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Search for The Westfield News Westfield350.comTheThe Westfield WestfieldNews News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TIME IS THE ONLY WEATHER CRITIC WITHOUT TONIGHT AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75 cents $1.00 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020 VOL. 89 NO. 242 Public Community leaders comments speak against cuts show split to Baystate Noble on school re-entry in open forum By PETER CURRIER By AMY PORTER Staff Writer Staff Writer An ALDI Market is proposed at Westgate Plaza next to TJ Maxx. (HOPE E. TREMBLAY/ WESTFIELD — Local WESTFIELD – Prior to the THE WESTFIELD NEWS) community leaders and mem- School Committee vote Oct. 5 bers of the Massachusetts to begin Phase 2 in-person Nurses Association (MNA) learning on Oct. 19, several hosted an online public forum letters from the public were Planning Board approves Tuesday to discuss the results read into the record, reflecting of a recent survey in which a split in the opinions of fami- community members over- lies. special permit for Aldi’s whelmingly disapproved of Joanne and Jason Charland recent and future cuts to wrote in on behalf of their By AMY PORTER Bell parking area, and a couple of do not Baystate Noble Hospital 12-year-old son with Down Staff Writer enter one-way signs. (BNH). Baystate Noble Hospital regis- syndrome. They said he was WESTFIELD — An ALDI Supermarket The Planning Board continued a lengthy State Sen. John C. Velis tered nurse Paul Dubin speaks struggling with online learn- in Westgate Plaza, 231 East Main St. was discussion of the possible route for trucks (D-Westfield) led the forum, to reporters outside Noble ing and they feared that the approved Oct. 6 for a special permit, site to take to exit the plaza in order not to Hospital Sept. 23, 2020. progress he made in school which was attended by about plan and stormwater plan by the Planning impede traffic, and the option for turning 150 people. MNA Co-Chair (MARC ST. ONGE/THE over the last two years may be Board at its third hearing, after lengthy around in the back of the parking area WESTFIELD NEWS) lost, which was frustrating for and BNH Registered Nurse discussions about truck routes in and out before exiting. Paul Dubin, former City him. The Charlands asked of the plaza. The traffic anticipated for the store that he be considered for in- Councilor Mary Ann Babinski, and Holyoke Mayor Alex The 19,750 square foot supermarket in person learning. includes one 50-foot delivery truck per Morse were among those who led the forum. Cindy Fillion said she is a Westgate Plaza would be located between day off hours, and about Coca-cola trucks The main focus of the forum was the planned closure of the mother of four kids learning TJ Maxx and Taco Bell. The plans include and other vendors during the week and Fowler Mental Health Unit at BNH. In a recent survey, 90 remotely, who will not go construction of an end cap, reconfigura- during the day. percent of respondents said they were in favor of keeping the hybrid until November. She tion of the parking lot in front of the store, “The amount of deliveries are minimal. Fowler Unit open as well as reopening the intensive care unit said many families want to and a loading dock. These are drivers that go down to New that was closed last year. Baystate Health this summer know what remote learning According to information on its website, York City, and deliver to very tight spots announced a partnership with Kindred Behavioral Health to will look like, adding that ALDI is one of America’s fastest growing throughout New England,” said Reuben build a 120-bed regional behavioral health facility, possibly in now they have a good rhythm. retailers, with nearly 2,000 stores across Twersky of Brixmore SPE, property Holyoke, that would replace smaller units in area hospitals. She said the superintendent 36 states, and is on track to become the owner. A medical-surgical unit and telemetry units were merged last promised both synchronous third-largest grocery retailer by store count A motion to approve the permit with year, resulting in Baystate Noble staff cuts. and asynchronous instruction by the end of 2022. Ninety percent of its conditions passed 6 to 1, with John Bowen Former City Councilor Babinski said Baystate Noble’s loca- during remote learning. products are ALDI-exclusive brands.ALDI dissenting, saying he was still not satisfied tion in Westfield was important because the hospital serves not Lorena Dubois, parent of a also owns a store in West Springfield. with the truck routes. just the City of Westfield, but several of the outlying communi- Westfield High School senior, At the Oct 6 Westfield Planning Board Conditions included reducing the pro- ties as well. said she