The pilot program for a new schoolwide cell phone policy for Westfield High School will begin later this month.
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SOUTHWICK
Southwick Select Board discusses future of Channel 15
A month after Select Board member Russ Anderson proposed overhauling the town’s public access channel, including pausing and restructuring Channel 15, its director updated the board about what he does to keep town residents informed. Page 4
HILLTOWNS
Southern Hilltown agencies cut from CDBG grant funding
Notably absent in the state’s announcement of nearly $33.5 million in Community Development Block Grant awards was the funding for Southern Hilltowns’ social service agencies. Page 5
McCabe begins third mayoral term with thanks
By Amy Porter aporter@thereminder.com
WESTFIELD — After City
Clerk Kaitlyn Bruce swore in Mayor Michael McCabe and all of the newly-elected city officials at the inauguration ceremony on Jan. 5 at Westfield High School, McCabe expressed his thanks and appreciation to all in his inaugural address.
McCabe welcomed newly reelected at large Councilor Dan Knapik, who was unable to attend the inauguration; new School Committee member Kick Sullivan, who previously served on the Zoning Board of Appeals for 11 years, Jeffrey Gosselin, who previously served the School Committee and Commission for Citizens with Disabilities, and new Ward 1 Municipal Light Board Commissioner Thomas Fanion, who served the city for 24 years in operations management at the Housing Authority.
McCabe thanked Bruce for her “commitment to excellence in all things” and for the morning’s event along with the help of School Committee member Bo Sullivan and City Council President John Beltrandi III, who recruited several members of his family to participate, including Danica Fini, 8, who helped to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
In a brief City Council meeting following the inauguration, Beltrandi was unanimously reelected to serve another one-year term as president.
McCabe also thanked his wife Jennipher McCabe for being on the journey with him. “Thanks for your patience and your willingness to be a private sounding board,” he said to her.
He went on to thank Amy Tosi, who he said “just kills it as an office manager” with 26
boards and commissions, each with needs and their own set of protocols.
He thanked Westfield High School Principal Charles Jendrysik, Band Leader Patrick Kennedy and Show Choir Director Korey Bruno. Both groups performed during the ceremony.
McCabe then talked about infrastructure, economic development and staffing, all of which he said have seen significant gains during his first two-year term. He said Westfield resurfaced or repaved 20 miles of pavement on 56 city roads, and replaced 10 miles of sidewalks across 23 streets.
He said Complete Streets’ efforts on Broad Street and East Silver have been successful at slowing down traffic in the downtown area, which helped to boost the downtown corridor, designated by the Mass. Cultural Council as a Cultural District in November of 2024.
McCabe congratulated Community Development Director Peter Miller and his team for getting it done.
McCabe said since 2024, more than 30 new entrepreneurs have invested in the community, opening art dealerships, boutiques, barbershops, hair sa-
lons, marketplaces, cafés and restaurants.
He said businesses like ALDI, Entre Technologies, James Hardie and ERD Metals have moved into town; and longtime businesses such as John S. Lane and Sons, celebrating 100 years, and Mestek, 80 years this year, continue to thrive.
“The 104th Fighter Wing will continue operations as the guardian of the North American east coast, the addition of the F35s marking a new era of security and stability,” McCabe said, adding,
Westfield City Clerk Kaitlyn Bruce swears in Mayor Michael McCabe on Jan. 5 at Westfield High School with Jennipher McCabe at his side.
Reminder Publishing photo by Amy Porter
See MCCABE on page 2
Operations Director: Curtis Panlilio
Executive Editor: Chris Maza
Managing Editors: Dennis Hackett, Ryan Feyre
Staff Writers: Sarah Heinonen, Deb Gardner, Amy Porter, Trent Levakis, Cliff Clark, Tyler Garnet, Peter Tuohy
Graphic Design Manager: Beth Thurber
Graphic Design Department: Leigh Catchepaugh, Lorie Perry, Sophia McClellan, Susan Bartlett, Jim Johnson-Corwin, Molly Arnio
Sales Manager: Scott Greene
Account Executives: Matt Mahaney, Paula Dimauro, Lisa Nolan, Jeanette Grenier, Paul Poutre, Andy Shaw, Laura Tassistro
Classified Account Managers: Roxanne Miller-Longtin, Evan Marcyoniak, Shannon Spada
Sales Support: Carolyn Napolitan
Financial Department: Nancy Banning
Toy for Joy rides late surge to strong finish
By Ron Chimelis Special to Reminder Publishing
A late surge of generosity gave a strong finishing kick to the 103rd edition of the Toy for Joy Christmas campaign.
Thanks to the heartfelt donations of local and regional citizens, businesses and organizations, the 2025 drive brought in $94,317. Under the guidance of first-year Captain Stacy McNeil, and backed by Salvation Army social services manager Danielle LaTaille and dozens of invaluable volunteers, the total rallied in the final weeks.
“Wow, what an incredible show of generosity by the community in support of Toy for Joy. We are so deeply grateful for all of your
contributions. We couldn’t have done it without you,” McNeil said.
The Salvation Army sponsors the campaign. McNeil was moved by how many people participated, allowing Toy for Joy to maintain its place as a standard bearer for charitable giving in Western Massachusetts.
