Marijuana, School Budget and Cable Top Huntington Forum
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TONIGHT Rain Likely, mostly cloudy. Low of 57. Search for The Westfield News The WestfieldNews Search for The Westfield News “FOR HAPPINESS Westfield350.com The Westfield News ONE NEEDS SECURITY , IME IS THE ONLY Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns BUT“T JOY CAN SPRING LIKE WEATHER CRITIC WITHOUT A FLOWER EVEN FROM TONIGHT AMBITION THE CLIFFS OF DESPAIR.” .” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK — Anne MorrowSearch for TheLindbergh Westfield News Westfield350.comWestfield350.orgLow of 55. Thewww.thewestfieldnews.com WestfieldNews Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TIME IS THE ONLY WEATHERVOL. 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75CRITIC centsWITHOUT VOL. 88 NO. 125 THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2019 75 Cents TONIGHT AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL.Marijuana, 86 NO. 151 school budgetTUESDAY, JUNE 27,and 2017 75 cents cable top Huntington forum By AMY PORTER Renauld said the bylaws are not about whether the town is Correspondent for or against marijuana, because the town voted 723 to 450 HUNTINGTON – The Board of Selectmen held an infor- in favor of legalization of recreational marijuana in the mational meeting for board members and heads of depart- November, 2016 election. He said the Planning Board also ments on Wednesday, in advance of the Annual Town stated that if the proposed by-laws fail to pass by a 2/3 vote, Meeting scheduled for Monday, June 3 at 7 p.m. they will not continue to work on them, leaving the town Selectman Edward Renauld addresses board members at Chairman Edward Renauld said he wanted to go over the without local control over marijuana establishments coming Stanton Hall on Wednesday. (Photo by Amy Porter) warrants, which are lengthy this year due in large part to more in. If they pass, amendments may be made to them in future than a dozen pages regarding new Adult Use Marijuana years. bylaws for the town. Renauld said the Planning Board The FY20 budget, and Gateway assessments to the town in pass it for the five years, to stabilize the wide swings in the worked for two years on the bylaws, which he said concerned particular, were also discussed at the meeting. Selectman statutory assessments, based on the March 1 student census each the “nuts and bolts” of bringing the business to Huntington. Darlene McVeigh, who also serves on the School Committee, year. Although no Planning Board members were present at the said the assessment in the town budget will be amended on McVeigh said last year Montgomery benefited by the alterna- meeting, they prepared a short summary of the proposed the floor of the ATM, due to the town of Montgomery failing tive assessment, which was lower than the statutory would have bylaws, which will also be available at the ATM. Highlights to pass the alternative assessment at its town meeting. been. This year, the statutory was lower, and when the town include allowing indoor-only cultivation of up to 5,000 McVeigh said the alternative assessment, which was reviewed it, they said they would only vote the lower amount. square-feet. of canopy, with a maximum allowed of 100,000 approved for a five-year trial period last year by all six towns Passage of the alternative assessment method requires a vote by square-feet., the state limit, or up to 20 cultivators. Marijuana in the district, ties each town to the percentage increase in the all six towns. retailers licensed to sell directly to consumers, 21 and older, school budget, which this year is 1.97%. McVeigh said it is “I was personally disappointed,” McVeigh said, adding that will be restricted to two, or 20% of licenses issued to sell similar to insurance coverage, with bad years and good years. alcohol for off-premises consumption. The School Committee was hopeful that the six towns would See Huntington Forum, Page 3 Businesses set sights on Summer Block Party Series By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD-Several businesses have joined forces to bring a unique, “family friendly” event to downtown – a Summer Block Party Series. “This is what I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” said Prob Reshamwala, longtime owner of the Tobacco Barn and Mina’s Wine & Spirits on Elm Street. Reshamwala said Tuesday that he researched a variety of events over the years and had taken notice of the atmosphere that beer garden events create that have sprung up throughout the valley. See Summer Series, Page 3 Mayor Brian Sullivan and Tony Contrino of Westfield Gas and Electric prepare to cut the ribbon with representatives of Terawatt, Green Street Power Partners, and Swinerton Renewable Energy. (Photo by Peter Currier) WG&E receives SOAR distinction By PETER CURRIER tem improvement, employee safety, and