Council Accepts Gift, Reappoints Planning Board Members
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The Westfield NewsSearch for The Westfield News Westfield350.com The WestfieldNews Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TIME IS THE ONLY WEATHER CRITIC WITHOUT TONIGHT AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 86 NO. 151 $1.00 TUESDAY,TUESDAY, JUNEJUNE 27, 8, 20172021 VOL. 75 cents 90 NO. 133 Council accepts gift, reappoints Planning Board members By AMY PORTER Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The City Council accepted a gift donation of $1,000 to the Police Department DARE Account from the family of Anthony “Tony” Amanti, who passed away on April 24, 2021. Ward 3 Councilor Ralph J. Figs said that Amanti was a longstanding member of the community and a large benefactor. With his passing, the police pro- vided an escort to the family to circle Advance Manufacturing, the company Amanti founded, on the way to the cemetery so he could go to work one more time. The gift was a token of appreciation from the family to the police. “Every single charitable cause in this community, every public building that was built for a charitable cause has Tony’s name on it, the Amanti name on it, and Advance Manufacturing’s name on it. An exam- ple of someone who lived the American dream and gave back to their community — Tony Amanti was a living example of that,” said At-large Councilor Richard K. Sullivan Jr. At-large Councilor James R. Adams said the pro- Westfield High School 2021 Graduation cession was a way for the people who work at Advance Manufacturing to say goodbye to him. It’s air time for caps as graduation is declared during Westfield High School’s 2021 graduation ceremony. See additional “This is something the police department does photos Page 3. (MARC ST.ONGE/THE WESTFIELD NEWS) every day and it doesn’t go unnoticed,” he said, thanking them and the Amanti family for everything they have done for the city. “The Amanti family has always been there for us, and has done so much for us over the years,” said Interim university president reflects on a challenging year Police Capt. Jerome Pitoniak during the meeting. By PETER CURRIER to-face, as most people had been before COVID-19 forced most Reappointments to the Planning Board were also Staff Writer aspects of work and life to be moved online. When isolation from on the agenda, brought forward by Personnel Action WESTFIELD – Interim Westfield State President Dr. Roy H. other people became the norm, Zoom became the platform to con- Committee chair Cindy C. Harris. She said all of Saigo knew when he took on the job that he would have to con- nect with friends, family, and colleagues. the reappointments were supported by City Planner tend with a global pandemic while standing in as the head of a “We did adjust quite a bit from face to face to pretty much 100% Jay Vinskey. state university for a year. zoom,” said Saigo. Bernard Puza was reappointed until February After the retirement of former Westfield State President Dr. Saigo lived on the Westfield State campus in New Hall for a 2026. Harris said Puza is employed by Anderson Ramon S. Torrecilha last July, Saigo took the reins for a year couple of months, as other presidents of the university have done Corp. as a territory sales representative working while Westfield State searched for a long term president. Saigo in the past. He said he used that time to try to get to know some with architects and builders on projects for local had led universities in the past, but when he took on the Westfield of the students, faculty, and staff. He ended up developing “a lumbers yards. Previously he worked for 17 years State job as interim president, he did so at the beginning of what wonderful relationship with many of the students.” with Servistar Corp. Puza is part of the National would become the most difficult year in modern educational his- Throughout the pandemic, the general isolation and subsequent Association of Homebuilders, among others, and he tory. reliance on video calls was typically considered to be frustrating is a Certified Green Professional. He was first “Well, it was certainly very different. It was not business as and an unnatural way for humans to socialize. Saigo at first appointed as an alternate member to the Planning usual,” said Saigo. thought he would feel the same way, but he said he developed a Board in 2017. Saigo, 80, was more accustomed to working with people face- different perspective after some time. Ward 6 Councilor William Onyski said all of the “It was strange because I was thinking, face to face we became planning board members take their job