Families and children were served at Salvation Army Citadels in Springfield, Holyoke and Greenfield. In Springfield alone, more than 1,600 families and 4,300 children experienced the joy of Christmas gifts through Toy for Joy.
In the final days of the drive, many generous donors helped raise the final total. Always a set of loyal contributors, the Path-
finder Regional School of Three Rivers School Committee joined with Superintendent Eric Duda to donate $235. Matching donations from The Republican employees totalled $2,350.
From the law offices of Mark E. Salamone came $972. Lia Toyota answered the children’s need in a huge way with $2,500, as did Connecticut Valley Artesian Well with $1,000. Robert and Roberta Bolduc continued their leadership in charitable giving with $2,500. Joseph O’Brien gave $1,000, with Caroline Gruszka ($250), and a $300 donation was given in memory of Michael J. Farrell, “Mugsy” Silansky and Paul “Sammy” Samble.
Not to be overlooked were the hundreds and even thousands of dollars given anonymously, or the donations of any size by citizens who were determined to do their part in making this a Merry Christmas for the children.
Plans are already being discussed for the 104th edition of Toy for Joy, which will roll out in the fall of 2026. The Salvation Army, volunteers who helped the cause and sponsoring media (The Republican, Reminder Publishing, MassLive and El Pueblo Latino.). All of those involved have deep and profound gratitude for those who participated to make so many children happy at Christmas, and look forward to the 2026 Toy for Joy campaign next fall.
WSU math professor to serve as ICME co-chair
WESTFIELD — Assistant Professor of Mathematics Alexander Moore has been invited to serve as a co-chair for the philosophy of mathematics and mathematics education research group at the 16th International Congress on Mathematical Education, taking place in Prague in July.
As the premier global forum for the field, ICME is held every four years under the auspices of the International Commission on Mathematical Instruction. The congress brings together thousands of researchers, educators and policymakers to exchange
innovations in curriculum development, pedagogy and assessment. The upcoming 2028 event follows the 2024 congress in Sydney, Australia, which drew over 2,300 international delegates.
“The team of five people to lead each research group must be selected from around the world to represent the vast diversity of mathematical traditions and their education,” said Dr. Jesse Johnson, professor of mathematics, and chair of the math department at Westfield State. “By being invited to serve as a co-chair, it is
evident that Alexander is seen as one of the most influential Americans researching in the philosophy of mathematics education; he has been invited to effectively represent the U.S. for the entire field.”
Moore will lead a diverse, five-person international leadership team consisting of two co-chairs and three vice-chairs.
In this capacity, he will oversee the direction of the research group, co-author position papers, and serve as an editor for the resulting scholarly reports. These documents are vital to the
discipline, frequently evolving into influential edited volumes and published research that drive the worldwide development of mathematics education.
“This opportunity demonstrates Alexander’s profound impact on his field and the respect he has earned through his own research and contributions to the study of mathematics education. It will further guide his own research trajectory in exciting ways. I commend and congratulate Alexander for this prestigious and well-deserved honor,” said Johnson.
SNHU announces fall 2025 president’s list students
WESTFIELD — It is with great pleasure that Southern New Hampshire University congratulates the following students on being named to the Fall 2025 President’s List. The fall terms run from September to December.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the
McCabe
Continued from page 1
“The 104th’s own Col. Michael Glass will be flying in the first F-35 on June 13 of this year.”
McCabe said the city is also fortunate to have Airport Manager Dan Shearer guiding the efforts to make the transition to the larger planes more comfortable for residents.
In addition, McCabe said the city welcomed new Police Chief Jerome Pitoniak; new Council on Aging Director Mike Squindo, Facilities Director Lenny Sabia,
President’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring and summer.
Westfield
Kale Carter, Felicia Dearborn, Raphaella Dupras, Katherine Guildner, Viviana Piotrowski and Dominique Rogers.
Southwick
Christy Addison and Jenni -
Conservation Agent Nick Balik and Public Works Director Randy Brown, who is also serving as acting city engineer.
He gave special thanks to his finance team of Tammy Tefft, Matt Barnes, Ashlie Brown, Vicki Moro and Shanna Reed, who he said work tirelessly to safeguard taxpayers’ investments.
McCabe also thanked the city’s community partners, Westfield Food Pantry, Our Community Table and Western Mass. Food Bank for providing pantry items, groceries and meals to citizens in need.
McCabe said student ath-
fer DiPietro.
Huntington Jason Ilnicki. Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with a 93-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults. Now serving more than 200,000 learners worldwide, SNHU offers approximately 200 undergradu -
letes will now have a new athletic complex that will be completed in August of 2026, which he personally thinks should be named after Thomas P. Flaherty, Gas & Electric’s general manager, who made it possible, with help from Councilors Brent Bean II, Ralph Figy and the City Council.
McCabe listed all of the other outdoor attractions in Westfield, which he said make the city a “bustling, active community with no shortage of opportunities to get moving, get outside and stay active.”
McCabe said his wish in the next term is to build upon the mo-
ate, graduate, and certificate programs, available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH. Recognized as one of the “Most Innovative” regional universities by U.S. News & World Report and one of the fastest-growing universities in the country, SNHU is committed to expanding access to high quality, affordable pathways that meet the needs of each learner.
mentum. He talked about the new Police Department, which will be under construction this year; and he said at this past Baystate Noble Ball, President Peter Banko announced a capital project for a newly renovated emergency room to serve Westfield and the hilltowns, which McCabe said some in the city have advocated for for more than 15 years.
