Search for The Westfield News Search for The Westfield News Westfield350.com The WestfieldNews “NO ONE ASKED The Westfield Search“T forIME The IS Westfield THE ONLYNews Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surroundingNews Hilltowns Westfield350.comWEATHER The WestfieldNews YOU TOCRITIC BE WITHOUTHAPPY. TONIGHT Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TGIMEET ISTO THEAMBITION WORK ONLY.” TONIGHTWEATHERPartly Cloudy. CRITICJOHN WITHOUT STEINBECK TONIGHTLow of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com COLETTE Snow Showers late. —AMBITION .” LowPartly of Cloudy. 13. JOHN STEINBECK LowVOL. of 55. 86 NO. 151 www.thewestfieldnews.comTUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75 cents VOL.VOL. 86 87 NO. NO. 151 2 WEDNESDAY,TUESDAY, JUNEJANUARY 27, 3,2017 2018 7575 cents Cents Close vote for City Council City Clerk Karen M. Fanion reads election results. (Photo Richard Sullivan, Sr. administers oath of office to Mayor Brian P. Sullivan as his president by Lynn Boscher) family looks on. (Photo by Lynn Boscher) By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Newly sworn in City Council members met in Council Chambers following the inauguration to elect a president for the governing body. There were two nominees, At-large Elected officials are sworn in Councilor John J. Beltrandi, III, who By AMY PORTER Robert A. Sacco, elected Ward 6 representa- ultimately edged out At-large Councilor Correspondent tive of Westfield Gas & Electric Commissioners Dave Flaherty 7-6. The two nominees WESTFIELD – The inauguration of elected asked Fr. Joseph Soltysiak of St. Joseph’s presented contrasting visions of the City officials and the start of Mayor Brian P. Sullivan’s National Catholic Church to read the invocation; second term in office took then St. Mary’s sixth grader See Council President, Page 8 place on Tuesday morning Shea Braceland, who Sacco in the Westfield High “I want to thank you said was “fresh off her perfor- School auditorium, where mance at Fenway Park,” sang elected officials filed in as for everything you’ve “America the Beautiful.” the Westfield High School given me.” Westfield City Clerk Karen Band played under the M. Fanion then read election direction of leader Patrick — MaYOR SULLIVAN results, and administered the Kennedy, and were fol- acknowledging his mother oath of office by committee, lowed by the American starting with the School Legion Post 124 Color Committee, Municipal Light Guard. Board members, Trustee Newly re-elected School Committee member (Jayne M. Mulligan) of the Westfield Athenaeum, Cindy A. Sullivan welcomed everyone, and and City Councilors. Mayor Brian P. Sullivan called upon elementary student Domenic was sworn into office by his father, Richard Maynard to lead the Pledge of Allegiance, fol- Sullivan, Sr., with his family at his side. St. Mary’s sixth grader Shea Braceland Newly elected City Council President lowed by a rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner sings “America the Beautiful” at inau- John J. Beltrandi, III. (Photo by Amy sung “a cappella” by WHS senior Julia Bussell. See Inauguration, Page 8 guration. (Photo by Lynn Boscher) Porter) Tractor-trailer Police seek assistance IDing suspect Accident shuts down By DAN DESROCHERS Todd Edwards ,the suspect had strikes hydrant Correspondent allegedly purchased a number of Montgomery Road WESTFIELD–The Westfield items with over $500 in counterfeit By DAN DESROCHERS on North Elm Police Detective Bureau is seeking $50 bills. The items, Edwards said, Correspondent the public’s help to identify a sus- could be easily converted into WESTFIELD–Montgomery Road was shut Street pect possibly involved with coun- money. down for a period of time Tuesday by police after By DAN DESROCHERS terfeiting. The incident occurred Dec. 16, a vehicle struck a tree during the morning hours. Correspondent The detective bureau posted a Edwards said. According to Westfield Police, a report came in WESTFIELD–An accident number of pictures on their If you have any information, the just before 5 a.m. Tuesday morning of a vehicle involving a tractor-trailer occurred Facebook page of a male suspected department requests you contact that struck a tree on Montgomery Road. One per- during the morning hours Tuesday of possible counterfeit of over Edwards at 413-642-9389 or T. son was reported injured following the accident. on North Elm Street. $500. The pictures show the male, [email protected], or According to the report, the vehicle had report- According to Westfield Police as well as a vehicle that police you can send them a message on edly slid on black ice on Montgomery Road, and Capt. Michael McCabe, a tractor- believe may be the suspect’s. their Facebook page. the vehicle then proceeded to strike a tree. The trailer had struck a fire hydrant, as According to Westfield Detective area was closed off by Massachusetts State well as a propane tank, around 5 At left, a