Saturday, August 27, 2016

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WEATHER TONIGHT Clear skies. Low of 61.

The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns

— LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON

www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 85 NO. 202

“Doing what’s right isn’t the problem. It is knowing what’s right.”

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 2016

Judicial Ruling on Ashley Street School project

Westfield Food Fest 2016 The crowd waiting to try their next choice of food at this year’s Food Fest. See additional photos Page 8. (Photo by Kellie Adam)

By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – As news of a ruling in the city’s favor spread regarding the Ashley Street elementary school project, a meeting has already been scheduled for next week to look at next steps. BrianSullivan The ruling was regarding the appeal of an order lifting a temporary injunction filed in 2012 by some residents of Ashley and Cross streets, who opposed using a portion of the Cross Street playground for the school. According to an article in The Westfield News in November 2012, “Hampden Superior Court Judge Tina Page issued the temporary restraining order in early September after a motion, filed by several residents of Ashley and Cross streets, who contended that the city is violating state and federal law by using part MAYOR BRIAN of the Cross Street playground for the $36 million P. SULLIVAN school project. The residents filed the suit earlier this year, charging that the city is violating Article 97 of the Massachusetts General Law which sets preservation protection for open-space land.” The injunction was overturned by Judge Daniel A. Ford that same year, who said the property did not fall under Article 97, a decision that was appealed by the residents opposed to the project. An article in The Westfield News from October 15, 2014 detailed the court vacating the injunction. Yesterday, the Massachusetts Appeals Court said Judge Ford was right, according to Mayor Brian P. Sullivan. “The appeals court affirmed the ruling of the lower court, saying yes, the lower court got it right, and the appeal is denied,” Sullivan said. “The city is now in good standing in regards to building the school,” he added. Sullivan said that one of the reasons for the meeting next week is to make sure they have the proper direction to move forward. He said he has met with the Massachusetts School Building Association (MSBA) since taking office to make sure the financial agreement they promised four years ago to build the school is still intact. He said the city will also reconvene the School Building Committee as part of the process. “We’ve been waiting for this decision to come,” said WPS Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski. “We want to STEFAN CZAPOROWSKI See Ashley Street, Page 7

Westfield High School Principal Charles Jendrysik holds Meet and Greet By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – At the end of his first full week, Charles Jendrysik, Westfield High School’s new principal held a Meet and Greet in the library for teachers, parents, and community members. Several teachers arrived first, to introduce themselves and chat about the upcoming first week of school. Jendrysik outlined some initial plans and spoke about his first week on the job, which included a packed freshman orientation on Wednesday morning. He said the auditorium was full, standing room only in the back. He shared some pictures he took to prove to his wife and kids that he wasn’t exaggerating. “It’s been go, go,go,” Jendrysik said. “Everybody’s been super friendly, super accommodating, super welcoming.” As teachers gathered in the room, Jendrysik took a few minutes to share his background. He said he has spent his entire 15-year career in Chicopee, where he also grew up and graduated from Westfield High School Principal Charles Jendrysik at Meet and Greet. (Photo by Amy Porter)

See Mixer, Page 5

By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD–On Sept. 6, the Whip City will have art hidden throughout the city, and those lucky enough to find it can keep it. It is all part of Art Drop Westfield, an event coordinated by former Westfield resident, current Southwick resident and photographer Richard Cowles, in conjunction with ArtWorks | Center City Westfield. The event is part of a larger international project that began in 2013, and has taken place in New York City, Seattle, Tokyo and several other cities around the world. This will be Westfield’s first year involved with the event. “Here in Westfield musicians have done a lot for the rebirth of culture downtown,” Cowles said. “This is an opportunity for visual artists to kick in and contribute.” Cowles said that there are currently five artists, including

See Meet and Greet, Page 7

City Resident Hosts ‘Business Mixer’ For Business Owners By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD-City resident and real estate agent Lesley Lambert has invited Amber Danahey, the city’s new community outreach coordinator, to share her insights of the business community during a Westfield Business Mixer event on Aug. 30. Lambert had conducted a similar event more than a year ago on her own for the business community and realized the importance of the networking referral potential for business owners. “The first event I hosted included a workshop on using Facebook to share and like each other’s promotions,” said Lambert during an interview in her office at Park Square Realty on Elm Street. “The event was well received so I was encouraged to try the concept again.”

Find art in the city on Sept. 6

See Find Art, Page 7

PUBLIC NOTICE:

Road Closure - Food Festival WESTFIELD — The Westfield Police Department Traffic Bureau announces a road closure for the Rotary Food Festival on Elm Street (Rt 10/202) from Franklin Street (Rt 20) to School Street. SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 2016 thru Sunday, August 28th. The road will close at 6:00 AM Friday morning and re-open by 7:00 PM Sunday evening. Detour to Continue 10/202 South: Turn right at Rt 20W (Franklin Street), take 2nd left onto Washington Street. Detour to Continue 10/202 North or Rt 20 West: Turn right onto Court Street from the center of town. Take 1st right onto Washington Street. Lesley Lambert, an agent at Park Square Realty, will sponsor a Westfield Business Mixer event Tuesday night.


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