Dozens Attend Memorial Day Ceremony in Westfield by PETER CURRIER Jr., a Professional Bagpiper, Talked Afghanistan

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 WEDNESDAY,TUESDAY, JUNE JUNE 27, 20172, 2021 VOL. 75 cents 90 NO. 128 Dozens attend Memorial Day ceremony in Westfield By PETER CURRIER Jr., a professional bagpiper, talked Afghanistan. Staff Writer about the history of bagpipes in war. Velis talked about an incident in WESTFIELD — Dozens of peo- He said that on June 6, 2020, he and Afghanistan on April 6, 2013, in ple gathered at Parker Memorial a Scottish bagpiper named John which three of his friends and fellow Park May 31 to view Westfield’s Millen played “Highland Laddie” soldiers were killed by a suicide annual Memorial Day Ceremony, and “Road to the Isles” at the same bomber. He only gave their last the first major public gathering since time, but in their respective home- names: Ward, Robles, and Santos. most COVID-19 restrictions were towns due to the pandemic, to recog- “It dawned on me, as time went lifted May 29. nize the 76th anniversary of the by, their memory, the amount of The speakers in this year’s cere- Allies’ D-Day invasion of France on time I spent thinking about them, mony made a point to recognize June 6, 1944. wasn’t as much. And that made me Westfield’s veterans who passed Both Benda’s and Millen’s fathers Westfield City Council members stand for the Invocation during the sad. In fact, it made me angry,” said away due to COVID-19 over the were part of the allied invasion force annual Memorial Day observance at Parker Memorial Park May 31, Velis. past 14 months, including 117 veter- on D-Day, which is considered to be He said he was thinking about 2021. (DON WIELGUS PHOTO) ans from Westfield. the day World War II largely turned what he would talk about during his In the Channel 15 broadcast of the in the Allies’ favor. Benda was followed by Mayor here, and to welcome you back after speech when he went to the ceremony, the names of those veter- Benda then played both songs on Donald F. Humason Jr., who a terrible, terrible year,” said Facebook pages of their family ans were displayed while American the bagpipes during the ceremony, acknowledged the number of people Humason, “But now, you’re back.” members. Legion Post 124 Chaplain Richard and concluded the ceremony by in attendance after a year in which Following Humason was State “That pain that had minimized Olemka read a prayer. playing “The Bloody Fields of such gatherings have been sparse. Sen. John C. Velis, a I.S. Army One of the speakers, Fred Benda Flanders.” “It’s good to see so many people Reserve major who has served in See Memorial Day, Page 4 Southwick Committee approves reports eight removal of trees threatening home COVID-19 By AMY PORTER Staff Writer WESTFIELD – After three meetings, a site visit and a cases consultation with a forester, the Conservation Commission granted permission to Joseph Marden and Marissa The town remains in the Fistola to remove 30 tall white pines threatening their home at 27 Angelica Drive which is within 200 feet of moderate risk category for the riverfront area. the second week in a row Fistola said they moved to the home on the edge of the residential development in July 2020. She said she’s had By PETER CURRIER a lot of sleepless nights due to high winds and trees fall- StafF Writer ing in the woods, and said she wanted to remove the tall SOUTHWICK- The Department of white pines that are leaning towards the house. She said Public Health reported eight COVID- the trees are within 30 to 40 feet of the home, and beyond 19 cases in Southwick last week to 150 feet from the riverfront. bring the town’s pandemic total to After a site visit from the commission, Conservation 623. The Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation in Russell offers a variety of programs Coordinator Meredith Borenstein said not being a for- On May 27 Health Director Tammy for young people. (BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA PHOTO) ester, she didn’t know how to differentiate which trees to Spencer said that Southwick would cut. She said some were dead, but some appeared remain in the moderate risk category. healthy. After further discussion, the commission asked At that time, 11 people were in isola- the homeowners to consult with a forester. tion with COVID-19 in Southwick. A letter from a forester read during the May 25 meet- Spencer said that Southwick’s vac- Captain shares safe ing stated that the trees are falling due to overgrowth and cination rate