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Search for The Westfield News Westfield350.comTheThe Westfield WestfieldNews News 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 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75 cents $1.00 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 VOL. 89 NO. 219 Mandated flu vaccine added to Westfield school immunization policy By AMY PORTER nale behind it, but I know there Staff Writer are a lot of people who are going WESTFIELD – The Westfield to be upset about it, so I just Public Schools immunization want to make sure everybody policy was amended during a understands our hands are tied. special Westfield School We can’t vote to not do it because Committee meeting Sept. 8 to it’s law, or policy, or regulation add a required flu vaccine for all — whatever it is – that comes students per Gov. Charlie down, that is in the purview of Westfield Board of Health nurse Debra Mulvenna applies a band-aid to a Baker’s recent mandate. The the governor.” senior citizen during a past flu shot clinic at the Westfield Council on Aging. policy will now go to a regular Diaz said there are pending (THE WESTFIELD NEWS PHOTO) School Committee meeting for a cases in the courts against the vote. required flu immunization The new influenza require- already. ment. which is one dose vaccine Mayhew said Baker may over- Flu clinics good practice for the current flu season, must turn the mandate. “There’s be received annually by Dec. 31. enough people that have signed New students that are entering DIANE MAYHEW petitions, and have stood in front for potential COVID-19 between January and March 31 of the courthouse the last two must have received a dose of the Human Resources and Policy weekends, and it may get over- vaccine for the current flu season Chair Diane Mayhew said Diaz turned. At that point, we’ll make vaccine clinics for entry. was correct, the Massachusetts it an option. Or, if he allows just “We really don’t have a choice governor has mandated it. taking it out. But mass.gov clear- By PETER CURRIER 40 people through the line in an hour. in that, that’s a state regulation. Diaz continued, saying regard- ly states all the new regulations Staff Writer “If we can’t do 40 people in an hour, It’s not like we can say no,” said less of whether they agree with it that will be put in place for 2020- WESTFIELD — The Health we are in big trouble if we have to do committee member Ramon Diaz or don’t agree with it, it doesn’t Department will be hosting drive- 30,000 people,” said Rouse. Jr. matter. “I understand the ratio- See Vaccine, Page 3 through flu clinics in the coming The Medical Reserve Corps will be months to both vaccinate residents assisting with the clinics and the ahead of a likely intense flu season and Westfield Police Department will assist to practice for a potential coronavirus with traffic due to the drive-through vaccine clinic. nature of the clinics. There are two upcoming clinics at Flu clinics for the police and fire St. Mary’s Parish hosting first the Westfield Senior Center in October, departments are also planned. In those which Health Director Joseph Rouse cases, Rouse said that it is likely that said are completely booked already the officers and firefighters will be able Founder’s Day celebration Sept. 12 with an active waiting list. The city to go to the Health Department office received $4,200 from the state to con- and get vaccinated in groups of Fr. Brian McGrath duct such clinics. The only catch is that “cohorts.” the state money cannot be used to pur- This year’s flu season is expected to to be honored chase the vaccine itself. Rouse said be worse than in years past, especially that the vaccine has already been due to the ongoing COVID-19 pan- By HOPE E. TREMBLAY ordered, so that is not an issue. demic. The Centers for Disease Control Editor “We will use the money to get addi- WESTFIELD – St. Mary’s Parish is celebrating tional equipment. We will have an advises that it is possible to be infected with the flu and COVID-19 at the same its 122 years in the community with its first-ever electronic tracking system that we will Founder’s Day celebration Sept. 12. use instead of physical paperwork,” time, which could be far deadlier than having one or the other. The event is at 5:30 p.m. following the 4 p.m. said Rouse during the Sept. 9 remote Mass and honors former pastor, Rev. Brian Westfield Board of Health meeting. Luckily, Rouse said much of the same advice that has been given about McGrath. The Senior Center clinics will be a McGrath was a founder of the St. Mary’s