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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com
VOL. 83 NO. 33
“Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second.” — William James
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2014
75 cents
Power diversity blowin’ in the wind
A Woodland Elementary School fourth-grade student smiles while carrying the Germany flag during Parade of Flags Olympic event at the school yesterday. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
A fourth-grade student from Woodland Elementary School in Southwick carries a Russian flag as part of an Olympic Ceremony at the school Friday. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
Woodland transforms for Olympics By Hope E. Tremblay Staff Writer SOUTHWICK – As the world began watching the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia today, students at Woodland Elementary School had a celebration of their own. The school has been transformed to Sochiland thanks to joint efforts by staff. Students in all grades will begin “competing” in Olympic-style events Monday and the fourth grade kicked it off with an opening ceremony today. Physical Education teacher Shawn Ofterfund has been conducting the Woodland Olympiad for two decades and said it is something the entire school looks forward to every four years. “Each class is divided into four countries and each has a representative See Olympics, Page 7
By Dan Moriarty Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The Westfield Gas & Electric Department has pursued a policy of power supply diversity as a means of buffering ratepayers against the vagaries of the price volatiles of both the natural gas and electric market which have become linked to a greater degree than in the past because of reliance on natural gas-driven electrical generation. When gas prices soar, as they have for the past two years, those increases are now directly reflected in higher electricity costs because of the regional reliance on gas powered generation. One strategy the municipal utility has adopted to protect customers from energy price spikes is to acquire a power supply portfolio that is not heavily reliant on one source of power generation. WG&E General Manager Dan Howard said the utility assesses opportunities to diversify that energy portfolio, and in some instances to consider “renewable” energy sources. “The Department of Public Utilities encourages utilities to investigate clean energy, but in has to be in the interest of not only the environment, but also our rate payers,” Howard said Friday. See Power Diversity, Page 7
Hannah Burke, a fourth-grade student at Woodland Elementary School, reads the Olympic Creed. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
The United States was well represented by students of the Woodland Elementary School fourth-grade during an Olympic Ceremony at the school yesterday. (Photo by
Woodland Elementary School fourthgrade student Dylan Kelleher reads the Olympic Oth during an Olympic Ceremony at the school Friday. (Photo
Frederick Gore)
by Frederick Gore)
Financial education for seniors offered By Peter Francis of the checkbook,” she said. “We’ll work with them on Staff Writer basic financial skills, because things that many of us WESTFIELD – State Treasurer Steven Grossman consider basic may not really be (for some seniors).” threw down the gauntlet this summer when he proParticipants in the workshop will begin with a financlaimed that “senior citizens are one of the most undercial self-assessment, in which they’ll identify realistic served populations when it comes to financial educafinancial goals, their own net worth, and learn budgettion,” and that “proactive steps to help them preserve and ing. They will also learn the ins and outs of managing protect their savings are critical”. credit cards, which Gorman says can be a serious probIn August, Grossman announced that the Financial lem for many elderly residents. Literacy Trust Fund, a non-profit board which he chairs, “We’re seeing more seniors that are getting into was going to be awarding $10,000 in the form of a grant credit card debt to pay for their food and medicine, and to the Florence-based Highland Valley Elder Services now they’re trying to navigate their way out,” she said. (HVES). TINA GORMAN “The course is also for those on the proactive side on Well, the time for the fund’s implementation has how to stay out of credit card debt.” arrived. The course will help differentiate between good and bad debt, Starting in March, the Westfield Senior Center will serve as a understanding credit reports, building and protecting assets, methhost site for a three-week workshop series on personal financial ods to reduce spending and increase income, and avoiding scams. literacy for seniors and older adults. Following the three sessions, which will be held on the According to Tina Gorman, the executive director of the City of Mondays March 3, 10, and 17 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., a “developWestfield’s Council on Aging, this unique program is going to be ment of a personal action plan” will tie all three sessions together, of major benefit to seniors in the city. along with “financial mentors” who will be available to assist “It’s a fabulous opportunity for seniors to get information, especially for someone who has been widowed and was not in charge See Workshop, Page 5
New water storage tank construction set By Hope E. Tremblay Staff Writer SOUTHWICK – The new water storage tank should be in place this summer. Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Randy Brown told the Water Commission this week that DN Tank will begin tearing down the old tank in early March. “As soon as that is done they’ll be grading the area,” said Brown. “It should be up and running by late summer.” Brown said the old tank will be drained so water is not wasted. The cost of the tank is $1.36 million, of which the town received a $408,000 grant and borrowed the rest. Brown said the commission needs to decide if the 39-year RANDAL loan will be paid with a level BROWN yearly payment of $40,000, or a level principal payment, which would vary but could save money. “For budgeting purposes, it is probably easier to go with the level payment, but if you go with the principal payment, the cost is less,” Brown said. During the same meeting, Brown alerted the Commission to a situation on Berkshire Avenue where a very small triangular lot was purchased recently. “Someone purchased it with the intent to build,” said Brown. “It’s a very small lot – about 5,000 square-feet – and it has a water easement on the widest side of the triangle.” Brown said the owner petitioned the Zoning Board of Appeals but them withdrew. Town Counsel Benjamin Coyle is working with the property owner’s attorney on the matter. “This is just an FYI,” Brown said.
PERFORMING AT YOUR BEST SOMETIMES HURTS “The individualized treatment plan, high-tech equipment, and most advanced treatment methods are why I choose the expert staff at Baystate Rehabilitation Care.” –Tim Daggett Stop horsing around. Call 413-794-9755 today for your rehabilitation needs. baystatehealth.org/rehab
AGAWAM • EAST LONGMEADOW • GREENFIELD SOUTH HADLEY • SPRINGFIELD • WARE
136838-12/13 ME
Jim Maloney, Physical Therapist and Tim Daggett, Olympic Gold Medalist