felt that two weeks meeting, a representative from R. Levesque posed wall sign according to ordinance between phases is not ade- Assoc. said the concerns of the board had size limitations; adding a locked fence and See Baystate Noble, Page 5 quate because the virus takes been met by adjustments to the plan, concrete anchor to the dumpster per a 14 days for symptoms. “I including added pavement striping, sig- Flood Commission request; and a rail at therefore ask that you seri- nage and rounded mirrors to aid the visi- the end of the ALDI sidewalk. ously consider slowing down bility of trucks traveling behind the stores Also conditioned was signage directing the return dates,” she said. to the loading dock on the front corner customers to the pickup area in the rear, Sergio Bonavita, on the behind Taco Bell. Trucks will not be one-to-one tree replacement for seven Select Board considers other hand, asked for an end allowed to drive across the front of the trees slated for removal, and that any new of remote learning to allow store for deliveries. building development will trigger a review license fee reduction children to return to school. Also added to the plan was a rail, side- of traffic flow in the parking area, and He said children under 20 walk and bike rack at the edge of the Taco require a plan. By HOPE E. TREMBLAY face little risk from the virus, Editor and called forcing 8 or 9 year SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Select Board is consider- olds to stare at a screen “bor- ing a discount on license fees to town businesses. derline criminal.” He asked During its Oct. 6 meeting, Selectman Russell Fox proposed the committee to spend less Interviews underway for offering a reduction in fees to liquor-selling establishments time debating, and more time because of the impact of COVID-19. on how to do it, and suggested “As we know, the pandemic has brought a lot of pressure to allowing high risk teachers to businesses and there is really little we can do, but we are work- teach from home, and lower Chamber director position ing on grants with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission,” risk assistants from the class- By LORI SZEPELAK partner at Bulkley Fox said. “I’m asking for the board to reduce the cost of room. “Some level of risk in Correspondent Richardson; Andrea Allard, license fees.” life is inevitable,” he said. WESTFIELD — While director, and CEO at the Fox said he spoke to town hall staff about the work that goes Heather Talbot strongly applicants from as far away YMCA of Greater into license renewals and a reduction would cover the town’s encouraged the School as Kansas have applied for Westfield, and Dawn cost while being “a gesture” to businesses. Committee to slow down. “A the executive director posi- Thomas, director, who is Selectman Joseph Deedy asked about other businesses. slow meticulous approach is tion at the Greater Westfield retired. “Are we looking at licences for businesses that don’t sell needed here. Please don’t Chamber of Commerce, in finding a local candidate Gravanis said committee liquor?” Deedy asked, suggesting there are other restaurants in rush this. No parents know town that have annual licenses that could use a break. Deedy who will be teaching our kids search committee members who knows our area, our members have vetted sev- are hopeful they will find a challenges and has a local eral candidates and are said with colder weather coming, many restaurants that have on the remote hybrid plan,” benefitted from outdoor seating would not have that option in she said. “local candidate” in the network in place,” he said. scheduling in-person inter- coming weeks. Kate Phelon, who had views with three candidates a few months and they could use the fee discount. Also anticipating the Fox said they should reach out to the Board of Health and remote hybrid plan were “We have received over served as executive direc- at press time. 35 resumes from as far as tor for many years, retired “As a committee we the Southwick Economic Development Commission to look at Brock and Stacey Nubile, some options. who have a 10th and fifth Kansas,” said Dino at the end of September. want to make sure that we grader in the schools. They Gravanis, Chamber presi- Gravanis serves on the hire the right person who Board members agreed to gather information and discuss called the remote learning in dent. Gravanis is also gen- search committee along- will continue to direct the further at its next meeting. Board Administrative Assistant the spring “abysmal,” but said eral manager at the side Dan McKellick, vice Chamber in positive growth Cindy Pendleton noted that she would need to know if there they have been pleasantly sur- Springfield Country Club.

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