“I am grateful to have this opportunity to serve Westfield and will do my very best to make my time as mayor one of continued improvement, transparency, security and growth,” he said in closing.
High school to implement new cell phone pilot
By Amy Porter aporter@thereminder.com
WESTFIELD — Westfield High School Assistant Principal Andrew Joseph and Instructional Technology Coordinator Brian Dutko informed the School Committee on Jan. 5 that the pilot program for a new schoolwide cell phone policy for Westfield High School will begin later this month.
The pilot program the school will be implementing is an appbased solution called Doorman, a start-up by young entrepreneurs that allows the use of the core functions of a student’s cell phone along with educational apps and medical tools, and blocks social media or “high-dopamine” apps such as Tik-Tok, Snapchat and Instagram. “It allows everything to work except what we don’t want it to,” Joseph said.
“Doorman is a startup, very nimble and responsive. We worked with them to develop an approach that will make this work,” Joseph said. The pilot will begin in 15 classrooms at the end of the month, and if all goes well, will roll out to the school community by the end of the school year.
Students in the pilot will download Doorman and tap into it as they enter and exit their classrooms, which will be equipped with an NFC tag on the wall. During passing periods and lunch, students will have full functionality of their phones.
Joseph and Dutko said students use medical applications to check their blood sugar, and use Google Classroom and Google Suite all the time on their phones, all of which will still be permitted. They will also be able to use a calculator and flashlight, which are core to the phones’ functions.
Families feel it is a safety issue, and have indicated a strong desire for students to retain their phones for safety and emergencies. Students will be able to make and receive phone calls while in Doorman, and although texting will be disabled in the classroom, students will be able to receive SMS messages if their parents want to reach them.
Success at the end of the year will be measured by a reduction in disciplinary referrals related to devices, teacher feedback and feedback from the community regarding students’ experiences. The pilot will run through the end of the school year.
Dutko said Doorman is fully implemented in Watertown, and when he and Joseph visited that school in December, he saw no students on their cell phones. Joseph said there is a long waiting list of hundreds of schools that want to pilot Doorman.
Patrick Cui, one of the founders of Doorman, spoke to faculty last week about the pilot program, and Joseph will be presenting the program to students. “It’s super important that they’re involved. The big thing for us is making sure the kids understand the environment we’re introducing this in,” Joseph said, referring to a state law to ban cell phones in schools bell-to-bell that is expected to pass this year. He said Doorman is essentially a digital lock, and with it, the school will be in compliance with the new law.
There will also be an informational session on Doorman for families of students at WHS who have questions about the whole process on Jan. 14 at 6 p.m. in the auditorium at Westfield High School.
“We’re excited to try this out. It’s going to be a great balance between limiting what takes kids’ attention away in class, and giving them a chance to responsibly use something that’s ingrained in modern life,” Joseph said.
At the School Committee meeting, Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski said the cost per student of Doorman is one-fifth the cost of supplying students with a Yondr locked pouch. “Pouches don’t work. Students bring an old phone and put it in their bag,” he said, adding later that there are now smart watches, smart rings and smart glasses. “You have to keep up with the technology.”
Westfield High School Principal Charles Jendrysik said using Doorman will help with consistency in cell phone policy among all teachers. “This levels the playing field,” he said.
During the meeting, Michael Tirrell, who was elected vice chair of the School Committee for a one-year term at the Jan. 5 meeting, asked if, at the end of the pilot, they would be surveying teachers and others to measure its success.
“I’m thinking from a teacher standpoint — [cellphones] are the biggest burden on teachers. I would be interested in knowing at the end what an anonymous teacher’s opinion would be. Were distractions reduced? What is the general feel,” Tirrell asked.
Joseph said a survey makes a lot of sense, and the school regularly surveys teachers.
Tirrell also asked if it’s up to the students to tap into the program when they enter a classroom.
Dutko said the school will have an active administrative
dashboard and will be able to see who has tapped in and who hasn’t tapped in, which they observed in use in Watertown. He said the students also have an emergency application through which they can exit the program, which the administration will see in real time.
During a discussion of the proposed state cell phone ban in schools, which spurred Westfield’s policy, Jeffrey Gunther said the bill has passed the Senate but not the House Kathleen Hillman asked if the state will say if Westfield is not adhering to the policy. Joseph responded that other states that have banned cell phones have said this program is in compliance.
“I think this is a smart solution,” said Gunther, and asked if they had discussed extending the restrictions to the entire school day instead of just during instructional time. Jeffrey Gosselin, attend-
ing his first meeting since being elected to the School Committee, said he had been following the issue and was very impressed with the program, calling it a real-world solution.
After the meeting, Czaporowski said taking phones away from students puts the school in a position to be financially responsible for them. He said this solution is a way for kids to learn responsible cell phone use in the same way as during college classes and at work.
“This is just a pilot; we hope it’s successful. Once we do our survey and collect the data, we’ll see if there are fewer disciplinary incidents. This takes the responsibility off the teacher. They can still use their pouches, but it’s one less thing they really would have to worry about. The biggest concern of parents and students is being able to get in touch,” Czaporowski said.
WHS Free Web Clinic is seeking website clients for spring term
By Amy Porter aporter@thereminder.com
WESTFIELD — The Westfield High School Free Web Clinic is seeking two to three more website clients for its spring term.
