— While three of the last four elections for the open seat on the Select Board were decided by fewer than 83 votes, Joseph Deedy’s drubbing of incumbent board member Diane Gale will stand out as one of the most lopsided wins in recent years.
“Last night honestly caught me off guard. I never walked into this thinking, ‘Oh yeah, we’re definitely winning this thing.’ We just kept our heads down and tried to run a campaign that felt real,” Deedy said on the morning of May 13 in a text.
Deedy carried every precinct by commanding margins over Gale and won by a margin of 1,091-539, or 67% of the 1,630 votes cast during the May 12 town election.
“What stood out most to me wasn’t even the numbers. It was the people,” Deedy wrote.
“You saw tradesmen pulling in after work. You saw people in work boots, dirty sweatshirts, work trucks, folks grabbing 10 minutes between shifts just to vote. A lot of people asked why it was usually just me standing out there waving signs. The answer was simple: you weren’t electing a team. You were electing Joe Deedy, for whatever that’s worth. So, I figured people should see exactly who they were voting for, no smoke, no giant production, no overthinking it,” he added.
“This won’t be easy going forward, and I don’t pretend to have all the answers. But I’m grateful people showed up, grateful they cared enough to vote, and grateful they trusted me with this responsibility,” Deedy concluded.
Gale reacted to the results on May 13.
“Serving our community
has been an honor, and I extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who remains engaged in our town’s future.
“As we reflect on this election, I want to acknowledge the importance of public dialogue in shaping our shared path forward. While debate and differing viewpoints are a natural part of civic life, our community is at its strongest when discussions remain respectful, factual, and focused on substantive issues. I am grateful to the many residents, volunteers, and employees who continued to engage thoughtfully and constructively throughout this process.
I understand that many resi-
dents sought what they believed would ensure stability and comfort for the town’s future, and that transformative change can sometimes feel unsettling as new approaches take shape. I respect the outcome of the election and remain profoundly proud of the work we accomplished together. I extend my congratulations to Joe Deedy and wish him every success in his continued stewardship of our community. Southwick’s future is best secured when we move forward with mutual respect and a shared commitment to the town we all care about so deeply,” Gale said.
Other races
WESTFIELD Municipal Light Board compensation not discussed
The unique compensation package for the members of the city’s Municipal Light Board will remain as is. Page 2
SOUTHWICK
Select Board opts into Complete Streets Program
Two of the three board members approved moving forward with the Complete Streets Program.
4
For the two open seats on the Southwick-Tolland-Granville-Regional School District School Committee, incumbent Ryan Welch Korobkov received 917 votes, and Stephanie Jane Widun received 834 votes. Both were nominated by the Southwick Republican Town Committee. Lynn Comer, who was nominated by the Southwick Democratic Town Committee, finished third with 538 votes. Korobkov and Widun will each serve three-year terms. In the race for the open seat on the Board of Assessors, William Brown IV, who was appointed to the board last September by
Joseph Deedy spent May 12 appealing to last-minute voters along College Highway during Southwick’s annual municipal election. He prevailed in his race for the open seat on the Select Board against incumbent Diane Gale. Reminder Publishing photo by Cliff Clark
Think you know what a human trafficker looks like? Guess again.
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
Human trafficking happens in Western Massachusetts. That is the number one message Amber Estelle, deputy COO and clinical director of the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, wants to share.
Estelle has personally worked with about 50 victims of trafficking through a program she ran for the YWCA. To her knowledge, none of the people were trafficked by the same person or group. The program was shuttered due to funding issues, but Estelle said the YWCA sees trafficking victims show up in their shelter program.
In 2024, the latest year for which there is data, the National Human Trafficking Hotline received 288 signals from Massachusetts, 91 of which were from victims or survivors of trafficking. While 68% of victims are trafficked for sex, people can also be trafficked for labor or a combination of the two. About 85% of trafficking victims are women, but men are also trafficked.
Estelle explained that traf-
fickers are drawn to locations where people have disposable income. Such locations include high-stakes sporting events, or as Estelle specifically noted, the MGM Springfield casino. She said Interstate 91 offers a corridor for travel between states without checkpoints, as does the passenger rail service through Springfield’s Union Station. These transportation methods make it easier to traffic people without fear of being caught, she said.
Estelle emphasized that not all sex workers choose to participate in that lifestyle. People who are being trafficked are often threatened and sometimes threatened with violence towards their child or other loved ones. Victims may be hesitant to leave because they think they are in love with their exploiter or they are trauma-bonded to other victims.
As part of the program she used to run at the YWCA, Estelle said she separated victims from the geographical area they were trafficked in. This lessened the likelihood of the victim being manipulated into going back to the
situation. Estelle also said stable income is important because financial strain can be a powerful tool for manipulation.
When Estelle asks young people what a human trafficker looks like, she said the answers are usually the same. They assume traffickers look like “thugs” or “drug dealers,” someone who dresses “flashy” and drives an expensive car, Estelle said. However, the truth is that most victims of trafficking are exploited by someone they know.
Many times, traffickers will approach people online, pretending they are the same age and gender. After establishing a rapport and gaining someone’s trust, they will start asking personal questions and eventually get the victim to agree to meet them somewhere.
