Westfield350.com Westfield350.com WEATHER WEATHER TONIGHT WEATHER TONIGHT Partly Cloudy.
The Westfield Westfield News The Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com www.thewestfieldnews.com TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017
TONIGHT Low of 55. T-storms. Partly Cloudy. Lowofo55.58. Low
VOL. 86 NO. 151
VOL. VOL.86 86NO. NO.151 213
Search for The Westfield News
Search for The Westfield News
“W e for live a fantasy Search The in Westfield News “Tworld ime is ,The only a world criTic wiThouT “Time is of Theillusion only . ambiTion .” The great task criTic wiThouT
.”
JOHN STEINBECK in life is to ambiTion find reality .” JOHN STEINBECK
— IRIS 75 MURDOCH cents
75 75cents cents
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER JUNE 27, 2017 WEDNESDAY, 6, 2017
City to reexamine Ashley Street Cross Street elementary school project By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – At a press conference on Tuesday, Mayor Brian P. Sullivan, Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski and Business Manager Ronald Rix said they are going to undertake an in-depth study to determine whether the proposed 600 student elementary school at the Ashley Street site is still necessary, or whether a smaller 400-student school building would be sufficient. “When you pull the fifth grade out, do you still need a 600 student school there,” asked Czaporowski. He said the district is initiating a study on long term enrollment. The last study, which predated the elementary school building project, was done ten years ago and has expired.
‘The question has to be asked,” he said. Mayor Sullivan said the School Committee made some “pretty tough decisions” over the last year, specifically to pull the fifth grade out of the elementary schools, and to bring Russell School students back to Westfield. The redistricting, which will go into effect in the school year beginning September 2018, will include six K-4 elementary schools, one 5-6 intermediate school, and one 7-8 middle school. Rix said there will be a cost savings in the new plan, as the district will go from seven elementary schools to six. Czaporowski said there will be educational benefits, also. With the new plan, a new elementary school would also be K-4, and would further consolidate the district into five elementary schools. “Here’s where we are, because we made a move
to pull the fifth grade out,” Sullivan said. All three said that the Supreme Judicial Court’s anticipated ruling on the appeal of Article 97 protection of the Cross Street playground was not a factor in their decision to do the study. The case centers on whether the 1.37 acres of the playground which would be taken for the school is Article 97 protected land. “We still feel the Ashley Street neighborhood is the location for the new school,” Sullivan said. He said 90% of the students would walk to the school, which is in a central location in a populated part of the city. Whether a smaller 400-student school building on the site would eliminate the need to take over 1.37 acres of the Cross Street playground, the subject of the suit and appeal, is not yet known, and won’t be until the study is com-
Communications system expected to save City ‘tens of thousands’
See School Project, Page 8
Brandon Osborne (right) explains his request to convert farm land for a building lot to the L&O Committee on Tuesday. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Westfield considers options of farm land By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – The Legislative and Ordinance Committee heard two different proposals on Chapter 61A farm land at its meeting on Tuesday, with two different intents. Under Chapter 61A, the city has the right to exercise its option to purchase farm land, which has lower taxes under the classification. At the meeting, city planner Jay Vinskey submitted a recommendation from the Planning Board that the city exercise its option for two lots of land on Furrowtown Road owned by William Reed which borders Westfield High School. Previously, Westfield has expressed interest in purchasing Reed’s land for future use by the school. Last year, although the City Council said yes to exercise its option to buy two other parcels of the farm, it did not vote to fund the purchase before time ran out on its option. The two lots being offered on Tuesday were at the other end of the land. “Why are we doing these one at a time and two at a time,” asked L&O Committee member William Onyski. Reed’s attorney said the lots come before the city when there is buyer interested in
the land. He added that Reed is trying to sell the whole farm as a farm. “I had to wait a long time for the city. They voted to buy the land, but then voted not to pay for it. I ended up with two house lots in the winter. I have to pay my bills,” Reed said. “Everything is time sensitive. We went to the Community Preservation Committee to get them to fund it, but (they) said no,” said L&O Committee chair Ralph J. Figy, adding, “I appreciate your time and patience, Mr. Reed.” Figy went on to say that he would like to see the city purchase the whole lot “kit and caboodle.” L&O Committee member Mary O’Connell made a motion to recommend that the city move to purchase the land under Chapter 61A, which passed 3-0, although Onyski said he would bring his objections to buying one piece at a time to the Council floor on Thursday. In another Chapter 61A matter, a request to convert farm land at 658 Montgomery Road owned by Timothy and Susan Crane was heard. Brandon Osborne, the Crane’s son-in-law brought the matter to the committee. See Farm Land, Page 8
