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The Westfield News The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns
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Cowles Bridge waiver received by WFD By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—Several of the Westfield Fire Department’s vehicles will now be able to use Cowles Bridge during emergencies, after the waiver was officially received Wednesday. The Westfield Fire Department (WFD) has officially received a waiver from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) that will allow for four of their five engines to cross the Cowles Bridge on Southwick Road along Route 10 and 202, culminating what turned into a months-long effort. The waiver comes with restrictions according to WFD Fire Chief Mary Regan, which includes a speed restriction of 5 MPH and that the bridge may only be used when responding to an emergency. Still, according to Regan Wednesday, the department will begin using the bridge immediately. “The WFD would like to thank the MassDOT and our Local and State Officials for their assistance in getting this waiver approved,” Regan wrote in an email. “Our mission of protecting lives and property is enhanced by a rapid response and this waiver will ensure that we get to this area of the city in the most efficient way to provide the necessary services during an emergency,” she said in the email. Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan said that he was also satisfied with the result. “We’ve now taken care of the safety issues regarding getting trucks with water over that bridge in an emergency basis,” he said. “The process, though very lengthy, actually has an outcome that’s favorable for the city.” According to Patrick Marvin from
MassDOT, they analyzed the bridge and determined that it would be safe to use in the manner outlined. From an email sent by Marvin: “The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has been pleased to work with the Westfield Fire Department in order to support the reliability of the bridge structure and ensure that emergency first responders are able to utilize this bridge. MassDOT has reviewed the request for a waiver, analyze the structural capacity of the bridge in relation to this request, and concluded that the bridge is able to accommodate most of the department’s vehicles at low speeds during emergency responses. The department has not been able to utilize Cowles Bridge with a majority of its vehicles since Aug. 3, when they received a letter from MassDOT requesting that vehicles that exceed the posted weight limits not cross the bridge. Previously, the department had been utilizing the bridge with their vehicles when responding to emergencies. Since the letter was received, the department had used different methods to respond to the other side of the bridge, though delays in responses had occurred. Also following the letter, Regan sent a waiver request to MassDOT. It was initially reported that it may take about three weeks for the waiver to come. However, as that time passed and a waiver was not received, concern had grown in the city. In September, the City Council’s Public Health and Safety Committee held a meeting
Several city and elected officials gathered in a room at city hall for the Public Health and Safety Committee meeting Sept. 7 to discuss Cowles Bridge. with city and state officials to discuss the status of the waiver. Rep. John Velis also said that he had placed pressure on MassDOT, continuing to try and get a determination on the waiver. Velis then reported this past Monday, Nov. 20, that a waiver would be coming to the city. “Any time that the city of Westfield has an interaction with the state, whatever Westfield wants I make sure it isn’t sitting on the bottom of a desk,” Velis said. “The squeaky wheel truly gets the oil.” Sullivan also noted the work from Velis and others in successfully getting the waiver for the department. “Thank you to the state and local officials that pressed the topic and finally got the waiver we were hoping for,” Sullivan said. Velis said that he is happy with the end result, notably because Regan is happy. “I’m happy that now our emergency response vehicles can get to where they need.
Four internal candidates for Southwick Chief of Police
Wild game dinner funds free programs for vets WESTFIELD – Tickets are now on sale for the third annual wild game dinner and charity auction, hosted by New England Adventures, which raises funds to provide free programs for veterans and their family members. “For 2017 we will have run 13 events, worked with over 150 veterans, worked with more than 200 family members, and have plans to do more in 2018,” said Todd Crevier, founder of the nonprofit organization based in Southwick. The game dinner is planned Feb. 17 from 5 to 10 p.m. at the East Mountain Country Club. Tickets are $30 per person and are available at A-10 Arms and Ammo in Southwick and Guns and Gear in Agawam, or online at www.gofundme.com/NEAdventures. For menu and auction details or more information on all events, call (413) 328-3761, send an email to todd@ newenglandaventures.org, or visit www.newenglandadventures.org. “Our programs and events next year include ice fishing, trout and bass flotillas, a black bear hunt and a family day,” said Crevier. Additional programs scheduled for next year include a trip to Mount Greylock, a veterans and family retreat, a pheasant hunt and a whitetail weekend.