Bram Moreinis, WHS web development and programming teacher, said the Free Web Clinic is for small businesses and community organizations that are looking to redo or create a website.
The free website design is created by web development students at Westfield High School. Moreinis said he has six teams of two to three students ready, and three websites that have already been selected, including the Westfield Education to Business Alliance website. Case studies of other websites the students have published are available to view at freewebclinic.org.
Moreinis said new businesses that are serious about what they’re doing and don’t have a website, ones who have a website but have done nothing with it or the person that put it up is no longer available, may fill out a free consult form on the site to apply.
“We move it on to WordPress, which gives you a site that you’re not going to get stuck with. You’re always going to get more done with it and always find people to help with it. It’s open
source; the site technology is going to be free, (you) will have to host it somewhere, that’s it,” Moreinis said.
The timetable for the project begins in January, when students help prospective clients identify needs in “pre-consult” forms. In early February, teams are matched with good fits, and hold a “free consult” discovery meeting with clients.
In February to March, students create a scope of work and start a user-based design process with client support. In March to April, they finish the design document, including user profiles, stories and flows, site map and wire frame layouts, and start theming.
In April to May, students develop content and configure functions, or plug-ins. May to June is an Alpha-test, when they present to the client for initial feedback, and beta-test with the client and their customers.
June is the “Go/No Go” and transfer of hosting to a live or a staging site if the client is not ready to go live.
Beginning in July, students are available for ongoing development and support of the site at $20 per hour.
“We will be collecting free consult forms for the next three weeks, and will go over what we have, to see what is the best
match for us. We see who is the best fit, and reach out and do a discovery meeting with them in early February,” Moreinis said, adding that if people need help filling out the form, students are available to help.
Moreinis, who is in his third year teaching at Westfield High School, has been running Free
Web Clinics since 2014. In addition to web development, he teaches programming and AP classes. “I love Westfield,” he said. “It’s an incredibly closeknit and supportive community — very, very warm and generous people.”
Moreinis said he is also trying to organize a Westfield Hackathon, where coders from other schools get together for a weekend to code and learn from each other.
“Hackathons are an international phenomenon — let’s all get together and help each other finish our projects; developing patterns and relationships that can help sustain you,” he said, adding, “It’s a communal, fun activity.”
Westfield High School web design students Brandon Barnes, Brock Connors and Alec Piepergerdes work on a website for a client.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
Technology Coordinator Brian Dutko, WHS Principal Charles Jendrysik, Assistant Principal Andrew Joseph, and Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski speak about the new cell phone pilot to start this month at Westfield HIgh School.
Photo credit: Westfield Community TV
Southwick Select Board discusses future of Channel 15
By Cliff Clark cclark@thereminder.com
SOUTHWICK — A month after Select Board member Russ Anderson proposed overhauling the town’s public access channel, including pausing and restructuring Channel 15, its director updated the board about what he does to keep town residents informed.
“I’ve proven that I’m easy to get along with and to communicate with, and I’ve been professional … I’m open to any changes or improvements you would like to do,” said Kenneth Stomski, the channel’s director, at the end of PowerPoint presentation outlining his duties and responsibilities during the Select Board meeting on Jan. 5.
Stomski was responding to Anderson’s proposal in early December to redesign how the town utilizes its public access channel by temporarily pausing its programming, retrieving the town’s audio-visual equipment from him, and considering the Land Use Room in Town Hall as a potential studio.
About pausing programming on Channel 15, Anderson said that when watching Channel 15, “it’s all about Westfield … I looked today, and there’s still stuff on there
from June on our [information] board. It doesn’t change.”
Stomski addressed that proposal.
“Perhaps instead of shutting down a functioning department to pause for a while, would it not be beneficial to keep a functioning department functional while a study can be done as to what it would actually take to build and create what Mr. Anderson was looking for,” he said.
About the content, Stomski conceded that not only Southwick, but several communities in the area run Westfield content from 6-10 a.m., because it is local and mostly live.
“We’re unique now. A lot of local community television stations don’t do that,” he said, but added that local programs like “All Things Southwick” show and “The Joe Deedy Show” are part of the channel’s programming.
Stomski pointed out earlier in his presentation that he produces “Southwick Stories,” which preserves the oral history of the town and has proven to be a wellliked series.
He also said that he always responds to requests from the community to film local activities, but the town doesn’t maintain a calendar of community
events, which would help him create local content.
“You know, it would be appreciated if the Select Board or other groups or organizations would inform me of things they would like filmed. I actually like the interaction with the other folks when I’m doing so,” Stomski said.
Peter Cowles, the media systems specialist for Westfield and heavily involved in Channel 15, offered the board a more detailed reason for the Westfield-heavy content.
He said the directors of the public access channel for Westfield, Southwick and Agawam work together on programming because of the lack of staff.
“We’re working together because we realize we’re one person in each town … we’re working on programming together,” Cowles said. “That’s why sometimes you’ll see Westfield programming and Southwick and Agawam programming in Westfield, or vice versa … we all share programs.”
Stomski also addressed Anderson’s concern about where the AV equipment the town owns is, because he couldn’t find it in Town Hall.
“Where is all the equipment?” Stomski said.
