The Westfield NewsSearch for The Westfield News Westfield350.com The WestfieldNews 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 $1.00 MONDAY,TUESDAY, MAYJUNE 17,27, 20172021 VOL. 75 cents 90 NO. 115 Planning Board denies Apiary business regulations application Proposed use considered not allowed By PETER CURRIER Staff Writer WESTFIELD- The Board of Health is seeking By HOPE E. TREMBLAY input from the Department of Public Health Editor (DPH) about beekeeping regulations that were SOUTHWICK – The Middle Pond of Congamond Lakes. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS PHOTO) proposed in last month’s Board of Health meet- Southwick Planning Board ing. May 12 denied an application Health Director for a self-storage business at Lake Management Committee Joseph Rouse said 771 College Highway. during the May 14 Board Chair Michael meeting that he Doherty said Town Counsel wanted to get input advised the board that it was readies for active season from the DPH to not a proper use in the ensure that no fac- BR-zone. By AMY PORTER Guard approved. He said they they had “made a plug” for the Staff Writer will be getting low profile lights specific articles at the town tors are omitted Applicant Rob Tirrell attend- from the new regu- ed the zoom meeting and was SOUTHWICK – The Lake from Rolyan, who made the meeting, including $5,000 to be Management Committee met buoys, and the lights mount on moved to a different account for lations. given the opportunity to with- “We want it to draw the application without on May 13 as it gears up for an existing holes. “The fact that flood control. active 2021 season. they’re low and domed, make Pratt said CRC is also looking contain a local reg- prejudice or have it denied. ulation that Tirrell said “it might be eas- Items reviewed at the meet- them not as good targets for for members. She said they are ing included the permit and vandals,” he said, adding they hoping to host the boat parade requires beekeep- JOSEPH ROUSE ier to deny it for the future” so ers to notify their Westfield Health Director that it was clear this was not an funding to build a boathouse for cost as much as the buoys. this year as COVID is no longer the Southwick Police abutters in case allowed use in that zone. “The real issue is enforce- restricting fishing tournaments Department on state land. The ment of not giving people warn- and boating activities, if they there are allergy concerns,” said Rouse. Board members agreed police department is looking for ings. When they damage the can get the permits going. Last month Rouse suggested that it should be Tirrell’s application was well ways to fund the construction buoys and the police see it, they “People are really looking required that beekeepers inform the city that they done. outside of town funds. Lake have to hand out tickets. We forward to it,” she said. will be keeping bee hives on their property, but he “Denying this is based on Management Committee Chair need to request more enforce- The CRC Annual Memorial chose to drop that requirement. legal opinion,” said board Richard Grannells said there is ment, not just a slap on the Golf Tournament is scheduled “What we are really looking at is having a local member David Spina, “other- a lot of grant funding available wrist,” Grannells said, adding for Sept. 25 at Edgewood Golf regulation with some teeth,” said Rouse. wise, this application had a lot for water, sewer and safety proj- the committee spent $4,000 this Course, followed by a celebra- He said his hope is that the regulations can be of merit.” ects and there may be a way to year just on buoys. Committee tion at the Brass Rail. based on the Massachusetts Beekeepers Robert Levesque of R. fund it through grants. members said they will also Registration is $100 and may be Association’s best practices guide. Levesque Associates was hired A request to have jet ski rent- look into putting cameras on made online at Congamond.org. “The missions of all beekeepers associations is by Tirrell for the design of the als at the public dock was found beaches around the sand bars. They are also looking for busi- all about education and making sure it is done proposed business. Levesque to be prohibited by state regula- Grannells said the Special ness and memorial sponsor- responsibly with the least impact to the public,” agreed a denial was the best tions, which state that the facil- Town Meeting and Annual ships. said Rouse. option and said they would be ity cannot be used for any pur- Town Meeting will be held on Grannells said the Lake Should one fail to keep their bees from becom- back at the drawing board. pose other than the intended May 18 at 6 