picture of Police, according to Westfield Police Capt. a.m. Tuesday morning. Michael McCabe, which was where there is a McCabe said that the tractor- the counterfeit sus- pect. At right, a pic- hairpin turn along the road. trailer was in the process of mak- The only occupant of the vehicle had report- ing a turn. However, while doing ture of the counter- feit suspect’s possi- edly gotten themselves out of the vehicle. so, the trailer that it had been car- However, they had complaints of injuries follow- rying became detached somehow, ble vehicle from the Westfield Police ing the crash, according to the report. and both the fire hydrant and pro- The injured party was transported to Baystate pane tank ended up being struck. Detective Bureau’s Facebook page Noble Hospital for treatment, via Westfield Fire No injuries were reported, how- ambulance and personnel. ever. Prof. George Michael WSU Terrorism Expert A tow truck was also reported at the scene. RADIO FOR THE WESTFIELD MASSES THE WESTFIELD FOR RADIO The Westfield News Radio Show Pet experts offer tips for healthy pets in cold weather Thursday By GREG FITZPATRICK “Dogs with heavy fur coats can Customers Line-Up Correspondent safely go outdoors for short periods to of Westfield WESTFIELD – With temperatures perform their “bathroom duties” but Feed are 6am-8am consistently below 20 degrees for the short haired dogs like Chihuahuas or seen inter- last week, it’s not recommended for Greyhounds should have a warm coat acting with people to stay outside for too long, when venturing outside even for brief one another This Thursday... and the same goes for your household periods in freezing weather,” said outside this pets. Leja. winter. 6am-8am:6am-8am: The Westfield News spoke with Besides the cold weather, Leja also (Photo courte- BOB McKEAN some local pet industry experts to mentioned that the salt and chemicals sy of Eliana Lakritz offer tips about protecting pets during that are used to treat the roadways and Westfield Executive Director Stanley Park this recent blast of arctic air. sidewalks during snow storms can Feed) Clinical Dietitian According to Dr. Jo-Anne Leja, irritate animal’s paws, especially Mark Boardman & Jennifer Gruzska veterinarian of her own small veteri- dogs. Leja then added that antifreeze BaystateWestfield Noble Rotary Hospital Club nary clinic, Pet House Calls in can be deadly for pets at this time of Download WSKB from your Tune In Radio App Westfield, hypothermia can be a big the year as a few spilled drops on the or watch on Comcast Cable CH. 15 risk for pets when temperatures drop below freezing. See Cold Weather Pet Tips, Page 5 PAGE 2 - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS 1669 1770 1775 1775 1792 1783 1741 1780 1810 WESTFIELD SOUTHWICK HUNTINGTON GRANVILLE RUSSELL CHESTER BLANDFORD MONTGOMERY TOLLAND AROUND TOWN Submit your Around Town News to [email protected] Westfield Farmers’ Market Extended The Westfield Farmers’ Market will have three Winter Gateway Superintendent’s Corner Markets to be held inside the Church of the Atonement, 36 Court Street. The next date is February 10. The hours are 10 As we begin the New Year my hope is that the dents: even with minimal budgets our towns are am to 3 pm. world moves forward in a more positive direction filled with people who care about our community As we have had all summer, we feature 25 to 30 local with more understanding and a greater tolerance of as a whole. When one considers the limited vendors and crafters selling all sorts of fresh produce and our differences; positively impacts and lessens the resources that we’re all faced with, the extensive other products. There will also be music, thanks to a grant growing disparity between the haves and have-nots; networks of roads, the part-time and volunteer from the Westfield Cultural Council. SNAP and HIP benefits provides more support for the downtrodden, basis of much of our town entities, and the diffi- are accepted, and we will match up to $5.00 when SNAP oppressed, and stigmatized among us; lifts up, sup- culties we all face dealing with governmental tokens are purchased at the Market Table. For more informa- ports, encourages and educates our youth for a oversight designed for our urban counterparts, it’s tion please visit our web page at www.westfieldfarmersmar- world that changes more rapidly each year; and actually amazing that we all succeed as well as ket.net or call 562-5431 x101. finds a way to turn these items into a more peaceful we do. existence for everyone. While these are more Gateway Regional Of course living in a smaller, more rural, and global desires, they also ring true for our hilltown School District less densely populated area has other benefits Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce communities. But for us, I’d add my hopes that the Superintendent including less traffic, more picturesque scenery, community members working on economic devel- Dr.