Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Page 1

Search for The Westfield News

WEATHER TONIGHT Periods of rain. Breezy. Low of 46.

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

VOL. 83 NO. 248

www.thewestfieldnews.com WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2014

75 cents

The Southwick Police Department’s K-9 team of Officer Thomas Krutka and Jax pose with more than a million dollars and more than 100 pounds of marijuana seized in Agawam after Jax alerted to the presence of marijuana in a storage locker under investigation by officer of the Eastern Hampden County Narcotics Task Force Friday.

Project changes presented to board

(Photo by Carl E. Hartdegen)

$1.1 million seized in marijuana arrest By Carl E. Hartdegen Staff Writer WESTFIELD – A two-year investigation by the Eastern Hampden County Narcotics Task Force led to the seizure Friday of more than a million dollars in cash and 118 pounds of “high quality” marijuana in an Agawam storage facility. Friday’s activities began before dawn, according to city police reports, when members of the task force gathered at the Westfield police department to execute a warrant targeting Dennis L. Blair Jr., 38.

Detectives took up positions to watch his home at 19 Shepard St. and followed him when he left. Knowing that Blair’s license to drive had been suspended, the officers waited for an opportune spot and stopped him, in Agawam, where he was arrested, by Agawam officers, for operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license. The task force officers, including the Agawam member, Det. Michael Gruska, and representatives of the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, proceeded to an

Agawam storage facility to execute the warrant at a storage locker rented by Blair. Blair was booked on the motor vehicle violation in Agawam where he made a phone call and, a short time later while officers were searching the storage locker, a person arrived at the storage business in a car which immediately left at a high rate of speed, apparently after the driver saw the officers searching. Officers gave chase but lost the operator after he abandoned his vehicle in Suffield, See Arrest, Page 8

Board sends developer a clear message By Dan Moriarty Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The Planning Board voted last night to approve a preliminary plan for an 11-lot subdivision on the city’s border with Southampton, but expressed concerns about access to the development. The 5-1 vote to approve the non-binding preliminary plan for the R&L Golden Estates project focused on the fact that the preliminary plan will have access to the development only through Southampton. The Planning Board has rejected the original subdivision plan several years ago. The developers, the Golden Acres Trust, then appealed that decision to the Land Court in Boston and a resolution was negotiated through courtordered arbitration. The arbitration included three parties: the developers, the city and residents of Old Long Pond Road. The Town of Southampton was not a party to that process. The arbitration process has resulted in a number of waivers from the city’s subdivision rules and regulations, including waivers from the requirements that the subdivision street have a 50-foot wide right of way and that the paved road be 25-feet in width. Another waiver is the absence of sidewalks in the subdivision.

“There is no such thing as notoriety in the United States these days, let alone infamy. Celebrity is all.” — Christopher Hitchens

See Changes, Page 8

Dog required to attend training after attacks

As part of the negotiated settlement the developers agreed not to use that road and would install a gate at the end of Old Long Pond Road to prevent access to the subdivision via that route.

By Hope E. Tremblay Staff Writer SOUTHWICK – A potenially dangerous dog has been ordered to attend obedience training by the Board of Selectmen. Animal Control Officer Tracy Root met with the board Monday for a hearing about Bosco, a young rottweiler mix, who lives at 62 Vining Hill Road. The dog’s owner was notified personally by Root to attend the hearing, but did not show up and the board agreed to proceed with the hearing. Root said the situation began out of town when the family took the dog camping in Littleton. Bosco bit someone, unprovoked, and Root was alerted by the ACO in Littleton. Southwick ACO Brett Colson went to 62 Vining Hill Road to investigate and when the homeowner opened the door slighly, Root said the dog charged at Colson and bit him, again unprovoked.

See Planning Board, Page 8

See Training, Page 8

Long Pond Road The developers are proposing a 20-foot wide street and that the drainage system be comprised of two swales on either side of the street. The property, held in a trust, abuts the city line with Southampton at the end of Old Long Pond Road, which is a private way in Westfield.

By Dan Moriarty Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The owner of a commercial building located at 64-68 Main Street has proposed several project changes to address concerns raised by members of the Planning Board at its Oct. 7 meeting. Land-use consultant Rob Levesque of R. Levesque Associated, presented the modified plan for reuse of a vacant commercial building located at the corner of main and Mechanic streets owned by Rocco J. Falcone Sr., through FRP Holdings. Levesque said that his client had agreed to several changes to address concerns raised by the board members, such as installing an “L” shaped fence at the corner of the property next to the intersection of Main and Mechanic Streets where a raised landscaping island will be constructed. Levesque said that the plan, which requires a special permit and site plan approval by the board, will now include a 14- or 15-parking space lot at the rear of the building, 10

Sons scholarship fundraiser Friday By Peter Francis passion,” said Lanno. “But I’ll do any fundraiser if it is Staff Writer for a good cause. Whatever organization or individual WESTFIELD – For their annual scholarship fundneeds help.” raiser, the Sons of Erin’s Women’s Auxiliary decided on “Most people come to me looking to connect with a seasonal take this Halloween, hiring Lisa Lanno, a loved ones that have passed away, for closure and also regionally-renowned psychic spirit medium and parajust know they’re okay,” she said. “My job is to give normal researcher, for their event this Friday at the Sons’ those validations.” Colleen Hall on William Street. Leslie Dodge, president of the Sons of Erin’s Lanno will be receiving validations and messages Women’s Auxiliary, is excited about bringing Lanno in Lisa from the other side for an emotionally-charged two hours, and hopes to continue to raise an impressive sum for Lanno helping those in attendance contact relatives, friends and worthy scholars in the city. even pets who have passed on. “We have a lot of kids in Westfield pursuing their college educaShe will also be giving away a full tarot card reading through a tions and the auxiliary always tries to do a fundraiser,” said Dodge. raffle. “I’d been to a few Lisa Lanno shows at The Majestic and said Based in South Hadley, Lanno appears regularly on Mix 93.1 ‘that’s fun, different and interesting, so let’s do that.’” FM in Springfield and has been featured on Fox CT TV, WWLP’s “We decided back in January that this time of year might be a “Mass Appeal” and WTNH TV and is always excited to help out fun time of year to do this,” said Dodge, stating that the Sons give with fundraisers. “I do a lot of events, many for animal fundraisers. That’s my See Fundraiser, Page 8


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014 by The Westfield News - Issuu