Class of ‘53 Spaces and 129 Trailer Spaces As Well As Nearly 70 Parking Spaces for Members of the St
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TONIGHT Mostly Clear. Low of 57 Search for The Westfield News The WestfieldNews Search for The Westfield News “COME FORTH INTO Westfield350.com The WestfieldNews Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns THE“T IMELIGHT IS THE OF ONLY THINGS , WEATHER CRITICLET WITHOUT NATURE BE TONIGHT AMBITION YOUR TEAC.”HER . “ Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Search for The Westfield News Westfield350.comWestfield350.orgLow of 55. Thewww.thewestfieldnews.com WestfieldNews — William WordsWORTH Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TIME IS THE ONLY WEATHERVOL. 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75CRITIC centsWITHOUT VOL. 88 NO. 144 FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2019 75 Cents TONIGHT AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com Residents challenge VOL. 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75 cents Old Dominion during public hearing By PETER CURRIER Correspondent WESTFIELD- The City Council hosted a public hearing Thursday at City Hall to discuss the details of a proposed Old Dominion Freight Line truck terminal on Medeiros Way. The hearing drew many residents who argued both for and against the proposed terminal. Old Dominion submitted plans last fall but withdrew them without prejudice and submitted new plans this spring. Tim Coon, a professional engineer for J.R. Russo & Associates LLC presented the new plan for the terminal. Coon said that the facility would encompass a 14.6 acre area and the building itself would be around 33,000 square-feet. It would include 22 tractor Class of ‘53 spaces and 129 trailer spaces as well as nearly 70 parking spaces for Members of the St. Mary’s High School Class of 1953 gather at The Tavern Restaurant June 20. The group employees. meets monthly and draws classmates from Maine and Rhode Island in addition to local residents. This The access to the site would be on Medeiros Way with a one-way month, the 51st wedding anniversary of Eddie and Alyce Kleczek, pictured seated in the center, was also entrance. There would also be a one-way exit on the opposite side celebrated. (Photo by Hope E. Tremblay) of the property. Coon noted that a traffic study had been conducted regarding the area surrounding the property. He said that the study found that there would be no traffic impact from the additional trucks in the area, a conclusion disputed by several residents later WE2BA Adopt-a-Classroom program a success See Public Hearing, Page 3 By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Adopt-a-Classroom pilot program. Correspondent Coordinated by district Supervisor of English Mary WESTFIELD – People often think about reading aloud Keane, the program was conceptualized through the or helping teachers make copies when they think about Westfield Education to Business Alliance (WE2BA). Few changes in final volunteering in a classroom. But what about giving stu- WE2BA is a partnership between the schools and the dents tips on how to calm down before public speaking, Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce that brings or how to shake hands? businesses into the classroom in a variety of ways. budget hearings These are some of the skills that businesses brought to the Westfield Public Schools this past year through the See WE2BA Sucess, Page 3 By PETER CURRIER Correspondent WESTFIELD- The final day of Finance Committee budget hear- ings concluded in City Council Chambers Thursday evening with Barnes Regional Airport, the Council on Aging, Veteran’s Services, and Information Technology presenting budget requests for FY20. Dog walker retiring; Eric Billowitz, airport manager for Westfield Barnes Regional Airport, said that the airport’s budget for the coming fiscal year will remain largely the same as it did this past year. “It’s really business as usual,” said Billowitz. leaves big shoes to fill Billowitz did detail a repair project for one of the runways. He By LORI SZEPELAK noted that a runway is typically replaced every 10 years. The sec- Correspondent ondary runway, Billowitz said, could begin replacement next SOUTHWICK-Debbie Gaulin knows the importance of a human’s spring. He said it has been in operation since 1972, so it gave them touch for animals in shelters, and for more than four years, she has a good run if it lasted this long. One reason cited for the repairs of been steadfast in her dedication of making morning and evening visits one of the runways was inefficient drainage, a project that Billowitz as a volunteer at the Polverari/Southwick Animal Control Facility. said will also need to take place to prevent future damage to the Gaulin, owner of Dimensions Hair Design in Suffield, Conn., is runways. closing up shop after 40 