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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 83 NO. 47
By Peter Francis Staff Writer WESTFIELD – It can be safely assumed that the majority of meetings held in Westfield’s City Hall do not have pizza delivered prior to roll call, but that was the case Monday evening, when members of the City’s Youth Commission convened for their February meeting. Composed of students ranging in age from middle school to recent high school graduates attending their freshman year of college, the commission’s goal is to create an environment in which young people and adults can communicate their thoughts and ideas about the city. “We really want this group to teach the city what the city can do to help them, the youth in our community,” said Diana McLean, the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) coordinator. “One of the things we’ve said to them is ‘there is no wrong answer. It is whatever they’re thinking about.’ We want them to go out into our community and listen to what kids are talking about.” The commission was dissolved but then revived under the leadership of Mayor Daniel M. Knapik, and has become an active group once again. “We changed an ordinance last year that would allow up to 20 students to sit on the commission,” said McLean. “It’s a good mixture between all of the schools: North and South middle schools, the high schools, just really trying to get a good diversity.” McLean stated that the reformed commission now has 19 students, with room for one more, and that a committee was formed See Park Ideas, Page 3
the invasion of armies; one does not resist the invasion of ideas.” — Victor Hugo
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014
Westfield youths share ideas for city parks
“One resists
75 cents
Cable negotiations continue
Bob Brown shows some of the items in the collection of ‘ephemera’ he donated to the Westfield Athenaeum to the archivist of the institution, Kate Deviny, and the athenaeum’s interim director, Cher Collins, right. (Photo by Carl E. Hartdegen)
Donation rich in local history By David Kennedy Staff Writer WESTFIELD – Longtime residents of Westfield seeking to learn more about their family or the history of their hometown will have additional resources for their study once a donation to the Westfield Athenaeum of ‘ephemera’ is cataloged by the athenaeum’s archivist. The recently donated collection represents acquisitions made during the past 40 years by Bob Brown, president of the library’s board of trustees, and includes eleven cartons of mostly paper items which were never intended to be saved – maps, pamphlets, documents, catalogs from old city businesses and even dance cards for social events in the city. The common link to the diverse collection is that every item is significant to the city and each piece tells a tiny part of the city’s history, be it a menu from a long defunct Elm Street lunch counter or the catalog of a company which once made pipe organs in the city and lists each church or other organization where an organ made in the Whip City found a home. For Brown, the donation means parting with a collection he has spent his lifetime assembling. “Everyone reaches a stage in life, I think, when it’s time to put things in the hands of other people,” explained Brown, whose professional career was spent as a professor at Westfield State
University. “Some of this stuff is kind of crazy. But it’s also kind of fun.” Brown said that each of the little pieces of ephemera he saved from the trash heap has a little bit of historical significance and similar items can probably be found in almost all of the homes of longtime residents. The athenaeum’s archivist, Kate Deviny, said that Brown’s collection is important to the city’s story and can be made much more useful if inevitable gaps in the history it reveals can be filled by similar donations from other residents. “Any little item can be matched to stuff already here in the collection,” Deviny said. “And then you have the story.” It is important to encourage them (Westfield residents) to bring in this kind of material,” Brown said. He expressed hope that residents will remember the library when they come across vintage material in their attics and closets and consider donating those items to the athenaeum instead of the landfill. Cher Collins, the interim director at the athenaeum, said she is more than happy to accept Brown’s gift. “Bob is an integral part of the athenaeum,” she said. “He’s dedicated so much of his time to the See Local History, Page 3
Brewery plans to move to Southwick By Hope E. Tremblay Staff Writer SOUTHWICK – Owners of the Westfield River Brewing Company are looking to expand with a move to Southwick. Sergio Bonavita, owner of the company, is turning the former Chuck’s Steak House at 707 College Highway into his new brewing facility. “We love Westfield and we’ve been very successful here, but we recognize that building has a lot to offer,” said Bonavita. Among the changes will be a hops farm behind the building. “We have been growing a half-acre of hops for two years now.” said Bonavita. “Now we’re ready to start two acres this year.” Bonavita said that within five years they hope to have 20 acres of hops planted on land behind the facility he will lease from John Whalley. “There is a shortage of hops and this way we can control our hops supply and costs,” said Bonavita. If the Westfield River Brewing Company does not need the entire crop, Bonavita said