Traffickers also use other victims to befriend and recruit people, telling them they can make quick money and that “it’s not that bad,” Estelle said. The YWCA evicted a woman from their shelter because she was recruiting other women on behalf of a trafficker. Occasionally, parents with a substance use
disorder will sell their children to traffickers to fund their addiction.
“There’s no one person, no one race or gender. It could be a sweet, little, old lady baking cookies, but she could be a madam,” Estelle said.
Estelle said there are “red flags” to be aware of:
• If they ask a lot of questions or ask personal questions about where someone lives, works or their home life
• If they encourage someone to do something out of their comfort zone
• If they are a love bomber — someone who manipulates another person early in a relationship with over-the-top compliments, lavish gifts or grand gestures. They may want constant attention, pressure someone to move quickly, ignore boundaries or have sudden mood changes, including anger and withdrawal.
Another common tactic is approaching an intended target with talk of being a modeling scout or photographer and trying to get the person to model for them. Es-
telle said this happened to her on a train in California once. She did not go with the person but was later told by a woman at the station to avoid the man because he took her somewhere where she was assaulted. If you cannot easily find information online about the person of alleged business, do not trust them, Estelle said.
If someone is approached by a person who says they are being trafficked, Estelle said safety should be the number one priority. Call 911 and get as much information about the person as possible in case they run away. Do not bring the person to your home, she said. Traffickers will sometimes use this tactic to follow a target home. If you must drive them somewhere, go straight to a police station, she said.
The National Human Trafficking Hotline can be contacted by calling 1-888-373-7888, TTY: 711, texting “BEFREE” 233733, emailing help@humantraffickinghotline.org, or using the web chat or online reporting through its website, humantraffickinghotline.org.
Municipal Light Board compensation not discussed at last meeting
By Cliff Clark cclark@thereminder.com
WESTFIELD — The unique compensation package for the members of the city’s Municipal Light Board will remain as is after the board was told by Westfield Gas & Electric’s legal counsel that it needed “no further discussion.”
“On the advice of counsel, the health benefits discussion, it’s the advice of counsel, to let that rest right now and not have any further discussion on the health benefits,” said WG&E General Manager Thomas Flaherty during the monthly meeting of the Municipal Light Board on May 6.
The item appeared on the agenda at Commissioner Robert
Sacco’s request, after he asked Flaherty to add it for discussion during May’s board meeting.
“I’m not going to ask for a vote, but I want to put it back on the agenda for next month to let the new commissioners think about it and learn what they need to learn,” he said during the April 1 meeting of the board.
There was no discussion of the package during the meeting.
Last September, the commissioners serving on the city’s Municipal Light Board, in a split vote, approved its compensation package with language that said WG&E will cover the entire cost of the city’s health insurance premium for members who opt to take it while maintaining its an-
nual compensation of $7,500. It is unlike any other board, council, or committee compensation package in the city.
During the September meeting, when the board was debating the new compensation arrangement, Sacco spoke out against it.
He said serving on the board should be for public service, not employment, and therefore should not include additional benefits. He added that he had concerns about any “potential for inequity.”
At the May 6 meeting, after Flaherty recounted what the WG&E counsel suggested, Sacco kept his response brief.
“We’re being told by the department’s attorney that we don’t talk about it,” he said.
Asked if the issue might again be brought up for discussion, Sacco said: “That’s up to counsel.”
The discussion by the board to change the package began in July 2025.
“There’s no discussion … we’re skipping that item on the agenda,” he said. When reached on May 12, Sacco referred to Flaherty’s remarks when asked if he agreed with counsel.
During that meeting, Flaherty announced that health insurance premiums had risen 28%, and that increase exceeded the $625 monthly stipend paid to the commissioners, according to the minutes of the July meeting.
He recommended that WG&E cover the difference between the monthly stipend paid to commissioners and the amount they pay for coverage under the city’s health insurance plan. He estimated it would cost WG&E $20 to $30 per board member who takes the city’s health insurance, according to the minutes of the July meeting.
When asked about the issue, Flaherty said he supported the change.
“It’s a benefit of the elected office,” Flaherty said, adding that when he had served on the board in the early 2000s, the annual stipend covered the cost of taking the city’s health insurance.
“Each time it was raised, it was to cover the increased cost of health insurance,” he said.
He also recognized that seats on the board are elected, and he didn’t think the additional compensation was an issue.
“They’re putting themselves out there to serve the city,” he said.
As for shouldering the cost of the premium, Flaherty said the amount is so small it wouldn’t affect the city department’s bottom line. WG&E had revenues of $110 million last year.
Flaherty acknowledged that the Municipal Light Board would have a unique compensation package in the city, but he also said that any board, commission or council can adjust its compensation if they want to.
Former Municipal Light Board Commissioner Ed Roman, who retired from the board in January, initially raised the issue but stressed at the July meeting that he was not looking for an increase in the stipend. He said he wanted to hear the thoughts from other commissioners.
He shared at the meeting that he was comfortable paying a small portion of the premium out of pocket, and if he was the only commissioner who was affected by the premium increase, he’d “drop the matter.”
Sacco suggested maintaining the status quo during the July meeting, but wanted the WG&E attorney to determine the legality of the proposal.
At the Municipal Light Board’s September meeting, a majority of those in attendance voted to “approve the payment by WG&E of the full cost of health and dental insurance for members of the Municipal Light Board upon their individual request dependent upon plan eligibility, to participate in the WG&E health and dental insurance program, and that the health and dental insurance benefits shall be in addition to the stipend paid to such Municipal Light Board members,” according to the minutes.
