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 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75 cents $1.00 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2019 VOL. 88 NO. 287 Police cadets gear up for toy drive By LORI SZEPELAK gifts, diapers and baby items, than three years, the toy drive Correspondent that some struggle to provide is a highlight of the commit- WESTFIELD — Now in its on a daily basis. A small ments made during the year. fifth year, the Westfield Police donation on part of our com- “I think there is nothing Cadet Program will conduct munity, friends and family, better than being a little kid its toy drive for children – can really make an entire hol- and having gifts,” said Gage, babies through early teens – iday for the kids and parents adding, “being able to con- on Dec. 7 at the Westfield alike.” tribute to that makes you feel Walmart. Coach shared a similar sen- good about yourself.” “The cadet toy drive pro- timent. Meghan Lacas, 18, who has vides gifts for kids that other- “We work with Christopher been a cadet for four years, wise, might go without,” said Rogers of the Westfield concurred. Detective Rick Mazza, who Public Schools who gives us a “The toy drive benefits kids runs the cadet program with list of the number of boys and so much,” said Lacas, adding, Westfield officer Christopher girls and their ages who are in “our drive lets kids know peo- Coach. Both men were mem- need of gifts,” said Coach. “If ple are thinking about them bers of the original Westfield we have an excess of gifts we during the holidays.” Police Explorers program give them to Laurie Matthews Madi McCann, 17, a new when they were in high at the Westfield Salvation cadet since May, agreed. school. Army as well as local chil- “It is very important to The cadet program is open dren’s hospitals.” acknowledge that not all fam- to anyone ages 14-20 includ- Coach added that last year, ilies are equal,” said McCann. Members of the Westfield Police Cadet Program are hopeful that community members will ing non-Westfield residents the cadets were able to pro- “Some families have a harder support their annual toy drive on Dec. 7. (Submitted photo) who are interested in a career vide assistance to more than life and all children deserve to requests include clothes, Jack Also, suggested donations If cash donations are in law enforcement. 200 children in the public wake up on Christmas morn- in the Box, rubber ducks, for boys, ages 13+, include dropped off during the toy “Chris and I, as well as the schools. ing and feel wanted and need- stuffed animals, Disney prod- clothes, RC cars, deodorant, drive, the cadets will pur- cadets, donate all of our time “We will deliver the dona- ed.” ucts, and Hot Wheels. For cologne, earbuds/headphones, chase needed items for the collecting, sorting and deliv- tions to each individual school The toy drive collection boys and girls, ages 5-12, gift Nerf guns and sports equip- students. ering the gifts to where they on Dec. 9 and then the princi- will take place from 10 a.m. suggestions include Crayola ment. Donation recommenda- Christopher Rogers, admin- are needed,” said Mazza. pal or counselors make – 6 p.m. and items sought for products, clothes, Legos, 3D tions for girls, ages 13+, istrator of student interven- “From toys and clothes to arrangements with parents,” babies, ages 1-2, include puzzles, My Little Pony, include clothes, perfume, tions and safety with the diapers and baby wipes, it said Coach. clothes, baby toys, rattlers, WWE action figures, Polly makeup, charm bracelets, nail Westfield Public Schools, truly is not about want and For Chris Gage, 17, who pacifiers and stuffed animals. Pocket, Playdough and sports art, baking sets, lotion, hair desire, but the necessity of has been a cadet for more For toddlers, ages 2-4, equipment. products and slippers. See Toy Drive, Page 5 Enrollment on the rise at St. Mary’s High By HOPE and we are growing.” an uptick. Since STMHS newly reconstituted STMHS “We are committed to keep- raisers. E. TREMBLAY Collins said this year there became a Diocesan high board, which includes, ing costs down and we are Diocese Superintendent Assistant Managing Editor are new sophomores and school this summer – the only recruitment and marketing committed whole-heartedly to Daniel Baillargeon has been WESTFIELD — St. Mary’s juniors, and even a senior one in the Roman Catholic subcommittees, the numbers providing an education to any talking about “right sizing” High School enrollment is transferring in. Diocese of Springfield – there have already begun to grow. student who wishes to come the school, Collins said, and