TONIGHT Mostly Cloudy. Low of 20. Search for The Westfield News The WestfieldNews Search for The Westfield News Westfield350.com The WestfieldNews “I’VE NEVER BEEN Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TIMEPOOR IS THE, ONLY ONLY BROKE . WEATHER BEING POOR IS CRITICA FRAME WITHOUT OF MIND. TONIGHT BEING BROKEAMBITION IS.” ONLY A Partly Cloudy. TEMPORARYJOHN STEINBECK SITUATION.” Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com Search for The Westfield News Westfield350.comWestfield350.org The WestfieldNews — MIKE TODD Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TIME IS THE ONLY WEATHERVOL. 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75 cents VOL.87 NO. 286 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2018 CRITIC75 CentsWITHOUT TONIGHT AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com Redevelopment Public hearing on AuthorityVOL. 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75 cents announces Special Permit urban renewal granting authority rollout plan By PETER CURRIER goes to City Council Correspondent WESTFIELD — The Westfield By AMY PORTER Redevelopment Authority announced their Correspondent proposal for a rollout of the Elm Street WESTFIELD – Among four public hearings on the City Urban Renewal Project Tuesday morning Council agenda for Thursday’s (Dec. 6) meeting, will be the in a meeting at city hall. Rabbi Efraim Eisen of the Westfield State University Interfaith second this week to amend the zoning ordinance by transferring The WRA proposed a soft, invite only Center leads the attendees in song while Westfield mayor Brian Special Permit granting authority from the City Council to the rollout for potential investors in mid-Janu- Sullivan lights the menorah at Tuesday’s Hanukkah service on Planning Board for commercial properties. ary before revealing more about the proj- The Planning Board held the first public hearing on the topic the Park Square Green. (Photo by Marc St.Onge) ect to the public at a later date. The pro- on Tuesday. Early in the meeting, Chairman William Carellas posed project is not yet finalized, however asked for a motion to change the order of the agenda and put the renderings of a potential concept for the Special Permit change first, due to the numbers of people who Elm Street lot were shown at the meeting. Hanukkah celebration in Westfield came to speak on the topic. Two and a half hours later, the The lot that will be developed is the Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend the changes to space on the north side of Church Street the City Council. Commons and the area around the PVTA The amendment was presented by At-large Councilor Brent B. station is located. The current proposal Bean, II as one of the petitioners. He said that currently the displayed a modern four-story building that would be a mix of commercial and Planning Board has the majority of special permits, and said the residential spaces. However, that concept is not finalized and may be subject to See Public Hearing, Page 8 change completely. “This is not the plan that is going to be See Renewal, Page 3 Fran Eisenberg serves up some potato latkes to members of the Ahavas Achim Congregation of Westfield during the Hanukkah The WRA discussing their plan to roll- celebration Tuesday at the Westfield Boys and Girls Club. (Photo out the Elm Street Urban Renewal by Marc St.Onge) Project proof of concept to investors and The public attends the hearing on Special Permit granting to the public. (Photo by Peter Currier) authority at the Planning Board Tuesday. (Photo by Amy Porter) Southwick officials New three-year discuss projects for contract for WPS MVP Program By GREG FITZpaTRICK The Select Board discusses the disposition before signing it. Superintendent Correspondent (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick) By AMY PORTER SOUTHWICK – The Select Board held a public hear- Correspondent ing session Tuesday night about the Municipal WESTFIELD – Westfield Public Schools Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program. Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski will remain in his Fuss & O’Neill, a consulting firm hired by DPW Select Board signs position until at least June 30, 2022, following a vote by Director Randy Brown to help him with the MVP pro- the School Committee Monday for a new three-year cess, gave a presentation to the Select Board during disposition for dog incident employment contract to begin July 1, 2019. Tuesday’s public hearing. By GREG FITZpaTRICK School Committee member Ramon Diaz, Jr. said they Julianne Busa of Fuss & O’Neill informed the Select Correspondent wanted the Superintendent to stay in Westfield for at Board that she’s worked with approximatley 15 com- SOUTHWICK – The Select Board approved a signed disposi- least another three years, which was evidenced by the munities since the MVP Program was created in 2017. tion agreement on the future of the two dogs that bit a Jack Russell work he’s been doing, the reports coming in, MCAS “We hope to assist Southwick in gaining funds in the Terrier, resulting in the dog’s death. scores and school rankings. He said the salary increases planning process but also implementing funds through According to Select Board Chairman Joe Deedy, he worked in the contract were appropriate based on the amount of that process,” said Busa. with Town Counsel Ben Coyle on drafting the disposition, which experience. A state-run program through the Executive Office of allows Southwick Animal Control Officer Tracy Root to follow “We negotiated in good faith with the Superintendent. Energy and Environmental Affairs, the MVP program specific guidelines if the two Malinois Shepherds return to He understands the budget as well, and I think it came addresses issues or hazards in a community that have Southwick. to a good conclusion. I’d like to thank the Superintendent See MVP Program, Page Prof.7 George Michael See Disposition, Page 8 See Contract, Page 3 WSU Terrorism Expert RADIO FOR THE WESTFIELD MASSES THE WESTFIELD FOR RADIO Police Youth Cadets to The Westfield News Radio Paper Mill students speak about building hold annual toy drive Show By PETER CURRIER Thursday community to School Committee Correspondent Line-Up By AMY PORTER laws are made in Westfield, state laws in WESTFIELD — The Westfield Police Correspondent Boston, and national laws in Washington Youth Cadets will be holding their annual 6am-8am WESTFIELD – The School Committee D.C.. She said he invited the students to toy drive for families and children in need meeting began on Monday with a presen- email ideas for new laws to him. Saturday December 8th from 10 a.m. to 6 tation by second and fourth grade students Serge Jitov said the Audubon Society p.m. outside of Walmart. This Thursday... from the Paper Mill elementary school. came to talk about wildlife in Westfield The drive, which was first held in 2013, 6am-8am: Principal Melanie Chasse introduced each and explore nature around their school. He is expected to collect hundreds of toys for 6am-8am: of the students, and said they would speak said they also found litter. “We need to over 200 kids and families who experi- BOB McKEAN about building community in their school. take responsibility for protecting nature,” ence financial insecurity. The advisors for ExecutiveTheatre Director Stanley Park Second grader Kendall Beltrandi spoke Serge said. He said City Council president the Cadets, Officer Christopher Coach about having visitors come to their classes John Beltrandi came and talked about and Detective Rick Mazza, originally Mark Boardman & Jennifer Gruzska to meet with them. She said their goals are Election Day, and how every vote counts. WorksWestfield Rotary Club to learn how to be good citizens. She said He invited the students to the City Council See Cadets, Page 8 Download WSKB from your Tune In Radio App Senator Don Humason came to talk about or watch on Comcast Cable CH. 15 Constitution Day, and explain that city See Paper Mill Students, Page 6 PAGE 2 - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2018 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS Where is The Westfield News? Mark and Kerry Kielbasa recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with a golf trip to Ireland. They are pictured at the Killeen Course in Killarney, home to 4 Irish Opens. Remember, when you’re traveling take a copy of The Westfield News with you and show us where you’ve been. E-mail the photo with a brief description to pressreleases@thewestfieldnews. com. 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