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JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL.Quarter 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 Turnpike 75 cents Auction Industrial Park will benefit walk-through Gymnasts and consultation By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent scheduled WESTFIELD-Megan Wright has seen firsthand Fran Aguda, coordinator for the Westfield Council on Aging’s By AMY PORTER the family ties that are made by being part of the Companion Program, reviews a display board with volunteer Correspondent YMCA of Greater Westfield. Christine Iglesias that will be part of a social event April 26. WESTFIELD – A site walk through and consultation ses- Wright, who has served as the YMCA’s gymnas- sion for the Turnpike Industrial Park has been scheduled by tics program director and head coach for 15 years, the state’s MEPA (Massachusetts Environmental Policy took over the position from her mother, Linda Act) office for Monday, April 23 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Wright, who also continues to coach ‘Y’ gymnasts. 70 Turnpike Industrial Road. The walk through of the prop- Prior to becoming director, Wright also served as a Intuition used when erty will be followed by a consultation in the conference gymnastics coach for five years. room at 70 Turnpike Industrial Road beginning at 6:30 p.m. “I grew up at the YMCA,” said Wright, whose “This is the first public outreach daughter Kenzie Kluizo, 10, now follows in her matching seniors by the state’s MEPA office regard- mom’s footsteps in the gymnastics program. ing the proposed Turnpike Wright said gymnastics has always been a passion Industrial Park. It will be a chance for her and now she relishes watching the young for officials and citizens to explore people in the competitive gymnastics program excel with companions the property first-hand and ver- in their area of expertise. By LORI SZEPELAK bally voice their support or con- “I enjoy watching the progress that the kids make Correspondent cerns regarding the project,” said and sharing my love of the sport,” said Wright. WESTFIELD-As demand for volunteer companions continues to City Advancement Office Joseph Wright added that because of the YMCA’s mis- grow in the city, a special Westfield Council on Aging Companion Mitchell. sion to serve as many families as possible, fundrais- Program Volunteer Interest Social is slated April 26. The meeting follows the city’s ers are conducted throughout the year to help defray “If you want to impact an older adult’s life in a positive way, con- submission of an Environmental City Advancement the cost to families. sider volunteering,” said Fran Aguda, Companion Program coordina- Notification Form (ENF) to the Office Joe Mitchell. “We want to give kids an opportunity to do gym- tor. Secretary of the Executive Office nastics competitively without extreme costs,” said The social event will begin at 6 p.m. at the Westfield Senior Center of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) for the Wright. on Noble Street and will feature remarks by Aguda on the overall Turnpike Industrial Park, which is subject to the A Quarter Auction event is planned April 28 in program, as well as stories about two clients who have been matched Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act. the general purpose room at the YMCA on Court with a companion. Also, two volunteer companions – Marie Fisher, a The Turnpike Industrial Park, as described in the ENF is Street which will help raise funds for the gymnas- volunteer since 2002, and Karen Page, a volunteer since 2016, will for the construction of a mixed-use development with tics program. Doors open at 3 p.m. and the auction share their experiences and will be available to answer any questions 105,000 square feet (sf) of office space, 550,000 sf of ware- runs from 4 to 7 p.m. The cost is $5 per person and with attendees after the short program. Refreshments will also be house and distribution space, 211,000 sf of light industrial/ served. manufacturing space and 122,000 sf of light industrial/ See Quarter Auction, Page 3 “Our greatest need is having volunteer companions provide trans- research and development space. The project includes up to portation to medical appointments for our homebound clients,” said 1,885 parking spaces, interior drives and utilities The proj- Aguda, adding that ways to also assist seniors can include grocery ect site is a 74.88-acre parcel generally bordered by Cabot shopping, helping with errands, and taking time to visit. Road, Sabrina Brook Road, Turnpike Industrial Road, unde- Aguda noted the goal of the companion program is to help older veloped land bordering the MassPike and forested and adults maintain their independence and sense of well-being. cleared fields to the west. Vehicular access to the site will be “We currently have 40 volunteers and would like to have 10 to 15 provided from Cabot Road and Turnpike Industrial Road. more volunteers to match with seniors who are seeking services,” said The project will alter 74.65 acres of land and add 48.15 Aguda. acres of impervious area. It will generate 3,520 average During a Friday afternoon meeting with Aguda, volunteer Christine daily trips (adt), use 17,170 gallons per day (gpd) of water Iglesias shared her enthusiasm for the program. and generate 15,875 gpd of wastewater. “Fran is great with everyone,” said Iglesias. “She makes you feel In an interview with the Westfield News on April 12, comfortable in the process of volunteering.” Mitchell said the potential tax revenue for the proposed Iglesias, who has shared her time with seniors since 2010, notes that Turnpike Industrial Park is $1.3 million a year, with the volunteering for two hours a week can make a difference in someone’s potential for 1,100 jobs, and $120 million in private invest- life. ment. He said it will take eight to ten years to build the “Since I retired I am able to do extra visits if the need arises,” said whole project. Iglesias. “I would encourage people to stop by the social to see how The ENF is available for review in the MEPA Members of the YMCA of Greater Westfield’s the program works since it is so rewarding.” competitive gymnastics team will benefit from a Environmental Monitor, which may be found online at: unique fundraiser slated April 28. (Submitted photo) http://web1.env.state.ma.us/EEA/emepa/emonitor. See Seniors, Page 8 aspx#newprojects or obtained from Kyle Greaves at 617 607-2988 or by email at [email protected]. The EOEEA will receive public comments on the ENF through April 25. All persons wishing to comment may do so until April 25 by Baystate Health blood drive in Southwick on Tuesday writing to Secretary of the EOEEA at 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 800, Boston, MA 02114, Att: MEPA Office, and refer- By GREG FITZpaTRICK for Care, Baystate Wing, Baystate encing the project. Correspondent Mary Lane, Baystate Franklin, The site visit and consultation session will be held to SOUTHWICK – Baystate The Baystate Children’s Hospital, receive advice and comments from agencies, officials, and Health will be holding a blood and Baystate Medical Center (the citizens regarding which environmental issues, if any, are drive on Tuesday from 1 p.m. area’s only Level 1 Trauma significant for this project. Opinions as to the extent and until 6 p.m. The Baystate Health Center). significance of possible environmental impact will be wel- Bloodmobile will be located at In order to be able to donate come. 195 College Highway, outside of blood, you have to meet certain “There will still be opportunities for written comments the Big Y, and they will be taking requirements. People need to be at and questions regarding the project after the 23rd,” Mitchell all blood types. least 17-years-old, weigh 110 said. Amy Benson, a recruiter for pounds or more, and be in good the Blood Donor Program at health. Interested individuals also Baystate Health, emphasized have to know where they’ve trav- just how important it is for peo- eled in the past three years, bring ple to donate blood. all lists of medications they may “With all of the inclement Baystate Health will be holding a blood drive at the Big Y have, and make sure they have weather from this winter, a ter- in Southwick on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of Baystate Health) food and fluids in them prior to rible flu season, and the slow According to Benson, one hundred giving blood. start to Spring, blood donations have percent of the blood donated to the pro- Anyone who ends up donating blood been extremely low,” said Benson. “We gram stays local in order to help all will receive a Big Y gift card, a gold are reaching out to the community for Baystate Health hospitals in the area. coin, and other extra benefits from the Meeting place for the walk-through and consultation will their support of a blood donation to The hospitals include Baystate Noble Big Y Pharmacy in partnership with their be the site of former Old Colony Envelopes, 70 Turnpike Baystate Health.” Hospital, The D’Amour Cancer Center wellness program.