PENNYSAVER
Council approves first reading for electric bike regs
By Amy Porter aporter@thereminder.com
WESTFIELD — Legislative and Ordinance Committee Chair William Onyski brought a new ordinance to regulate electric bikes to the City Council on May 20. The ordinance passed the first reading after a vigorous discussion, with a second vote to be scheduled for the City Council meeting on June 19 after several suggested amendments are made.
Onyski said the ordinance was developed in conjunction with Lt. John Parrish, chair of the Traffic Commission, and City Solicitor Shanna Reed. “The need for this I think we could all understand,” he said, adding that whenever he mentions to people that he is working on it, they tell him about close calls they have had with motorized bikes, which he said are an issue on the bike path as well. He said a lot of other towns in the state are adopting their own ordinances.
The ordinance lists definitions for several categories of electric bikes, scooters, mopeds and skateboards. Class 1 are electric bicycles or tricycles with fully operational pedals and an electric motor of 750 watts or less, which provides power only when the rider is pedaling, but no power assistance above 20 mph.
Class 2 electric bicycles provide power with or without pedaling, but no power assistance above 20 mph.
Electric scooters are defined as scooters with handlebars, designed to be stood or sat upon by the operator, powered by an electric or gas-powered motor capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion.
Electric or motorized skateboards are devices with a deck, two or more wheels and an electric or gas motor designed for a person to stand or sit on while riding, as opposed to a regular skateboard propelled solely by human power.
Mopeds, which are Class 3 bikes, have a cylinder capacity of no more than 50 cubic centimeters; an automatic transmission and a maximum speed of no more than 30 miles per hour.
Onyski said what is being proposed in the ordinance will allow a regular pedal bike on streets and on sidewalks, but not on sidewalks in business districts, including the Core district, Broad Street, Court Street, mixed residential and business districts or commercial office districts. “The reason for no bikes there is because there are businesses, doors are opening and people could speed by on bikes, and it causes a danger where we have a lot of pedestrian traffic.”
A Class 1 bike, with a pedal assist, can be ridden on streets but not on any sidewalks in residential or business districts, Onyski said. It can be used on the bike path or rail trails, or on multi-use trails.
Class 2 electric bikes can be ridden on streets, but not on any sidewalks in residential or business districts. They can be used on the bike trail, but you have to be pedaling. “You can’t just use the throttle alone like you would a mini bike,” he said.
A moped can be used in the streets if it has a compliance decal from the state. It can’t be used on sidewalks or business sidewalks, and not on the rail trail.
A regular human-powered scooter can’t be used on streets, but can be used on sidewalks except in the business district, and can be used on the rail trail. Human-powered skateboards also can’t be used on streets, but can be used on sidewalks except in the business district, and can be used on the rail trail.
An electric or motorized scooter can be used on streets only if it’s got a compliance sticker from the state, but cannot be used on sidewalks, business sidewalks, and they cannot be used on the rail trail.
Electric skateboards also can’t be used on streets, can’t be used on sidewalks, can’t be used on business sidewalks, and can’t be used on the rail trail.
When asked about the prohibition of electric or motorized scooters and skateboards on streets, sidewalks and on the rail trail, Parrish confirmed that both may only be used on private property, because they do not fall under Chapter 90 regulations.
The non-criminal fines in the ordinance are $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second offense and $300 for the third and each subsequent offense. Parrish said according to state law, bicycles may be seized for up to 15 days if driven negligently, after which they will go back to the rightful owner.
During the discussion at the City Council meeting before the first vote on the ordinance, Onyski said, “Now on the rail trail, there’s
going to be a 15 mile-per-hour speed limit for any bike motorized or non-motorized. It wasn’t meant for a race track; it’s meant for people to recreate, walk. It’s a recreational path; it’s not a racetrack, so a 15 mile-an-hour speed limit will be set there, except for city vehicles being exempt.”