Additional Springfield Rd. traffic signal discussed WESTFIELD – The City Council’s Legislative and Ordinance sub committee heard a request to amend bond order #2721, which was for roadway improvements to permit expenditures to pay for costs of roadway and traffic light improvements on Springfield Road. Treasurer Meghan Kane said funds remaining in the bond, which total $2.72 million, would allow the city to supplement expenses from a $1.93 MassWorks grant for traffic lights and road widening on the street. She said $20,000 would be used upfront for design and the rest for contingencies. City advancement officer Joe Mitchell said the project JOE MITCHELL
See Traffic Signal, Page 8
By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—The city’s fire commission chose a new captain for the Westfield Fire Department. The commission chose Westfield firefighter Michael Szenda for the position of captain for the Westfield Fire Department during yesterday’s meeting. Michael Szenda was chosen from among three candidates, all from the department, including one that was acting captain for the department. The other two candidates for the position were a currently-acting captain Christopher King, as well as firefighter Joseph Szenda. According to Westfield Fire Commissioner Albert Masciadrelli, the three were interviewed by four fire chiefs from different departments as part of the interview and prescreening process. These four chiefs were chosen among 12, according to a representative from the city’s Human Resources Department at the meeting. Their findings included rankings of the candidates that were provided to the commission during the meeting and each candidate was asked the same questions. “You three gentlemen I admire you, you went through a lot. The four chiefs that interviewed you, I certainly wouldn’t want to be in front of them,” Masciadrelli said. “All three of you did very well,” he added. Michael Szenda has been on the department for over 11 years and also spent time serving as an acting captain for a period of time. He was previously trained as an See New Fire Captain, Page 8
Prof. George Michael
Members of the Westfield Fire Commission (left) look on as Westfield Fire Capt. Michael Szenda (middle) is sworn in by city clerk Karen Fanion (right).
WSU Terrorism Expert
The Westfield News Radio Show Thursday Line-Up 6am-8am
This Thursday... This 6am-8am: 6am-8am:
BOB McKEAN ExecutiveHubbard Director Stanley Park Rich
RADIO FOR THE WESTFIELD MASSES
WESTFIELD – The Legislative and Ordinance sub committee voted 3-0 to approve a resolution of the City Council and the City of Westfield authorizing an intergovernmental agreement with the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission for space at the Provin Mountain Reservoir facility for placement of antenna, microwave, dishes and related equipment for the new municipal radio system and automatic water meter reading system. Department of Public Works Director David Billips said the Water Commission had just approved the resolution earlier in the evening. He said the placement of equipment will allow the city to have full coverage for the new water meters. Billips said the cost, which is initially estimated at $60,000, would come out of the $4 million bond that was previously approved by the City Council in 2016. Billips said the new meters will save the city “tens of thousands of dollars,” by helping to locate 300 million gallons of unaccounted water usage a year.
pleted. “I do know that Mayor Sullivan discussed several possibilities with the MSBA back in late 2015. The School
New Westfield Fire Captain chosen
Traffic stop turns into arrest in Granville By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent GRANVILLE – Granville Police conducted a traffic stop that led to an arrest over Labor Day weekend. On Friday evening around 9:45 p.m. Granville Police pulled over a male for speeding on Old Westfield Road and right near Wildcat Road. While the officer found that the driver of the vehicle had a suspended license, it was also discovered that he had multiple pills of Oxycodone in his possession. According to Granville Police Lt. Rick Rindels, the male was charged with operating with a suspended license, possession of Oxycodone, and speeding in a posted zone. It also appeared that the operator had an active warrant out of Westfield District Court. The individual was booked at the Granville Police Department in which he was then released on bail and will now appear in Westfield District Court.
Ronald Rix, Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski and Mayor Brian P. Sullivan. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Markthe Boardman & Jennifer Gruzska with Franklin Land Westfield Rotary Club Trust Download WSKB from your Tune In Radio App or watch on Comcast Cable CH. 15