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Pond www.thewestfieldnews.comMore information supportersVOL. 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 on PFAS Exposure 75 cents remind Assessments community By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Department of Public Works Systems about Engineer Heather Stayton said that answers to some questions residents may have on the exposure assessments that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Saturday Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) will be conduct- ing in communities near current or former military bases known to have had PFAS contamination in their drinking fundraiser water, may be found on the CDC’s website at www.atsdr.cdc. By GREG FITZpaTRICK gov/pfas/FAQ.html. Westfield has been selected as one of Correspondent eight communities that will undergo the random testing. SOUTHWICK – Save North According to the CDC, the pri- Pond supporters want to remind mary goal of these exposure the community about the fund- assessments is to provide informa- raiser and information night tion to communities about levels that is taking place on Saturday of PFAS in their bodies. This March 2. information will also be used to The fundraiser is being help inform future studies evaluat- offered at two different restau- ing the impact of PFAS exposure rants between 4-8pm. From 4 on human health. p.m. until 6 p.m. at Nora’s Stayton said according to the Restaurant there will be a pasta information on the ATSDR web- dinner for $10 with music pro- site under Frequently Asked vided by Sam Chevalier along Questions, participants will see the with a 50/50 raffle available. results of their tests: Following that, from 6 p.m. “The exposure assessments will Heather Stayton, P.E., to 8 p.m., another pasta dinner provide information to participants Systems Engineer with will take place at the Southwick about their individual exposures. the Westfield Water Inn. A 50/50 raffle will also be The results of these exposure Department. (WNG file offered. assessments will help individual photo) According to Michelle Pratt, participants and their communities a supporter of North Pond and better understand their exposure to PFAS and provide infor- organizer of the event, at least mation that the communities can use to reduce PFAS expo- 60 people have made reserva- sure.” tions for the dinner at either Stayton said that in the “What happens if I am asked to location. participate?” section it talks about the individual results being When speaking to the kept confidential: Westfield News on Thursday, “All information provided by participants will be kept con- Pratt was surprised to have read fidential and not shared without express permission. emails from people saying Presentations and reports intended for public use will only they’ve made reservations. contain community-level information; in other words, data “They were pouring in last WHS wins semis thriller from individual participants will be closely safeguarded and night (on Wednesday),” said not made public.” Pratt. The team piles on as the fans pound the glass celebrating the win in a thrilling game. See story and photos Page 8. (Photo by Bill Deren) Stayton also pointed out that in the “What can I learn from Even though the deadline for the results?” section it states again very plainly that while dinner reservations is now over, individual results will only be shared with those individuals, both restaurants will be accept- the community findings will be shared with the public: ing walk-ins. “Participants will be sent a letter with their own test results, To preserve the 146 acres of along with a comparison to PFAS levels in the general U.S. open space land adjacent to population. CDC/ATSDR will also share the combined find- Congamond’s North Pond, $5 ings from each community through information sessions, million needs to be raised by St. Mary’s hires new where community members will be given an opportunity to June 30, 2019. However, the ask questions.” state of Massachusetts has set a deadline of March 31st to See PFAS, Page 3 determine if any additional state funds will be used. As of Advancement Director this writing, $3.3 million has By PETER CURRIER been generated in funds. Correspondent Vehicle accident in Granville Pratt and other advocates of WESTFIELD- St. Mary’s of Westfield hired a new North Pond delivered a petition Advancement Director early last month and she has to the Select Board this past become involved in the effort to keep the parish high causes fire, driver flees week with the goal of creating school open. By GREG FITZpaTRICK Robin Jensen was brought into the part-time posi- Correspondent See North Pond, Page 3 tion on February 4th to handle fundraising events, GRANVILLE – A fire was caused as a result of a motor relations with donors and alumni, and annual giving. vehicle accident early on Thursday morning. She joined the church and its school just shortly after According to Granville Police Lt. Rick Rindels, a single- the announcement was made that it would remain car motor vehicle accident occurred just after midnight on open for another year while leaders explore options Thursday morning when the operator of the vehicle hit a util- to keep it open beyond that. ity pole and the pole snapped in half, leaning over the vehicle. “I am very excited to take on this new role at St. Upon arrival, Granville police and fire discovered the Mary’s. It’s like returning home. I truly appreciate Left to Right: Back Row: Father vehicle engulfed in flames and the operator had already left everyone being so extremely welcoming from Father Matthew Alcombright, Dawn Matt, to the maintenance team to the students and Erickson, Chad Erickson, Robin See Accident, Page 2 their parents, teachers, and staff. There is an amazing Jensen, Alison Goodreau ( energy at our school, and I am thrilled to be a part of freshmen) Joseph Walz (senior) The Save North Pond Front Row: Vivian Erickson Fundraiser and Information it,” said Jensen. Jensen is a St. Mary’s parish school alumni and has (kindergarten), PJ Collins(first night is on Saturday at both grade), Julianna Gifford (first Nora’s and the Southwick Inn. grade). (Photo submitted) (WNG File Photo) See Advancement Director, Page 3 Westfield High School to offer Computer Science Courses with Amazon Future Engineer WESTFIELD – Westfield High School is now every day of the week for both teachers part of the Amazon Future Engineer program and students. These full-year courses are and will receive curriculum from Amazon to designed to inspire, prepare, and propel increase our computer science class offerings to students in their pursuit of computer sci- students this fall. Westfield High School is one ence education. All students participating of more than 1,000 high schools across the in this program will receive a free mem- country currently signed up for Amazon Future bership to Amazon Web Services (AWS) Engineer, a national program aimed at making Educate, which provides them with free computer science accessible to all students. access to computing power in the AWS With Amazon Future Engineers curriculum, Cloud for their coding projects and content valued at $33,000, Westfield High School will to learn about cloud computing. offer Introduction to Computer Science and “We are excited to give our students this Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science opportunity as they prepare to apply to col- classes through the Edhesive platform. lege and build the skills for a rewarding Amazon’s curriculum provides preparatory les- Lauren Figy, Supervisor of career in technology and engineering,” sons, tutorials, and professional development Science Technology and said Lauren Figy, Supervisor of Science Granville fire personnel are seen putting out the blaze that for teachers, fully sequenced and paced digital Engineering, Westfield Public started in the motor vehicle on early Thursday morning. curriculum for students, and live online support Schools. (Photo submitted) See Computer Science Courses, Page 3 (Photo from Granville Fire Department) PAGE 2 - FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS TONIGHT SATURDAY SUNDAY Chance of Snow. Rain and Snow mix. 35-37 36-38 Today, Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Light and variable wind. Tonight, A slight chance of snow after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Saturday, A chance of snow, mainly before 2pm. Mostly Mostly Cloudy. cloudy, with a high near 37. Light and variable wind becoming southeast around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipita- tion is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.Saturday Night, A slight chance of snow before 3am. Patchy fog between 1am and 2am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. 23-24 Sunday, rain with snow after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high of 38. 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