seriously. friends by having meals, getting to know each other, seeing each “They are very sincere and dedicated to the city, and other,” said Saigo, “I found that Zoom was even more intimate.” make very difficult decisions based on the laws and Working from home via Zoom allowed people to see at least a regulations. It’s a thankless job, and I thank all four small part of their colleague’s homes and families. Saigo said that candidates for reappointment,” he said. he would be meeting with student government association leaders “I agree 100 percent. I believe this is one of the via Zoom while they were in their homes when a family member boards that we should be re-evaluating compensa- would casually walk by in the background. He said he would have tion for. I believe they’re grossly underpaid for what people’s family members come to the computer to introduce they do and the hours they put in,” said At-large themselves to the rest of the call. Councilor Dave Flaherty. He described one Zoom meeting in which a woman’s five-year- “They do an extensive amount of work on a old daughter walked by, and he asked if he could say hello to her. myriad of issues, plus evaluate sites year-round in He said they gave each other a high-five through the screens, and all kinds of weather. There are tough decisions that she later sent him a stick figure drawing. This interaction would have to be made to follow the law. They all do an never have happened in a world that wasn’t relying on video calls. exceptional job,” agreed At-large Councilor Dan “I learned that I can adjust in my late age. A lot of people say Allie. old dogs can’t learn new trucks, but I learned all kinds of new Also reappointed was Robert Goyette, Jr., until Westfield State University Interim President, Roy Saigo, July February, 2025. Harris said Goyette is the Ward 5 2020. (WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY PHOTO) See Challenging Year, Page 3 See Council, Page 3 Ch 15 program focuses on eating healthier foods By LORI SZEPELAK “Thankfully, we know that consistently Correspondent making healthy food choices and exercis- WESTFIELD — As more friends and ing on a regular basis can have a positive families gather together to enjoy each oth- impact on lowering that risk,” she said. er’s company – especially during the sum- Giffune added that learning about sourc- mer – creating a healthy eating plan bene- es of heart healthy fats, and understanding fits everyone, according to Jennifer how much to eat, will be a benefit to every- Giffune, RDN. one. “Heart healthy eating is good for every- “The earlier you institute healthy habits, one, regardless of diabetes status,” said the greater your chances to stave off and/or Giffune, a licensed nutritionist and regis- avoid disease,” she said. tered dietitian, who facilitates “Diabetes Giffune will explore how lean meats Dialogue” on cable Channel 15 and 89.5 such as chicken, turkey and non-meat pro- FM WSKB radio on the third Wednesday teins such as tofu and hamburger alterna- of the month. tives like the “Impossible Burger” are Giffune’s segment is featured during “great ways” to lower saturated fat at a Westfield Council on Aging executive picnic or gathering. director Tina Gorman’s regularly sched- “Saturated fat is the type of fat that raises uled “Wake Up Wednesday” show. your cholesterol,” she said. “Adding grilled Participants may call the studio during veggies brushed with a heart healthy fat the program at (413) 642-9039 or ask ques- Jennifer Giffune, RDN, will discuss how such as olive oil is a good lifestyle change.” tions in advance via a voicemail to Gorman to manage one’s “good” and “bad” cho- Giffune said her presentation will also at (413) 562-6435 or an email to t.gor- lesterol levels this month on Channel 15. explain how meals can be complemented [email protected]. (SUBMITTED PHOTO) with whole grains including brown rice This month’s show on June 16 at 7:05 and whole wheat bread products. a.m. on Channel 15 will delve into Omega “The higher your total cholesterol and “It’s okay to have a small dessert,” she 3 rich foods, non-meat sources of protein, LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol), the said, adding, “try splitting one with some- herbs and spices, soluble fiber, and foods greater your risk for a heart attack or one or just go for something healthier like rich in sterols/stanols. stroke.” a fruit salad.” The City Council accepted a gift for the Police “Heart disease is the leading cause of Giffune noted that “all people” are at Department from the family of Anthony “Tony” death in the United States,” said Giffune. risk of heart disease. See Eating Healthier Food, Page 3 Amanti.