p.m. and 6:15 p.m., Management Committee is also ing a nuisance to their neighbors, the Health “We’re going to work with use, and prohibits commercial, outside at the high school, with looking for sponsors of Department may conduct an investigation and Mr. Tirrell on other ideas,” said trade activity, selling or dealing an alternate date of May 20 if Memorial Benches at the North possibly hand down enforcement. Levesque. “He wants to have a in wares, or conducting any the weather is bad. “I hope to Ramp. He said there are three Ward 6 City Councilor William Onyski pointed family-based business in rental of canoes, kayaks or other see all voters attend and support there now, and a fourth will be out that the Massachusetts Beekeepers Southwick.” watercraft. the lakes area and the town,” he installed shortly. Memorial Association’s best practices also have a lot size Doherty said during the The committee recognized said, adding that the committee inscriptions may be made on requirement that he knows some of his constitu- meeting that he was advised by Southwick police divers for fix- budget is among other items on one, two or three boards on the ents do not meet. He suggested that lot size counsel verbally and a letter ing the chains on both docks the warrant. bench, with up to 22 characters requirements be left out of the final regulations. outlining the allowed use which had become twisted. The committee has also asked on the board. He said they are “If somebody is a bad beekeeper they will be a would be sent in the next few Grannells said the divers will the Citizens Restoring made from recycled plastic, and bad beekeeper on a one acre lot or a quarter acre days. also be putting helical anchors Congamond (CRC) and the are very durable and well made, lot,” said Onyski. Tirrell thanked the board for on the buoys in the sand bar. Conservation Commission to with a solid core. The cost is Rouse agreed to leave lot size requirements out its cooperation, especially Regarding buoy lights, support a grant request for $1,100, which includes the mes- of the regulations and to make enforcement of lot Doherty, as well as Levesque. Grannells said he did more dredging upstream in the Great sage, assembly and installation. sizes at the discretion of the Board of Health. No “I appreciate all the work checking, and found the Brook and Canal Brook. CRC Anyone interested may contact vote was taken during the May 14 meeting to you did,” he said. Amazon light is not Coast President Michelle Pratt said him, he said. implement any new regulations. Westfield Tech parent group awards scholarships By AMY PORTER Carrasquillo, Jake Falcetti, PVO’s main fundraiser – their “That’s rare with scholar- ing and graduated seniors Staff Writer Olivia Friend, Gabrielle resources had been greatly ships; often college is a have volunteered to help out WESTFIELD – The Godbout, Keturah Godbout, impacted. However, due to a requirement, but it is not a with this fall’s fair, however, Westfield Technical Academy Isaiah Guzman, Cameron generous contribution of requirement for us because new volunteers are needed to Parent Volunteer Organization Hiltbrand, Andrew Hill, $2,500 from Westfield Gas & Westfield Technical Academy serve in the PVO because (PVO) has announced of total Christina Mosijchuk, Timothy Electric, they were able to is the school that it is,” she only two current members of $4,600 in scholarships. Nacewicz, Alicia Rossi, Riley award a scholarship to all of said. Sullivan added that will be returning. The scholarships were Sullivan and Ayanna White. the seniors that applied. “We many of the graduating Parents of students who awarded to the following PVO President Cindy were very appreciative of seniors are going to college. will be attending WTA in the graduating seniors: Kaili Sullivan said that due to the G&E’s donation,” she said. lege to receive a scholarship, Sullivan said that the Craft fall and would like to volun- Bessette; Elizabeth Beshara, COVID-19 pandemic and the Sullivan said that WTA is which may be applied towards Fair is being planned for Nov. teer to join the PVO are Paige Bixby, Aubrey Bryant, cancelling of the 2020 Craft unique because a student does a chosen trade, continuing 28, 2021. She said she and encouraged to send an email Austin Cefaratti, Raven Fair in November — the not have to be going to col- education or other purposes. two other moms of graduat- to [email protected]. Vendors, crafters ready to showcase wares By LORI SZEPELAK central and convenient loca- “unique items” that cannot be Each vendor has graciously coasters, personalized gifts for Correspondent tion for our vendors and craft- found in department stores.