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TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 TUESDAY, 2017 FRIDAY,JUNE JULY 27, 7, 2017
PVTA holds Westfield meeting to discuss possible service changes By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—The PVTA held two meetings at the Olver Transit Pavilion on Arnold Street yesterday, to discuss a potential changes in routes due to a possible budget shortfall the service is facing. The two meetings were held to discuss with users of the service and others the potential impacts that possible route changes or removal could have on riders, and were part of a series of meetings on the topic throughout the Pioneer Valley. There have been nearly 20 routes throughout the PVTA service area that have been highlighted for modification, with one route being considered in Westfield. According to PVTA administrator Sandra Sheehan, the potential modifications come due to budgetary concerns within the PVTA. According to a June 16 Westfield News article, PVTA’s Director of Operations and Planning
City council votes on resolution related to crumb rubber By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—Westfield will be adopting a three-year moratorium on the use of synthetic fields that use crumb rubber infill on all city-owned property. The moratorium comes after city councilors who were in attendance voted unanimously to adopt a resolution proposing the moratorium. The resolution had previously come with a unanimous positive recommendation vote from the City Council’s Natural Resources Committee, where Ward One Councilor and committee member Mary Ann Babinski had proposed and created the resolution. The resolution would put a three-year moratorium “on the construction or installation of certain synthetic turf” with crumb rubber. The moratorium is applicable to city-owned property, and according to previous meetings and articles, could be revisited as additional information comes out on studies related to crumb rubber. Concerns have been raised in the city related to the use of the material and possible health impacts, coming from some residents, as well as some city councilors. Also, according to Babinski, Joe Rouse, the director of the Department of Health, agreed with the resolution. She also said that he gave input into the resolution, along with the law department. Previously however, the Board of Health voted to not ban the See Resolution, Page 8
Josh Rickman said the PVTA currently faces a $1.2 million deficit due to state budget cuts and reduced aid, though this could change through grants and budget discussion. The route in question for Westfield is the Saturday portion of the B23 route. The B23 route runs from downtown Westfield to Holyoke near Holyoke Community College (HCC) and normally runs Monday through Saturday, with five trips to Westfield and four trips to Holyoke on Saturday. If the Saturday B23 service is removed, then Sheehan said that about 28 riders could be impacted. However, Sheehan said that the PVTA is deliberating several facts for each possible change, including number of people affected, if there is another route patrons can use and if there is another way to get to where they are going. See PVTA Meeting, Page 5
The Olver Transit Pavilion in downtown Westfield. (WNG file photo)
Residents turn out at City Council meeting MARY O’CONNELL WARD 4 COUNCILOR
CINDY HARRIS AT-LARGE COUNCILOR
ANDREW SURPRISE WARD 3 COUNCILOR
City Council holds last meeting before Summer break By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Ward 4 Councilor Mary O’Connell convened Thursday’s City Council meeting as president pro tempore, due to Brent B. Bean, II’s absence, in the last regularly scheduled meeting until August 24. O’Connell said that a special meeting of the council could be scheduled during the summer if necessary. Following a robust public participation session, regular order was suspended for immediate consideration on a series of items brought forth by Ward 5 Councilor Robert A. Paul, Sr. on behalf of Mayor Brian P. Sullivan, all of which were voted unanimously by the council with little discussion. The first item was approval of a 1-year appropriation of $266,880 for FY18 from the Designated Fund Balance account to the PEG purchase of service account for Internet services for the entire City of Westfield for $30,600, and municipal fiber access (building to building connectivity, including Russell Elementary) for $236,280. Paul said the appropriation is an ongoing practice in the PEG account to pay for internet and municipal fiber access. Ward 3 Councilor Andrew K. Surprise asked why service was being extended to Russell Elementary when the school would only be open for one more year, and how much would it cost. Ward 2 Councilor Ralph J. Figy, who is the liaison to the School Committee, said that state-mandated online testing requires faster internet access. Ward 6 Councilor William Onyski said that add-
ing Russell elementary increased the amount only by $2,000. Also accepted for immediate consideration was a $158,000 grant to fund the Westfield Barnes Regional Airport Layout Plan. Paul said $142,000, or 90% of the project was federal grant funded, $7,900 (5%) MassDOT/ Aeronautics grant funded, and $7,900 (5%) city funded, an amount which was already in the budget. Onyski said the grant is needed to update the master plan, and has a deadline for acceptance of July 28. Approval of an emergency appropriation of $9,978 to the Health Department for cleanup of the house fire at 40 Park Street also passed. Figy said it was a very sad situation in which two people lost their lives from a small fire on a kitchen stove due to the condition of the house and grounds. The Council also approved a gift donation of $5000 from Dennis Bolduc, owner of DBA Indian Motorcycle Dealership on Southampton Road for a second e-bike for the Police Department, to help patrol the bike path and other hard to reach areas. Paul said according to Bolduc the e-bike could go 20 mph. “Not bad,” he remarked. State 911 Department grants of $114,840 and $20,388 awarded to the Public Safety Communications Center were also accepted. The first is an annual grant that will be used for personnel/overtime costs, a replacement server/storage solution and cleaning of the Communications Center. The second See Last Meeting, Page 8
Southwick Police offer advice to Motocross spectators By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – The nationally-televised 2017 Motocross Nationals takes place in town this weekend and will bring in thousands of people from all over the country and across the world. With such a high volume of people descending on Southwick for a short span of days, local law enforcement wants to remind the community that there will be more traffic in town than usual. “You can count on there being traffic,” said Southwick Police Chief David Ricardi. On Wednesday night, the Southwick Police Department issued a statement about the traffic expectations occurring in Southwick, especially on Feeding Hills Road/Route 57, since the race takes place behind American Legion Post 338 on Powder Mill Road. Ricardi hopes that anyone who endures traffic, to be mindful of their surroundings. “We’re going to try and move traffic as quickly as possible,” said Ricardi. “We’re just asking the people to be patient and be considerate of other motorists (on the road).”