Councilor James Adams thanked Onyski for his work on the ordinance. “You need a law degree to figure this out. I mean, this is a nightmare not only for the citizens, it’s a nightmare for the Police Department. I was on L&O when we first started this, so I think a lot of the issues we’re having in town are with children and the parents buying these vehicles for their children that don’t realize what they’re doing with them. I’ve seen several accidents already with these things, and I think that the most important
The ValleyBike station number 3 is at Westfield State University on Western Avenue, in front of the campus police. Reminder Publishing photo by Amy Porter
PVTA/FRTA adds new Southwick route to bus schedule
By Cliff Clark cclark@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Fulfilling one of the recommendations in the Master Plan and with the support of the Select Board, the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, in partnership with the Franklin Regional Transit Authority, launched a new public transit route that includes Southwick.
“The town and Select Board are pleased to have played a role in supporting and facilitating the implementation of a key action item identified within the town’s Master Plan,” said Chief Administrative Officer Nicole Parker about the new route. “The expansion of transportation options in Southwick reflects the town’s ongoing commitment to enhancing accessibility and ensuring that all residents have equitable access to transportation services and opportunities.
Greg Diely, the chair of the town’s Economic Development Commission said establishing the new route was “encouraging.”
“I love that we got another form of transportation, and it’s encouraging. I really hope it succeeds,” said Diely.
The new route, G47, will serve Northampton, Easthampton, Southampton, Westfield, and Southwick while providing the first direct transit connection between Northampton and Westfield, according to a statement from Brandy Pelletier, the PVTA’s manager of marketing, advertising and public relations.
The G47 route began last Monday and operates 10 weekday trips. The first trip departs from the Academy of Music in Northampton at 7:45 a.m., and the final trip departs Southwick at 7:30 p.m.
The bus will stop at Town Hall, College Highway at South
can start with,” Adams said.
thing, everybody had the issue with the rail trail,” he said.
“The only way to do it is the way they actually did it, because it’s 15 mph, but also no throttle. So no matter what bike you have, you can’t use a throttle.You have to pedal it and it has to be 15 miles an hour. So there is no other way that the police can actually regulate it, except for the way that Lt. Parrish and L&O did it. As far as everything else goes, I don’t know how a regular police officer is going to figure this out, but we’re going to do the best we can do, because people are getting hurt. Every day, there are people getting hurt,” he added.
“L&O has done a great job and I think the police have done as good a job as they can. We may have to tweak some of these, but we had to start somewhere. So kudos to L&O and the Police Department for coming up with a base that we
Councilor Bridget Matthews-Kane also thanked Onyski, saying that they all know this is a big problem. “It’s taking a long time to address it because it’s so complicated,” she said. However, she pointed out that one side of Court Street is a multi-use path, not a sidewalk, and questioned the validity of some of the prohibitions listed for Court Street.
Onyski said the intent of the ordinance was to allow uses on the multi-use path on the other side of Court Street but not on the sidewalk side, and said he would straighten that point out before the second reading of the ordinance on June 19.
Councilor Kristen Mello asked about streets that have no sidewalks. “On the street I grew up on and on the street where I live now, there are no sidewalks. And as written, it looks like walking to the corner store with a kid on a scooter is gonna be illegal. Can we fix that too?” she asked, suggesting an allowance for kids on scoot-
Village Road, which is the entrance to The Cottages at Southwick Villages, College Highway at Gristmill Plaza, and College Highway in front of Southwick Plaza and New England Bikes.
The bus stop signs have already been installed.
Exact fare is required. The PVTA fare boxes cannot make change and accept only U.S. coins, $1, $5, $10 and PVTA tokens. The fareboxes do not accept pennies.
The expanded service improves access to health care, shopping, education and employment opportunities across both regions. The route also creates a new transit connection for students traveling between Westfield State University and the Five Colleges, Incorporated consortium, according to Pelletier.
“The new route strengthens regional transit connectivity between the Pioneer Valley Transit
ers or skateboards if no sidewalk is available.
Councilor Cindy Harris continued the point. “I think what Councilor Mello is saying, what you picture, and I see this downtown all the time because I’m in that area, of a young mother with her two little kids, and this little kid is five years old and he’s pedaling on his little scooter like this. And what you’re saying is that they can’t do that, and that’s totally unreasonable,” she said.
