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The Westfield News The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com www.thewestfieldnews.com TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017
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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2017 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 27, 2017
See Grant, Page 6
Franklin Land Trust is looking to raise $200,000 for the challenge grant. (WNG File Photo)
A photo of SnowOPS in action. (File photo provided by Francis Cain)
Westfield DPW prepared for Mother Nature this winter By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD — Though Thanksgiving just passed, the city’s Department of Public Works is ready for the snow to fall. The Department of Public Works (DPW) in Westfield has prepared for any impending snowstorms this season, which includes over 1,000 tons of salt and nearly 100 total snow plows ready to remove snow that may cover the roadways this winter, along with a snow removal computer program. All this is needed to help care for the over 240 miles of roads in Westfield. “The city has 246 or so miles of roadways,” Fran Cain, Assistant Director of the Westfield DPW, said. “Then you have lane miles.” According to Cain, the city has about 20 snow plows that they own and operate to help with the removal of snow. In addition, there are about 75 contracted vehicles that the city can call in to help with snow removal during a storm. The vehicles are inspected and are up to the DPW’s specifications, according to Cain, which includes being outfitted with two-way radios with GPS capabilities to help them track the plows. The plows are tracked through a computer system called SnowOPS, which the city acquired last year. The SnowOPS program works by allowing for those overseeing snow removal operations to be able to communicate with contracted and city snow plow operators through radio and text messaging, including before a snow event occurs. The radios also utilize GPS to show the plow’s locations in the area on two large television screens located at one of the DPW’s offices. All these items can begin early on in the snow event process, according to Cain. “You’re looking at the weather, hear rumblings something may come up,” Cain said. “Depending on what’s predicted to come you’re probably giving them a heads up the day before.” And while Cain said that they can only plow when there is something to actually plow, the DPW will have trucks
out getting the roads ready hours before an event. So, they will go out with the stockpiled salt and hit the road. “We will get out there several hours before the snow for pretreatment,” he said. “We put treatment down on the surface. That sets up and creates a brine, so nothing can adhere to the road.” Cain said that this part is critical to the snow removal process and the safety of the roads. Then, once the snow hits, Cain said that a full complement of DPW workers can reach in excess of 40 people out in the field, whether they are operating snow plows or snow blowers. In addition, during a full-fledged snow event, Cain said that between 65 to 85 contractors can be out and about helping. And once the storm is over, the DPW still has work to do clearing snow. This includes clearing snow out of the downtown areas, especially in area parking lots. “When the storm’s going on they just get in there and make passes,” Cain said, referring to snow plow drivers clearing parking lots. “They don’t clear off the lot until after the storm.” So, it is critical that residents are aware of when a parking ban may be in effect, so snow plow drivers are able to do their jobs more effectively. Plus, Cain said, vehicles that fail to obey the parking bans get towed. However, Cain believes that the new blue light notification system coming to the city may be able to help. “It can be a hassle, but the blue lights I think are going to help out dramatically with that effort,” he said. Finally, Cain suggests that residents may be able to help with the snow removal efforts in the city. One way is to clear sidewalks in front of your homes, which Cain said is the homeowner’s responsibility. In addition, Cain said that clearing fire hydrants in front of homes is helpful. He said that the city’s Water and Fire Departments go out and clear “high priority hydrants,” but there are too many fire hydrants in the city for them to be able to clear each one.
Southern Hilltowns Adult Ed announces classes and holiday fundraiser By AMY PORTER Correspondent HILLTOWNS – In order to supplement the wide array of free adult education classes offered by the Southern Hilltowns Adult Education Center (SHAEC), a holiday drink and paint fundraising event will be held at the Chester Common Table restaurant on Sunday, Dec. 3, from 1-3 p.m. The theme of the painting will be holiday poinsettias. Local artist Michele Klemaszewski Kenney will be leading the group. All painting materials will be provided, and a cash bar will be available.
