Search for The Westfield News Search for The Westfield News Westfield350.com The WestfieldNews The Westfield “TIME IS THE ONLY Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surroundingNews Hilltowns “AN EDUCATED MAN WEATHER Search forCRI TheT WestfieldIC WIT HOUNews T Westfield350.com The WestfieldNews SHOULD KNOW EVERYTHING TONIGHT WEATHER Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TAIMEBOUT IS TAMBISOMETHINGHE ONLYTION.” , WEATHERTONIGHTPartly Cloudy. ANDJOHN SOMETHING STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com CRITIC WITHOUT TONIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHINGAMBITION.” .” Clear, colder. — Dame C.V. WEDGWOOD Partly.Low Cloudy.of 27. JOHN STEINBECK LowVOL. of 55. 86 NO. 151 www.thewestfieldnews.comTUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75 cents VOL.VOL. 86 86 NO. NO. 151 286 FRIDAY,TUESDAY, DECEMBER JUNE 27, 1,2017 2017 75 75 cents cents ‘Blizzard Bag’ Taxes, tax shift survey is now debated at City available online Council meeting By AMY PORTER Correspondent By AMY PORTER WESTFIELD –Westfield Correspondent Public Schools parents and staff WESTFIELD – The spe- are being asked to fill out a sur- cial City Council meeting on vey on the possibility of imple- Thursday at 6 p.m. only had menting Alternative Structured two items on the agenda. Learning Days (ASLD) or The first was a request for “Blizzard Bags” this winter immediate consideration by which are, simply put, assignments done at home on Mayor Brian P. Sullivan to snow days. The survey, which will close on December approve an appropriation of 15 is now available on the home page of the district $1.5 million from certified website at www.schoolsofwestfield.org. Free Cash to reduce the The home of Philip Caolo and Alex Preston will be In a presentation to the School Committee on FY18 tax levy. Ward 5 Kate Phelon, Executive among eight homes showcased during the Dickens of a November 20, Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski Councilor Robert A. Paul, Director and Dawn Thomas, Day Historic House Tour on Dec. 3. (Submitted photo) explained that the last day of school in Westfield this Sr. introduced the motion. President of the Greater After no discussion, the Westfield Chamber of See Blizzard Bag Survey, Page 8 councilors voted unanimous- Commerce. ly to approve the appropria- Westfield tion. The second item was a public hearing on the percentages of the tax shift between residential and commercial prop- School district holds erty. Last year, the City Council voted for a tax shift of all aglow 1.66, which means that commercial properties pay a tax rate of 66% percent more than residential properties. roundtable meeting to Council President Brent B. Bean, II asked for public comment. Kate Phelon, Executive Director of the Greater discuss FY19 budget with Dickens Westfield Chamber of Commerce came to the microphone. By GREG FITZpaTRICK She referred to a letter she had sent to the councilors asking Correspondent for a shift of 1.60, bringing the commercial rate down from SOUTHWICK – The Southwick-Tolland-Granville $37.08 per thousand to $35.72. Regional School District hosted a budget roundtable Days events At the meeting, Phelon said during the candidate forums on Thursday night to discuss the beginning stages of By LORI SZEPELAK which the Chamber co-sponsored, she heard most candi- creating the FY (Fiscal Year) 2019 school district bud- Correspondent dates talk about the need to increase business and drive get. The town officials involved in the meeting was WESTFIELD-’Tis the season for decorating one’s economic development in Westfield. “Tonight is your representation from the Select Boards of Southwick, home – and what better way to gather ideas then to attend chance to make this happen by making Westfield more Tolland, and Granville, along with the Finance the Dec. 3 Dickens of a Day Historic House Tour, one of attractive and competitive,” Phelon said. She said the Committee. several Westfield Dickens Days events planned across the impact on residents would “only” be an increase of 17 cents As part of the regional agreement with the town of city this holiday season. per thousand. Southwick, the school district gets together with the “I really believe this is the best tour ever,” said Tania Phelon also said she understood that residents “do the town every November to discuss the potential items Vancini representing Westfield on Weekends (WOW), voting,” and councilors want their support by either not that may impact the town budget. They also give an who is chairing the event. Vancini is being assisted by raising their taxes or lowering them. She challenged them outlook on the next fiscal year school budget. volunteers Bob Plasse, Carol Saltus, Lori Price, Betty to make the unpopular decision by “daring greatly,” quot- Since the school district isn’t a department of any Faulhaber, Andrea