Harris said the ordinance is for the older kids who are out of control. “So I don’t think any police person’s gonna come and arrest, you know, this little tiny 4-yearold,” she added.
Onyski said they could maybe add that they can’t be ridden on the street without a parent, agreeing that there are a lot of streets with no sidewalks.
Councilor Michael Burns said he had sat through a lot of meetings about the ordinance. “I do have a problem with it, not the words in general, but specifically on the bike
Authority and the Franklin Regional Transit Authority service areas,” Pelletier said. “Through coordinated service, FRTA will provide microtransit connections in Southampton and Southwick to link riders with the G47 and broader PVTA routes.”
“The fixed route is only a part of the picture,” PVTA’s director of transit operations, Paul Burns-Johnson, said in an email to Parker about the new route.
He added in the email that the FRTA will soon be providing connections to the G47 route through its Access Program, which will be door-to-fixedroute service.
“The Southwick program isn’t set up yet, but I believe it will be live on or about June 1,” he said, adding the program will provide service from someone’s home to the Town Hall, serving as the primary bus stop.
Parker said the initiative rep-
trail … They’re just not going to be able to control that bike path. I’ve been up there many times. It’s widely used, and those things just fly around. I don’t know personally, I don’t know why anybody would be on a bike path on an electric bike going up and down the bike path. What fun is that,” he said, adding, “So I guess I would like to make an amendment to not allow Class 2 bikes on there also.” A motion was made on the amendment, which did not pass.
“The real intent was to deal with the nuisance and the safety aspect of the law,” said Councilor Dan Allie. He said the ordinance keeps electric bikes off the sidewalk for safety, and riders must be pedaling on the rail trail. “This allows them to be very clear.”
“I just read where the state is coming up with mandates to register these vehicles. I know we have to have something — I cannot vote for this if those Class 2 bikes are allowed on those bike paths,” said Burns.
“A year or two ago we passed ordinances that allowed bicycles on sidewalks. Does that ordinance interfere with this?” asked Councilor Ralph Figy.
Onyski said once this ordi-
resents an important investment in serving the needs of the entire community and advancing the town’s long-term goals for inclusivity and quality of life.
“We are deeply grateful for the partnership between PVTA and FRTA for acquiring the grant funding and making this happen,” she added. Senior service will continue to be provided by FRTA. If residents believe they are eligible for ADA paratransit, they will need to be certified through FRTA. The PVTA can provide trips for eligible riders within three-quarters of a mile of the fixed route bus service, said Burns-Johnson. To fund the new route, the PVTA, in partnership with the FRTA, was awarded a Regional Transit Authority Connectivity Grant of $1.76 million last December from the state Department of Transportation, according to a MassDOT fact sheet.
nance passes, the committee will go through all of the ordinances and take care of amendments that need to be made.
“To Councilor Burns’ point, all users are required to obey 15 mph on the bike trail. Lt. Parrish was there, and was in favor of how this was written. Going over 15 mph would be a violation,” said Councilor Karen Fanion.
Councilor Nicholas Morganelli, Jr., asked if college kids at Westfield State University will be able to ride them downtown. “I don’t see how the speed isn’t more important than the actual mode of transportation. Some people can get on bicycles and ride pretty darn fast — it’s all about the speed. Barring motorized scooters on a rail trail is inappropriate; if someone wants to ride on a motorized bike on the rail trail, they can go all the way down to Connecticut,” he said. Fanion said Class 1 and 2 bikes and mopeds can still be used on the streets.
Onyski asked for an initial vote on the ordinance, to allow him to make some minor changes suggested during the discussion. The vote passed 11-2, with a second reading scheduled for June 19.
Skate Park contract awarded; construction begins July 1
By Amy Porter aporter@thereminder.com
WESTFIELD — Mayor Michael A. McCabe announced that construction on the long-awaited rebuild of the Westfield Skate Park is set to commence in early July following a successful bid process.
A construction contract of $892,950 has been signed with Baskin Builders Inc. of Hampden, who will work with Catamount Skateparks of Vermont to build the park, once they’re completed with the demolition of the existing 25-year-old skate park in Amelia Park.