increasing, and Principal “Once a student comes in are more resources available “We increased without [the to St. Mary’s,” he said, adding researching how to best edu- Matthew Collins is celebrat- for a ‘Shadow Day,’ they see to the school, including a enrollment specialists], so I several options for financial cate students. ing, particularly because the what we are about and they partnership with a national look forward to seeing what assistance are available on a “I’m enthusiastic,” he said. school board has barely begun want to stay,” said Collins. Catholic school enrollment we can do together,” Collins needs-basis. “We have great retention – recruitment efforts. “Once they see the atmo- company. said. “In the past two years we when students come here, “In the 2018/2019 school sphere here, they fall in love.” “They will take a deep-dive Tuition at STMHS is have awarded over $90,000 to they stay. And now, for the year we had 70 students, and School enrollment was into enrollment for our school around $8,600 per student, families who need tuition first time in many years, we right now we have 76,” declining, Collins admitted, and Catholic schools in the but Collins said it costs more assistance,” Collins said, not- are seeing increasing enroll- Collins said. “That’s just however since he took over area and develop a plan,” to educate students than what ing the funds came from ment.” under a 10-percent increase, more than a year ago, there’s Collins said. However, with a they charge. donations, grants and fund- Short agenda posted for changing Westfield City Council By AMY PORTER “We want to be able to keep tions made at its meeting on lots. This item is expected to Staff Writer this project moving forward, Dec. 4. The Public Health and remain in committee. WESTFIELD – A short and this is time sensitive,” Items listed under ZPD, Safety committee and the Under unfinished business, agenda is posted for the sec- said Figy. chaired by Nicholas J. Natural Resources commit- is the discontinuance of a ond to the last City Council The only other item from Morganelli, Jr., include the tee, both chaired by Ward 1 paper street known as Wilcox meeting of the year Dec. 5 at the Mayor’s office is an zone change request for 62 Councilor Mary Ann Street, and the grant of associ- 7 p.m. in City Council cham- appropriation of $300,000 School St. from Business A to Babinski, will meet prior to ated sidewalk and sewer ease- bers. The last meeting of the from the Community CORE submitted by Rob the City Council meeting on ments having to do with a current City Council member- Preservation undesignated Levesque for Patrick Berry; Dec. 5. Public Health will previously approved housing ship will be on Dec. 19, account to the CPA Cross and the recommendation by discuss a motion by Councilor development at 111 Union St. before the swearing in of the Street Playground account. the Planning Board to Morganelli inquiring on the The sole motion on the new mayor and councilors A public hearing is sched- strengthen regulations of mar- composition of current fire agenda is by Councilor Dan Jan. 6. uled on a petition by Michael ijuana establishments by extinguishing products at Allie, requesting Department Immediate consideration is Building Authority for the Patton dba Patton Firearms requiring special permit if Barnes Municipal Airport. of Public Works Director being requested to authorize Franklin Avenue Elementary for a junk dealer and junk col- within 500 feet of a park. Natural Resources will look Dave Billips to present an Acting Mayor Ralph J. Figy school project. The MSBA is lector’s license. ZPD will also be discussing at a requested update from the to execute a feasibility study expected to vote to move for- The Zoning, Planning and sober living homes regula- Airport Commission regard- update on Wells 7, 8 and 2 at agreement with the ward with the study on Dec. Development committee will tions, and proposed amend- ing controls and oversight to the next regularly scheduled Massachusetts School 11. report out on recommenda- ments to allow certain flag protect the Barnes Aquifer. council meeting. Online update to PFAS exposure assessment By PETER CURRIER nation. health. Agency(EPA),” said Staff Writer Kowalski said that the Kowalski said that individ- Kowalski, who later added, WESTFIELD — blood and urine samples are ual participants will receive a “When I was in Westfield for Representatives from the all being analyzed in a Center letter containing their person- about three weeks in Agency for Toxic Substances for Disease Control lab in al results in the assessment in September, I drank the water and Disease Registry Atlanta.