The Westfield News Search for The Westfield News Westfield350.com The WestfieldNews 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 FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020 VOL. 89 NO. 027 John Cain, John Velis on special election Senate ballot By HOPE talked to voters while collect- Reserves Major and attorney. E. TREMBLAY ing signatures,” Cain said in a He announced last spring his Assistant Managing Editor prepared statement. “I appre- intent to run for the seat if WESTFIELD – Residents ciate all the help and support Humason was elected mayor. of the 11 communities of the I have received. Collecting “I’m running for this state 2nd Hampden and Hampshire signatures allowed me to ini- Senate seat because during senate district have two can- tiate a discussion with the my five-and-a-half years as a didates in the March 31 spe- voters on what issues are state representative I’ve seen cial election to fill the seat important to the community not only an opening, but a previously held by Donald F. and how I plan on addressing need for a new type of poli- Humason Jr., Westfield’s new them. I am excited by the tics in western Mass. and the mayor. outpouring of support I have Commonwealth as a whole,” Republican John Cain of received.” Velis said after handing in Southwick and Westfield Cain is a business owner in more than 1,000 signatures to Democrat John C. Velis are Agawam and is married with earn his spot on the ballot. the only candidates on the a 9-year-old daughter. He said “That new type of politics is a ballot. in December, when he Debra O’Malley, spokes- announced that he would seek bipartisan approach; stressing woman for the election office the seat, that he was the importance of compro- of Secretary of the approached by several mem- mise, collaboration and com- Commonwealth William F. bers of grassroots organiza- mon sense.” Galvin said the deadline to tions who encouraged him to Velis said he asks himself submit papers for the seat was run and that now is the time just one question when it’s Jan. 28. to make a difference. time to vote on a bill in the “Both John Velis and John Cain has said he wants to House: Is this good for my John Cain displays more then 500 signatures John C. Velis gives the thumbs-up after turn- Cain are on the ballot, but no secure a future not only for constituents? he collected to earn his place on the special ing in 1,000 signatures to earn a spot on the other candidates filed,” himself, but his daughter and “I don’t ask whether it’s a senate election ballot. (Photo submitted) March 31 special election ballot. (Photo sub- O’Malley said Wednesday. generations to come. Democrat idea or a mitted) Cain, a Navy veteran and According to a press release, Republican idea, I ask if it’s resentation to my constitu- party,” he said. Southwick native, handed in Cain asks that everyone vote good for the people of them on April 1st.” ents.” “That’s why I got signatures The district includes more than 500 certified signa- in this election “now that they Westfield, who I currently Velis said he would contin- from voters in every town, tures this week to claim his have a choice. He encourag- represent. If it is, I vote for it, Agawam, part of Chicopee, ue that approach if elected have knocked doors in every Easthampton, Granville, spot on the March ballot. A es people to make the right and if it isn’t I don’t,” he said. senator. town, and will continue to candidate needs 300 certified choice — the choice to suc- “I don’t care if that makes me Holyoke, Montgomery, “I will be there to represent work to hear the problems Russell, Southampton, signatures to appear on the ceed.” a Democrat or a Republican the constituents of all 11 cit- that people face in all 11 cit- ballot. Velis, Westfield’s state rep- Southwick, Tolland and for the day, all I care about is ies and towns in the district ies and towns so I can get to Westfield. “We hit every town and resentative, is a U.S. Army giving proper and equal rep- and not any specific political work right away for all of Humason hosting Mayor’s Open House By HOPE parency I spoke about.” Academy culinary depart- “This may be the first E. TREMBLAY Humason said the open ment. Mayor’s Office Hour, but I’m Assistant Managing Editor house is scheduled prior to a Humason said he has spent hoping it will be the first of WESTFIELD – Mayor City Council meeting and he his first month in office orga- many and maybe other Donald F. Humason Jr. is hopes visitors will stay to nizing, attending meetings departments will open their opening the corner office Feb. observe the meeting. and learning. doors for an open house,” he 6 for a Mayor’s Open House. “I want people to come in “This is a learning curve said. “Many times, residents The public is encouraged to and say hello, have a cookie for me, and I want residents come into a specific office to stop by Room 202 at City and see what we’re doing,” to come in and learn, too,” he pay a bill or get information, Hall from 3:30-6:30 p.m. next Humason said. said, adding that various but they don’t know what Thursday to say hello and see Humason’s staff – Michelle department heads would be happens in other departments. Humason in his office. Moriarty and Holly Lugo – stopping by throughout the This would be a way for peo- Mayor Donald F. Humason Jr. holds the keys to his office at “It’s like an office hour, but will be available at that time open house to meet visitors. ple to get to know folks in for three hours,” Humason as well. Cookies will be made Humason hopes this will City Hall where he will host an Open House Feb. 6, 2020. City Hall.” (Photo submitted) said. “This is part of the trans- by the Westfield Technical spark future events. Select Board addresses Congamond alum treatment By PETER CURRIER could affect the water supply of Restoring Congamond and 15 to 20 years, a far longer teria are detected in a milliliter human wastes has accelerated Staff Writer not only Southwick, but also of Dick Grannells of the Lake period of time than is possible of lake water. the conditions necessary for SOUTHWICK — The West Springfield and Commission said that an alumi- with the copper sulfate treat- The current theory for the the algae to thrive during planned aluminum sulfate Westfield,” said Fox. num sulfate treatment will be ment. recent algae blooms in Lake warmer weather. treatment for Congamond The Aluminum Sulfate treat- necessary, or the lake risks Pratt noted that, much like Congamond and other local Another factor, which will Lake will be open for bids ment, or “alum” treatment, is being closed next summer and antibiotics in humans and ani- bodies of water is a combina- likely be addressed in con- Feb. 25 and a special town necessary this year due to the onwards. mals, too much copper sulfate tion of the sheer age of the junction with the alum treat- meeting on the matter is being presence of cyanobacteria “Over recent years, the algae treatment of the lake could lake and human activity. ment, is that the lake only had planned for late March. caused by algae blooms in Lake has been treated with copper cause copper sulfate-resistant Congamond Lake is approxi- two outlets for the water and Chief Administrative Congamond. North Pond had sulfate, but that is just a band- strains of algae and cyanobac- mately 14,000 years old, those outlets have become Officer Karl J. Stinehart said tested negative for the contami- aid approach,” said Pratt in teria. The alum treatment which allows for large accu- clogged with muck and fallen during the Jan. 28 Select nation but Middle and South December, “You can only do would not have that problem mulations of muck and decay- branches. This impedes that Board meeting that the treat- Ponds were both given a more that so many times, and we due to the long periods of time ing plant matter at the bed of water’s ability to filter out of ment of the lake should take temporary copper sulfate treat- have used two-and-a-half tons between treatments. the lake. the lake. place in April if everything ment in recent years. of it recently.” Should the lake somehow Most of the Congamond Dredging projects may be goes according to plans. Congamond Lake is comprised The alum treatment is sup- go untreated before the sum- shoreline is lined with homes necessary to clear those block- Select Board Chair Russ of the three ponds. posed to keep the lake free of mer, it may be closed if more and businesses. Fertilizer run- ages and allow the water to fil- Fox said that he would like Michelle Pratt of Citizens cyanobacteria-causing algae for than 70,000 cells of cyanobac- off, detergents, and other ter out. further discussion on the funding mechanisms of the treatment. He noted that he had spoken with state Rep.