TONIGHT Cloudy with t-storms. Low of 60. Search for The Westfield News The WestfieldNews Search for“T TheO Westfield HAVE NewsFELT Westfield350.com The Westfield News TOO MUCH IS TO END Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns IN FEELING“TIME IS THENO TONLYHING .” WEATHER CRITIC WITHOUT — Dorothy THOMPSON TONIGHT AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. SearchJOHN for STEINBECKThe Westfield News LowWestfield350.comWestfield350.org of 55. Thewww.thewestfieldnews.com WestfieldNews Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TIME IS THE ONLY VOL.WEATHER 86 NO. 151 VOL. 87 NO. 145 TUESDAY,SATURDAY, JUNE JUNE 23,27, 20182017 CRITIC 75 75cents CentsWITHOUT TONIGHT AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com RicardiVOL. 86 NO. 151 retiring after longTUESDAY, JUNEcareer 27, 2017 in law enforcement 75 cents By GREG FITZPATRICK soaking up as much information as he Richard G. Werenski officer of the year Correspondent could, Ricardi would be promoted to award. SOUTHWICK – A Southwick town chief investigator in January of 1990. In During his career in Southwick Ricardi official’s career that’s spanned over 30 just one year, the future Chief of Police has helped establish programs to not only years will come to an end on June 30. would be promoted to Sergeant. Although benefit the Southwick Police Department David Ricardi has spent the last five Ricardi would spend just one year as but the community as a whole. Ricardi years as the town’s Chief of Police but his Chief Investigator, that experience creat- helped re-establish the citizens police career in law enforcement extends much ed some of his best memories in law academy, the RAD (Rape Aggression farther. Kicking off his career in the late enforcement. Defense) program, continuing with the 1970’s as a reserve officer in Agawam, “I enjoyed putting the cases together K-9 program, and purchasing tactical Ricardi spent six years in that community and solving the cases,” said Ricardi. “The vests for active shooter programs. Ricardi before becoming a full-time police officer ones where you got convictions, that was has also helped bring Narcan to the police at the Enfield Police Department. the frosting on the cake.” department, allowing officers to have People go into law enforcement for a Ricardi served as a Sergeant for 13 Narcan on them while on duty. During his variety of reasons, and Ricardi had friends years and in 2004 he would earn the tenure as Chief, a school resource officer that were cops so he decided to give it a upgrade to Lieutenant. The final promo- has been added as well as another full- try. Ricardi felt that this was the path that tion in his storied career was in 2013 time officer, to give the department 17 would give him the most joy and excite- when he became the town Police Chief. full-time officers. ment. Throughout the years, Ricardi has been Over the 30 or more years that Ricardi “It seemed like an exciting career, recognized for his dedication in law has been a member of the Southwick something that was rewarding,” said enforcement. For the last 17 years, Ricardi Police Department, he’s worked with a Ricardi. “That’s why I decided to pursue has been overseeing the Hampden County number of individuals who have a fond it.” Narcotics Task Force. In 2003, Ricardi memory of their time together. After spending six years in Enfield, was named Hampden County law Bob Laughlin, who became Lieutenant Ricardi would earn his first full-time enforcement officer of the year by District when Ricardi was a Sergeant, remembers position in 1988 at the Southwick Police Attorney Bill Bennett. Two years later, in DAVID RICARDI Department. Becoming a sponge and 2005, he was awarded the 8th annual See Ricardi, Page 5 Southwick Chief of Police Weekly concert Gaudreau, Stathatos display leadership WFD chief series set to bring during Eagle Scout Projects successor local music to By RANDY BURLINGAME Correspondent WESTFIELD – The rank of Eagle is obtained by process set Downtown Westfield about four percent of scouts in the Boy Scouts of By CAROLYN NOEL America. By LORI SZEPELAK Intern, UMass ’19 It’s a thing that doesn’t just happen overnight. It Correspondent WESTFIELD – Located at 53 Elm Street, next requires years of hard work, patience and a outstand- WESTFIELD-As Westfield Fire to Mina’s Wine and Spirits, sits a usually empty ing display of both character and leadership. Department Chief Mary Regan closes lot that is set to come to life with entertainment With 32 Eagles Scouts coming from their ranks out her 31-year career with the depart- this summer. The “Downtown Live: Friday Night since 2001, BSA Troop 821 of Westfield, Mass. has ment next month, a successor will Concert Series” will begin June 29 and will fea- consistently been above the national