The motion, made by Roman, was approved by Ray Rivera, Dawn Renaudette, Bill Parks and Robert Goyette.
Opposed were Kevin Kelleher, who also retired from the board in January, and Sacco.
Those who voted to approve the motion offered their reasons for supporting it.
Roman said the issue may be more relevant for future board members, echoing Renaudette’s reasoning.
She said future commissioners may have different circumstances, like someone who wants to run for the board to serve the city, but who is struggling financially and needs access to health insurance.
Rivera, who was serving as chair during the September meeting, acknowledged the amount was small, but if WG&E can offer the benefit, the board should at least consider it.
WESTFIELD
Council approves settlement with officers who alleged wage theft
By Cliff Clark cclark@thereminder.com
WESTFIELD — On May 7, the City Council approved an appropriation of $112,500 to settle a lawsuit brought by 17 Westfield Police Department officers against the city.
The officers’ lawsuit alleged that they should have been paid “regular wages” when attending the police academy.
The council entered into executive session to discuss a request by Mayor Michael McCabe for immediate consideration of an appropriation of $112,500 from free cash to the Law Department’s Judgment Account for litigation related to Police Officer Joseph Clark and others versus the city of Westfield.
McCabe declined to comment on the settlement.
The council spent less than 25 minutes in executive session before returning to reconvene.
After McCabe presented the city’s fiscal year 2027 budget, the council took up his request for the settlement.
Without discussion, the council approved the amount with Councilors Bridget Matthews-Kane, Kristen Mello, Nicholas Morganelli, Bill Onyski, John Beltrandi, Karen Fan-
ion, Ralph Figy, Dan Allie and Cindy Harris voting yes.
City Councilors Daniel Knapik, James Adams, Brent Bean II and Michael Burns voted against the appropriation.
In September 2024, Clark, with 16 other officers, filed in Hampden Superior Court a lawsuit that alleged the city failed to pay them regular wages while training at the state’s police academy before they began their careers as certified law enforcement officers.
According to the lawsuit, which was filed by Springfield attorney Jeffrey Morneau, state law requires that “any individual appointed to the position of police officer in any city or town of the commonwealth satisfactorily complete a prescribed course of study approved by the municipal police training committee.”
Messages sent to Morneau asking for comment were unreturned.
The lawsuit is based largely on a state Appellate Court decision in January 2023 — known as the Brewster decision — that found the town of Brewster had violated state law when it paid officers who were attending the academy less than the regular wages paid to the regular patrol officers, the position to which they were appointed.
Referring to that same law, Morneau wrote that any person attending the police academy is defined as a student officer, and that person “shall be paid the regular wages provided for the position to which [they were] appointed.”
Clark, the original complainant in the lawsuit, said he was appointed as a full-time officer in December 2022 and started work four months later in April 2023, according to the lawsuit.
In April 2023, Clark was sent to the police academy and graduated in September 2023, according to the lawsuit. Between April and September, Clark was paid $19 per hour, “a rate less than the lowest wage rate set forth in the collective bargaining agreement.”
During that period, the lowest wage rate for an entry-level officer was $28.49 per hour until June 30, when it increased to $29.06 per hour, under the collective bargaining agreement the city signed with the Westfield Police Officers Coalition.
In addition, according to the lawsuit, Clark was entitled to education incentive pay, which was not paid while he attended the academy.
The officers in the complaint asked for a decision or
jury trial on three counts: Count I, Violation of Declaratory Judgment Act; Count II, Violation of Mass. General Law c.149. 148, which requires employers pay employees the full amount of owed wages; and Count III, Quantum Meruit, which is defined as the actual value of services rendered.
The city, represented by the national law firm Seyferth & Shaw LLC, responded to the complaint by requesting the court dismiss the Quantum Meruit Count III and Count II.
The city’s attorneys countered the Count II claim that the wages paid the officers during their training at the academy were dictated by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Westfield Patrol Officers Coalition and the city.
The officers’ own allegations establish they were paid the precise rates that the applicable CBA set for them during the probationary period, and there is no statutory provision that impacts the rates for officers during their probationary period, according to the city’s attorneys.
“As such, there is no plausible Wage Act claim for officers during their probational period, as they were paid exactly the amount prescribed … and Count II thus fails as a matter of law,”
the attorneys wrote. As to Count III of Quantum Meruit, the city alleged there can be no claim of services rendered when the conditions are set by the CBA between the Police Union and the city, and that it fails as a matter of law.
The officers’ response to the Quantum Meruit claim for dismissal was that the academy students were not considered fulltime officers as defined by the CBA and therefore not covered by its provisions.
For those reasons, the officers requested that the court deny the motions to dismiss, which it did in May 2025.
While the case continued in Superior Court, the Westfield City Council approved a request by McCabe for $250,000 in February 2025 to pay for outside counsel.
In November 2025, both sides sought a settlement. However, in February, both sides notified the court they were unable to reach a settlement because they had different interpretations and applications of certain key legal concepts, according to the motion.
There was a pretrial conference scheduled for Thursday, May 7, but there is no indication in the court docket that the meeting was held.