Community Development
Director Peter Miller said six bids ranging from $892,950 to $1.3 million were received.
“It’s exciting,” Miller said. He said Baskin Builders has done work in town before, and Catamount Skateparks is a really good builder of skate parks. He shared that one of the stipulations in the bid was that the general contractor hire a skate
park builder to do the skate park aspect of it. The goal was to base it on the design completed by SLR Consulting of Agawam and Byron Hubbard of Platform Design Group, which incorporates new skate features for allwheel users of all ability levels.
“We are fortunate. Pretty much all of the bids that came through were within our budget,” he said.
The Westfield Skate Park is being funded by an $800,000 grant from the U.S. Land and Conservation Fund through the U.S. Department of the Interior, a Community Preservation Act grant of $500,000, and another $300,000 appropriation from free cash approved by the City Council. Friends of the Westfield Skate Park has also raised private funds for amenities.
Miller said the federal grant will be expended first, and the CPA grant after that. “The project came in well under budget. The hope is that we can avoid using the free cash money that was set aside of
$300,000,” he said.
Skateboard advocate and Westfield native Jeff Burke first brought this project to the Parks and Recreation Commission in 2019, citing safety concerns and deterioration of the existing skate park that was built in 2000.
“As we prepared for the design of this new facility, our primary goal was to make a facility where experienced boarders and beginners can safely skate together,” Burke said. “These things take time; a lot of the good things in life are worth waiting for. A lot of towns rush this process and have a sub-par product. We followed the steps we were supposed to take, going to Parks & Recreation, getting unanimous support from the City Council. We met with the mayor and raised all the necessary funding. This park is going to be around for another 30 to 40 years. It’s going to be a worthwhile endeavor.”
Miller said the contract for the builders starts July 1 and
will last through the end of June 2027. He said the hope is that they will move fairly quickly, but the contract will guide it. “It’s another one that we’re happy to move along. It’s been a long time coming. It’s important that you do something every two or three years to improve the recreational opportunities in town.”
“Providing safe and mod-
ern recreation opportunities for all ages and interests is a critical component to any vibrant community,” McCabe said. “This skate park, along with our spray parks, playgrounds, bike trails, and athletic fields, are important resources for exercise, socialization, and competition, and I am grateful to our state and federal partners for helping to fund this project.”
Westfield Council sets June 18 public hearing on data center moratorium
By Amy Porter aporter@thereminder.com
WESTFIELD — Councilor
Kristen Mello, chair of the Natural Resources Subcommittee, presented a motion at the May 21 meeting of the City Council to schedule a public hearing for a 12-month moratorium on data centers in the city of Westfield. The motion, which also called for sharing the proposal with the Planning Board, passed unanimously.
Mello said she had drafted what a moratorium for data centers would look like, giving the same definition as the one used by the state. She said a moratorium must state a specific time frame, exactly what the council
needs the time for and what they are going to do in that time.
She said the draft asks for a year, extendable only if public health is in danger, which will allow them to look at what the environmental and public health consequences of these installations are and to get expert information on where in the city they can go without causing danger.
“We decided that since we have to have some kind of permanent zoning ordinance about it, the permanent zoning ordinance is not allowed to make it so that they’re not allowed anywhere; and if we’re gonna pick somewhere, we need to have a scientific basis to do that. And if it turns out that the scientific information says that there
is no safe place to put these in the city of Westfield, then that information needs to move on to the Board of Health, because
we’re not allowed to regulate the things that don’t happen here, only they are,” Mello said.
“Our idea is to take this moratorium and let it go to public hearing so that we can hear what the voters think about this, and people can speak to Planning about this, Planning can share with us what they think, and then we can put it all together,” she added.
The motion passed to schedule a public hearing on June 18.
During public participation at the start of the meeting, several residents voiced their support for the moratorium, as they have consistently for the last several months.
Donna Liese of Shaker Road said she was pleased the City
Council is considering a moratorium. “The pause on development will allow an opportunity for more research to be done, as well as provide additional time for community input through public hearings, which is crucial. I believe the health and welfare of residents are of paramount importance. Therefore, I am not in agreement with the installation of these facilities due to the numerous health risks associated with them,” she said, listing some of the health issues that people in other states have experienced.