average of four percent and hopes to add a couple more names to soon be named. ture the music of many local bands and artists. “The objective and goal of the Previously named “Locals in the Lot,” the con- that list this year. Jimmy Gaudreau and Nick Stathatos, BSA Troop Westfield Fire Commission (WFC) as cert series put on by Westfield on Weekends, the the ‘appointing authority’ is to move same group that hosts the shows on Westfield’s 821 Life Scouts, recently finished a major require- ment on their way to achieving the rank, “The Eagle rapidly on the process to choose from Park Square Green each summer, the newly candidates which would come from renamed “Downtown Live: Friday Night Concert Scout Project.” Gaudreau’s project focused on improving the Westfield Fire Department (WFD) Series” has been given a revamp by Artworks Hampden Ponds Field by putting in a new score- in-house organization which could Westfield. The music series is ready to rock the board for Westfield Little League, installing a flag- potentially be five candidates namely town. pole, and painting the dugouts. A gravel warning Jimmy Gaudreau and some of his deputy fire chiefs,” said Albert The open space on Elm Street will host several track was also installed that Gaudreau said is used volunteer crew look up at the newly Masciadrelli, WFC chairman. Pioneer Valley musicians who will bring enter- “so you don’t run into the fence while you’re catch- raised flag at Hampden Ponds Field. A special meeting of the Westfield tainment, fun, and great tunes to the city of ing a fly-ball.” The crew of more than 30 spent over Fire Commission is slated June 25 at 6 Westfield. “Downtown Live: Friday Night eight hours working to complete the p.m. at the Little River Fire Station, See Eagle Scouts, Page 5 project. (Submitted photo) See Downtown Live, Page 3 See WFD Chief, Page 5 Evan Johnson, chairperson of Worth- Worthington residents to celebrate 250th in style ington’s By LORI SZEPELAK The sestercentennial celebration opens on while newcomers continued to migrate during 250th Correspondent June 29 and runs through July 3. For details the next decades.” celebration, WORTHINGTON-For the 1,200 residents in including parking and venues, visit www. Johnson said current trends show that “rela- stands out- this quaint town tucked into the mountains, a worthington250.com. Admission is free to all tively new” residents wish to escape the big city side Town “sense of community is very strong,” according events. feel and want to experience the open space that Hall. to Evan Johnson, who has called Worthington In A Brief History of the Town of Worthington, the town affords. home for 34 years. 1762-2018, writers Diane Brenner and Pat “People want to look up at the night sky and Johnson is leading a team of volunteers who Kennedy note that the first pioneers came as a see the stars and enjoy the quiet nights,” said are putting the final touches on the town’s 250th group from Preston, Conn. in 1762. Johnson. birthday, and encourage area residents across “Like many, they left a town that felt over- The town’s celebration begins Friday, June 29 the valley to celebrate with them. crowded, seeking new opportunities and cheap at 5 p.m. with music by Pete McLean and Mike “We have planned an ambitious schedule of land,” note Brenner and Kennedy. “Most of the Ingram, followed by the Berkshire Mountain events that will appeal to all ages,” said Johnson new settlers were men. Marriage records show Boys at 5:45. A free potluck dinner is open to all recently during an interview at Worthington that many Worthington residents went back to Town Hall. Preston after a period of years to find spouses, See 250th, Page 7 JOIN US AT OUR FREE STREAMING WORKSHOPS Amelia Park Ice Arena Our current customers report 1st SATURDAY of the month, 9-10:30 AM 2nd TUESDAY of the month, 5-6:30 PM saving up to $100 per month! SIGN UP TODAY AND RECEIVE WHIP CITY FIBER DROP-IN HOURS A FREE MONTH OF GIGABIT INTERNET Amelia Park Ice Arena USE PROMO CODE: AMAZING PREMIER PHONE SERVICE 3rd SATURDAY of the month, 9-11 AM Only $12.95/month* 4th TUESDAY of the month, 5-7 PM GIGABIT INTERNET Only $69.95/month. Keep your same telephone number Unlimited local and long distance Equipment and Wi-Fi included whipcityfiber.com | 413-485-1251 (including Mexico & Canada) *Additional fees and taxes apply. Free standard install Great international rates POWERED BY No contracts PAGE 2 - SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2018 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS Patriotic Rosary Chester High Alumni Coming Home FIREWORKS The Spiritual Life Committee Chester High School Alumni will be coming home to Chester this year for their 115th annual is hosting a Patriotic Rosary to be reunion and meeting on Saturday, June 30, 2018.