they will be able to sell it to local microbreweries and home brewers. Moving to the larger space will also give them the opportunity to give tours of the brewery, as well as the hops field. It also lends itself to larger events at the brewery. “We plan to offer pints and have folks come in and fill growler,” said Bonavita. “We will be able to expand our production to two to three times what it is now. Bonavita said the new location would offer more visibility to the public and still be close to home in Westfield. Westfield River Brewing Company will still have tastings at the bar people knew and loved when it was Chuck’s. A hearing was scheduled with the Southwick Planning Board last night but because there was a lack of a quorum, the meeting could not be held. Board Chairman Douglas Moglin said that if they do not have to re-advertise the hearing they can reschedule right away. Stan Costa, of Southwick, bottles beer at the Bonavita said both federal and state Westfield River Brewing Company ahead of the applications are ready to go and as soon as Chili and Beer Fest set for March 9 at Shaker Country Club. Proceeds will benefit the Westfield See Brewery Plans, Page 3 Fire Department. (Photo by Hope E. Tremblay)
By Dan Moriarty Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The Cable Commission and city officials discussed the status of the city’s negotiation for a new contract with its current provider, Comcast, as the 10-year lease is set to expire on March 29, 2014. The Cable Commission is an PETER J. advisory municipal board set up to assist the sitting mayor with MILLER negotiations with the city’s cable provider, which has changed a number of times since cable was first introduced to the city, through various telecomm industry buyouts and mergers. Comcast, owner of the NBC television network, is the successor firm of that industry evolution. The city, under federal and state law, is limited in what it can negotiate. Cable fees and channel programming are not on the table, although the city has requested Comcast to adopt a senior discount, part of local contracts in other communities in the state. Commission Chairman Douglas J. DeLeo said the pending expiration of the contract without a successor contract in place has occurred several times in the city’s cable television history and that the current contract remains in place through an extension until a new pact is accepted by both parties. DeLeo said that one major exception of extending the present contract is that a fee, assessed to customers to pay down the debt for equipment Comcast purchased for the city at the beginning of the 10-year agreement, will expire. Community Development Director Peter J. Miller Jr., who has been directly involved in contract negotiations with Comcast, said there are See Cable Contract, Page 3
Hilltowns receive increased broadband access By Peter Francis Staff Writer WESTFIELD – Following completion of construction and testing last week, The Massachusetts Broadband Institute’s western Mass. Internet access system, MassBroadband123, will be up and running. The system, which stretches over 1,000 miles, is ready to grant high-speed Internet access to the public safety entities, community colleges, libraries, and medical facilities, as well as town and city halls, in sparsely populated areas of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire Counties, along with a northern stretch of Worcester County. However, some communities are still waiting for the new system to reach them, and State Senator Benjamin B. Downing (D-Pittsfield) is hoping that residents of the state’s most rural communities will be checking their email and liking photos on Facebook using highspeed broadband soon thanks to an additional $50 SENATOR million bill that is making BENJAMIN it’s way through Beacon DOWNING Hill. “Our number one priority is expanding this service,” said Downing Monday afternoon. “It’s going to get to the Governor’s desk very soon.” Downing has long been an advocate for improving the connectivity of his district, which is the most rural in the State Senate. “When you look at western Massachusetts’ economy, one of the biggest hurdles is infrastructure, which in many cases is roads and
Noble Hospital is proud to sponsor the annual Pink in the Rink breast cancer awareness game! Join Noble’s Comprehensive Breast Care Program and the Burk Women’s Center in celebrating survivors as well as raising funds and awareness for breast cancer! Springfield Falcons vs. Providence Bruins Saturday, March 1, 2014 Game starts at 7:00 PM MassMutual Center, Springfield Tickets are $15 each To purchase game tickets, please contact the Community Development Office at x5980 or info@noblehealth.org. Purchase tickets at give.noblehospital.org/pinkintherink
See Broadband, Page 3