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NO. 151 17 SATURDAY,TUESDAY, JANUARY JUNE 27, 20, 2017 2018 7575 cents Cents Westfield man arrested following video allegedly showing attempt Matthew Roman gave a report from the “Senior Snoopers” to meet minor during public participation at Thursday’s City Council meet- Westfield Ward 3 City Councilor Andrew Surprise. (Photo by ing. (Photo by Amy Porter) Marc St. Onge) By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD, MA/SOUTHINGTON, CT—According to Southington Police, they have arrested a Westfield man in connection with a video that surfaced in September of last City Council acts on transfers and year that allegedly showed him attempting to meet with someone who he reportedly “believed to be a minor through” in an online dating site. Southington Police reported recommendations, hears new motions that Carl Bezo, 50, of Westfield, By AMY PORTER vehicle and a 2018 Transit Connect Van roads and sidewalks was discussed, was arrested on charges of crimi- Correspondent for an Animal Control vehicle were although it remains in the Finance sub- nal attempt to commit risk of WESTFIELD – On Thursday, the City referred to the Finance sub-Committee. Committee. The goal of the fund is to injury to a minor, with the arrest Council approved several items brought Sullivan said there may be enough funds earmark the money from the Meals Tax reportedly occurring today, Jan. forth from Mayor Brian P. Sullivan, and left over to get another line vehicle at the and Room Occupancy Tax for the new 19. Police reported that Bezo had heard reports from committees. end of the fiscal year. Also referred to fund. turned himself in to the Items acted on from the Mayor includ- Finance was an authorization to use the Flaherty said the Council has created Southington Police Department ed unanimous acceptance of another remaining appropriation of $1,800 from stabilization accounts in the past, for after becoming aware of an out- incentive payment from the Westfield the PEG funding for Internet and Fiber OPEB (Other Post-Employee Benefits) standing warrant for his arrest. Gas and Electric in the amount of for general PEG expenses. and Park Square Green, which he said is According to police, Bezo had $11,567 for the Green Communities The Finance sub-Committee brought the right of the legislative branch. He allegedly attempted to meet “what cooler/freezer school projects. At a prior several items from the Mayor back to said regarding the philosophy/question Carl Bezo, 50, of he believed to be a minor,” that he meeting, the Mayor explained that the the Council with 3-0 recommendations of whether this is micro-managing the Westfield, following his had reportedly met through an incentives were for several energy proj- for funding that were unanimously Mayor, “We do this all the time. This is arrest on Jan. 19. (Picture online dating site, a press release ects to be done around the city for the approved. These included a transfer of a nice clean way to do it. This money courtesy of the Southington stated. Green Communities grant of $266,000 $1,806 from the FY18 Public Works would come into this stabilization fund,” Police Department) However, the minor was report- which the City Council had approved on Wastewater Division, and $2,450 from Flaherty said. edly portrayed by a member of the July 6. He said the Westfield G&E had the DPW Water Division to pay prior “I would hope the Finance Committee POP Squad. done a concurrent study and was offer- year bills that were not received by the would request from the Mayor a break- The alleged attempted encounter was recorded by the POP ing the incentive to encourage the ener- end of the fiscal year. down of funds from Meals Tax and Squad and distributed to police and media, as well as acces- gy savings. Sullivan said none of the Also approved was an appropriation Lodging,” said Ward 2 Councilor Ralph sible through their website. money for the projects would be coming of $28,750 to pay the first half (6-months) J. Figy. The POP Squad is a Connecticut-based group that “pro- from the general fund. salary of a one-year position for the PEG At-large Councilor Brent B. Bean, II tects our innocent children from internet predators,” accord- The Council also approved on imme- Access. Later in the meeting, the Council agreed, adding that he’d like to see proof ing to their website. diate consideration a $300 transfer to the approved the appointed of Peter Cowles that it wasn’t used for that purpose. “I The video shared also alleged that Bezo was an employee License Commission for paper to print in the position of Media Specialist for get concerned about earmarking,” Bean with the Westfield schools. the licenses. the