APGA is proud to recognize Westfield Correspondent work force development. There are Gas and Electric and is confident in WESTFIELD – Westfield Gas & three tiers of the award, labeled gold, their continued success,” said APGA Electric will be presented with the silver, and bronze. Westfield Gas & President and CEO, Bert Kalisch. System Operational Achievement Electric received the silver distinction. Westfield Gas and Electric first Recognition (SOAR) distinction from “Westfield Gas and Electric was received the award in 2014, the inaugu- the American Public Gas Association highly rated in all four areas that are ral year of the program. It has held the on July 28 in Stowe, Vermont. required of SOAR and consistently status since then and remains as the The SOAR distinction is meant to demonstrates a commitment to provid- only such company in New England to recognize excellence in operating natu- ing natural gas safely and efficiently to have won it. 22 other companies across Dan Puza Jr., store manager of North Elm Butcher Block, ral gas utilities. The award is given to all those in their community and as the United States received the award is ready to heat the grills and serve a variety of barbecued companies that are considered the best such, serves as a model for all other offerings during the Summer Block Party Series in down- in the classes of system integrity, sys- natural gas utilities in the country. See SOAR, Page 3 town Westfield. Garden Tea to raise funds for Woman’s Club building renovations “We are honoring Anne and Harry Rock,” said WWC President Anne and Harry Rock to receive Ann Mello. “In addition to their work on the Westfield 350, Anne Miriam Reed Community Service Award has been a force behind the scenes at the Club.” Mello and fellow WWC member Agma Sweeney touted Anne By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Rock’s ability to jump into any situation with a can-do attitude. Correspondent “She’s such a positive person,” Mello said. “She lifts us up – WESTFIELD – Sipping tea and enjoying scones and trifle — she’s just a positive force. Every great man has a great woman surrounded by flowers while wearing your best hat – aren’t the behind him, and Harry is super.” only reasons to attend the 22nd Annual Westfield Woman’s Club Anne Rock is a retired teacher who spent 20 of her 37 years Garden Tea, but that would certainly be reason enough. teaching in Westfield. The Rocks moved to the city 28 years ago, The party, which includes recognition of the Miriam Reed when Harry took the position of Westfield YMCA director, Community Service Award recipients, is June 26 at 1 p.m. at where he retired in 2016. Anne Rock attended the WCC Garden Stanley Park. Tea over the years and eventually became a member. She was This year, for the first time, a couple is being recognized for their service to the city. See Garden Tea, Page 3 wgby.org/asparagus Saturday, June 1 Free Admission HADLEY TOWN COMMON, 10–6 Recommended Donation: $5/Person ($20/Family) sponsored by: ALL AGES Proceeds Benefit Meet Curious George Public Media Play PBS Kids Games PAGE 2 - THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2019 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS Saint Mary’s High School Seniors Awards Night WESTFIELD — The 2019 Saint Mary’s Awards Night was held on Wednesday eve- ning, May 29, 2019 in the high school gym. The American Legion School Awards medal were presented to Joe Wolz and Luke Willenborg. Gene Theroux, a Past Commander of American Legion Post 124 presented the American Legion School Award lapel pin and accompanying certifi- cate to Joe and Luke. The selection criteria is based upon six principles that include Courage, Honor, Leadership, Patriotism, Scholarship and Service. The school award medal is the highest honor awarded American youth by The American Legion. Past Commander Theroux had the oppor- tunity to speak and congratulate the 2018 alumni of American Legion Auxiliary Girls State and American Legion Boys State. LUKE WILLENBORG There was one attendee each to Boys State and Girls State from St. Mary’s High School American Legion Boys State and American Legion to the 2018 program. Class Valedictorian Auxiliary Girls State, Saint Mary’s High School Joe Walz is an alumni of 2018 Boys State will be sending a total of 10 citizens to either Boys and Victoria Gargan who will graduate this State or Girls State. An interesting statistic is that 10 Friday with Third Honors is an alumni of citizens is twenty-five percent of the junior class. 2018 Girls State. For the 2019 session of ODDS & ENDS LOCAL LOTTERY LAST NIGHT’s numBERS Never-ending reading: MASSACHUSETTS FRIDAY SATURDAY MassCash 03-08-16-26-34 TONIGHT Oregon GOP tries Mega Millions Estimated jackpot: $444 million to tie up Legislature Megabucks Doubler 03-26-30-32-40-45 SALEM, Ore. 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