Ribbon cut for new Chauncey Allen Park pavilion and arboretum
By Amy Porter aporter@thereminder.com
WESTFIELD — At a ribbon-cutting on May 12 for the new Chauncey Allen Park pavilion and arboretum on Smith Avenue, Allen Steiger, president of the Friends of the Grandmothers’ Garden asked Jackie McDowell, education coordinator for the board, Ward 3 Councilor Bridget Matthews-Kane and Mayor Michael McCabe to join him for the ceremony. “It’s been a fun ride,” he said.
Steiger also acknowledged vice president of the board and project manager, Dan Florence, and planning Chair Maureen Kane. He thanked architect Rob Levesque of R. Levesque Associates, Rich Gale and Bill Laplante of Laplante Construction, and urban forester Sara Greenleaf, of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, who designed and planted 35 trees along a walkway in the arboretum, and Nathan Sperry and the Westfield Technical Academy horticulture shop for designing the landscaping. “A great example of collaboration to continue to build on,” he said.
Steiger said the Grandmothers’ Garden volunteers under garden manager Carmel Steger have been working very hard next door to prepare the garden for the event, and asked all the garden volunteers present to raise their hands.
He thanked Matthews-Kane for keeping the project going and putting them in touch with the right people. “The pavil-
ion will become a livable space, bringing people together,” Matthews-Kane said.
The park and pavilion will also be available to the public for private rentals, weddings and reunions.
“The last group to thank is the city of Westfield,” Steiger said. “I met with Mayor McCabe on day one. We agreed this will have a generational impact.”
“I consider them more of a partner. They have been instrumental with their financial support. I couldn’t think of a better partner,” he added, thanking the Community Preservation Committee, the Conservation Commission, the City Council, city planner Jay Vinskey, DPW Deputy Director Scott Hathaway, Community Development Director Peter Miller and Police Officer John Blascak.
Awarding certificates in recognition of the opening were Mark Messier on behalf of state Sen. John Velis and the Massachusetts Senate; state Rep. Kelly Pease for the House of Representatives.
McDowell thanked Westfield Public Schools for their participation in planning the outdoor learning space. “I’m pleased to have this opportunity. From the first meeting with Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski, I knew in my heart if that meeting did not go well, we would not be here,” she said. “I know we are going to have a bright future with the schools.”
She thanked STEM coordinators Lauren Cadigan and Lindsey
Ayers for their input and interest.
“Maureen Kane and I visited the STEM labs. We held fast to their suggestions for the number of water spigots, a very accessible bathroom and furniture choices.”
She said they also introduced her to the Pioneer Valley STEM Network of 21 area schools.
McDowell said her true inspiration came from her many years in outdoor education at the Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. She said in Westfield, every second grader goes through a curriculum
called What is Wild in Westfield, and on May 14, 70 second graders from Westfield River Elementary would already be coming to the pavilion as part of that class. McDowell also listed the involvement of the Amelia Park Children’s Museum, and planned playgroups at the pavilion to be run by Coordinated Family and Community Engagement. She said they have also already had a course taught by Westfield State University biology professor Kate Weglarz on wetland critters at the park.
“This was designed by group think and community collaboration. Rob Levesque listened patiently,” McDowell said. “This pavilion is for you, the community.”
Steiger invited everyone to keep up with activities on the newly revamped website at grandmothersgarden.org, where they may also find information on the membership program. “We encourage the community to join us and help to support us,” he said.
The community gathered on May 12 for the official opening of the Chauncey Allen Park pavilion. Reminder Publishing photo by Amy Porter
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
Board opts into Complete Streets Program
By Cliff Clark cclark@thereminder.com
SOUTHWICK — After months of delaying a vote over whether the town should participate in the state’s Complete Streets Funding Program because of concerns about possible “strings” attached, two of the three board members approved moving forward with the program.
“What I’m hearing now is that you’re coming back and those cautions aren’t justified or they aren’t as bad as you thought they were,” said board member Russ Anderson after DPW Director Rich Bosak presented a draft of a policy needed to start the process of participating in the program.
“I don’t believe so. No. I think there’s avenues where you can use it, and there’s avenues where you don’t need to. It’s really up to what we want to do with it ... I don’t believe it will be detrimental to anything,” Bosak said.
Since last September, the board has discussed the program, and initially, Anderson’s fellow board members were skeptical about participating. They asked Bosak and Assistant DPW Director Jon Goddard to determine whether there might be strings attached.
The program provides municipalities with technical assis-
tance and funding 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 is a state-level program that encourages local governments to design their roadways for pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit riders and motorists alike, according to MassDOT.
To participate, the town had to follow three steps.
Step one was adopting a policy that outlines its commitment to designing and operating streets for all users, which the board approved on May 11.
The policy, drafted by Bosak, includes six steps that cover the major objectives: vision and purpose, core commitment, exceptions that make the program impractical in some areas, best practices, performance measures and implementation.
Perhaps the most important of the steps is core commitment, which the approved policy mandates that the town will, “to the maximum extent feasible,” design, construct, maintain, and operate all roads to provide for an inclusive and integrated network of facilities for people of all ages.
During the meeting, Bosak said some of those objectives could help with future projects, like the rehabilitation of Pow-
der Mill Road.
“We can definitely use it where we can for certain roads,” Bosak said.
As the discussion wound down, Anderson asked if a motion was needed to adopt the policy.
It was then that board member Douglas Moglin chimed in.