For those who are attending the Motocross Nationals, there will be a full staff of police officers on hand, and more than enough signage displayed directing people to where they need to go. Although traffic is a major focal point this weekend, Southwick Police also wants to remind spectators of other rules and safety precautions. The event is permitted to sell alcohol on the racing grounds and will not allow people to bring their own alcohol or a cooler containing alcohol into the races. Ricardi mentioned that in the past, he has seen individuals bring alcohol-filled coolers and then be told in the ticket line that they have to bring the cooler back to their vehicle in the parking lot. It is certainly an inconvenience for people and something that Ricardi wants to see reduced. “We want to let them know that ahead of time,” said Ricardi. “We’re just trying to save them a few footsteps.” This is an outdoor event that typically includes hot weather See Motocross, Page 2
By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Residents turned out at the City Council meeting for several public hearings which ended up being continued to August 24, the next scheduled City Council meeting. The majority of residents were present for the application submitted by Rob Levesque for a zone Katherine Tansey of Little change at 397 Little River River Road spoke against Road from Residence A and the zone change for a proRural Residence to Business posed gas station. (Photo by A for his client Mumeeb Amy Porter) “Moon” Mahmood, who is interested in putting in a gas station on the property. Katharine Tansey of 324 Little River Road read a prepared statement during the public participation portion of the meeting, after Ward 4 Councilor Mary O’Connell, who was serving as president pro temp in place of Brent B. Bean, II, determined whether it would be appropriate to do so. O’Connell said that it would be important for residents who were there to attend the rescheduled public hearing, but that it was appropriate to speak during public participation also. Tansey said that she is opposed to the zone change for the precise reason that it is Residence A and Rural Residence, and that she did not wish to see it become a mixed use area. She said there were already sufficient gas stations within easy access, and implored the councilors not to allow the “piecemeal disintegration” of the neighborhood. “Not every decision needs to be made on dollars and cents,” Tansey said, adding that homeowners deserve equal treatment. George Aylward of 356 Little River Road also spoke against the proposal for the zone change, saying it would have a negative impact on the quality of life in the neighborhood. Aylward said there were ample opportunities for the business owner to expand his business. Another resident asked why the public hearing was on the agenda if it was not going to be discussed. O’Connell responded that public hearings are often continued by request for various reasons, and advised residents to call the clerk’s office a day or two before the meeting to check whether it would be held. Cynthia Murphy of 7 State Street came forward to “strongly object” to the zoning change at 95 Main Street and 4 Taylor Avenue from Commercial A and Residence C to Business A to accommodate a Dunkin Donuts. Murphy said while she supports the business, there are too many children in the neighborhood and a potential elementary school coming, referring to the Ashley Street School project. This public hearing was also continued by a vote of the City Council. Joann Barnes of 81 Paper Mill Road spoke in favor of heavy truck exclusion on Paper Mill Road, which Police Chief John Camerota brought forward with a positive recommendation from the Traffic Commission. Barnes said she would appreciate the councilors’ efforts in support of the exclusion. During the meeting, Ward 6 Councilor William Onyski said the process to bring forward the recommendation had been a tedious one that he had been involved with for a year and a half. He said he would support sending the matter to the Legislative & Ordinance Committee to work out the details, which was voted by the council. “This is a long time comJoann Barnes spoke in ing. I’m going to support it,” favor of heavy truck exclu- Onyski said of the heavy sion on Paper Mill Road. truck exclusion on Paper (Photo by Amy Porter) Mill Road.