is lower than the average poor health, and their removal would enhance the under- for Hampden County. Thirty-four per- growth. He recommended removing all the trees endan- cent of Southwick residents have been gering the house. fully vaccinated against COVID-19, boating practices Commission Chair David A. Doe said the forester sug- while the same is true for 46 percent gested clear cutting 75 feet into the woods, but he wanted of Hampden County residents. The Western Massachusetts Council Boy Scouts offers is located at 1 Arch Road, Suite 5, in to have the commission play a role in selecting the trees, Forty-six percent of Southwick resi- and not just clear cut. He said removing the pine trees dents have received at least one dose Westfield, and can be reached by calling (413) 594-9196 or visiting www.wmas- will have an effect on birds in the area. of a COVID-19 vaccine. varied water “We’d be willing to leave some down in the woods for “At this point, people who haven’t couting.org for local troops in the area. Regan explained that should an emer- that reason. Protect the wetlands and our home as well,” been vaccinated yet either aren’t going sports programs Fistola said. Doe said a lot of people in Westfield have to get the vaccine at all, or we need to gency occur and scouts find themselves in a situation they were not expecting, trees that height close to their homes make it as easy as possible and remove “Maybe we should have considered that before we every single barrier,” said Spencer. By LORI SZEPELAK the basic knowledge learned through the Correspondent moved here, but here we are,” she said. She said she is in talks with Curative, boating program will provide them with WESTFIELD — As the Memorial a COVID-19 testing service, to have a helpful skills to assist others. Day weekend kicks off many recre- See Trees, Page 3 mobile vaccine clinic at Southwick “Exposure to a wide variety of activi- ational activities including boating, schools for students. The district sent ties such as boating at this time also boys and girls joining Boy Scouts of a survey to families asking if they helps to open one’s eyes to possible America will find introductory and would take advantage of an in-school hobbies or careers that they may never exploratory programs this summer at clinic. have thought of,” said Regan. the Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation Now that the May 29 reopening Other water-related programs offered in Russell. date has passed, Spencer said that this summer at camp include swimming “We feel that learning safe boating Town Hall in Southwick is open under and lifesaving skills, as well as learning skills at a young age is critical because the current Centers for Disease about canoes, kayaks, row boats and most of these scouts will encounter Control (CDC) guidance. That guid- sailboats. Additionally, a grant has been boating again in their lives, and having ance states that masks will only be received to add the Stand Up a strong foundation will set them up for required for those who have not yet Paddleboard program to offerings, and a success,” said Brian Regan, adult leader been fully vaccinated against COVID- scuba program is being offered by staff for Sea Scout Ship 303 of the Western 19. members from At the Water’s Edge dive Massachusetts Council of Boy Scouts of Those who are fully vaccinated will Tall pines behind 27 Angelica Drive. (CITYOFWESTFIELD. America. See Safe Boating, Page 3 be allowed to forgo a mask. ORG) Rental assistance hours offered at Senior Center in June By AMY PORTER for residents who are in need of the assistance. The hold. Other documentation may be required. Staff Writer program ends on June 30. King said if people come in with paperwork the WESTFIELD – Westfield residents impacted “My hope is that I can make it as easy as pos- whole process takes no more than 30 minutes. by COVID-19 may apply for rental assistance sible for folks in need to not have to travel too far “I’ve only turned down two people for the entire this month at the Westfield Senior Center, 45 for services,” King said. The program will provide program. It’s very rare that someone doesn’t Noble St., through a program funded by the city’s up to three months of rental assistance on behalf of qualify,” she said, adding if people are unsure Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) an eligible tenant to an eligible landlord. Eligible about their eligibility they should come in and CARES Act. landlords may also receive rental assistance on speak to her.

Load more