Ronald Roux of Woodsong Road said he was happy to have collaborated with councilors in
A rendering from Platform Group shows the proposed layout of a new skate park in Westfield.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
At Large Councilor Kristen Mello Reminder Publishing submitted photo
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Board approves Crepes Tea House permit modification
By Cliff Clark cclark@thereminder.com
SOUTHWICK — The Plan-
ning Board approved two special permit minor modifications during its May 26 meeting: one to delineate the Tilcon Minerals property for the proposed dog park and another for Crepes Tea House to extend the time it cooks outdoors.
The board, however, did not approve the restaurant’s request to allow outdoor cooking two days a week.
“So, we wanted to ask if it’s a possibility to extend [outdoor grilling] like two days,” said Petro Smoliarchuk, one of the managers at Crepes, who appeared before the board on May 26 with the request.
Earlier this year, the board approved Crepes’ request to begin grilling outdoors once a week after the restaurant had done so last summer and early fall.
When Crepes made that request, there had been a report that in the early fall the restaurant at 157 Feeding Hills Road was seen grilling outside twice in one week, something its owner, Art Ribinskas, admitted.
The board approved allowing Crepes to start grilling outside again to prove it would follow the rules of grilling just once a week, but only until June 1.
“[We gave] the applicant a couple of months to show that they could follow the directive of only cooking outside once per week and that they would not have any health code violations with that,” said board Chair Jessica Thornton at the May 26 meeting.
Smoliarchuk said the Health Department told the restaurant it could ask the Planning Board for permission to cook outdoors twice a week, and the only requirement would be to install an
outdoor sink with hot water.
However, Town Planner Alvin Allen said there was “a little bit more required than just that.”
Allen said Crepes would have to apply to have its site plan amended for the additional equipment, which would require public hearings before the board decides on the matter.
Because of that, Allen suggested that the board vote to allow Crepes to continue cooking outdoors once a week and that Crepes file a formal application to modify its special permit to include the new equipment needed to operate on additional days per week.
“If you were to come to us seeking to do two days or more, that would require, like [Allen] said, the additional outdoor stuff, which would require an updated site plan, and a deeper discussion by board members. So I think in order for you to be able to continue the outdoor cooking this coming weekend, we’re just gonna discuss whether or not to allow what we have previously done, one day per three-day weekend, Friday to Sunday,” Thornton said.
The board ultimately decided to allow Crepes to continue outdoor cooking once a week until Dec. 1.
Before that, however, board member David Spina had a question unrelated to cooking.
He said there was a report that restaurant customers parked across the street on Mother’s Day.
Answering Spina, Thornton said the police had been called about the parking situation and found that the vehicles parked alongside the road were not obstructing traffic.
Then, Spina asked if anyone had checked the restaurant’s seating capacity — 93 — that day and found out whether the
restaurant was seating more patrons than allowed by its special permit.
“Did anybody go and see if there were too many people? Or were there merely just too many cars?” he asked.
Randy Brown, who was attending his first board meeting since being elected to the vacant seat during the municipal election, said that checking the capacity is the responsibility of the Fire Department.
Thornton said that, because it was Mother’s Day, Crepes didn’t have a place for everyone to sit, but those patrons parked where they could and reminded Smoliarchuk of the restaurant’s responsibility to be a good neighbor and have a manager make periodic checks to ensure it wasn’t exceeding its capacity.
As part of the proposed dog park off Hudson Drive, the board needed to approve the subdivision of the 32-acre parcel that Tilcon Minerals gifted to the Friends of the Southwick Dog Park.
Steve Salvini, of Salvini Associates, prepared a map of the property lines that delineated the dog park. He requested a minor change to Tilcon’s special permit recognizing the parcel. To gain the board’s approval, the property must have access; in this case, that access is Hudson Drive.
However, on the site map Salvini drafted, he added Sam West Road running north through the parcel, not south, as current maps show. That prompted a question from board member Diane Juzba.
“Have we ever figured out if that’s an actual street or not?” she asked.
Brown was hesitant about the road running north through the parcel and questioned whether it was a road.