“I still have a concern on this overall program, and I’ll be the bad guy in the room tonight,” he said. Moglin, like the other board members, has been skeptical about the program from the start.
“I’m just leery of these programs where it’s always optional, and it’s no big deal until they tell you you gotta do it, and then you’re stuck,” Moglin said in September when the board was weighing whether the town should participate or not.
But that wasn’t his concern during the meeting on May 11.
“It’s generally tradition, especially on the eve of an election, that we don’t make significant policy adoptions until after an election. So, it would be my opinion that we hold this until our next formal meeting after the board reorganizes after the election. That being said, I’m but one member on the Select Board,” Moglin said, prompting a response from Anderson and later from board member Diane Gale.
“Well, what’s the difference for the policy?” Anderson said,
to which Moglin replied.
“You’re basically voting to adopt a complete streets policy,” he said, which prompted Gale to jump in.
“We’ve been talking about [this] for months,” she said, with Moglin answering.
“We have not taken a vote on it. And you’ve heard, like I said, I am but one member,” Moglin said.
Referring to Moglin’s earlier comment that adopting it now wasn’t the way the board traditionally operated just before an election, Gale said:
“I was not trying to push a policy through at the last minute. I was trying to complete a policy so they could carry on and get funding wherever possible. And I’m surprised you didn’t mention this before tonight if this was a problem for you,” Gale said.
“It’s not a problem for me. I’m just stating what has been a long-standing tradition,” Moglin responded.
Gale then asked Anderson if he had any additional thoughts.
He acknowledged that there were concerns about the program initially, so Bosak and Goddard were asked to vet it.
When the board voted, Anderson and Gale voted to approve sending the Complete Streets Program policy to the state’s Department of Transportation, and Moglin abstained.
Baystate introduces new digital billing experience
SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Health has upgraded its billing system to provide patients with simple, clear and convenient payment experience. Patients will now receive one combined electronic statement, have access to a single online payment portal and be able to choose flexible payment options that work for them.
No immediate action by patients is needed to use the new system. However, the next time a
the Select Board, retained his seat by besting Elizabeth Lalli, 952636. Brown was nominated by the SRTC. Brown will serve for three years.
There was one seat with a three-year term on the Dickinson School Trust, with incumbent Gene Theroux running against Debra Patryn. Theroux, nomi-
bill is issued, the process may look and feel different. When a bill is ready, patients will receive a notification via text or email. These messages will include a link to securely view and pay a bill online. Patients may begin to receive text messages from Baystate Health with a secure link to their bill. If patients are unsure whether a text message is from Baystate, they should contact customer service at 833-837-2525.
nated by the SRTC, garnered the most votes, 923 to Patryn’s 632.
The last contested race was a seat with a one-year term on the Public Library Board of Trustees. The contest was between Michael McMahon and Kathleen Fischbach, who are both serving on the board now. McMahon received 686 votes to Fischbach’s 658.
There were two open seats with three-year terms on the Library Board of Trustees, but incumbent Andrea Louise Bugbee was the only person nominated
In the new system, patients can update their contact preferences, review their balance, view bill details, make a full payment, or select a payment plan that fits their needs. Payments can be made using credit/debit card, electronic check payment, Flexible Savings Account/Health Savings Account cards, Apple Pay or Google Pay, and receipts are provided for recordkeeping. Patients who need assistance
by the SDTC. She received 1,105 votes. There remains an open seat with a three-year term on the board. However, McMahon did get 29 write-in votes. There were also seven uncontested seats:
• Board of Health – Terry Putnam received 1,162 votes for a three-year term
• Cemetery Commission – Gene Theroux received 1,334 votes for a three-year term
• Community Preservation Committee – John Whalley III got
will also have the option to contact a customer service representative directly through the platform and Baystate Health will continue to offer financial assistance for qualifying patients. This new billing experience is part of Baystate Health’s ongoing effort to provide patients with simple, transparent and accessible tools to manage their care. Visit pay.baystatehealth.org to learn more or manage bills.
1,264 votes for a three-year term
• Parks and Recreation Commission – John Whalley III got 981 votes and Rachel Stevenson received 907 votes for three-year terms
• Planning Board – Randy Brown got 1,209 votes for a three-year term
• Town Moderator – Celeste St. Jacques received 1,281 votes for a three-year term
• Water Commission – John Cain got 1,246 votes for a three-year term
Westfield-West Springfield Elks honor 19 for annual youth week
By Amy Porter aporter@thereminder.com
WESTFIELD — The Westfield-West Springfield Elks Lodge 1481 observed the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Youth Week with a recognition of accomplishments by area youth at its lodge at 56 Franklin St. on May 6. “The youth of our country has always been important in the purposes of The BPOE. Our youth activities programs are designed to aid in the character development of young people, to recognize their many contributions to the functioning of our society, and to encourage them in maturing into tomorrow’s citizens and leaders,” said Patricia O’Connor, youth activities chair.
Recognized at the event were 19 students from the Greater Westfield area incorporating Westfield, West Springfield, Agawam and Southwick. Honored were nine Elks Americanism Essay winners, one of whom was named a winner of the state level competition and is moving forward to the national level. Also recognized were six Students of the Year, graduating seniors from each of the high schools, one Most Valuable Student, winner of a highly competitive national-level scholarship program and two Eagle Scouts.
