Search for The Westfield News Westfield350.comTheThe Westfield WestfieldNews News 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 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2020 VOL. 89 NO. 079 Rouse: Westfield’s COVID-19 numbers reported accurately By PETER CURRIER be transparent and provide accurate info. everyone that it is here and it continues to Staff Writer Unfortunately, in this situation, it makes us spread,” said Rouse, “Listen to the precau- WESTFIELD — The number of confirmed stand out.” tions, stay home when you can, especially cases of COVID-19 increased to 57 as of Rouse said that the rate of growth of con- stay home if you are sick at all.” Tuesday morning. firmed cases seen thus far in Westfield is Westfield Mayor Donald F. Humason said Public Health Director Joseph Rouse said about the same as what has been reported Monday that his office is now largely operat- March 30 that he has noticed Westfield’s elsewhere. In most communities, no matter ing under the authority of Rouse and the numbers stand out from those of neighboring the size, the number of cases doubles about Health Department when it comes to coordi- communities, most of which are reporting a every three to four days. Last Thursday, nating the city response to the coronavirus. much lower number of confirmed cases. March 26, the number of cases was announced This is due in part because of the emergency He said that he does not believe that at 24. By Monday, four days later, the number declaration by Gov. Charlie D. Baker earlier Westfield is some sort of local epicenter of the of cases was at 46. this month and because Westfield operates disease or an outlier. Instead, he believes other Rouse said that at least some of the cases normally with a “weak mayor” form of gov- communities have not reported accurate that are being confirmed are not recent cases, ernment. results. but rather cases where the tests were still Humason and other city employees and “I can assure you that our numbers are not pending results due to a glitch in the testing officials have been working in a City Hall that inconsistent with what other communities systems. That glitch was apparently resolved has been closed to the public in order to limit should be at,” said Rouse, who later added, March 24. MAYOR DONALD F. HUMASON JR. “I’m a very big advocate that we just want to “This should be sort of a wake-up call for See COVID-19 Numbers, Page 3 Farm shares Westfield assist farmers residents create during growing local restaurant season By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent ‘to go’ website GREATER WESTFIELD — Throughout the area, farmers are once again tilling fields and plant- By AMY PORTER ing seeds in their greenhouses and high tunnels to Staff Writer ensure an abundance of fresh produce will be avail- WESTFIELD – Small businesses helping other able for consumers in the coming weeks and businesses survive during the coronavirus pan- months. Well wishers gather in front of the Westfield Athenaeum March 30 as fire- demic is what prompted the launch of westfield- Farmers are an integral part of the food supply fighter Ted Drummey is driven home on his last day on the job. (MARC ST. togo.com, a website listing all the restaurants in chain – and now more than ever – their commit- ONGE/THE WESTFIELD NEWS) town that offer food to go during the current ment to local communities encourages all of us to shutdown. support them. One of the ways that local farmers The website is hosted for free by DFA Group, can benefit from our support now is through farm Firefighter takes last ride At-large Councilor Dave Flaherty’s company. shares. “It was built by volunteers who want to help our “The spread of COVID-19 has brought a lot of local restaurant businesses. I built the website and fear and uncertainty to our communities,” noted database, and Kenny Stomski and Westfield stu- officials at Community Involved in Sustaining as friends, family cheer dent Andrew Warsaw collected the initial data,” Agriculture (CISA), based in South Deerfield. Flaherty said, adding, “We’ll try to keep it up to “Cash flow is an issue for local businesses when date in the coming weeks.” sales are interrupted. If you’re thinking of signing while social distancing Currently, there are 43 restaurants listed, rang- ing from national franchises with shops in up for a summer farm share, now is the time.” By HOPE E. TREMBLAY to the station as the firefighter climbs Westfield, such as Dunkin and Ninety Nine, to Editor into an engine for a ride home. local one-of-a-kind eateries such as Two Rivers See Farmers, Page 6 WESTFIELD – Thomas “Ted” Drummey said with social distancing, Drummey wasn’t expecting much he did not expect his family to join Burrito and Yummi Noodle. fanfare his last day of work March him, let alone many others. “The site allows us to add restaurant logos, 30. “My phone was blowing up all social media links, and brief descriptions of the A Westfield firefighter since 1987, day,” Drummey said. “I didn’t know business. If they have regular hours, we can also Drummey figured the usual celebra- anyone was there.” add that. They can let us know using the contact tions on a firefighter’s last day would The send-off was orchestrated by form,” Flaherty said. be suspended due to the coronavirus. Drummey’s significant other, Juanita Flaherty’s business, DFA Group, builds web- Imagine his surprise when he climbed Carnes. sites and software, and hosts hundreds of web- on an engine for the last time for a “She got me,” he said. sites. He said that if any restaurants need help ride home – another tradition for He was most surprised that his setting up online ordering, DFA Group can help, retiring firefighters – pulled out of the 8-year-old grandson was there to and has helped several restaurants already. They station on South Broad Street, and cheer for him. can be contacted at413- 746-9661. saw a line of people around Park “When I talked to him on Sunday Flaherty said he still goes to work every day, Square Green waving and holding he congratulated me,” Drummey but business has slowed way down. “Everybody’s signs while standing apart. said. affected,” he said. “It was very surprising,” he said. “I The popular firefighter said that “We were looking for some way to help out the wasn’t expecting the hoopla.” growing up in Marlboro, he admired small businesses, and help people find the places Normally when a firefighter retires, his community’s firefighters. that were open,” Flaherty said about the west- Tomato plants are flourishing at Kosinski Farms. they enjoy a final dinner with co- fieldtogo.com, adding, “We have some down time (SUSAN KOSINSKI PHOTO) workers, then his or her family comes See Firefighter, Page 5 now that the economy is quiet.” Sen. Markey, local chamber, address small business concerns By AMY PORTER was to provide information to some this grant will be available within helpful to your individual business Staff Writer of the 700,000 small businesses in three days, and never has to be as I can be. Email or call my office, WESTFIELD – The Greater the Commonwealth. “You’re a very repaid. and we will try to help any of you Westfield Chamber of Commerce important part of our GDB,” Markey The third program in the stimulus who want to navigate through this Executive Director Kate Phelon said. package is for existing loans with process,” Markey said. alerted members to a statewide Cardin said there is $377 billion the SBA. Cardin said six months of One caller raised the issue that phone call March 30 with U.S. Sen. of new program relief for small payments can be completely forgiv- most business insurance policies Edward Markey to discuss the Small businesses that is available now, or en. state that business interruption is not Business CARES Act, part of the up and running as early as next After receiving several questions covered by virus, and asked whether $2.2 trillion stimulus package week. about the loans, Cardin said a guide anyone in D.C. is approaching insur- passed by the government. Cardin said $350 billion is avail- was developed by the committee for ance companies. After the call quickly maxed out able through financial institutions as the program, and is available on his Cardin said this has come up, and at 300, then faced audio difficulties a streamlined loan that is 100% website at www.cardin.senate.gov. is an area that is not resolved and for the first half hour, Markey and guaranteed by the federal govern- He also suggested calling the local requires additional legislative scru- his invited guest Sen. Ben Cardin of ment. “If you use it for your payroll, SBA District Office, a resource part- tiny. ‘It has been brought to our Maryland, who chairs the Senate rent, utilities; 100% can be forgiven. ner for the council. attention. We expect insurance com- Committee on Small Business & It is meant to carry businesses for Markey said he would also post a panies to do their fair share,” Cardin Entrepreneurship talked about the eight weeks,” Cardin said, adding link to the guide on his website at said. different loans available to help that non-profits and self-employed markey.senate.gov after the meet- “We’re going to need the coopera- small businesses through the next will also qualify.