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DeGray’s legacy will live on
Franklin Land Trust seeking community’s help for challenge grant By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – The Franklin Land Trust is seeking donations from the community for their latest fundraiser geared towards preserving the North Pond land. According to Mary Lynn Sabourin, who is the Director of Philanthropy at the Franklin Land Trust, the land preservation organization is looking to raise money for a challenge grant. The challenge grant is from the Amelia Peabody Charitable Fund, which is a fund that was dedicated to her in 1974. Peabody directed more than $8 million from the fund in 20 years until she died in 1984. Since Peabody’s death, the trustees of the fund have looked at more than 6,400 grant applications and have given away around $200 million to non-profit organizations in Massachusetts who focus on the areas of medicine, social welfare, visual arts, historic preservation, and land conservation. Last spring, Sabourin applied to the grant and heard back from the organization that they’ve accepted the application. The Amelia Peabody Foundation then informed Sabourin that it would be a challenge grant. If the Franklin Land Trust were able to raise $200,000, the foundation would then match that money and then there would be $400,000 raised towards the Save North Pond project. “We’re hoping to be able to take advantage of the entire $200,000,” said Sabourin. As of right now, the Franklin Land Trust has received $40,000 from the residents of Southwick and surrounding towns. Since the challenge grant expires on December 15, the Franklin Land Trust only has a few more weeks to reach their ultimate goal. “We really have to push it the last month to make it successful,” said Sabourin. If anyone throughout the community
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Dave Christopolis, Executive Director of the Hilltown CDC, will teach Grant Writing 101 this Wednesday. (Photo submitted)
Tickets are $35 per person with discounted rates of $30 for seniors over 60, veterans and the military, and $60 for couples. All painting materials will be provided. To reserve your spot in advance: go to www.SHAEC.org to pay online (PayPal) or for a reservation form and more information, or call 413-6851052. “Come unleash the inner artist that dwells inside of you, and enjoy good company and camaraderie as you are led in the painting of a holiday poinsettia, suitable for framing, display, or a great gift!,” Kenney said,
adding that the fundraiser helps support the community garden in Russell, and provides funding for printing and mailing of the twice yearly SHAEC newsletters which help get the word out about free adult education classes in the hilltowns. Upcoming free classes include a class on grant writing this Wednesday, Nov. 29. Dave Christopolis, executive director of the Hilltown Community Development Corporation will teach Grant Writing 101, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the SHAEC classroom See Fundraiser, Page 6
By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD-Cory Newell DeGray was a music legend in the city and beloved by his family, friends, and countless concertgoers who supported him in his more than 50 years performing with his band, the Knightsmen Band. “He was my hero,” posted Korey Bruno on her Facebook page on Friday, as she said goodbye to her dad. “He was one of the best men I know and helped so much in raising our eight children and two grandchildren.” Within hours of Bruno’s posting, hundreds of messages started flooding her Facebook page with prayers being sent to the family and accolades to the testament of DeGray being the consummate gentleman. DeGray, who was also the owner of DeGray’s Service, Inc., an auto and repair shop on Meadow Street, died Friday surrounded by his family and friends. He was 71. “He was loved by so many and will be missed,” said Bruno in her post. “I promise, his legacy will live on through the Knightsmen Band and DeGray’s Service.” DeGray, a lifelong city resident, graduated from Westfield Trade School and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. When he returned to the city, he worked at Pease Chrysler Plymouth and then Taylor Dodge, and in 1974, opened DeGray’s Service, and in 1967, formed the Knightsmen Band. The Knightsmen Band celebrated 50 years of entertaining this past summer and DeGray especially relished those concerts when he was performing in the city – always to a packed audience. During a summer gig at the Westfield Senior Center – which too was packed to capacity – he reminisced during an interview about the “early years” playing at the Westgate Lounge and The Glen in Russell. “When the band started we played country music,” said DeGray, noting that during performances he would also receive requests for songs from the 50’s and 60’s and knew they needed to add them to their song list. “If we didn’t know the song, we spent time learning it,” he said. Over the years the band performed at venues along the East Coast and in the Midwest, and opened shows for top musical groups including The Drifters, Billy Joe Royal, The Tokens, Firefall, and Joey Dee and the Starlighters. One of the most memorable gigs for DeGray was opening for Jefferson Airplane. “The greatest high was performing for three nights in Virginia with Jefferson Airplane,” said DeGray to the senior center audience. “We remember those three nights but I’m not sure if the members of Jefferson Airplane do.” While DeGray was known as “The Boss” – he credited all of the musicians working together as a team. The “team” includes Bob Burke on lead guitar, drummer Dave Ziemnicki, Korey Bruno on keyboards, and her husband, Tony, on bass. During the summer, band members received recognition by the Westfield Mayor’s Office and the Massachusetts Senate for their 50-year rock ‘n roll milestone. Since the Summer of Love – 1967 – DeGray set the bar high for engaging and entertaining rock ’n roll audiences. “While we were at our son’s wedding reception, we all received texts with videos from the Mayor’s Tree Lighting,” said Bruno during an interview Sunday night. “It was truly humbling to hear the mayor give a tribute on the town green.” DeGray leaves his wife of 50 years, Theresa; his mother, Gail; younger sister, Marcia; daughter Korey Bruno and her husband, Tony, their eight children, Nino, Cory, Matthew, Andrew, Karina, Hannah, Camille, and Angela, and greatgrandchildren, Sophia and Cory Joseph Bruno. He was preceded in death by his older sister, Bonnie, and his father, Newell. The funeral will be conducted Thursday at 9 a.m. from the Firtion Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad St., followed by a Christian burial at 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church, followed by burial at Pine Hill Cemetery. Persons attending the funeral are welcome to attend a reception at noon at the East Mountain Country Club. Visiting hours are planned Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in DeGray’s name to the Knightsmen Band Excellence in Show Choir Scholarship Fund or the college trust fund for Cory’s grandchildren, c/o United Bank. Bruno noted that all of the Knightsmen Band members will be at the reception to play a few songs and her sons who have their own band will also perform. “I can’t think of a better tribute to my dad than to keep the band going – for another 50 years,” said Bruno. “Our children will keep his music alive.”
During a summer concert at the Westfield Senior Center, Cory DeGray and the Knightsmen Band performed to a packed crowd. His daughter, Korey Bruno, is seen on keyboards.