The Elks National Americanism Essay contest encourages young people to thoughtfully consider American values and appreciate the benefits and responsibilities of citizenship. The contest gives students in grades 5-8 an opportunity to express their views on a selected theme. This year’s theme was, “What does service to
your country mean to you?”
O’Connor said nine Americanism Essay winners were recognized by the Elks Lodge 1481 out of 138 entries from seven area schools. The lodge’s top three for each grade were forwarded to the district level and the state level. The national winners will be named in July.
Winners for grade 5 were all from Tatham Elementary School in West Springfield. First place went to Teagan Wapner, second place went to Claire Camberis and third place went to Daphne Bouyea.
After moving on to the state level, Wapner took third place for grade 5 and went on to the national level judging. Teagan will share her essay at the Elks Lodge 1481 Flag Day ceremony on June 10.
Americanism Essay winners for grade 6 were all from Roberta G. Doering School in Agawam. First place went to Nancy D’Ambrosio, second place went to Yvette Whitley and third place
went to Ava Cooney. Grade 8 winners were all from Agawam Junior High School. First place went to Sophia Fields, second place went to Emmalynn Bishop and third place went to Karyna Sholopa. Elks Lodge 1481 Student of the Year is a lodge-run program. One graduating senior from each high school is chosen based on the qualities of leadership, citizenship and community service, as those traits closely mirror the Elks principles of charity, justice, brotherly love, and fidelity, O’Connor said. In addition to the lodge’s award, each received citations from Mayor Michael McCabe, state Sen. John Velis’s office and state Rep. Kelly Pease.
The recipients are Brandon Cekovsky of Westfield High School, Julia Kubik of Westfield Technical Academy, Annabeth Lemberg of St. Mary’s High School, Nola Lane Borsari of West Springfield High School, Asher Rose of Southwick Regional and Timothy Rua of Aga-
wam High School. The Most Valuable Student Scholarship is the most prestigious award for educational assistance given by the Elks National Foundation. Five hundred students went through a lengthy, arduous journey on the path to this distinction. Maddie Balzano, from Agawam High School, was named a 2026 Most Valuable Student and will receive a $4,000 scholarship.
“Maddie is an optimistic, empathetic, driven and energetic leader. She is quite the inspiration and leader and is exactly the kind of person who will attract followers and institute true change in the world,” O’Connor said.
Certificates and flags were presented to Eagle Scouts Ben-
jamin Stoltzfus and Liam Blais from Westfield troop 821. Stoltzfus built and installed a trailhead kiosk for the Parsons Pine Barrens conservation area in Northampton for his Eagle Scout project. Blais repaired and repainted the student support center at Westfield Technical Academy. An Eagle Court of Honor for the two will be held at the Elks Lodge on May 23. Andrew Caldeira, also a scout, received a Certificate of Appreciation for volunteerism in service of Elks Lodge #1481. “Andrew, a freshman in manufacturing at Westfield Technical Academy, is a frequent helper in the kitchen for our burger nights, as well as at numerous other events, particularly the veteran activities,” O’Connor said.
Top row, from left: Patricia O’Connor, youth activities chair and Most Valuable Student winner Maddie Balzano from Agawam High School. Westfield-West Springfield Elks #1481 scholarship winners are named. Pictured, from left, Exalted Ruler Gary Fontaine, Brandon Cekovsky, Annabeth Lemberg, Nola Lane Borsari, Asher Rose, Julia Kubik, Timothy Rua, state Rep. Kelly Pease and Patricia O’Connor. Elks National Americanism Essay winners, back row from left, Patricia O’Connor, Emmalynn Bishop, Karyna Sholopa, Sophia Fields. Front row from left: Nancy D’Ambrosio, Ava Cooney, Claire Camberis, Daphne Bouyea and Teagan Wapner. Not pictured is Yvette Whitley. Bottom row, from left: Past Exalted Ruler Milt Vazquez and Eagle Scout Ben Stoltzfus. Past Exalted Ruler Milt Vazquez and Eagle Scout Liam Blais. Past Exalted Ruler Milt Vazquez presented a certificate of appreciation to Andrew Caldeira for volunteerism in service to the lodge.
Reminder Publishing
WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY VS WORCESTER STATE UNIVERSITY
SOFTBALL
The Westfield State Owls defeated the Worcester State Lancers 1-0 for the MASCAC softball championship May 10 at WSU’s Sullivan Field.
SPORTS PHOTOS TAKEN BY MARC ST. ONGE
WSU Owls softball team celebrates their victory over Worcester State in the MASCAC championship game.
Caroline O’Donnell gets a base hit.
Sarah Hough, from Southwick, tags an incoming pitch late in the game.
Rylie Camacho gets caught in a rundown by Emma LaPoint.
is up in the air as Allyssa Slack flies into first base.
WSU’s Arielle Ostman pulls down a long Worcester fly ball. REMINDER
Lyla Dwyer hits a single that drives home the winning run.
Westfield’s Alyssa Slack tags home plate to score the winning run.
Starting pitcher and game
MVP Angelina Vartuli readies a pitch.
The Westfield State University 2026 MASCAC Champion softball team, May 10 at WSU’s Sullivan Field.
