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JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL.Road 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 City files suit against 75 cents stabilization firefighting foam fund goes to manufacturers By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent Legislative WESTFIELD—The city of Westfield has filed a lawsuit against manufacturers of firefighting foam that is alleged to be & Ordinance related to the contamination of water in the city. The lawsuit, according to a press release from Mayor Brian Sullivan’s office, has Committee been filed at the US District Court and is By AMY PORTER against three manufacturers of firefighting Correspondent foam used by the Air National Guard at WESTFIELD –The Finance Committee Barnes Air National Guard Base: 3M Westfield Mayor reported several items to the Council on Company, Chemguard, Inc., and Tyco Fire Brian Sullivan Thursday from its two-and-a-half hour Products L.P. According to City Solicitor meeting on Wednesday. Chairman Dan Sue Phillips, the city is “looking to be made whole” with the lawsuit. Allie said that in the future, the Finance Police seek help “I want the citizens to understand that we are doing everything we Committee will hold their meeting on the can on our end,” Sullivan said. “We have spent the last year-plus gath- Wednesdays after the City Council meets, ering data and information in regards to putting this lawsuit together.” to avoid the tight turnaround. According to the press release, the city’s complaint includes that One item affected by the 24-hour turn- “the foam sold by the defendant manufacturers was used for decades around was the motion of Councilors IDing suspects by the Air National Guard at Barnes Air National Guard Base” and that Andrew K. Surprise and Dave Flaherty to By DAN DESROCHERS “the defendant manufacturers knew or should have known that the establish a special purpose stabilization chemicals are persistent when released into the environment and harm- fund for repair of roads and sidewalks to be Correspondent WESTFIELD—Police are seeking assistance in identifying ful.” funded by Local Meals Tax and Room Phillips said that it is early in the process and that the city is “still Occupancy Tax. two suspects related to allegedly using cloned credit cards. The Westfield Police Detective Bureau is looking to ID the two assessing what our damages are.” Surprise said the Finance Committee had According to the press release, the complaint notes that usage of the voted 3-0 to accept Chapter 40 5B of Mass male suspects who were located at the Walmart on Springfield Road on Jan. 24, between 12:55 p.m. and 1 p.m. “defendants’ products at Barnes Air National Guard Base and General Laws which allows for the estab- Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport has forced the City of Westfield to lishing of the special purpose funds, and The two suspects are alleged to have used multiple cloned credit cards, which had information from 10 to 11 different vic- incur substantial expense to provide clean, safe drinking water to its refer it to the Legislative & Ordinance residents.” (L&O) committee. Surprise said the com- tims, the post reports. This information was used to allegedly purchase 10 $50 gift cards, as well as snacks. According to Sullivan, the city interviewed several law firms for this mittee was supposed to have a conference and chose Kennedy & Madonna, LLP for this lawsuit due to “their call with the Law Department and a repre- Police request that anyone with information can contact Det. Andy Cekovsky at (413)579-4825, or a.cekovsky@cityofwest- grand experience in this line of litigation.” sentative from the Department of Revenue, The city has had two public water wells offline since December but the call didn’t take place. field.org. City Council president John J. Beltrandi See Foam, Page 8 made the motion to send it to L&O. During the discussion, Ward 6 Councilor William Onyski, who serves on the L&O sub-com- mittee, asked whether the Law Department approved it. Surprise said they had previously said establishment of the fund would be within the Council’s rights. “So L&O would wait for the Law Department to approve this,” asked Onyski. At-Large Councilor Cindy C. Harris said she wanted to make sure “it was okay with L&O,” directing her statement to L&O chairman Ralph J. Figy. “We have no choice. It can come in, and we will get a legal opinion,” Figy said. Co-sponsor Flaherty said about the cre- ation of the fund and the state law, “no question.” He said the sticking point was the appropriation. “There is a question Council makes decisions whether the Mayor needs to initiate it,” Flaherty said. on police overtime Flags fly at half mast at City Hall. (WNG File Photo) Surprise said it needed to be done before the budget time in order to be included in next year’s budget. and IT appropriation Items from Mayor prompt Allie explained that Finance has planned By AMY PORTER a meeting on Feb. 28 which the Mayor Correspondent agreed to attend. “I wanted to hold this WESTFIELD – The request for an appropriation of $175,000 discussion of immediate until then,” he said, adding, “Whether from free cash for police overtime, which was recommended on someone is in favor or not, there is a pro- a 3-0 vote from the Finance Committee, received a more posi- cess.” Allie also said he is working with the tive reception from the City Council than a similar request for consideration Mayor and dealing with people’s concerns. $41,723 for Information Technology (IT). By AMY PORTER At-Large Councilor Matthew Emmershy Finance Committee Chairman Dan Allie said the request from Correspondent said moving the motion to L&O is the the Police Department would bring them to the end of the fiscal WESTFIELD – Mayor Brian P. Sullivan began his briefing before appropriate committee at this point. “The year, due to specific issues of injury, deployment and full-time the City Council meeting on Thursday by asking to “keep in your hearts Mayor still has the opportunity to weigh in, Police Academy. Allie said Westfield Police Captain Michael Parkland, Florida.” He said he is thinking of colleagues there, the coun- and we will still get an opinion from McCabe had attended the last two committee meetings, and had cilors, mayors and others dealing with the devastation, and that he is Legal,” he said. a number of injured officers that was highly unusual. He said thankful for the Westfield Police, as he acknowledged Westfield Police Surprise said there was a second part to Police Chief John A. Camerota had also said they would be Captain Michael McCabe, who was present at the meeting. the motion. Flaherty clarified that there seeking compensation from insurance companies. Flags have been lowered to half-staff at all Commonwealth buildings were four parts; to establish the fund and to Allie also said the Police Department’s overtime budget had through sunset on Monday. accept the MGL, both parts of which the been cut in fiscal year 2017, and level funded in FY18. The City Among his communication items was a transfer of $6,500 within the Veterans Department from purchases of services to part-time hourly See Road, Page 8 See Council, Page 8 account. Sullivan said that Bob Callahan, the Veterans Services director is retiring at the end of July, and they hope to bring on board the person who will be replacing him to work with Callahan for four months to learn from him about his work with veterans. During the meeting, At-Large Councilor Dan Allie brought the item forward for immediate consideration. At-large Councilor Brent B. Mobile food pantry now Bean, II said he thought the Council was trying to get away from items for immediate consideration. Allie said when he met with the Mayor on Tuesday he had suggested that he would present certain items for immediate consideration rather available in Granville than the Mayor. He said if the Veterans Services transfer were referred By GREG FITZPATRICK to the Finance Committee, which Allie chairs, it would cut into the four Correspondent months of training. GRANVILLE – The Our Community Food Pantry announced earlier this At-large Councilor Dave Flaherty said according to Council rules, week that they’ve set up a mobile food drive for residents that live in only the Mayor or departments heads could request immediate consid- Granville and Tolland. The mobile drive will take place at the Granville eration for an affirmative vote and for items over $2,000. Flaherty said Town Hall every Wednesday from 1:45 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. both rules would have to be suspended. The main location of the pantry is at 220 College Highway in Southwick “My mind can’t get wrapped around” why the Council would be and Sally Munson, Director of the pantry, said that it can be difficult for more likely to vote for immediate consideration for an item presented people in Granville and Tolland to get to the Southwick location.