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JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com WaterVOL. 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 City Council 75 cents treatment Preview: plant April 22, 2019 progressing By AMY PORTER Correspondent By DAVID BILLIPS WESTFIELD – The City Council Director of Public Works will meet this Monday evening, for the City of Westfield April 22, after rescheduling from With new proposed regulations April 18 due to school vacation coming out from the Massachusetts week with a packed agenda. The Department of Environmental meeting will open and immediately Protection (MassDEP) Bureau of Westfield High vs. Northampton go into executive session to discuss Waste Site Cleanup this week, the strategy with respect to litigation Department of Public Works – Water Westfield’s Emma LaPoint (33) tries to tag one at Friday’s game against concerning an eminent domain, Division is pleased to announce that Northampton High. See additional photos, story in today’s Sports Section. before returning to regular session. Ward 2 Councilor and Westfield is well prepared to meet (Photos by Marc St.Onge) Following public participation, City Council President and exceed these standards. Because the first item on the agenda will Ralph J. Figy (WNG File of forward-thinking decision-making, request immediate consideration of Photo) these proposed regulations will not an Order of Appropriation of change the way that the DPW oper- $307,500 from Free Cash to the Law Dept. Judgment account, ates the water system or the plans related to the confidential matters discussed in executive ses- moving forward. The standard that Westfield Historical Lecture sion. the DPW has committed to, non- Council President Ralph J. Figy said the next request for detect, has been met by the temporary Series discusses a history of immediate Council approval to allow the Mayor to transfer treatment at well 2, and will be the between and within departments, and between personnel ser- standard for the permanent treatment vices and expenses, is something that the Council does every America’s Pastime in the city year. Figy said the practice allows the Mayor to wrap up the See Water, Page 7 budget for the end of year, and avoid carryover into FY20. By PETER CURRIER Despite the Baseball Hall Figy said in the past, the Council has set a cap on the amount Correspondent of Fame being located in permitted without coming before them. WESTFIELD — The Cooperstown New York, Westfield 350th Historical much of baseball’s early See City Council, Page 8 Lecture series will help bring development as a sport in the Baseball season with a occurred in the area of talk by Westfield native Dan Westfield. Genovese on how the Whip “No one town in America City became known as a can claim the development baseball town. The lecture of the game,” said Genovese, ‘Y’ leadership seeks will take place at the First “It was a coordination of Congregational Church at efforts from different cities 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, and towns. The game community input The water treatment plant on Owens April 24th. evolved from an early pre- District Road begins to take shape. Genovese has been play- baseball game called ‘wick- By LORI SZEPELAK (Photo courtesy Westfield Water Dept.) ing baseball basically his Dan Genovese, life- et.’” Correspondent entire life. He has played long baseball player Throughout the 19th cen- WESTFIELD-For more than 131 from Little League to the and local baseball his- tury, baseball was the num- years, the YMCA of Greater Babe Ruth League to Legion torian. (Photo by Peter ber one form of summer Westfield has “listened and respond- Baseball. He also played at Currier) entertainment, despite how ed” to the most critical social needs Two accidents American International new of a sport it was at the of the surrounding communities – College in Springfield, and he still plays time. The way the game was played, and Y leadership is seeking feed- in Southwick on in various baseball and softball leagues back from area residents of all ages as it moves forward with in the area. See Baseball, Page 8 future planning initiatives. “At the Y, strengthening community is our cause,” said Friday morning Andrea Allard, CEO. “One of our strategic priorities is to By GREG FITZpaTRICK explore opportunities to expand our programs and services Correspondent that address critical issues in our three areas of focus – youth SOUTHWICK – Two accidents Reception allows community development, healthy living, and social responsibility.” occurred in Southwick on Friday within 20 minutes of each other. See Community, Page 8 According to Southwick Chief of to meet the artists Police Kevin Bishop, a one-car accident occurred on Hillside Road just after 11:30 By GREG FITZpaTRICK a.m. where the operator lost control of the Correspondent vehicle and hit a telephone pole that SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Hearing to be held HELLO snapped in half causing some wires to Cultural Council is hosting their annual come down. The driver was the lone Artist’s Reception at the Southwick occupant of the vehicle and was trans- on playscape project ported to Noble Hospital. Town Hall on Friday April 26 from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Southwick Police officer Michael By GREG FITZpaTRICK The 20th Annual Art Exhibition will Taggart said that the individual is facing a Correspondent take place on Saturday and Sunday, criminal charge of operating to endanger SOUTHWICK – The Planning Board will be holding a April 27-28, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and is also facing a marked lanes viola- hearing for a special permit for the playscape and parking lot on both days. This year’s art exhibit tion. project at Powder Mill School on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the features 40 artists coming from Western Shortly thereafter, the police received a Southwick Town Hall. Massachusetts, Northern Connecticut, report at 11:51 a.m. of a two-vehicle acci- The project, which is being overseen by the Southwick- and other areas to feature their sculp- dent in the vicinity of 784 College Hwy. Tolland-Granville Regional School District at an expected Upon arrival, police discovered a two- tures, pottery, photography, oils, water cost of $678,000, consists of a new playground and an out- car roll-over accident. It was found that a colors, and woodcarvings. door learning space with a new rubber surface. The work on Chevy rear-ended the Mazda in front of it According to Susan Kochanski, the playground will also include making it handicap acces- causing the Chevy to flip over. The Chairman of the Cultural Council, sible and having more shade created near the playground for operator of the Chevy was stuck inside many of the artists will be at the recep- the warmer days in the spring and summer. their vehicle and the Southwick Fire tion on Friday. The free and open to the Gretchen Shepard’s painting is seen The project also includes work on a storm water mitigation Department was able to stabilize the public reception gives community as the poster art for this year’s art system that Springwill be installed on the Powder Mill School prop- vehicle and break the windshield. The members the opportunity to get to HELLO GIGABIT INTERNET! operator was then able to safely get out of exhibition. (Photo from Southwick erty as well as an expanded and repaved parking lot. Cultural Council) the car and suffered no injuries. See Meet The Artists, Page 8 See Playscape, Page 8 whipcityfibeConnectr.com | 413-485-1251 today and receive one month FREE! FREE Equipment and Wi-Fi | FREE Standard Install | No Contracts HIGH-SPEED INTERNET FOR $69.95 A MONTH Streaming Workshop @ Amelia Park Ice Arena | April 9, 9-1030 AM whipcityfiber.com | 485-1251 PAGE 2 - SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2019 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS Happy 50th Anniversary Mom & Dad Love, Peter, Franco, & Cristina” Happy Anniversary Nonna & Nonno We love you, Althea, Sophia, Gianna, Amelia, Luisa, Michael, Gabriella, & Vin. ODDS & ENDS TONIGHT SUNDAY MONDAY Showers. Cloudy, showers. 62-65 86-70 Today, Showers. High near 66. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Tonight, Showers likely, mainly before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Sunday, A chance of AP/Twitter Showers. showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. South wind 5 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Sunday Night, a chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. South- west wind 3 to 8 mph. Monday, Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. 51-52 Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Florida road crew misspells WWLP.COM • Working For You ‘school’ in school crossing TODAY DORAL, Fla. (AP) — A road crew in Florida should get an “F″ for spelling. A motorist on Thursday spotted the error, realizing that workers in Doral had made a mistake 6:05 AM 7:37 PM 13 hours 30 Minutes when painting the word “school” at a pedestrian crossing in the road.