TONIGHT: Chance of Showers. Low of 60. Search for The Westfield News The WestfieldNews Search for The Westfield News He that gives Westfield350.com The WestfieldNews " Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TIME ISshould THE ONLY never WEATHER remember,CRITIC WITHOUT he that TONIGHT receivesAMBITION.” should Partly Cloudy. neverJOHN STEINBECK forget." Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com — THE TALMUD VOL. 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75 cents VOL. 88 NO. 213 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 75 Cents Westfield, Southwick to host Sept. 11 ceremonies By PETER CURRIER responders who lost their lives on Staff Writer that day in 2001 will take place. WESTFIELD — The 18th anni- On that fateful day, 343 firefight- versary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks ers, 68 police officers, eight medical is Wednesday, and officials in personnel, and one fire patrolman Westfield and Southwick are hosting were killed following the hijacking several ceremonies in remembrance of four planes by 19 hijackers who of the event. flew them into the Twin Towers in In Westfield, three former city New York, the Pentagon and a field residents who lost their lives on 9/11 in Pennsylvania. will be remembered. Daniel Trant, Also on Wednesday Mayor Brian Brian Murphy and Tara Shea P. Sullivan will be joined by the Creamer were all victims of the families of the Westfield residents unprecedented attack. who lost their lives during the Westfield city, police, and fire attacks. They will lay a wreath at the officials, will host two ceremonies 9/11 monument on North Elm Street on Wednesday. The first one begins across from the Westwood building at 9:45 a.m. at the fire department at 11 a.m.. headquarters on Broad Street where “Westfield annually comes togeth- the annual ceremony of reflection er as a Community to remember all and remembrance for the fallen first those, especially our local families, Residents join members of the Westfield Fire Department in the 2017 9/11 remembrance ceremonies at Fire headquarters on Broad Street in Westfield. (WN file photo) that were affected by the tragedy of Kevin A. Bishop will deliver brick purchased by the Fireman’s September 11. We have all made a remarks, and any local leaders or Association. The brick will become commitment to keep close in our political figures are welcome to part of a permanent display in hearts and in our prayers the sense- attend to give their own remarks. Boston. A dedication ceremony will less loss of our friends and neigh- Also attending will be Pastor Dan take place Wednesday afternoon. bors,” said Sullivan, “I would like to Valerie of the Living Hope Church. Members of the fire department will ask once again this year for the City At the Southwick Fire Department travel to Boston to attend the cere- to remember, either at one of the ceremony, they will toll five bells, as mony following the 9/11 remem- scheduled services, or at your own part of a tradition of ringing five brance. leisure, the families of Trant, bells to signal that firefighters are In addition to Westfield and Murphy and Shea-Creamer during leaving or returning to the station. Southwick’s official memorial ser- this time when it is needed the The flag will then be lowered for a vices, Westfield’s Sons of Erin Irish most.” moment of silence, after which it Club will host its own memorial at In Southwick, town, police, and will be raised again. 6 p.m. at the Sons of Erin building at fire officials will participate in a Alongside the Southwick 9/11 22 Williams St. in Westfield. The service at the fire department head- memorial will be a remembrance for ceremony will take place in front of quarters on Depot Street at 9:50 fallen Southwick Firefighter Joe the Club’s memorial to the Westfield a.m., the time that the attacks on the Segal, who was an active member of residents who died in the attacks. twin towers in New York began. the fire department who passed Sullivan has been invited to speak Deputy Fire Chief Richard away following a training. Southwick Firefighter Steve Pinette strikes a bell during a past remem- at this event, and music will be Stefanowicz said that Fire Chief Stefanowicz said that Segal will played inside at 7 p.m. by the brance ceremony for the victims of Sept. 11, 2001. (Photo by Hope E. Tremblay) Russell Anderson and Police Chief be recognized with a ceremonial Blarney Brothers. Next step taken for Franklin Avenue building project By AMY PORTER Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The School Committee voted Monday to authorize Mayor Brian P. Sullivan to request City Council approval of an appropriation for a feasibility study on the Franklin Avenue Elementary School building project. The district’s Chief Financial Officer Ronald R. Rix said the feasibility study needs City Council approval. He said the cost for the study will be approximately $900,000, but the city would be reimbursed 69.5% of the cost, and must show they have ample funding. Rix said the district is trying to get ahead of the process with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), which will partner with the city on the feasibility study and the rebuild/renovation at the school — which the Council has Franklin Avenue Elementary School (WNG File Photo) already approved – if the project is selected. Munger Hill; and new students are still being registered. Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski said the MSBA eligibil- Sullivan said the next step of the lengthy process will be to ity period is from December to February, and it looks good if determine whether a brand new school or addition and renova- the School Committee and Council have already voted for the tion will be chosen for the site. feasibility study, which is the next step for eligibility. Part of the rebuilding plan will also be looking at the needs Rix, the mayor and City Purchasing Officer Tammy Tefft, of English language learners and students with disabilities, and who would be handling the building contract if approved, will will provide a model for the other schools going forward, Rix be meeting with the MSBA later this month to review enroll- said. ment projections. Czaporowski said that a community forum has been held, Czaporowski said they had more elementary students than the video of which is posted on the district website at www. projected, and have added kindergarten teachers at both schoolsofwestfield.org, along with all of the documents to date Westfield Public Schools CFO Ronald R. Rix. (WNG File Highland and Paper Mill, as well as a third grade teacher at under the MSBA Franklin Avenue Elementary School Project. Photo) PAGE 2 - TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS Retired law enforcement recognized by Police Commission By PETER CURRIER Staff Writer WESTFIED- The Police Commission met Monday evening to recognize four recently retired members of the Westfield Police Department for their service. Officer Michael Ruffo, Officer Paul Pellan, Lt. Michael Ugolik, and former Chief John Camerota were recognized for their years of service on the Westfield Police force by Chief Lawrence Valliere and members of the Police Commission. Valliere said that there had been discus- sion around the department about recogniz- ing officers who had dedicated much of their lives to policing in Westfield. “I want to congratulate all four of you on your retirement. All of you were deeply engaged with the department and the com- munity. I worked with three of you for your entire careers. I worked with the Chief [Camerota] for all but five years of his career,” said Valliere. He continued on to say that each of the four brought different talents to the depart- ment, but that they all shared a similar trait to each other: They cared very much about their professions. “We have all seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. Sacrificed [sic] many precious moments with our families and friends that From left: Lt. Michael Ugolik, Officer Michael Ruffo, Officer Paul Pellan, and Former Chief John Camerota. (Photo by Peter Currier) we will never get back.” Said Valliere, “We need to remember those who held the line years. Former Chief John Camerota served a helped him raise through the ranks to eventu- is now, and I wish you guys a happy retire- in this city. Robert Kennedy once said: total of 42 years, including his 21-year stint as ally become captain, which he was promoted to ment,” said Osowski. ‘Every society gets the kind of criminal it chief, the longest serving police chief in earlier this year. Following everyone’s remarks, Valliere deserves.’ What is equally true is that every Westfield’s history. Police Commissioner Leonard Osowski read handed out honorary plaques to each of the four community gets the kind of law enforce- Capt. Michael McCabe also delivered a statement on behalf of his fellow commis- men. ment it insists on.” remarks in recognition of his four former col- sioners. The Commission then voted to appoint Between the four retired officers, they leagues as well. McCabe has been with the “We would like to congratulate you as a com- Officer Ruffo as a Special Police Officer, effec- have a combined 137 years of experience in Westfield Police Department himself for 34 mission for all you’ve done. It goes without tive Tuesday, Sept. 10. policing. Ruffo was in the service for 27 years. saying that your service and what you’ve done ——— years. Pellan served for 32 years. Lt. Ugolik Capt. Jerome Pitoniak spoke of both learning for the department is really, really great.