“I got into the habit of keep-
ing all the gear at my place because I’m diligent at cycling the batteries to ensure that any piece of gear is ready to go. I see that was a concern [so] I brought all the gear back to the Channel 15 room [in Town Hall],” he said. However, he added that with the equipment and gear not at his residence, he needed to know who would be using it and that it
be locked up in Town Hall with a list of those who have a key to the room.
As for installing studio-quality AV equipment in the Land Use Room, Stomski said he had suggested installing cameras in it, and that he provided a quote last year that was “poo-pooed” be-
Board of Health to weigh in on Crepes Tea House permit
By Cliff Clark cclark@thereminder.com
SOUTHWICK — With concerns about the distribution of seating and the capacity of Crepes Tea House’s aging septic system, the Board of Health decided it needed more time to provide a formal letter to the Planning Board approving the restaurant’s request to offer patrons outdoor seating in one of the three outbuildings on the property.
“In all likelihood, we’re going to come back with another compromise but we need to discuss that among the board and we will do our best to have something for the Planning Board by their [next] meeting,” said Board of Health chair Terry Putnam after discuss-
ing ways to resolve the seating issue at the restaurant at 157 Feeding Hills Road during the board’s meeting on Jan. 6.
Since last July, the Planning Board has held open public hearings on Crepes’ application to allow it to use one of its three outbuildings for outdoor dining by removing 20 seats from its dining room to use in the outbuilding while not exceeding its 93seat capacity.
Several issues have proven to be obstacles for the restaurant to get the Planning Board’s approval, including issues of trust with its owner, Art Ribinskas, how to ensure the restaurant doesn’t exceed its capacity when it moves seats for outdoor diners, how the
Fire Department might classify the outbuilding for safety purposes and minimizing the stress on its septic system.
During the Planning Board’s meeting in late December, most of its members were satisfied with assurances from Steve Salvini of Salvini Associates that they would be comfortable with moving the 20 seats back and forth between the dining room and outbuilding between April 1 and Oct. 1, and that the building would only be available by reservation on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
However, at that meeting, Planning Board Chair Jessica Thornton invited interim Health Director Caileen Simonds to present the town’s former health director’s opinion of moving the seats back and forth, after consulting with the state’s Department of Environmental Protection.
She said that Tom Hibert, the town’s former health director, thought the 20 seats that would be used in the outbuilding, or gazebo, should be removed permanently from the dining room or bar area.
With that information, Thornton said that before the board handed down its decision, they needed a “clarification” of the former director’s opinion, which prompted the Board of Health to take up the issue at its meeting on Jan. 6. Salvini provided the restaurant’s position on its request and a synopsis of meetings over the last three months.
“It all comes back now to capacity. How many seats can you have,” Salvini said at the BOH meeting.
“There’s absolutely no in-
crease in seating capacity at all for Crepes Tea House. [The permit modification application] wasn’t intended to be an increase in seating capacity,” Salvini said.
About the possibility of stressing the septic system, which has a capacity of 3,500 gallons per day, Salvini said he pulled water use billings for the restaurant, and it never exceeded 1,200 gallons per day.
“You don’t have 93 people going to the bathroom and using the bathroom in a restaurant. It’s from washing dishes,” he said.
He said he was hoping the board would rule that because the seating capacity won’t increase, there’s no additional stress on the septic system.
“So long as there’s not an increase in [septic system] capacity, does it really matter where those
seats are?” he asked.
About how the BOH might monitor that the restaurant doesn’t exceed its seating capacity, Salvini asked if other restaurants in town are monitored.
Putnam said, “No … [only] when they are inspected.”
Simonds then said that when the former director preferred the seating distribution to be permanent, it was after “extensive” discussions with the Department of Environmental Protection, and that, “he was told that there really would be no way for us to efficiently and effectively police that 20 seats were being flip-flopped from the gazebo to inside, to the deck, to back.”
She then said policing the seating was not an issue of trust.
Art Ribinskas, the owner of Crepes Tea House at 157 Feeding Hills Road, Southwick, has applied to the Planning Board to modify its special permit to allow it to use the outbuilding, also called a gazebo, for outdoor dining.
Reminder Publishing file photo
Ken Stomski, director of Channel 15 in Southwick, prepares for the live broadcast of the Southwick 250th Celebration Parade on Jan 3. Reminder Publishing photo by Frederick Gore Photo
HILLTOWNS
Southern Hilltown agencies cut from CDBG grant funding
By Amy Porter aporter@thereminder.com
Notably absent in the HealeyDriscoll Administration’s Dec. 19 announcement of nearly $33.5 million in federal Community Development Block Grant awards to support housing, infrastructure, social services and economic development projects in 52 communities across Massachusetts was the funding for Southern Hilltowns’ social service agencies.
“From our smallest hill towns to our Gateway cities and regional hubs, we are listening to local leaders and making sure they have the resources they need to deliver for their residents,” said Gov. Maura Healey in making the announcement.
According to Joe Hagopian, senior planner for the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, which manages the Southern Hilltown CDBG grant, the application included the following breakdown, none of which was funded.
Southern Hilltowns Domestic Violence Task Force, $45,777; Huntington Food Pantry, $51,480; Hilltown Community Health Centers (for the Hilltown Social Services Project), $73,829; and the Southern Hilltowns Adult Education Center through the University of Massachusetts, $73,578.
