Starfires Vs. Rox School Dept., Page 3 Patients.” Bryant Noted That the Noble ICU Typi- Danny Crossen (14) Lays Down a Bunt to Move Runners Along
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JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL.Noble 86 NO. 151 ICU TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 School Dept. 75 cents averages one stresses zero patient daily, increase to city says Bryant By PETER CURRIER in budget review Correspondent By AMY PORTER WESTFIELD- The Massachusetts Correspondent Department of Public Health (DPH) host- WESTFIELD – In presenting the School Department’s ed a public hearing about the proposed budget in day two of the budget hearings, Superintendent closure of the Baystate Noble Hospital Stefan Czaporowski led off by saying there is no increase to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Pediatric the city in the school budget of $63.1 million which also rep- Care Unit (PCU) Wednesday afternoon at resents a reduction of $300,000 in city health insurance ben- Westfield Middle School. efits for school employees. He said this feat was due to an During the meeting, Baystate Noble increase of $2.1 million in local aid from the state this year. Hospital President Ron Bryant detailed the “For the first time, we’re seeing the state start to fund those hospital’s plan and reasoning for closing unfunded mandates,” Czaporowski said, adding that the state the two units. Bryant said that the beds is looking to put $1 billion into education over the next seven would be designated as medical surgical years, and is recognizing how education is changing, and its beds after the closure. skyrocketing costs. “For the past several years, the most He said $1.4 million of the anticipated increase of $1.9 mil- critically ill patients at Baystate Noble lion in Chapter 70 funds, after a deduction of $300,000 for have been transferred to Baystate Medical charter schools, will be spent on Special Education programs, Center, another affiliate of Baystate a priority of the state for the increase. He said another Health,” said Bryant, “Baystate Medical $347,000 will be for personnel, $98,000 for a previously Center is the system’s tertiary care hospital negotiated increase in the transportation contract, and also where there is a team of physicians who funds for a one-time purchase in social studies curriculum. specialize in the care of critically ill Finance Committee chair Brent B. Bean II asked what the patients, and where there is a full range of physician specialists to care for those Starfires vs. Rox School Dept., Page 3 patients.” Bryant noted that the Noble ICU typi- Danny Crossen (14) lays down a bunt to move runners along. See cally has a low patient count with an aver- story and photos in today’s Sports Section. (Photo by Marc St.Onge) age daily occupancy of one patient. He argued that the patients that do need the DPW presents ICU or PCU will receive better care at the medical center in Springfield. Bryant then said that there has not been a pediatric patient in the PCU in years, 5-year plan to thanks to changes in the way pediatric care Law Department is delivered. The DPH held the session to hear the rotate trash vehicles concerns of residents who were unhappy By AMY PORTER with the plan. Baystate Health previously adds POS money Correspondent announced that there were plans to close WESTFIELD – Department of Public Works Director all six beds in both the ICU and PCU. David Billips told the Finance Committee at Wednesday’s Baystate also said that they planned to Police anticipate budget review that he has a five-year plan to replace trash close the ICU at Wing Hospital in Palmer. trucks. Billips said the life of a trash truck is five to seven years, Noble ICU, Page 3 better year for staffing and the department went 10 years without buying one, then By AMY PORTER bought two trucks in three years. He said this year the depart- Correspondent ment has the opportunity, due to the end of an $116,000 WESTFIELD – City Solicitor Susan Phillips gave a brief overview of the annual cart payment for barrels, to put a new plan in place department’s budget at Wednesday’s Finance Committee budget review. for vehicles. Phillips said everything has stayed the same in the department, with the He said right now they have two used trash trucks, costing exception of a new legal secretary, Rebecca Jones. $55,000 a year, two rentals at $90,000 a year, and two Phillips said every year the