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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com
VOL. 83 NO. 35
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2014
Solar power to cost more
RAIL TRAIL RULES
By Hope E. Tremblay Staff Writer BOSTON — Authorities say Massachusetts residents face more than $1 billion in higher electricity bills over the next two decades under a plan to dramatically expand solar power. Those increases would not likely affect residents of Westfield said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Richard K. Sullivan, Jr. “Westfield has a municipal utility, which is different than the investorowned utilities,” Sullivan said. Other local communities, such as Southwick that rely on Western Massachusetts Electric Company, a division of Northeast Utilities, would feel the increase. Mark Sylvia, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, said yesterday that the average residential customer would pay $1 to $1.50 more a month under the plan pushed by Gov. Deval Patrick. In a filing with state regulators, Northeast Utilities System contended Patrick’s plan to quadruple the amount of solar power in use in Massachusetts would lead to consumers paying “excess costs” of more than $1 billion because of how they would be forced to buy the electricity. Sylvia tells The Boston Globe in exchange for higher bills, Massachusetts residents would get cleaner air, a more diverse source of electricity, and more jobs. Massachusetts ranks 4th in nation with 6,400 jobs in the solar industry according to a national Solar Jobs Census released yesterday by The Solar Foundation. The number of people employed manufacturing and installing solar energy grew by 1,900 in 2013 – a 42 percent increase. This job growth coincided with a doubling of the Commonwealth’s solar capacity in 2013 to 425 megawatts. “The sun is an unlimited energy source that could provide all of our energy with See Solar Costs, Page 3
“Human beings are the only creatures who are able to behave irrationally in the name of reason.” — Ashley Montagu
75 cents
Greenway authority approved for DPW By Dan Moriarty Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The Board of Public Works voted last night to authorize Public Works Superintendent Jim Mulvenna to sign invoices for work as it is completed on the Columbia Greenway Project, responsibility usually part of the board’s oversight of the department. That action was taken at the request of the city’s Engineering Department. City Engineer Mark JIM Cressotti said the $2 mil- MULVENNA lion state grant, awarded through the Executive Office of Energy & Environment, is “time sensitive and in this case we’re using Chapter 90 funds” which come to the Public Works Department as justification for issuing the authority to Mulvenna. Cressotti also requested that board to vote to authorize Mulvenna to sign change orders not to exceed $100,000 because the scope of the project continues to change.
Snowmobile and ATV tracks are clearly visible at the Congamond Road Rail-to-Trail location despite a large sign indicating otherwise. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
No machines allowed on rail trial By Hope E. Tremblay Staff Writer SOUTHWICK – Users of the Rail Trail are being discouraged from using snowmobiles on the trail. Police Chief David Ricardi said while it is not a huge problem, the department does respond to some calls about the sleds on the trail. “People will call every now and then when they see them and we’ve been able to get out there and stop them,” he said, adding that
most people are cooperative and move along. Ricardi said the trail is not plowed and snowmobile drivers often use the trail as a short cut while out riding. “But they’re really not supposed to be there – it is a walking trail,” said Ricardi. Parks and Recreation Commissioner Daniel Call said use of any motorized vehicle, including snowmobiles and ATVs, is prohibited on the Rail Trail. See Rail Trail, Page 5
Namaste Nepal WESTFIELD – Winter break is a time that many chose to sit back and relax, but a small group of Westfield State students had other plans. In January, eight students traveled to Nepal as part of a special topics short-term study abroad class which focused around wilderness education. Led by Kevin Tatsugawa, assistant professor of movement science and coordinator of the Wilderness Leadership program, students learned Leave No Trace principles, hiking, camping, and backpacking skills. The course also explored high altitude medicine as students learned individual and group safety tactics and the proper balance between risk potential and educational benefits of adventure. Wilderness education is a topic that Tatsugawa said hikers should not take lightly. He said it is important to research the area you plan to visit in order to assess all the risks involved and prepare for any potential complications. Tatsugawa has trekked many mountains, but he chose Nepal as the destination for the course because of his familiarity with the country. Prior to the January course, Westfield State students and professor pose on top of a 15,000 foot peak in Tatsugawa traveled to Nepal seven times to climb, Langtang, Nepal. Back row from left to right: Saroj Rai, Alexandra Henry, guide, volunteer, conduct research, and even present a Michaela Quimby, Chelsea Reynolds, Nick Stone, Anish Rai, Patrick Bartel, paper. He’s also familiar with the cultural traditions of John Bartel. Front row from left to right: Shannon Grossman, Adrianne See Nepal, Page 3 Stelmack, Palden Sherpa, Kevin Tatsugawa. (Photo submitted)
See Greenway Authority, Page 3
Prosecutors plan retrial of Rintala NORTHAMPTON (AP) — Prosecutors are going forward with a third trial for a Granby woman charged with strangling her paramedic wife. A judge declared a second mistrial after jurors deadlocked last week in the murder case of Cara Rintala. Rintala, also a paramedic, is accused of killing Annamarie Cochrane Rintala in March 2010. Jurors also deadlocked in her first trial. Assistant District Attorney Steven Gagne said in court Tuesday in Northampton he See Rintala, Page 5
Defense attorney David Hoose, right, introduces himself, his law partner Luke Ryan, center, and their client, Cara Lee Rintala, to potential jurors during the jury selection for her retrial in Hampshire Superior Court 1. (File photo by Kevin Gutting, Daily Hampshire Gazette)