Hagopian said the last time funding was not awarded, which he believes was in 2012, agencies were extremely impacted.
“Thankfully, previous grant rounds have carried over funding through the present, so all of the agencies are still receiving funding for the time being,” he said.
“I would also like to emphasize the important work that all of these provider agencies have done — and continue to do. Their staff are extremely compassionate, knowledgeable and truly look out for their neighbors,” Hagopian added.
While the social services were not funded, infrastructure grant awards were announced for
Permit
Continued from page 4
“That’s not it at all. Mostly what it is … it’s a very old septic system,” she said, adding that it was impossible to measure the stress on a septic system.
Board member Erika Prouty confirmed with Salvini that seating diners in the outbuilding wouldn’t be last-minute.
“Planned events only,” she said.
Channel 15
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cause of the cost.
He added that using the room as a studio would also mean having someone to operate the equipment during meetings.
Cowles said the cost of installing a studio in the room could cost as much as $250,000, but could be done for as little as $30,000.
Later in the meeting, Board member Douglas Moglin, who didn’t dispute Cowles’ estimate to build a studio, said that the technology is moving so fast it’s gotten inexpensive.
“The barrier to entry is much lower than it used to be,” he said. Anderson’s proposal also included getting the regional school district involved, which Moglin echoed.
“I’d love to see the schools get involved in this, and I’d love to see … whether it’s a studio or some other forum where they could do better content creation,” he said.
Stomski welcomed getting students involved and said that he had purchased equipment that would work for beginners
“… so that you have some-
Chester and Huntington. Chester will receive $850,000 for Prospect Street Phase 4, and Huntington will receive $850,000 for Blandford Hill Road infrastructure improvements, Stanton Avenue improvement project phase II and ADA self-evaluation and transition plan.
Kate Norton, a communications consultant with the PVPC, said a public hearing was planned on Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Chester Board of Selectmen meeting. She said she believed the primary focus of the meeting would be the infrastructure program that was funded, but to her understanding, they would also be discussing the current status of the ongoing FY24 grant, which has remaining funding for all of the social services. Typically, CDBG grants run a year behind.
Reaching out to the agencies, Laura Gavioli, director of the Huntington Food Pantry, said she had no comment on the loss of funding to the program because she had not been aware of the cut. She said she planned to go to the CDBG hearing on Jan. 12 to find out what was going on.
Gavioli said the food pantry is still operating with the remaining funds from the 2024 CDBG grant. The Huntington Food Pantry saw historic demand for its services throughout 2025.
Monica Moran of the Southern Hilltowns Domestic Violence Task Force agreed that it was bad news about the funding, “and so disappointing.”
“However, we will figure out a way to keep going in hopes that the funding comes through next year — perhaps meeting less and doing fewer projects. A lot of what happens is by members and volunteers. We’ll scale back. We haven’t sorted it out yet. But we will not fold. Too important,” Moran said.
Michele Kenney, program director for the SHAEC through UMass Amherst, was the first to talk about the upcoming cut to adult education programs in the
“That’s exactly right,” Salvini said, who then floated a compromise.
He suggested notifying the BOH when the outbuilding would be used.
“I would think that this would be a good compromise — you’re aware of what their use is, and they’re aware that you know what their use is, and it keeps everybody honest,” he said.
Prouty asked if notifying the BOH would “open up a can of worms?”
thing … [that] if you drop it into the river, I’m not gonna cry but it still gets the job done.”
Along those lines, Cowles suggested offering students workshops on how to use their cellphone cameras.
Stomski said that if anyone films anything in town that they want shown on Channel 15, just give it to him.
“I don’t care what the footages look like. I’ll work with it and I’ll put it up. I’ve been saying that for several years,” he said.
As for Anderson’s proposal to pause Channel 15, board member Diane Gale didn’t weigh in where she stood, but Moglin hinted that
coming year due to the loss of the block grant. She said that with no grant, they will only be able to offer GED HiSet programs and oneon-one business assistance with the funding that remains.
Kenney said the Village Education Center in Chester will remain open. and other classes will be offered as they get volunteers and through Friends of SHAEC. She said back in 2010, they formed the non-profit Friends of SHAEC, a fundraising arm, to allow the adult education center to widen its variety of offerings, and this year they will be looking to increase those fundraising efforts.
Kenney said among the cuts they will have to make is computer help at local councils on aging, which she said is to her the most critical loss. Currently, UMASS Amherst is putting together a request to PVPC for a separate grant for computer help for seniors.
“One of the reasons I think it’s so important to ask for that is the scams and the seniors being taken advantage of,” Kenney said. She said one teacher recently spoke to a couple from Chester who asked her why Yahoo was suddenly charging them $30 a month for their email account. She said the teacher looked into it and found a phishing scam that had entangled them and other people they knew.
“How many other people are getting scammed? I feel it’s important to ask if we can get funding for computer help for seniors. They are vulnerable, and this is their only option,” she said.
Kenney said SHAEC will also be applying for a 2026 CDBG grant.
Kim Savery, director of Community Programs for the Hilltown Community Health Centers, said the loss in funding will impact community health workers, navigators, the Family Center and HOPE programs, which are all reliant on the CDBG funding.
She said they are currently looking for additional funding for their domestic violence outreach program, Hilltown Safety at
Putnam said requiring that would be something that no other restaurant in town must do, which Simonds said was also a concern for her.
