter)
By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent AGAWAM—As Angie Boyle walks carefully but shakily through Robinson State Park, Dan Boyle—her husband of 25 years—never lets go of her hand. The couple recently trekked through the park as part of the Universal Access Program, which is run by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The program is designed to provide people with handicaps and disabilities a chance to explore nature and experience
outdoor activities safely and affordably. Angie, who suffered a traumatic brain injury while swimming in the ocean on the coast of Maine in August 2013, said that the program has saved her life. “This group has kept me alive,” she said. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for this.” And her husband agrees. He said that after multiple medical issues following the brain injury, including total organ failure and a fall that broke multiple bones in her leg, THE GRIT FREEDOM CHAIR.
By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – The Commission for Citizens with Disabilities invited Daniel Paquette, the director of the Westfield Athenaeum to its meeting on Tuesday, to discuss ADA renovations to the library. Chair Madeline Nicoletti said she previously attended the open house, and wanted the other members of the commission to see the plans. “It’s fantastic,” Nicoletti said. Members agreed, saying how encouraging it was that the library took the initiative on their own without any prompt, and identified the needs.
During his presentation, Paquette said the renovations started by looking for a way to install a universally accessible bathroom on the first floor. “If we’re doing this, why aren’t we doing this,” Paquette said of the initial conversations, which he said soon turned into a $1.5 million project. The renovations will include a new accessible entrance in the rear for the children’s library that will be redesigned with an arch to match the architecture of the building. Also in the plans are two accessible bathrooms in the adult section, two outside of the Lang auditorium, one behind the circulation desk, and one
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in the children’s library. “We’ll be going from one somewhat accessible bathroom to having six in the building,” Paquette said. He said the desks in the library will be lowered to ADA and child-friendly height. The library is also making its elevators more user-friendly, and will add two van-accessible spots to its parking area. “We’re really trying to improve the way people interact with the Athenaeum,” Paquette said. One of the reasons for the high cost of See Athenaeum Renovations, Page 8
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Commission for Citizens with Disabilities reviews Athenaeum renovations
See Disabilities, Page 3
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