Salvini said Sam West Road
was on the original Tilcon Minerals site plan and that the road was over 60 years old.
“Other than the fact that it was shown on a plan that it was not discontinued by the town, it appears to be a road in legal status,” Salvini said.
He said that “technically” the road goes all the way through the property and then turns onto Ponders Hollow Road, which terminates at Shaker Farms Road in Westfield.
Brown asked whether the road had been formally laid out with clearly defined boundaries or whether “it was just a line on a plan.”
Salvini said he didn’t know when it was created, but it was identified on old survey maps and, at some point, had been recognized as a road by the town.
“And it was never discontinued, so therefore, where the road showed on an old plan, in my opinion, shows where the road is legally … and that it’s still a legal road, it’s just not developed, or was wiped out through the gravel operations,” Salvini said.
That didn’t assuage Brown’s concern.
“My concern is putting Sam West Road on a plan that we’re endorsing. [It’s got] nothing to do with the dog park, but with whatever happens down the road with the Tilcon property. I don’t want that to come back and say, ‘yeah, we’re endorsing this as a road, we’re acknowledging this as a road.’” Brown said.
After more discussion, Salvini said that whatever status Sam West Road had, be it unknown, ancient, or otherwise, the board is required to approve the parcel’s delineation because it meets the access requirement via Hudson Drive. The parcel’s lines were approved unanimously by the board.
Wild foraging walk and talk offered by SHAEC in Chester
By Amy Porter aporter@thereminder.com
CHESTER — The Southern Hilltowns Adult Education Center is offering a free Wild Foraging Walk and Talk by local wild edible expert Felix Lufkin. The class is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, at 6 p.m., and will meet at SHAEC’s Chester classroom at 26 Main St. in Chester. Lufkin has taught nature awareness plant ecology to adults and children of all ages throughout the valley since 2003, including after-school programs, public workshops and organizations, including the New England Aquarium, Mass Audubon, WolfTree Programs, the Vermont Wilderness School and Earthwork Programs. He has led nature programs at NorthStar Teen Center, the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School,
Moratorium
removing over 100 bags of garbage from city streets during the Earth Day clean-up. “Our action improved city health. I’m inspired by the continued gratitude, forethought and factually sound approaches our city representatives employ daily,” he said, and urged them to support the moratorium, listing the increase in noise and air pollution from data centers as reasons to do so. “This technology is moving too quickly and requires oversight. I support a moratorium on data centers until city officials can get a better idea of the health impacts of data centers,” he said.
Ward 1 Councilor Karen Fanion read a letter from constituent Charlotte Oleksak of Cabot Road in support of the moratorium for data centers in Westfield. Fanion said Oleksak is concerned about pollution of the air and the water. Oleksak is also concerned about the over-industrialization of the north side of town, which she said has drastically changed over recent years. “It is her opinion that businesses are vital to the success of Westfield, and she would like the city to consider other more appropriate projects that will not significantly harm the citizens,” Fanion read.
Four Rivers Charter School, Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School, and he has taught wild edible plants at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Lufkin runs Turtle Bend Farm in Montgomery with his wife, Maggie. He also directs Help Yourself, Inc., a nonprofit organization that plants public access fruit trees in public places in Western Massachusetts.
On June 10, Lufkin will lead a guided foraging walk exploring the edible and useful plants growing right in the neighborhood. Participants will learn how to identify, harvest responsibly, and use a variety of seasonal wild foods, focusing on the species that are abundant at the time of the walk.
Along the way, Lufkin will discuss sustainable foraging practices, plant ecology and how
Councilor Dan Allie read a text from Dave and Donna Burgoyne of Atwater Street that said they are opposed to the construction of a data center due to environmental health and energy cost concerns. Jonathan Guido of Chestnut Street brought a petition with 26 names of people who also agree with the moratorium, mostly due to concerns of water usage that will not be returned to where it is being taken from. He presented the petition to City Clerk Kaitlyn Bruce.
Former Ward 1 Councilor Mary Ann Babinski of Rogers Avenue said she is also in support of the 12-month moratorium on new data center projects.