“If you’re not doing this for other restaurants, then how can you not trust this restaurant?” Salvini asked.
Prouty suggested that the restaurant keep a log of when the seats were moved.
Putnam, again, said that would mean holding Crepes to a different standard.
he wouldn’t necessarily want to.
“Let’s move forward instead of starting here and moving back and then recasting everything to start over. I think we’ve got a kind of a foundational base,” he said.
Anderson made it clear that he thinks the discussions overhauling the channel are needed.
“I’ve seen you say that we could do a better job,” he said, referring to Moglin. “Everyone says we can do a better job. My goal is that; to do a better job, whether that’s equipment, whether that’s programming, whether that’s people that we have. I feel we have to go down a road to up the game a little bit, wherever that is.”
Home, as the grant from the Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance has also faced cuts.
Savery said the Southern Hilltowns CDBG funding has played an important role in supporting social services that help residents meet basic needs, navigate systems and stay healthy.
“Losing this funding creates real challenges, particularly in this rural region where transportation barriers, isolation and limited local resources already exist. We want the community to know that this loss does not reflect a reduced need — demand for social services in the hilltowns remains high,” Savery said. She said while the loss of the CDBG block grant funding is a setback, the Hilltown Community Health Centers remains fully committed to ensuring that residents continue to have access to essential social services. “We are adapting, leveraging partnerships, and pursuing diversified funding strategies to sustain and strengthen these services.”
“Hilltown Community Health Centers has served the hilltowns for more than 75 years, and our mission is rooted in long-term commitment, not short-term funding cycles. Social services remain a core part of our integrated care model, alongside medical, behavioral health, dental and community-based supports. We are prioritizing continuity of services for the most vulnerable residents, in-
Simonds then suggested keeping 10 seats permanently in the outbuilding, and if 10 more were needed, they could be moved.
Later, Putnam recognized that what the Planning Board might decide “hinges” on what the BOH rules, which Salvini responded to.
cluding older adults, families with children, people experiencing housing or food insecurity and survivors of violence,” Savery said.
In terms of immediate strategies to maintain services, Savery said they are looking at a three-pronged approach: resource allocation, integration with clinical care and partnership coordination. “I am actively pursuing new grant funding to replace and diversify lost support, including federal and state funding, private foundations and discrete funding streams for each of the programs,” Savery said.
Savery also stressed that Hilltown residents should continue to seek help, and services are still available, and they will work with individuals to connect them to resources.
“No one should assume that help has disappeared; our staff are actively navigating options with each person we serve. We are committed to transparency and will keep the community informed as funding strategies evolve,” she said, noting that this has happened before.
“The hilltowns are resilient, and so is Hilltown Community Health Centers. While funding landscapes change, our commitment to this region does not. We will continue to adapt, advocate, and pursue every opportunity to ensure that social services remain accessible to the people who rely on them,” Savery said.
“We are very appreciative of that,” Putnam said.
After a bit more discussion, Putnam said the board would continue to discuss what its recommendations might be.
“That’s what we’re in the process of, and now the Planning Board has said, ‘well, we’re going to kick it over to the Board of Health and stress them out,’” he said.
The Village Enterprise Center, 26 Main St. in Chester, is home to the Southern Hilltowns Adult Education Center. Reminder Publishing submitted photo
BASKETBALL
Westfield High's boys basketball team defeated Southwick Regional's team 58-32 on Jan. 2 at James. E. Vincent Gymnasium.
The 2025-2026 Southwick Regional boys basketball team gets ready for their game with Westfield High.
Westfield's Evan Miller is guarded by Southwick's Dan Methe.
Evan Miller guards Sean Braithwaite.
Ethan Bargatti goes for the basket with Adrian Bradley looking on.
Southwick Regional's cheerleaders inspire the crowd during a time out.
John Whalley cuts around Ceasar Quinto as he heads down the court.
Westfield's Adrian Bradley tries to block Nic Spina's shot at the basket.
Dan Methe is caught between Evan Miller and Garrett Berube for the rebound.
Adrian Bradley goes for a 3-pointer.
Senior Ceasar Quinto takes a shot inside a crowd of Southwick defenders.
Board remains skeptical of committing to Complete Streets
By Cliff Clark cclark@thereminder.com
SOUTHWICK — A request by the Economic Development Commission to the Select Board prompted a discussion by its members about whether the town should participate in the state’s Complete Streets program.
“I think all our concerns were, what are we signing up for when we do that? You might gain something here if it costs you something up there,” board member Russ Anderson said, referring to a presentation made in September by the DPW about the program.
Board member Diane Gale agreed with Anderson for a similar reason.
“I’m cautious of that thing of, here’s some grant money [and] all you’ll have to do is this,” she said
The discussion was kicked off by a request from the EDC for the board to create a subcommittee or ad hoc committee that would determine if the program is the right fit for the town, and with an eye towards potential projects it believes could spur economic development and quality of life.
For the board members, naming an ad hoc or subcommittee was a hard no.
“I personally would be against another ad hoc committee,” Anderson said, which board member Douglas Moglin agreed with.
“I agree, I don’t think we need another subcommittee on a very narrow, focused issue like that,” Moglin said, with Gale agreeing.