limiting the spread of COVID-19 also drive-through with little-to-no face-to- Preschool in 2012 and was ordained Sept. 12, applies to influenza: Wearing a mask, face interaction. Forty seniors will be 1992. A scholarship is being created in McGrath’s vaccinated in each of the two clinics at washing your hands, and social dis- name and donations are now being accepted. For the Senior Center. Rouse said he wants tancing are all effective at limiting the more information, visit www.stmsaints.org or con- to experiment to see if they can get all spread of the flu. tact the office at 413-568-1160. You can also give to the St. Mary’s Founder’s Day GIVING Campaign on the website. Visioning process begins for The Founder’s Day Celebration will also benefit the church and school. “All proceeds from this event will provide much Franklin Avenue Elementary School needed resources, scholarships, tuition assistance By AMY PORTER and ministry support for students and parishio- Fr. Brian McGrath, former pastor of St. Mary’s Staff Writer ners,” said Kathleen Angco-Vieweg, coordinator of Parish, will be honored Sept. 12 at the first St. WESTFIELD – The School Building communications for St. Mary’s. “We would appre- Mary’s Founder’s Day. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS Committee, which is working on a fea- ciate your support, now more than ever, during this PHOTO) sibility study for the Franklin Avenue unprecedented time of Covid-19.” Participants should practice social distancing Angco-Vieweg said anyone who would like to building project, met on Sept. 9 to share a token or photo with McGrath should put the begin what will be an intensive process and gather in the St. Mary’s Elementary School parking lot at 30 Bartlett St. items in a gift bag with handles. Participants are to develop a design for the school to be encouraged to decorate their vehicles and wear submitted to the Massachusetts School The on-campus kick-off event is a Car Parade honoring McGrath, which will begin in the elemen- masks/face coverings. Building Authority (MSBA). “Come show your support for St. Mary’s and let The committee is chaired by Mayor tary school parking lot and proceed through the high school parking lot. Donald F. Humason Jr. and vice chair See Founder's Day, Page 6 Tammy Tefft, city purchasing director, FRANKLIN AVENUE and is composed of another dozen edu- ELEMENTARY SCHOOL cators, Westfield School Committee, Families take three-hour bus rides to business and community members. Springfield for medical attention. Introduced at the start of the meeting Where does that conversation take Golf fundraiser proceeds were the Owner’s Project Manager place? Does this add a whole new layer (OPM) Dan Pallotta, president, and to the process that we’re not looking Robert Todisco of P-Three, Inc. of at?” Tolpa asked. to purchase vision screener Norwell, and designer Curtis Edgin of Palotta said it does add a layer, add- Caolo & Bieniek Associates of By LORI SZEPELAK check machine in the local ing that he doesn’t know of a school Chicopee, both selected by the MSBA Correspondent schools and at local events, giv- with auxiliary police or a medical facil- from the responses to bids sent out by WESTFIELD — Westfield ing everyone a quick scan to ity in it. the city. Centennial Lions Club members determine their eye health,” he “You are going to get School Pallotta said the first step in the fea- are hopeful they will raise enough said. The Westfield Centennial Lions Resource Officers and a state of the art sibility study will be to form a vision- funds during a doubleheader golf Club hopes to raise enough nursing facility, which can be used off ing committee. “Step one is the vision,” tournament on Oct. 24, allowing Pierce added the technology is money during its annual fall hours. Most schools built today are he said, adding that the committee can them to purchase a Welch Allyn “especially effective on younger tournament to purchase a used until 10 p.m. at night. These are be whoever they want, but as it gets handheld, portable spot vision and handicapped children as it WelchAllyn eye spot checker. management decisions after the school larger, it gets harder. screener. simply scans the eyes quickly (SUBMITTED PHOTO) purposes are completed, and this is cer- Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski “The eye spot checker quickly and can diagnose any issues.” tainly a topic for the visioning commit- said he had a suggested list of partici- and effectively gives an eye test The Welch Allyn website notes the front 9 and a “glow time” for tee,” he said.