York and Ed Orgill. ing President Theodore Roosevelt. of the towns, Superintendent Jen Willard found the “The house tour is an event people are always asking After no one else came to the microphone to speak on the roundtable meeting to be beneficial for all parties. about,” said Vancini, adding that eight homes will be fea- tax shift, Bean asked for a motion from the councilors. “It’s just a formal way to start communicating tured this weekend. Seven of the homes on the tour are in Paul said the City Council had just voted to accept from where we are so that we can all kind of get on the same the city and one is in North Granby, Conn. the Mayor $1.5 million from Free Cash to reduce the tax page,” said Willard. “We will conduct a raffle at the North Granby home for levy. He said at the current tax shift rate of 1.66, residential By starting the roundtable discussion, Willard went a 60” flat screen television,”said Vancini, acknowledging rates would decrease by 10 cents per thousand, and com- over the main issues that the district plans on focusing the donation from Curry Honda of Chicopee. mercial would decrease by 2 cents per thousand. One of the homes on the tour is in Ridgecrest, owned by At-large Councilor Dave Flaherty said that the value of See Roundtable Meeting, Page 8 Philip Caolo and Alex Preston. residences had gone up in the city, which meant that resi- “We feel honored to be asked to be a part of this tour dents would be on average paying 1.04% more in taxes which will help raise funds for the arts,” said Caolo. based on the increased value of their homes. Their holiday theme is “Old Hollywood Glam,” featur- “The new rate is important because the values went up,” ing memorabilia from their many trips to Hollywood and said At-Large Councilor Stephen Dondley. Palm Springs over the years. Their 1965 split-level ranch was designed by architect Leon Pernice who studied under See Taxes, Tax Shift Debate, Page 8 Walter Gropius, known to many as the father of the Bauhaus Movement which centered on an open plan con- cept that was bright, modern and geometric. “We are staying true to the period of the house,” said Preston, adding that special highlights include a lamp Huntington Selectman once owned by the late Jack Benny. Decorations will include 39 trees – ranging in height McVeigh to hold public Superintendent Jen Willard is seen discussing the See Dickens Days Events, Page 8 FY19 school budget with town officials. (Photo by Greg hours in Stanton Hall Fitzpatrick) By AMY PORTER Correspondent HUNTINGTON – At Wednesday’s meeting of the Board of Selectmen, Darlene McVeigh announced that she Petitions for blood testing making progress will be holding office hours in Stanton By DAN DESROCHERS also known as perfluorinated carbons (PFCs), Hall for the public to speak with her on Correspondent through the city’s public water supply wells. town issues. She will be available from WESTFIELD—A community group They are seeking the testing through the 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on both Sat. Dec. 2 and Sat. Dec. 9. Huntington concerned with the state of Westfield water Massachusetts Department of Public Health Selectman is continuing its work on petitions to get (MDPH) and the Agency for Toxic Substances McVeigh, who said she will only be representing herself and not the board, Darlene blood testing for residents exposed to Disease Registry (ATSDR). McVeigh chemical compounds in the city’s water. “Westfield is a small place and we really will be available to answer questions and The community group Westfield need some representation,” Kristen Mello, discuss issues with members of the pub- Residents Advocating For Themselves WRAFT member, said. “All the signatures we lic. She said she would be happy to talk (WRAFT) has created petitions in order to can get, that would be great.” about her work with the Hilltown Collaborative and the get blood testing and biomonitoring for One petition is expected to be sent to a state facilitated MARS discussions with the Gateway Regional residents who have had a possible expo- School Committee. sure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), See WRAFT, Page 8 McVeigh, who began as selectman on July 1, said she is holding the hours as a service to the public. Somebody new is getting Westfield’s fastest internet. Whip City Fiber Info Events Tuesdays 5:00-7:00 pm (no event 12/26) Saturdays 10:30 am-12:30 pm (no event 12/23) We have great news for residents in these areas: Pochassic Road, Prospect Street Amelia Park Ice Arena, 21 South Broad Street Extension, and West Road to Turnpike Crossing; Prospect and Montgomery Streets to Upper Notre Dame; the western part of Union Street, Lower Notre Visit one of our Drop-In Centers Dame, and Moseley Street. Whip City Fiber is constructing in these areas and Open 8:00 am-5:00 pm | Monday-Friday installations will begin soon.