“Whether you know a little, a lot, or nothing at all about data center facilities or more than you ever wanted to know, this moratorium will afford the city decision makers and residents time to learn about their pros and cons, benefits versus risks, and give ample time to have questions and concerns addressed,” Babinski said.
“In my opinion, having the time is a step in the right direction, a step that will provide opportunities to make better decisions that will better protect our drinking water, the air that we breathe, and the public’s health and safety, among a
Felix Lufkin of Turtle Bend Farm in Montgomery will lead a Wild Foraging Walk and Talk in SHAEC’s Chester classroom June 10 at 6 p.m.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
to deepen one’s connection with the local landscape. For those who are new to foraging or looking to expand their skills, everyone will leave with practical knowledge and a fresh appreciation for the abundance growing around them.
Sign up online at shaec.org, or by emailing southernhilltownsaec@gmail.com. Give your name, the number in the party and a contact number. Call 413354-1055 with any questions.
For more information about Lufkin and Turtle Bend Farm, go to turtlebend.farm.
whole bunch of other things that you will hopefully give yourself time to find out about. Please vote to pass this moratorium. I ask you that wholeheartedly. It’s worth it. Thank you very much,” Babinski added.
“I am speaking tonight in favor of the moratorium,” said Jessica Britton of Casimir Street.
“I think it’s important that we pause and really evaluate as this new technology is evolving. This isn’t just a Westfield thing, this isn’t just a national thing, this is a global issue. There are many issues with all of this technology, and a lot of people are pushing back, so I would find it very wise to pause and listen to your
constituents in the public, and hopefully you’ll do that tonight.”
Grace Taylor of South Maple Street also spoke in favor of the moratorium. “I just want to bring to light also that this will end up costing the taxpayers money. Not only am I against the environmental concerns, which are grave and terrible, but these data centers also come with a cost to the taxpayers of Westfield. It will cost us money to use the water. It will eventually cost us money to upgrade our electric and things like that. So please consider this period and maybe even longer periods in the future as well,” she said.
Also speaking in favor of the
moratorium was Sherrie Sperry from Old Quarry Road. “I just simply want to say I would appreciate it if you would do the moratorium, and for all the reasons that we don’t even know about yet. We’ve been researching it as much as we can on YouTube, and the people that have allowed this to come in have found that it has done a lot of damage to the whole area … It’s always better to wait and find out for sure on which way you want to go. But I’m against it myself because I love our resources. I want to have good water, I want to have good air. And I want our children and grandchildren to have that. So I thank you all,” she said.
Rams’ Ryder McGuire takes a cut at a Gateway pitch.
Southwick senior Donovan Cummings zeroes in on a Gateway pitch.
Southwick Regional’s Ian Garvey strides in to score the Rams’ first run of the game.
James Burniske pulls down a Gator fly ball.
Colin Taylor makes a safe steal at second base.
SOUTHWICK VS GATEWAY
Southwick Regional baseball played Gateway Regional May 20 at Gateway’s varsity field, winning 11-1.
Bryan Pomeroy flies in for another Southwick run.
John Armstrong beats the throw to home for another Rams run.
Gateway’s Theo Deangelis-Page beats the pickoff attempt by Rams’ Collin Taylor.
Parker Stopa tags the ball early in the game.
Starting pitcher Andriy Novak on the mound for the Rams.
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — On June 19, the walls of Tower Square will reverberate with the sounds of the Juneteenth Freedom Concert and celebrations scheduled throughout the afternoon. The concert will feature Springfield’s own Grammy award-winning jazz bassist Avery Sharpe and the Extended Family Choir.
Juneteenth, a federal and state holiday, commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union troops under Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, to deliver news to the last community of enslaved people that they were free under the Emancipation Proclamation.
The Juneteenth celebrations will begin on June 18 at 5:30 p.m., when there will be live music at White Lion Brewing Company. A portion of the proceeds of this Juneteenth kick-off party will benefit Springfield Symphony
SUFFIELD, CONNECTICUT
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The Suffield Players is seeking a bold, dynamic, and fearless cast for its upcoming production of “Angel Street (Gaslight)” by Patrick Hamilton, being performed this October at Mapleton Hall.
