WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM
THE WESTFIELD NEWS
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015 - PAGE 3
Westfield Salvation Army goes all-volunteer WESTFIELD – In an effort to maximize donor contributions, The Salvation Army transitions its service to an all-volunteer effort in Westfield effective October 1. The Salvation Army has been providing assistance to the Westfield community since the 1950s, most recently out of rented space on Arnold Street, which the community referred to as the The Salvation Army Westfield Service Center. Like many non-profit organizations, The Salvation Army continually strives to increase and improve impact while minimizing operating costs. Through a process that has lasted several years, the determination was made that moving to a volunteer-led model is the best and most cost-effective way to serve the community’s needs. This model, called the Service Unit, has proven to be effective in many communities across Massachusetts. Service Units maintain the same capabilities for fundraising and providing services to people in need and through this model, The Salvation Army continues to serve people in every zip code of the Commonwealth. “Westfield residents have been dedicated to helping their neighbors in need through The Salvation Army for decades. We trust that will continue through this transition,” said Wilfred Leslie, Salvation Army Service Extension Director. “In my experience, people trust The Salvation Army to help everyone who comes to us as efficiently as we can. That’s why they give.”
The Salvation Army will continue to provide direct emergency service, Thanksgiving assistance, Christmas toys and gifts. This Christmas, shoppers can expect to see those familiar red kettles throughout the community. As always, donations received in the red kettles remain in Westfield to serve community needs year round. “The Salvation Army is pleased to continue its service and planning for the future,” said Leslie. “We are grateful for the same volunteers and generous donors who have helped us meet local need for years and they are more important than ever as we move forward. The Salvation Army is committed to assisting those who need our help in Westfield with minimal change in our service to them. ” Beginning October 1, The Salvation Army will provide assistance in Westfield through an existing collaboration with Domus, Inc. The well-known local non-profit property management housing developer will provide office space for Salvation Army volunteers. Those who need help can schedule an appointment by calling 413-568-1256. Any community residents or groups who would like to continue the volunteer tradition at the red kettles, can contact The Salvation Army at 413-568-1256. Donations of gently used clothing and furniture are still being received at The Salvation Army Family Store at 215 East Main Street in Westfield.
GOVERNMENT MEETINGS MONDAY, OCT. 5 WESTFIELD Fire Commission at 7 pm
MONDAY, OCT. 5
Superior Court
Special Permit
Continued from Page 1
said. Cappa’s effort to reopen the candle pin bowling facility are also complicated by the fact that the city’s Westfield Redevelopment Authority is seeking to acquire the bowling alley property, and other adjacent property belonging to members of the Romani family as part of the Elm Street Urban Renewal Plan. The renewal plan includes construction of a mixed-use commercial building on the corner of Elm and Arnold Street, construction of a Pioneer Valley Transit Authority transit pavilion on Arnold Street and construction of a multi-story parking garage on Church Street which would incorporate much of the Romani property. The WRA was poised to take the property, including the bowling alley, by eminent domain with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. Congress included language in the authorizing legislation which prohibits the use of CDBG land acquisition by eminent domain. The CDBG funds can be used for a “friendly” purchase of property but the Romani family, 12 members who have a financial interest, could not agree on a price for the property. The city is now using the $200,000, intended to purchase the bowling alley, to purchase a building on Center Street from Berkshire Bank. The building on that property will be demolished and an off-street parking lot will be constructed. Several members of the City Council questioned if it would be kinder to Cappa to deny the special permit and end his effort, at considerable personal expense, to reopen the bowling alley. Cappa at the Sept. License Committee session said he has invested $100,000 into his project and holds a lease for the building through 2021. “I feel sorry for him,” At-large Council David A Flaherty said, “but it may be better to deny this special permit and shut it down.” Crean said that the License Committee approved the one-year extension of the special permit, which expired on Dec. 4, 2014, but would not recommend further extension of the special permit. “It’s for one year,” Crean said. “If he gets his business going, so be it. If he doesn’t get it going, that’s it, there will be no further extensions.”
Opioid Crisis that would make trafficking in Fentanyl a crime punishable with a prison sentence of up to 20 years. Authorities say the narcotic is often added to heroin. Also Thursday, a state law took effect that requires health insurers, without preapproval, to provide coverage for all “medically necessary” inpatient addiction treatment and counseling for at least 14 consecutive days. The law was approved by lawmakers last year and signed by thenGov. Deval Patrick. At an unrelated campaign
Continued from Page 1 White’s case will be presented to a grand jury on October 30, according to court records. On July 9, Westfield police executed a search warrant at 919 Southampton Road as part of an ongoing multijurisdictional investigation of child pornography, according to Det. Roxann Bradley’s statement of facts. White admitted to taking secret photographs of a partially nude child twice between February 2012 and February 2015, according to Bradley. Additionally, White admitted to giving these photographs to an individual, known to the Commonwealth, in exchange for sex, Bradley wrote. Eric Jenney, 45, of Westfield was arraigned June 26 on charges of three counts of possession of child pornography, and while police aren’t confirming nor denying whether these cases are linked, there appears to be a strong connection. At an August 7 pretrial hearing Jenney’s attorney, Jared Olanoff, said the district attorney’s office is deciding whether to move the case to Hampden County Superior Court. Jenney, who was released June 29 on $5,000 personal surety, may be due back in Westfield District Court on October 30 unless his case is also transferred to Superior Court. “Most crimes begin in district court, and the more serious crimes are then brought to the grand jury. If the grand jury issues an indictment, the district court complaint will be dismissed and the case will be handled in superior court,” according to mass.gov. “The district court is generally limited to deciding cases for which the maximum authorized penalty for a crime is not more than five years’ imprisonment.” Staff Writer Christine Charnosky can be reached at christinec@thewestfieldnewsgroup.com
Continued from Page 1 event in Boston on Thursday, Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton praised the state Senate for taking action to address opioid abuse. “We have seen far too many families tragically affected by the opioid crisis in western Massachusetts and across the state,” said Senator Don Humason. “Today we passed legislation that aims to address some of the root causes of the crisis, such as the overprescription of opioid- based pain killers and youth substance abuse disor-
der identification and treatment. While I was pleased to support this bill, it is important to recognize that it is but a small battle in the overall fight that communities are waging against this epidemic.” “Our actions in the Senate today will help to prevent the human and economic costs caused by abuse of opiates and pain killers and give hope to those families who have struggled to aid a loved one suffering with addiction,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester).