The state’s Complete Streets Funding Program provides technical assistance and funding to municipalities to build streets that are safe, accessible, and comfortable for all users, regardless of age, ability, or mode of transportation, according to the state Department of Transportation.
It also encourages local governments to design their roadways for pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit riders and motorists alike, according to MassDOT.
If the town committed to participating in the program, it would only have to create a Complete Streets policy and immediately be eligible for a $38,000 state grant to fund technical assistance to develop a detailed prioritization plan.
With that step done, the town would then qualify for grant funding to carry out the initiatives.
Gale’s skepticism was based on “feedback” from “DPW people” that “some past jobs were very close to complete street requirements and were going to be disastrous if we hadn’t pushed back.” She wouldn’t “name the project.”
“Oh yeah,” Moglin said, who said the state was partially to blame.
“If you call a dog over and you kick the dog, [it] runs away. And then a month or three or a year later, the dog comes back to you, and he’s kicked him in the face again … eventually the dog stops coming,” he said.
“Well, this is just like every other state program. Here’s
some grant money if you sign up for this and you take it … and all of a sudden the grant money’s gone … but you signed up for all the rules and regulations. And now, you’re left holding back on the cost.”
He said the town could design a “complete streetslike” project without the grant funding.
Despite that view, he said there were some benefits of the program.
Moglin and Anderson said they both wanted DPW Assistant Director Jon Goddard to attend a meeting to offer them additional details about the program.
TheReminder.com
Every week we will provide you with a complete listings of deaths from the preceding week from throughout Greater Springfield. We are doing this as a convenience to our readers in case you miss an obit in the daily paper. We hope you find this useful and that you will refer to it weekly.
AGAWAM
Phil D. Argiro
Alice M. Buell
John J. Daviau
James M. Feyre
Shirley M. Hardcastle
Walter S. Kamyk
Jonathan D. Marcil
FEEDING HILLS
Lillian M. Gendron
Arthur E.
Goddard was asked by the board to do some additional research on it in September.
Moglin suggested that when Goddard and DPW Director Rich Bosak return to invite residents, for and against, to hear their thoughts.
“We’ll take that input,” he said. After Goddard — who Moglin said was advocating for the program — presented the program, he tried to allay the members’ fears about strings being attached to the program, as did Chief Administrative Officer Nicole Parker.
“I was not able to find what [might be] wrong with Com-
plete Streets … there was no negative feedback that I could find,” she said at the September meeting. Gale said she wasn’t sure Parker’s assessment made the board “anymore secure about our local control and design.”
“Not me,” Moglin added. At the EDC meeting in December, Commissioner Greg Deily said one project he wanted the town to focus on for a Complete Street grant was connecting the rail trail to College Highway. The idea has bounced around for over a year, but no real steps have been taken to make it a reality.
Ice Art Festival gears up for biggest celebration yet
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — Winter magic is returning to Northampton in the form of the 15th annual Ice Art Festival on Jan. 31, turning the city’s downtown into a walkable winter art gallery.
This year’s festival, once again put on by the Downtown Northampton Association, is set to be the biggest iteration yet, according to organizers, as 17 frozen art locations grace downtown. Sculptors will begin carving in the morning and finish their work before dusk, and their finished art will be viewed until nature melts them over the following days.
“It’s really amazing to be able to watch a carver work to completion starting from just a block of ice,” Northampton DNA Board President Amanda Shafii told Reminder Publishing . “Typically, stations get two blocks of ice each, delivered between 8-9 in the morning and then throughout the day, the carver works on their masterpiece, and it’s amazing what they can do. We’ve had dragons, we’ve had the Grinch, we’ve had so many different beautiful works of art, and it’s very fascinating to be able to watch it all happen in live time.”
With more sculptures, more artists and more places to explore, visitors are invited to wander, discover and experience ice art around every corner. From iconic downtown spots to hidden gems, each location offers something unique, according to organizers. The festival encourages guests to explore local shops, restaurants and gathering spaces along the way.
“It happens to be a good time to try and bring an event downtown. Things get a little quieter after the holidays. Everyone loves it,” added Shafii.
The free, all-day festival is a beloved winter tradition in the community that highlights the energy of downtown Northampton while supporting local artists, shops, restaurants and gathering spaces. Shafii said a map of the ice art locations throughout downtown will be released the day of the event on the DNA’s website and socials.
There is also a competition element to the festival, as attendees will be asked to vote on their favorite piece by the day’s end. This year’s People’s Choice Award will be dedicated to the memory of local ice sculptor David Rothstein, who passed away unexpectedly in November.
“David was very active in the carving community and a carver with us for a bunch of years, and unfortunately, he just passed recently, so we want to honor him with dedicating the people’s choice award to him this year,” explained Shafii. “I hope that we get a busy day full of people coming downtown. I hope we get a lot of votes as well because we like to make the competition even more competitive, and it’s even more fun the more people that join in.”
For more information on this year’s Ice Art Festival, visit nohodna.org/ice-art-festival-2026/.
“I hope that everyone has a great day, gets to do a little shopping, and maybe warm up with a cup of coffee or get a nice dinner after,” added Shafii. “It’s really great to see the carvings come to life during the daytime, but at nighttime, they’re all lit up, so it’s like a completely dif-
ferent site and it’s really special to be able to see it all happen.”
Works from sculptors during previous Ice Art Festivals help turn downtown Northampton into a walkable winter art gallery.