Sergeant First Class Todd Crevier, U.S. Army retired, founder and president of New England Adventures, is seen with retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Kevin Padberg during a 2016 black bear hunt in Maine. New England Adventures will host a Wild Game Dinner to raise funds for trips for veterans and their families. “Our mission is to provide all-expense-paid trips for veterans and their families to the wild places of New England,” said Crevier.
Sen. Humason introduces new staff member WESTFIELD – State Senator Don Humason announced today that he has recently appointed a new staff member to work in his District office. Michelle Moriarty, of Holyoke, began work on October 10th as the Senator’s new Scheduler and Constituent Services Aide. Michelle is a long time resident of the City of Holyoke, where she raised her three children with her husband Matt. A Holyoke High School graduate, Michelle studied at both Holyoke Community College and Westfield State University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. In her role as Scheduler, Michelle will primarily be managing the Senator’s day-to-day schedule, which includes coordinating meetings with constituents, managing a busy legislative calendar, and more. She will also be working with Humason and his staff to answer and resolve constituent cases. “I was excited by the opportunity to join Senator Humason’s team, and I look forward to helping him serve the families he represents as best he can,” Michelle said of her new position. Michelle joins Senator Humason’s
Helping the safety of my constituents is my foremost priority,” he said. Velis also noted that the timeframe was reasonable considering the state and its workings. “I think a lot of the times we tend to lose sight of the fact that there are 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth, sending requests to departments in the state,” he said. Now, Sullivan and Velis both said that the city must wait until repairs and reconstruction on the bridge can occur. According to both, the bridge is on MassDOT’s State Transportation Improvement Program for FY 2019. In addition, Marvin said last week that MassDOT has been continuing on the design process for the projects and that this will likely progress to “where a design public hearing can be held in the first half of 2018.” “This is just a waiver until such time that the construction starts,” Sullivan said. For that, Velis said that he will continue to be the “squeaky wheel.”
State Senator Don Humason (right) announced that he has recently appointed Michelle Moriarty, of Holyoke (left) as a new staff member to work in his District office. (Photo courtesy Sen. Humason)
staff with over twenty years of public service experience. After attaining her degree, Michelle served as a police officer in the City of Northampton for eight and a half years. Most recently, she worked as a Lease Enforcement Officer for Northampton’s Housing Authority, where she liaised between residents, social service organizations, and state agencies. “Michelle’s experience and professionalism will be a great asset to both
me and the constituents of the 11 cities and towns I represent,” said Senator Humason. “Scheduling is one of the more time-intensive, fast-paced responsibilities in my office and Michelle has already proven she’s more than up to the task. I know she will do a great job.” Michelle will also represent the Senator at events around the district as necessary and assist constituents who encounter issues with state agencies or have questions for Senator Humason. Senator Humason represents the 2nd Hampden and Hampshire District, which consists of the cities of Agawam, Easthampton, Holyoke, Westfield, and parts of the city of Chicopee; and the towns of Granville, Montgomery, Russell, Southampton, Southwick and Tolland. The Senator maintains a district office for the convenience of his constituents and encourages them to contact him at his district office at 64 Noble Street in Westfield, Massachusetts 01085, (413) 568-1366; or his Boston office, State House, Room 313A, Boston, Massachusetts 02133, (617) 722-1415. His email address is Donald.Humason@ MASenate.gov.
By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – The deadline for applications for the Chief of Police position were due on Nov. 17, and it has been announced that there are four internal candidates. According to Select Board Chairman Doug Moglin, the board will officially release the names of the candidates at their next meeting on Monday night. The Select Board will then schedule a day and time to begin the interview process. Karl Stinehart, the Chief Administrative Officer for the town, is overseeing the board’s process. “They’ll be following a very gradual process,” said Stinehart. While the board wants to take their time with selecting the next police chief, they also want to make a decision sooner rather than later since the budget process will begin soon leading up to the new fiscal year starting on July 1. The board plans on having a new chief by the beginning of the next calendar year and Moglin noted how important it will be for the incoming chief to learn from the current chief, David Ricardi, about the budget process. “For most of the fiscal year, they’re going to own it,” said Moglin. When the process for finding a new Police Chief began it was announced that they would like to promote from within the department if possible. Moglin said he is looking forward to interviewing the four candidates, whom the board members are all familiar with. “We kind of know who these people are,” said Moglin. “The interview process is going to be important, but it’s not like were interviewing total strangers.” Ricardi is set to retire in June 2018 after serving as the chief since 2013.
Southwick Police Department. (WNG File Photo)