CSF Westfield Dollars for Scholars to award record $363,500
By Amy Porter aporter@thereminder.com
WESTFIELD — Board Pres-
ident Cynthia Neary said CSF Westfield Dollars for Scholars will award a record-breaking $363,500 in scholarships to 137 deserving students at a ceremony on May 27 at Westfield Middle School. That number exceeds last year’s record-breaking amount of $268,000 by just under $100,000, and is the largest amount awarded in its entire 64year history.
“Awarding a record-breaking amount of $363,500 this year at our May 27 Awards Night is news that will make Westfield feel proud. We are very, very excited this year for the recipients, their parents and the whole City of Westfield,” Neary said.
Neary said the record is due to the “wonderful and amazing” support from the Westfield community and all of its donors.
One of the reasons for the record-breaking amount this year is due to CSF Westfield’s 90 perpetual endowment scholarships, for which someone has to donate at least $10,000. The principal amount is never touched; only the growth is awarded every year.
Neary said the market and endowment investment were so strong in 2025 that it enabled them to break every record they’ve ever had.
“Throughout the last 20 years, the number of our endowments has increased dramatically as so many wonderful people in the community recognize the value and importance of an enduring scholarship,” Neary said. “Most of our endowments are named in memory of someone in our community. This is a way to keep their memory alive and is part of their legacy.” She said they also have a few endowments, which are funded by community organizations.
While the majority of the scholarship awards this year, a total of $260,000, came from the endowments, another $100,000 came in from annual scholarships and people who donate to the general fund that goes straight into CSF scholarships.
“So we’re appreciative for all of those, and for the annual scholarships for which the money comes in and is awarded in full in the same year. Put those two together, and it’s a remarkable amount of money,” Neary said.
This year, 137 students out of about 170 who began the application process will be awarded scholarships. Dollars for Scholars is national, with chapters all over the United States that fall under Scholarship America. All of the chapters have an online application, and in the case of CSF Westfield, there are additional criteria, including that the student must be a Westfield resident. All students fill out the DFS national application and the documents required for CSF Westfield.
Neary said this year, CSF Westfield was fortunate that all 137 students with completed applications were deserving in terms of academic merit and financial need. The chapter has always looked at financial need, Neary said, adding that some chapters don’t. She said a big reason why some students don’t get a scholarship is if they miss the deadline day, after which the national office shuts down all applications by midnight.
Since 1962, CSF Westfield has awarded just under $5 million to 7,117 Westfield students.
The average scholarship award this year is from $1,000 to $6,000 per student based on their score, which is a 50% combination of academic merit and financial need. “I think that’s one aspect that has attracted our donors. They also value helping students who have financial
TheReminder.com
need,” Neary said. A committee looks at the applications in a blind selection. Every student is assigned a number, and a different committee member scores a different section of the application. For example, one scores all GPA, another scores financial need, another scores extra-curricular activities, another scores work experience and another one scores the essays. Each student has an ID number until the very end, when all the numbers are calculated, and names are assigned to the final scores.
“This is all done in accordance with the requirements of our national office, completely unbiased, completely by the numbers,” Neary said.
CSF Westfield has had an all-volunteer board since 1962, when it was first founded. Neary said many of the board members, including herself, participate because their children received scholarships from CSF Westfield, and they want to pay it forward.
Neary has served on the board for 22 years. “My three children received scholarships from CSF Westfield,” she said, and she herself received a scholarship from the Southwick chapter when she was a student. “They have been helping my family and my children for more than 50 years. I joined the board to pay it forward. Many of our board members came from the same line of thinking, because their children received scholarships from CSF Westfield.”
CSF Westfield has no office, so the overhead is low. Neary said only 1-2% of the money raised goes to expenses such as postage, and all the rest is for the scholarships and the invested scholarships.
Neary said the students have been notified that they’re receiving a scholarship, or several scholarships, because once a score is assigned to a student,
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
Joseph Philip Audette
Barbara A. Bradley
Robert E. Forgette
Mary Kiefer
FEEDING HILLS
Robert G. King
Joseph D. Sopet
WESTFIELD
Louise G. Amerman
scholarships may be combined to meet the scholarship dollar amount to which the student is entitled. However, she said the students don’t know the amount or the name of the scholarship they are receiving. “Because we are awarding this new record amount, I think we are going to have some very happy students on awards night,” she said.
The students awarded scholarships will attend the awards night on May 27 at 7 p.m. in the Westfield Middle School. “Many of the donors of these scholarships or their family members are on stage to make the presentation personally to the recipient. There is a reception afterwards in which the donors or their representatives can meet the recipients,” Neary said.
“Another thing we do that is very unique; we attach the story of the named scholarship to every certificate, so the student understands this represents someone’s life. We ask the family members to write the story, or someone connected to them, so every stu-
dent understands the true meaning. We are part of only a handful of chapters in the U.S. that provide that story to the students,” Neary said. “It gives it a lot more meaning when you read the story behind the name on the scholarship. That, I think, is a very special aspect of Westfield CSF.”
Mayor Michael McCabe and state Rep. Kelly Pease will speak at the awards night, and the public is welcome to attend.
“It really is an event that makes you proud to be a Westfield resident,” Neary said. “This is an organization that was established through the interest of Westfield residents, funded by Westfield residents and others who have an interest in Westfield; by the people, for the people. Not every community has this. We are so fortunate that Dollars for Scholars has been here for 64 years, helping millions of students to achieve their dreams.”