judgements account is well over the $10,000 Internationals that are paid for, but leaky, and they will be budgeted, and in 2019 it was $500,000, of which $400,000 was approved by lucky to keep on the road. He said new trucks cost $65,000 the City Council, including a payment of $375,000 on behalf of the Westfield to $70,000. For a one-time increase of $22,370 in FY20, they Redevelopment Authority to settle the Elm Street Urban Renewal section. Phillips also commented that it wouldn’t surprise the Council to hear the See DPW Vehicles, Page 3 department did not have enough to pay pothole claims, for which they have paid $11,442 to date, with $1,295 outstanding. Residents, city officials, and medical pro- Phillips said they had a little over $71,000 in property claims, one of which fessionals attended Wednesday’s public has been sent to the insurance company, from items like trees falling on hearing at Westfield Middle School. (Photo Norwich Hill Church by Peter Currier) See Budgets, Page 5 Tag and Bake Sale set for Saturday MusicFest ‘Roadtrip’ a perfect By AMY PORTER Correspondent Concert HUNTINGTON –The First Congregational Church of Huntington (Norwich Hill) on the church grounds at 6 Saturday getaway Cancelled Searle Road will be hosting its annual Tag and Bake Sale By LORI SZEPELAK whether they’re open or closed, get The Westfield on this Saturday, June 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Correspondent proof that you were there, either with a Weekends Summer All tag sale items will be sold by donation (no individual HILL TOWNS – Area residents are photo, business card, receipt and/or MusicFest concert sched- pricing) including glassware, kitchen items, household invited to enjoy a road trip and scaven- posting on social media using uled for tonight, Thursday, goods, clothing, towels and sheets, knickknacks, sports ger hunt on June 29, sponsored by #HilltownsRoadTrip #JLBA.” June 20 has been can- equipment, toys and games, furniture and more. Jacob’s Ladder Business Association. The event, beginning at 10 a.m., is celled due to the expected Church organizer Nancy Kaminski said that not pricing “Roadtrip thru the Hilltowns is a self- free and open to the public and registra- poor weather conditions. the items is easier on the church, and community members guided road trip and scavenger hunt tion is not required. The show is tentatively that attend are very generous. through Westfield and the hill towns,” Road trippers will receive a raffle rescheduled for September. Also for sale will be made-from-scratch sweet breads, said Mimi Caban Ross, a member of the ticket for each place they visit that day The next MusicFest show cookies, squares, and luscious seasonal pies will be avail- association’s board and the external and will receive a bonus raffle ticket for will be Thursday, July 18 able, plus homemade potato salad, macaroni & cheese, events coordinator. “The objective is to on Park Square. baked beans and French meat pies. visit as many of our members that day See Roadtrip, Page 5 See Tag and Bake Sale, Page 2 3D Mammography now available at Baystate Noble Hospital Schedule your mammogram today at 413-794-8874 or visit BaystateHealth.org/GetScreened BaystateHealth.org CS10866 PAGE 2 - THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS Tag, Bake Sale Continued from Page 1 Grilled hot dogs with chips, soda, and donuts will be served for lunch. “This annual event is always welcomed by the hilltown com- munity. It’s a fun day for every- one,” Kaminski said, adding that people should shop early for the best selection of favorite sweet treats and the best choice of bargain tag sale goods. At left, First Congregational Church in Huntington Ladies Aide members Nancy Kaminski, Lisa Mollison, Lori Belhumeur, Mary Leslie, Marsha Messier and Charlotte Pauze. (File photo by Amy Porter) ODDS & ENDS LOCAL LOTTERY LAST NIGHT’s numBERS Norway islanders MASSACHUSETTS FRIDAY SATURDAY MassCash 10-11-17-18-19 TONIGHT want to go ‘time-free’ Mega Millions Estimated jackpot: $55 million when sun doesn’t set Megabucks Doubler COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — 17-23-30-35-38-41 Residents of a Norwegian island where the sun Estimated jackpot: $3 million doesn’t set for 69 days of the year want to go Numbers Evening 7-7-4-5 “time-free” and have more flexible school and Numbers Midday 8-2-6-1 working hours to make the most of their long Showers, then sunny. Showers, t-storms likely Powerball summer days.