Search for The Westfield News
WEATHER TONIGHT A few clouds. Low of 23.
The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 85 NO. 314
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016
“Addresses are given to us to conceal our whereabouts.” — H.H. MUNRO
75 cents
Smoke detectors can save lives and money By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—After several fires have hit homes in the past three months, Westfield Fire officials urge residents to make sure fire alarms are working and are in their homes. Since Oct. 1 of this year, there have been eight structure fires in the city of Westfield. And while no lives were lost in the blazes each one impacted lives of residents. The Westfield Fire Department continues to urge residents to install proper working smoke detectors after one of the homes, which had significant damage and was left inhabitable, ERIC BISHOP was found to not have working Westfield Fire smoke detectors. deputy chief The fire on Columbia Street earlier this month had resulted in estimated damage costs of $200,000, after an unattended candle caused a fire in the home. The fire was seen by neighbors, who then alerted emergency personnel and the occupants, who eventually were able to escape, but a cat was reportedly unaccounted for. The home also had no working smoke detectors. The $200,000 cost is more than the total estimated loss from six other fires—the seventh fire, which was on Dec. 28 on Notre Dame Street, is still under investigation and numbers were not available at the time of this article. Those six totaled $132,500 in estimated losses and each had working smoke detectors. Additionally, the most costly fire that had detectors, which was on Yeoman Avenue in October, caused just $60,000, compared to the $200,000 cost on Columbia Street. “There were different causes to each of those fires but at the end of the day detectors alerted those occupants,” Westfield Fire deputy chief Eric Bishop said. “And early detection means minimal loss.” Of course, cost isn’t the only reason working detectors are important. Lives are at risk as well, and according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) a working smoke detector cuts the risk of losing a life in a fire in half. Also according to NFPA, three out of five home fire deaths occur when there is no working smoke detector in the residence. “Not only will a detector reduce your loss but it will also save your life,” Bishop said. “And life is worth more than a $30 smoke detector.” For more information on kinds of smoke detectors to purchase, check out the November 25th article from The Westfield News on new smoke detector standards in the state. If you’re still unsure, Bishop and the State Fire Marshal’s Office urge residents to purchase 10-year sealed battery-powered smoke detectors.
A photo from the Columbia Street fire on Dec. 21.
(Photo
Retired Lt. Col. Edwin M. Renkowicz presents the numbered print of painting to Dep. Chief Andrew Hart, as ANG members John Mitchell and Larry Buell observe. (Photos by Lynn F. Boscher)
9-11 artwork presented to Westfield Fire Department By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—A former Westfield resident and current Floridian donated a piece of art to the city’s fire department as a way of saying thanks. The Westfield Fire Department received a copy of the painting titled “Remember 9-11” yesterday from Edwin Renkowicz, of St. Petersburg, Florida. The painting was originally done by St. Petersburg muralist John Comer, and the print presented to the Westfield Fire Department is one of a limited amount of commissioned pieces. “It’s a very nice gesture for him to be thinking of us, even 15 years after 9-11 happened to think about that and to think about us,” Westfield Fire deputy chief Andy Hart, said. Hart said that although there have been donations in the past to the department, it is an uncommon occurrence. He also said that the way that this occurred was rather quick and serendipitous. “This all came about this week and nobody really knew about it,” Hart said. “He called us on Tuesday and I just happened to be working.” Renkowicz, who is a retired Lieutenant Colonel of Barnes’ 104th Wing of the Air National Guard and a former Westfield resident, said that he simply felt compelled to give the piece of art to the department. He originally heard about the painting while participating in an art class at an independent living center in St. Petersburg, and Comer was teaching the class. “I was coming back for winter break to visit family and I got the idea to buy the print and get it framed and present to the fire chief,” Renkowicz said modestly. “I just wanted to do something like that.”
by Lynn F. Boscher)
Superintendent Willard expresses thoughts on State’s college tuition savings plan By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – The high price for attending a four-year college and the effect of an endless amount of student loans, are always major concerns for future college students and their families. In his December 16 weekly update to schools across the Commonwealth, Commissioner Mitchell Chester of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, shared information that could potentially benefit those concerned with the expenses of a four-year college or university. Directly from his report, Chester explains the news from the state that could be a major boost for incoming college students. “Governor Baker has a message for graduating high school seniors and their families: The state will help them save an average of 40 percent off the cost of a traditional bachelor’s degree if students can attend college full-time and graduate within four and a half years.” The update made by Commissioner Chester is labeled the
Superintendent Jen Willard gives her thoughts on Commissioner Chester’s weekly update on December 16. (WNG File Photo)
“Commonwealth Commitment.” Part of the commitment involves students beginning at one of the 15 community colleges in Massachusetts. The students must hold a cumulative GPA (Grade Point Average) of a 3.0, and attend full-time. After attending a community college and receiving an associate’s degree in two and a half years or less, students will be able to transfer to any state university or any UMass campus. There are a total of 24 colleges that are transfer pathways as a part of the Commonwealth Commitment. Fourteen of the colleges have rolled out in the fall of 2016 and 10 more will in the fall of 2017. A key benefit to this commitment includes a 10 percent persemester rebate which is worth an average of $1,200 from tuition credit. A freeze will also occur on all mandatory fees. In the update, Gov. Charlie Baker said, “The Commonwealth Commitment will make it even easier for students to go to school full-time and begin their careers with less debt and we See Tuition Savings Plan, Page 3