years in the business, and relocating with her He added that there were some parties interested in building han- husband Roger to North Carolina. Gaulin is excited about the move – Debbie Gaulin walks Legend earlier this gars at Barnes. They are still in the stages of deciding what size week at the Polverari/Southwick Animal See Dog Walker, Page 2 Control Facility. See Budget, Page 5 Westfield Students thank retiring SRO Paul Pellan By HOPE E. TREMBLAY resource officer for 18 years and Correspondent coordinated the city’s DARE program WESTFIELD – Officer Paul Pellan was prior to that, is retiring as of July 1. honored for his 25 years of service to the He has served the city as a police Westfield Public Schools June 19. officer for 32 years. Pellan, 55, who has been the school Westfield Intermediate School stu- dents in Sarah Foley’s class wel- comed Pellan and offered him hand- made cards and thanked him. “I am so proud of you,” said stu- dent Sophia Kalter Paredes. “Thank you for your service.” Administrator of Student Interventions Christopher Rogers also thanked Pellan. Rogers was previously the princi- pal at the former North Middle School and worked closely with Pellan. “Whenever I had a situation I need- ed help with, the person I always felt MIAA Div 1 Volleyball Champs! Westfield Police Officer Paul Pellan receives comfortable going to was Officer Emotions run high for Rabin Gurung (4), Stephen Hinch (10) and Alex Robitaille (3). a card from Westfield Intermediate School Paul,” he told the class. “He is an See Div 1 championship story and additional photos in today’s Sports Section. (Photo student Sophia Kalter Paredes in honor of by Marc St.Onge) his upcoming retirement. (Photo by Hope E. See SRO Pellan, Page 5 Tremblay) PAGE 2 - FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2019 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS Dog Walker Continued from Page 1 especially knowing that dealing with winter storms well as taking care of the upkeep of the cat room. will be a thing of the past. While Gaulin has focused most of her attention on “In all kinds of weather, even in the dead of winter, the kennel dogs, she also has enjoyed quality time with Debbie has been here to support us,” said Tracy Root, the cats that also need a home. animal control officer. “Debbie also loves on all of the cats,” said Root, not- For Gaulin, walking the shelter dogs has been a labor ing that Gaulin has made regular visits to a local of love. Dunkin Donuts shop, showing pictures of the animals “I take the dogs on walks around the town buildings waiting for forever homes. so they have a change of scenery,” said Gaulin, adding Persons interested in volunteering at the shelter can when her husband has time he also joins in. “I know the stop in to complete a volunteer application form which dogs feel a lot better about themselves when they can is followed by a background check. Shelter hours are walk and are not looking at four walls all the time.” weekdays from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. and Saturday and Since Gaulin has been an integral part of the animal Sunday from 8 – 11 a.m. control facility’s daily schedule for several years – “I encourage people to consider donating their time including holidays – more adult dog walkers will be here because it is an outstanding shelter,” said Gaulin, needed to replace the time that Gaulin has spent assist- adding, “There is nothing more rewarding than when ing the staff. you see how the animals react when you arrive. They “Walking the dogs gives them a purpose in life,” said are elated to see you.” Gaulin. For persons who are unable to volunteer but would Root is hopeful that other adults may consider like to assist the shelter, tax-deductible donations of becoming a dog walker to ensure that the shelter ani- clay cat litter as well as dry cat and dog food, are gra- mals will continue to receive the attention they need. ciously accepted. “Ideally we need two or three adult dog walkers,” “We also welcome monetary donations that help pay said Root, adding that volunteer roles can also include for veterinarian visits,” said Root. spending time with the kittens and cats, cleaning up the For Gaulin, as her time draws near to end her stint kennel areas or cat room, sweeping and mopping with the shelter, she will miss the camaraderie she has Debbie Gaulin is a longtime volunteer at the Polverari/Southwick Animal floors, and cleaning cat beds. shared with the staff and the precious time she has spent Control Facility. Gaulin holds Legend as Tracy Root, animal control Currently, there are three dogs waiting to be adopted with the dogs and cats that have called the shelter officer, looks on. at the facility – Legend, a pit bull/lab mix, Max, a shep- home. herd mix, and Diogi, a lab mix, as well as nine felines. “There is a great need here and once you see how the Gaulin.