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 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2020 VOL. 89 NO. 216 Council to Health director interview two finalists for says next city auditor two weeks By AMY PORTER Staff Writer WESTFIELD – Ward 2 Councilor Ralph J. Figy informed are ‘critical’ the City Council on Aug. 3 that the Auditor’s Search committee, chaired by Figy, had met and voted 6-0 to forward two candidates to in COVID-19 the City Council for the position of City Auditor. The two finalists for the position impact are Tiana Steffenhagen, assistant city auditor in Chicopee, and Vicki By PETER CURRIER Leigh Moro, town accountant in Staff Writer Southampton. Figy asked for a Special City Since the first Cops for A Cause Chili Luncheon was a hit last fall at the Westfield Senior WESTFIELD — Westfield Health Director Joseph Council meeting to be scheduled Center, the event is being staged this month outside because of the coronavirus pandemic. Rouse said that the next several weeks are going to for Sept. 10 at 8 p.m., to conduct (WESTFIELD COUNCIL ON AGING PHOTO) be critical in determining how Westfield continues to final interviews. He said he is try- handle COVID-19 going into the fall and winter. ing to schedule the first interview During the Local at 8:15 p.m., and the second inter- Emergency Planning view at 8:45 p.m. The meeting and Police, COA team up Committee meeting interviews will be broadcast on last week, Rouse said Channel 15 or online at www. that he sees the pan- cityofwestfield.org. demic as being largely Figy thanked the members of the containable right now search committee for their dili- for chili fundraiser in Westfield, but that it gence, and the amount of work could change quickly they put in. He especially thanked By LORI SZEPELAK events are both gratifying and extremely if people are not care- John Liptak, who served as a pri- Correspondent rewarding.” ful. vate citizen, for giving up his valu- WESTFIELD — The Westfield Police Police Chief Lawrence Valliere echoed “We are consistently able time, and Ward 3 Councilor Department and Westfield Police those sentiments. seeing days of [no Bridget Matthews-Kane, for serv- Association, along with Westfield Senior “Events like this afford us an opportunity cases] in a row and not ing as secretary. Center staffers and volunteers, are hosting to interact with members of the community, a lot of new deaths. At-large Councilor Rickhar K. the second “Cops for a Cause” chili lun- outside of a law enforcement related situa- There are fewer and Sullivan Jr. asked if there is any cheon on Sept. 17. tion,” said Valliere. “It’s important for us to fewer people in isola- way that the second candidate “The drive-through event is a vehicle ver- be visible and know our residents. We are a tion,” said Rouse, JOSEPH ROUSE won’t hear the questions from the sion of taking a stroll,” said Tina Gorman, part of the community and in order to be “We do have concerns Westfield Health Director first candidate, to keep it as fair as executive director, Westfield Council on accepted as such, we need to be involved about schools and the possible. Figy said the meeting Aging. “Participants take their time and can with the community. On top of that, this university.” would be broadcast to the public, enjoy the festive atmosphere.” particular event is just a lot of fun and leaves Westfield schools opted to keep a remote learning so he wasn’t sure how to accom- Since the Westfield Senior Center remains you with the feeling that you did something model at the advice of Rouse. Westfield State plish that, but that he would consult closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, city good.” University, however, is planning on having students with Media Specialist Peter officials continue to come up with creative The meal will also feature food services move back to campus at the end of the month. Rouse Cowles. ways to host events while keeping residents coordinator Joann Boucher’s coleslaw and said that he has already seen off-campus parties hap- Figy also said he had just safe. honey cornbread. pening locally, which could contribute to a spike in received notice from Board of “We purposely snake the food line “Joann is known for her amazingly deli- local COVID-19 cases. Health Director Joseph Rouse that throughout the entire parking lot of the cious cornbread,” said Gorman. “She adds a “All it takes is one case to turn and spread it like the meeting could be held in Westfield Senior Center so that staff, volun- secret ingredient and it is a perfect comple- wildfire,” said Rouse, “The next two weeks to 30 Council Chambers, and asked for teers, and in this case, members of the ment to Mark’s chili. Also, Joann recently the feelings of the Council. days are going to be critical for what our future is Westfield Police Department, have a chance whipped up her own version of a delectable going to look like in the Fall.” Council President Brent B. Bean to socialize with the participants while they coleslaw, which Mark has tagged ‘Joslaw.’ II said that is why the question was His chief concern isn’t necessarily that an out- wait in their cars,” said Gorman. “It is a She added a variety of mouth-watering posed recently about reopening break will begin in Westfield, but that an outbreak City Hall. He said there is still golden opportunity for our seniors to safely ingredients.” will occur in nearby communities and spread into some uneasiness about meeting in interact with an upbeat and caring group of Gorman is hopeful that once again the Westfield. person, and recommended the city employees and dedicated volunteers.” fundraiser will raise or exceed a goal of “With schools going back in Connecticut and meeting be held by teleconference, Proceeds raised from the chili luncheon $500. other places not being as conservative as we are and the discussion be continued will benefit the local Alzheimer’s “Since we’re doing this event in a nontra- here, we need to see what happens,” said Rouse. about future meetings returning to Association. ditional manner, it’s difficult to set a fund- He said he expects the case numbers to rise at least the Chamber. The $5 meal will feature officer Mark raising goal,” said Gorman, adding, “I’m slightly in the coming weeks and months, but that it Figy said if there are mixed feel- Carboneau’s “secret family recipe” of chili. sure that we can reach the $500 mark and I should be controllable as long as major case clusters ings, then he agreed the meeting Carboneau is a member of the community would be delighted with anything beyond do not start forming. should be scheduled on Zoom. service unit and also serves as the senior that number.” “Anything that comes up, we can pretty much At-large Councilor Nicholas J. safety officer with an office at the senior Gorman extended the cap to 200 meals squash it,” said Rouse. Morganelli added that with masks center. and reservations will be taken by telephone Committee Chair Deputy Fire Chief Eric Bishop on in Council chambers voices “I believe nothing brings a family or com- beginning Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. by calling (413) said that the wider availability of testing has been would be muffled, which would munity together like sharing a meal,” said 562-6435. The $5 fee will be paid curbside very helpful in keeping the pandemic at bay locally. not be conducive for clear conver- Carboneau. “The smiles, conversations and Westfield had just three new cases between Aug. sation for members or the public. relationships that are generated during these See Chili Fundraiser, Page 3 27 and Sept. 2. Old faces in new places as Beat ‘The Putz’ pro football contest returns If the world seems a bit upside down right now, we have some- thing to lift you up – – a pro football contest complete with prizes galore. Beginning Sunday, Sept. 13, entrants will have the opportunity to win weekly prizes in our annual Beat “The Putz” Pro Football Challenge. Tom Brady takes the helm for Tampa Bay when the Buccaneers travel to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome to take on the New Orleans Saints. With Cam Newton now driving the wagon in Foxboro, the New England Patriots are ready to go to battle for Bill Belichick. In our Sunday night tiebreaker game, America’s team, the Dallas Cowboys, travel to Inglewood, Calif., to play the Los Angeles Rams. The rules are quite simple: choose CHRIS PUTZ the winner from every game on the Sports Editor Sunday slate. The entrant with the Scavenger hunt continues most wins will be deemed the weekly Lily Zielinski, 3, and her cousin Grace Riga, 14. locate the scavenger hunt number at Whip City Nutrition on winner. The total combined points from the Sunday night game School Street. The #lookonthebrightside scavenger hunt was extended through Sept. 14. Entries can be mailed will be used to break any ties. If any ties still remain, a random to the Mayor's Office at 59 Court Street or emailed to [email protected]. (HOLLY LURGIO PHOTO) See Contest Returns, Page 2 PAGE 2 - TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2020 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS Southwick Public Library The Cat’s Meow sale to benefit Jimmy Fund Golf Challenge offers September programs Homeless Cat Project hosted virtually SOUTHWICK - September is library card sign up month at WESTFIELD - Support the Westfield Homeless Cat Project Golf wherever you are to make a difference Southwick Public Library.