Homeless cat and kitten adoptions WESTFIELD – As the weather cools, the Westfield Homeless Cat Project (WHCP) gets more calls about homeless cats and kittens freezing outside at night. WHCP needs to find homes for the cats already under its care before these others can be rescued and rehomed. WHCP will hold adoption open houses for cats and kittens in October as follows: Thursdays 5 – 7 PM, Saturdays 11 – 3 PM and Sundays 1 – 3 PM at 1124 East Mountain Road in Westfield. Adult cats are adopted to qualified homes that make a monetary donation in the amount of their choice to WHCP. These cats are neutered/spayed, up-to-date on vaccinations, deflead, dewormed, tested for FIV/FELV and come with a free vet visit to Blandford Animal Hospital and a bag of cat food. Email Westfieldhcp@aol.com.
Indoor Tag Sale Offers 3 Days of Bargains WESTFIELD – Bargain hunters will find deals on everything from tools to toys at the Westfield Homeless Project (WHCP) tag sale October 16 to 18 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Moose Lodge, 56 Washington St, Westfield, MA. This indoor event will take place rain or shine. Anyone wishing to donate items that will save the lives of homeless cats and kittens can bring them to: 1124 East Mountain Road any time. For further information, email denisesinico@ hotmail.com.
“Through our Republican Caucus amendments to the bill, we engage the resources of state agencies to maximize collaboration with police, reduce incidents of driving under the influence of drugs, assess obstructions to inpatient treatment and reduce the over prescription of opiates.” Opiates are responsible for more annual deaths in Massachusetts than auto accidents and guns combined. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives.
WESTFIELD License Commission at 6 pm
Planning Board
Continued from Page 1
Streets, applied for a malt and wine license for both stores in July. Parker was required to apply to the Planning Board for a special permit because the Pleasant Street Market is located near Abner Gibbs Elementary School and the South Middle School, while there is a store-front church across Montgomery Street from the New Corner Variety. The Planning Board, by a vote of 3-3, denied both special permits. Parker’s attorney, Bradford B. Moir, initiated litigation with the Land Court Division on Sept. 14 to vacate the Planning Board’s decision denying Parker the licenses needed to sell beer and wine. Moir’s argument is that the state, through legislation and the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission (ABCC) regulations, is so comprehensive that the local community, through a home rule action, does not have authority to regulate alcohol licensing and sales. The ordinance, under IV., General Use Regulations, states: No permit shall be issued for the erection, enlargement or conversion of a structure utilized for the purpose of selling or service alcoholic beverages which is situated within five hundred (500) feet, measured by a direct line from entrance to entrance, of any lot used for a church or a public and/or parochial school primarily intended for the education of students in Grades K through 12, unless a special permit has been obtained from the Planning Board. Said permit shall be obtained from the Planning Board before application is made for any other permit in connection with the proposed erection, enlargement or conversion. (Adopted 02/15/90) Figy’s motion to delete that ordinance language because it gives the Planning Board authority which is “redundant to the License Commission’s jurisdiction.” One City Council member would like to retain the zoning regulation giving oversight of liquor store to the Planning Board. At-large Councilor David A. Flaherty said the Planning Board argued that the License Commission review of a license application is far more narrow than that of the Planning Board. Flaherty said the License Commission, which acts as the local agent of the ABCC “checks the boxes, to ensure that all of the proper information is submitted with a license application.” The Planning Board’s review is far broader and considers the impact on the community in general and of specific neighborhoods where a license facility would be located. “The two jobs are different. The Planning Board has far more discretion,” Flaherty said. Figy said that he anticipates a much more detailed review and discussion of his motion at the committee meeting.
The Westfield News
GASBUSTERS CITY OF WESTFIELD
2.05
Pride
2.06
CITGO
181 Elm Street
Pride
2.13
Mobil
2.13
Shell
2.17
Sunoco
2.14
Irving
2.15
Mobil
2.15
TOWN OF SOUTHWICK
1400 Russel Rd.
234 E Main St
2.15
CITGO
2.16
CITGO
436 N Elm St.
41 Franklin St.
*CASH
198 College Hwy
801 College Highway 600 College Highway
326 College Hwy
555 College Hwy
http://thewestfieldnews.com/gasbuddy-prices
Come Experience the All New Buick Great Lease Specials Available!
PionAuto.com 333 Memorial Dr. • Chicopee • 413-598-8377
Have You BEAT ‘THE PUTZ’ Lately? Now’s your chance - Check Sports in The Westfield News!