More information on CSF Westfield Dollars for Scholars is available on its website, csfwestfield.dollarsforscholars.org.
Philip Hosmer “Terry” Ball III
James Walter Gebryel
Roger A. Page
Andrew D. Scheip
CSF Westfield Dollars for Scholars President Cynthia Neary greets the crowd.
Reminder Publishing photo by Marc St. Onge
Paradise City Arts Festival returns for 31st year later this month
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — The nation’s premier destination for lovers of the handmade and high-end is once again gracing the region over Memorial Day weekend. Paradise City Arts Festival will return to the Three County Fairgrounds at the end of this month for another three-day stretch that celebrates creativity in multiple facets.
The festival, which runs from May 23-25, will feature 200plus world-class artists and makers traveling from every corner of the country to showcase their craft. The premier showcase features contemporary craft and fine art, including handmade home décor, sculpture, fashion, jewelry and more.
“Jeff and Linda Post originally founded the show in 1995, and we have been going in Northampton as well as across New England, Pennsylvania, Florida. They launched shows all over the east coast,” Show Director Mariah Swanson told Reminder Publishing. “What was so innovative about this particular kind of art fair is it put fine craft on the same pedestal that fine art was being viewed from at that point, so it’s taking the best of the best from around the country across all these different kinds of mediums. It’s fine art and photography, but it’s also ceramics, it’s mixed media, it’s sculpture, it’s wearables, it’s jewelry, and this is an opportunity to see 200 artists who are just the best at what they do at this premium kind of quality. You get to meet the artists and hear their stories, learn about their process, and just be face-to-face, which is becoming just as important as it ever was, especially in this digital era, so it’s really celebrating the craft of the human hand.”
Swanson said that this year feels particularly electric because there are more new faces. The weekend show is designed to be a full-scale cultural affair, and whether you are a serious collector or a family looking for a memorable afternoon, there is a rhythm to the weekend that invites everyone to stay and play.
“We’re in this really kind of unique position, similar to how music has been so successful in Northampton, where we seem to be in this smaller community in Western Massachusetts but it’s able to attract people from New York, from Boston, an incredible amount of very high cultural intellectuals who want to be able to collect and build on their collections but aren’t necessarily going to be in one of these large economic hubs,” added Swanson. “It’s just a really beautiful, quaint opportunity to be in this
area of the Pioneer Valley and also have exposure to these beautiful hotels, music venues, great restaurants, and where you can make a whole weekend out of it. But it’s really this great destination you can come to for the arts.”
The sensory experience doesn’t just stop at the easel, as nearly a dozen local restaurants and food trucks will be on-site, and the entire festival weekend will feature jazz, blues and folk music from the region’s best bands. On opening night, the festival will feature a headline performance by the indie-pop luminaries Winterpills.
The festival is open each day at 10 a.m. and closes on Saturday at 9 p.m., Sunday at 5 p.m. and Monday at 4 p.m. On Saturday, artists and makers close at 6 p.m., and then the concert begins. Local food and the beer garden will remain open until 8 p.m.
Tickets are $14 in advance, $16 at the gate, and those who are 15 and under can enter for free. Advance tickets can be purchased at festivals.paradisecityarts.com/
shows/northampton-may-show.
New to this year’s festival weekend is the debut of the Emerging Artist Collective, a brand-new initiative dedicated to fostering the next generation of talent. The collective will allow up to three emerging artists to share a booth and gain exposure during the weekend.
“It’ll be three artists per space and that’s been juried and curated at the same level, and it’s an opportunity to get their foot in the door, get in front of the Paradise City Arts audience and cultivate their career, and also an opportunity for the public to be able to see these incredible emerging artists and get some new faces,” added Swanson.
Attendees are also encouraged to catch the live demonstrations during the weekend like Art in Action, where audiences can watch raw materials transform into masterpieces across multiple mediums. Additionally, attendees can participate in a creative activity called Crafting with Color, which is designed for the whole family.
The Silent Art Auction is also returning this year to again benefit the International Language Institute of Massachusetts. This organization provides free English classes for immigrants and refugees from around the world as they build new lives for themselves and their families.
An array of donations by Paradise City Arts exhibitors will be available for open bidding each day at the Silent Auction tables, with 100% of proceeds directly supporting International Language Institute of Massachusetts programming.
“Their work is more important than ever right now and really directly impacts anyone who’s relocating to the area trying to grow their life and offer language classes,” Swanson said. Swanson shared that the event
is beloved in the community because of the showcase and the communal support for the festival. She said that this festival embodies the passions of each artist and oftentimes serves as their livelihood.
“We want to make it feel welcoming and diverse so that they [artists] feel supported because there’s an incredible amount of talent out there, but they don’t always feel like they have access to these kinds of platforms, and it’s very, very different than selling online,” added Swanson. “We have lots of great new ways of exposing their work and meeting buyers through social media and online, but nothing beats face-to-face because it allows them to get in-the-moment feedback on their work. It’s really valuable in terms of how they continue to choose to make their work and grow their career.”
Photo credit: Paradise City Arts/ Lynne Graves Photography
D. Cohen, Allison M.
and Allision
Carvalho to Keith D. Cohen, 5 Pleasant St. $100
Keith L. Sbriscia and Amanda Sbriscia to Maxim Tischenko, Anastacia Tishchenko and Sergey N. Tishchenko, 6 Jennifer Dr.
