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JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNECongamond 27, 2017 Road 75 cents project on course By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – Pereira Construction of Ludlow, Mass., has been continues work on installing the new drainage system along Congamond Rd.. “They will continue until the drainage work is done and then they’ll move on to the next phase of the project,” said Southwick DPW Director Randy Brown. Pereira Construction is seen delivering the piping for the According to Brown, the drainage on Congamond Road on Monday morning. next phase of the project would (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick) be the widening of Congamond Road. material and remove it. complete oversight. The Besides working on the “I think you’ll then see the project includes a new drain- drainage, Pereira is also con- progress get much better,” age system, a sidewalk on ducting tree removal in order said Brown. the south side of the road, World Series officially returns; to install a new detention basin On June 15, the Westfield and new bike lanes. for the drainage. Brown added News reported that the The majority of the that the contractor has gotten a Congamond Road project Congamond Road project is little hung up on the drainage had begun by Pereira work- expected to continue through regionals continue aspect due to an abundance of ing on below grade utilities the fall and into the winter as and starting the drainage weather permits. Pereira is Greater Westfield Babe Ruth Baseball League President Dan Welch, second from rock and ledge in the ground. process. scheduled to provide the right, and Babe Ruth, Inc., Vice President/Commisioner Robert Faherty recently Pereira construction will be Mass DOT is funding the final paving on the road in completed a contract to bring the 13-Year-Old World Series to Westfield in August using their on-site equipment $4.1 million project and has April 2019. 2019. It is the second time in three years that the Whip City will host the event. Local in order to chip away at the Babe Ruth officials Phil Aucella, far left, and Bill Amanti, far right, were on hand for the special event. The public is invited to not only this event, but also the eastern regionals, which have been ongoing since late last week at Bullens Field. Westfield’s All-Star squad returns to action Tuesday night at 7 p.m. (Submitted photo) Open Space and Recreation committee looking to hire consultant By GREG FITZPATRICK that a majority of the 2019 plan will look Correspondent similar to 2011, but some things have changed SOUTHWICK – The Open Space and recreationally in Southwick since 2011. This Recreation Committee held their first meeting includes the additions of Whalley Park and a Parks and Rec looks at new last week as they have begun the process of disc golf facility but losing an 18-hole golf sending requests for proposals for assistance course in Southwick Country Club. from a professional consultant with the town’s Additionally, under the 2011 plan Southwick parking lot for Sadie Knox open space plan. was no longer the host of the Motocross Southwick’s last plan in 2012 received help Nationals and that has changed during the last By AMY PORTER from the PVPC (Pioneer Valley Planning seven years as that event has returned to town. Correspondent Commission). The consultant they are seeking “I think a lot of it could just be updating that WESTFIELD – A Parks would help gather data and statistics to aid the (2011 plan),” said Fox. and Recreation subcommit- committee in creating their updated open Clark was named chairman of the commit- tee, chaired by Ward 1 mem- space plan. tee at the first meeting and wants to make sure ber Sara Unger, met on Every community in Massachusetts has the the new plan has an extensive amount of rec- Monday to look at establish- option to renew their open space plan every reational information in Southwick. ing an official parking area seven years and since Southwick’s most recent “We want to get a lot of information in behind the ball fields at Sadie plan was 2011 a committee was formed to there,” said Clark. Knox Park. Also attending explore plan options. The deadline to renew After the Open Space and Recreation were Department of Public the plan is November 2019. Committee hires a consultant, they will look Works Director David Billips, Having an updated open space plan allows to form a survey that would go out to all resi- Ward 1 Councilor Mary Ann municipalities to apply for various grants dents in Southwick so they can offer input on Babinski, Westfield Little from the state the open space plan. League President Ken Diegel, The members are Russ Fox (designated by The Community Preservation Committee and Community Police The Parks and Recreation Commission discusses a new Select Board), Dennis Clark (designated by has decided that they’ll fund the cost of the Patrolman Allen Magdycz. parking lot for Sadie Knox Playground Monday. (Photo by Conservation Commission), Bob Horacek study for the plan out of their administrative “We’re looking at perma- Amy Porter) (Community Preservation Commission), account. It’s a decision that allows the town to nent parking on city property, “It’s a public safety issue,” he again,” Magdycz said. He David Spina (Planning Board), David explore other entities to help them with this where people now park on said. also said the main concern on DeiDolori (Park and Recreation), Mike Sheil process. the grass,” Unger said. She Some of the issues dis- Pine Street, another adjacent (Park and Recreation), and Craig Samuelson The next Open Space and Recreation said once the details have cussed at the meeting were street, is also parking, which (citizen). Committee meeting will take place in August been ironed out and concerns concerns in the neighborhood is allowed on one side of the Committee member Russ Fox has noted with a date yet to be determined. are addressed, a public hear- about parking on Prospect street only. ing will be scheduled. Street and side streets, and Unger said another issue is Billips showed a map of a traffic going too fast on in the indented parking area proposed parking area Oakdale Avenue. “I think we right in front of the park, accessed by Oakdale Avenue have to be cognizant of their where people try to push it, behind the rear field. He said issues,” Babinski said. and stick out in the road. She the area is flat, and the DPW “We always try to address said more signs may be need- could do a lot of the work the issues before us in a posi- ed there. themselves. One issue is that tive way. We need to come up Parks and Recreation Chair it’s across from the with a longer term solution Kenneth Magarian said there Eversource substation, and for parking and traffic,” said aren’t too many options for the utility has just been grant- Unger. She asked how much parking in the neighborhood. ed an easement to cross city enforcement of parking there He also said that people have property to put in switching was on Prospect Street. been parking on the grass in stations there. Westfield Little League the back lot accessed by Billips said he will have to President Ken Diegel said the Oakdale Avenue since the speak with Eversource and most that he’s ever seen. He 90’s. find out what exactly their asked if once cars are ticket- Unger said currently par- plans and timeline are. He ed, if they are ever towed. ents are using the back field said he would also meet with “We wouldn’t tow, we as a drop off area. She said it the Law Department and would ask the person to move Community Development. Prifti Park near the Southwick Town Hall is a popular recreational attraction for children. their car, and would ticket See New Parking, Page 3 (WNG File Photo) PAGE 2 - TUESDAY, JULY 24, 2018 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS Sixth Annual Free Outdoor Events at Mount Tom FRIDAY, JULY 27, 10:30 a.m. SENIOR HIKE. Seniors can join in on this easy paced one hour hike. The terrain Yoga in Southwick will be mostly easy and the nature talk will be abundant. Bring water and bug spray. The Dhira Yoga Center in Southwick will be offering their sixth FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2:00 p.m. Explorers Club. All children ages 9-14 can learn about the basics of map reading, annual, free, fun, outdoor, yoga this summer. Appropriate for all lev- different terrains and habitats through this 1-2 hour hiking program. Bring water and bug spray. els—beginners and kids are welcome. Bring the whole family. The four SATURDAY, JULY 28, 10:30 a.m. LIFE AROUND THE LAKE. This week we will go in search for the free classes will be held on the lawn in front of “The Daily Grind” SALAMANDERS that live near Bray Lake.