This is not simply a drawing-room thriller in corsets and candlelight. Director Krystle Bernier is searching for actors who can bring emotional truth, danger, vulnerability, wit and psychological depth to a story that remains startlingly modern beneath its Victorian setting.
“We are looking for actors who understand the difference between performing a period piece and inhabiting a story that transcends one,” said Bernier.
Auditions will take place June 28 and June 30, with callbacks on July 1. Actors should be prepared for cold readings from the script as well as unscripted and improvisational exercises performed in character for the
Youth Orchestras programming.
At 11 a.m. on June 19, Mayor Domenic Sarno and State Rep. Bud Williams will conduct the annual Juneteenth flag raising on the steps of City Hall. Moving to Tower Square, at 12:30 p.m., School Committee member Ayanna Crawford will be the mistress of ceremonies for the Juneteenth program of events. The Springfield Prep Dance Team will perform and the inaugural Juneteenth Innovation Panel will take place. Small business vendors will be set up in Tower Square throughout the afternoon’s events.
The concert is scheduled for 3 p.m. The Avery Sharpe Quintet and a quartet of strings will play, while vocals are to be provided by the Extended Family Choir and the Springfield Symphony Chorus.
“I love collaborations because that is what America is about or supposed to be about,” said Avery. Sarno later said,
role they are pursuing. Performers of all experience levels are encouraged to attend, This production aims to assemble an ensemble of committed actors ready to collaborate, take risks and create a gripping theatrical experience for audiences. Whether you are a seasoned
“Avery has never forgotten his home here.”
The concert will be conducted by Kevin Sharpe, Avery’s brother, who has been the Extended Family Choir’s director since its inception in 1996. “It is great to collaborate with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra,” he said. The program’s music will include Lift Every Voice and Sing — widely considered the African American nation anthem — three pieces by Florence Price, African American spirituals, Avery compositions and choral works. Kevin said, “It’s sounding good. It’s going to be a great program. I’m looking forward to it.”
The free concert is organized in partnership with White Lion Brewing Company owner Raymond Berry Jr. and Payton Shubrick, owner of 6 Bricks dispensary. Sarno said Berry and Shubrick have been “good corporate citizens... they always step up.”
While the spirit will be one of celebration, there will also be
performer or an emerging talent looking for a challenging and rewarding role, the production team encourages you to audition.
Performance dates for “Angel Street (Gaslight)” are Oct. 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23 and 24.
In addition to sending theater resumes to the director, all audi-
memorials for Rosemary “Tracy” Woods, founding director of “Art for the Soul Gallery,” and the late Ruby Maddox, co-founder of Gardening the Community and Direct Your Purpose. State Rep. Benjamin Swan and Henry Thomas, III, a longtime leader of the Springfield Urban League, who both died on May 25 will also be remembered.
Sarno said he first learned about Juneteenth several years ago from then-state Rep. Raymond Jordan and community leader Robert “Cee” Jackson. Since then, he said, state Rep. Bud Williams “shepherded through the Juneteenth legislation in the statehouse.” More than a day off, Sarno said, “It’s more important that it is recognized, and the story of history is told.”
Williams said, “Black people have always celebrated Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Juneteenth Day, you call it what you want to call it. We’ve always celebrated it.” He said Springfield
tioners will be required to complete an online audition application through suffieldplayers.org.
has changed since he was a child, when it was “very segregated, very racist.” Now, he noted, the city has a Black superintendent of schools in Sonia Dinnall and Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers is the city’s first Black individual to hold that position. Referring to the symphony, Heather Caisse-Roberts, president and CEO of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra said, “This industry is struggling right now. This country is struggling a bit right now. What we can do is bring joy back into the world. We can bring it through music. We can bring it through partnership. We can bring it through collaboration. We bring joy to the world by keeping alive the history, celebrating tradition and also exploring everything that’s new out there.” She said, “We’re so lucky to call Springfield our home.” Sarno declared, “Plenty of good things are happening in Springfield and you’re all a part of it.”
Step into the shadows. Bring your instincts. And come ready to play.
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