city. said. Following the video’s appearance, which included it being A transfer of $54,891 within the Police The motion of Councilors Andrew K. “I think we’re getting too far down sent by email to police and school staff, a robocall from Department to purchase a 2018 Ford Surprise and Dave Flaherty to establish Westfield Schools to parents of students at North Middle Edge for an unmarked detective bureau a Special Purpose Stabilization Fund for See City Council, Page 7 School had gone on out the morning of Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. The robocall had reported to parents that students were safe and that they were reportedly not involved, according to THURSDAY The Westfield News on Sept. 29, 2017. See Arrest, Page 8 Three-vehicle accident shuts down portion Southwick Police personnel recognized for heroic efforts of Southampton Road By DAN DESROCHERS By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent Correspondent WESTFIELD–A three-vehicle accident involving a tractor- SOUTHWICK – The Select Board recognized four mem- trailer closed down a portion of Southampton Road for almost bers of the Southwick Police Department for their heroic two hours Thursday evening. efforts when dealing with a dangerous incident that took Peter Cowles was appointed as the new Media Specialist for Westfield Police reported that a three-vehicle accident place a month ago. Westfield at Thursday’s City Council meeting. (Photo by Amy occurred in the 400-block area of Southampton Road Thursday Sgt. Tom Krutka, Officer Kyle Sanders, Officer Paul Porter) evening. The accident, first reported at 4:09 p.m., resulted in Miles, and Dispatcher James Frenette were all congratulated injuries of vehicle occupants, as well as the road being closed by the board and given the “Exceptional Duty Award” by from Airport Road to Apremont Way. Chief Ricardi. The award is within the department and given New appointments reviewed According to Westfield Police Capt. Michael McCabe, the out by Ricardi when he sees fit. road was closed from about 4:25 p.m. until 6:05 p.m. The Early in the morning on December 18, 2017, Krutka and and voted at City Council accident involved a 2017 Subaru Crosstrax, a 2007 Toyota Sanders were dispatched by Frenette to a residence in town Prius and a tractor-trailer. A citation was also issued. because of a report of a disorderly person. In the letter that By AMY PORTER The accident resulted in two people also being injured and Southwick Police Chief David Ricardi sent to the Select Correspondent transported to Baystate Noble Hospital, both by Westfield Board, it describes the incident that the officers faced. WESTFIELD – At the second Fire ambulance and personnel in two ambulances. There was “While they were in route to the address, they received an meeting of 2018 of the reconfig- also a third person that the Westfield Fire Department report- update from Dispatcher Frenette who related the disorderly ured City Council Thursday, sev- edly acquired a patient refusal from, according to the police person had now barricaded himself in a bedroom and had eral new appointments were sent log. related that if the police want to take him out, they are going to the Personnel Action According to the report, there were large amounts of fluids to have to shoot him or they are going to get cut.” Committee (PAC), and several from the vehicles in the roadway. Once arriving on scene, the 20-year-old male, who had a others came back to the City The Massachusetts Department of Transportation was knife in his hand, continued to make threats towards the two Council for final approval. requested to assist in the cleaning of the roadway, particularly officers and both Krutka and Sanders made numerous During his briefing, Mayor with a street sweeper, according to the police log, but were attempts to de-escalate the situation. Officer Miles was then Brian P. Sullivan submitted two unavailable. City Councilor Westfield Department of Public Works responded and See Southwick Police, Page 7 See Appointments, Page 7 Cindy C. Harris cleaned the debris and fluids. PAGE 2 - SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2018 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS 1669 1770 1775 1775 1792 1783 1741 1780 1810 WESTFIELD SOUTHWICK HUNTINGTON GRANVILLE RUSSELL CHESTER BLANDFORD MONTGOMERY TOLLAND AROUND TOWN Submit your Around Town News to [email protected] Westfield to elect Southwick Delegates to Cookbook Club at Annual Democratic State Census & Dog Convention Southwick Public Library WESTFIELD — Registered Democrats SOUTHWICK — Attending a meeting of the Southwick Public Library’s Cookbook Club is like License Due in Westfield will hold a Caucus on being at the ultimate potluck dinner.