TONIGHT Clear, cold. Low of 0. The Westfield Search for The Westfield News News Search for The Westfield News “WE LIVE IN A MOMENT OF Westfield350.com The Westfield News HISTORY WHERE CHANGE IS SO “TIME IS THE ONLY Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns SPEEDED UP THAT WE BEGIN WEATHER CRITIC WITHOUT TO SEE THE PRESENT ONLY WHEN TONIGHT AMBITION .” IT IS ALREADY DISAPPEARING Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK .” Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com Search for The — R.D.Westfield Laing News Westfield350.comWestfield350.org The WestfieldNews Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TIME IS THE ONLY WEATHERVOL. 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75 cents VOL.88 NO. 26 THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2019 CRITIC75 Cents WITHOUT TONIGHT AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com SullivanVOL. 86 NO. 151 will not seekTUESDAY, a JUNE third 27, 2017 term as Mayor 75 cents By AMY PORTER of 22 years in public office. better than ever, and who get to manage Correspondent “I made a promise (to run) until my some of the best employees ever. He WESTFIELD – Mayor Brian P. attitude changed or I lost an election. I also said he was blessed to work with a Sullivan held a news briefing at City haven’t lost an election,” Sullivan said. “new” superintendent in Stefan Hall on Wednesday afternoon, to However, he conceded, his goals and Czaporowski, who started with him. He announce that he would not be seeking a desires have changed. said they have been able to accomplish a third term as Mayor of the City of Sullivan said he feels the time is right lot together, since the mayor also serves Westfield. to leave after four successful years and as the chair of the School Committee. Sullivan, who was surrounded by his his many accomplishments as Mayor. Sullivan thanked the members of his parents, brothers Bo and Rick, his girl He cited balancing every budget, suc- own department, listing all of the friend Sonia Brockney and former cam- cessful negotiations with employees, a employees that work under him, with a paign manager Lisa McMahon, said his record setting roads program, identify- special thanks to his assistant Leanne decision came “with mixed emotion, ing a new elementary school location Cloutier, calling them some of the best and zero hesitation.” He referred to his with the support of the Massachusetts people ever. “I thank them from the bot- record of running in eleven elections in School Building Authority, and new tom of my heart,” he said. the city, including for consecutive terms business growth. Looking forward, Sullivan said he has Mayor Brian P. Sullivan with his parents, Dick and Edie as Mayor, City Councilor and School Mostly, Sullivan gave credit to the Sullivan and Sonia Brockney following his announcement Committee member, and serving a total city department heads, who he said are See Mayor Sullivan, Page 5 on Wednesday. (Photo by Amy Porter) Southwick Temporary solution Police awarded found for School grants for dispatch center Resource Officers By AMY PORTER The Historical Commission is By GREG FITZpaTRICK Correspondent in need of another member on Correspondent WESTFIELD – When the School their committee. (WNG File SOUTHWICK – This week, the Select Resource Officers (SROs) at the middle Photo) Board approved a grant that the Southwick and high schools were pulled by the Police Department received earlier this Westfield Police Department after the month. holidays to temporarily fill shifts due to On January 2, the staffing constraints, At-large Councilor Historical Executive Office of Brent B. Bean, II decided to take action. Public Safety and He filed a motion at the Jan. 17 City Security informed Kerry Turok is the new artistic Council meeting to have Police Chief Commission Southwick Chief of director for the resurrected Young John A. Camerota come in and discuss Police Kevin Bishop Singers of Greater Westfield. the plan for the rest of the academic year. that the Southwick (Submitted photo) Bean’s motion was referred to the Public, At-large City seeks to fill Police Department Health & Safety sub-committee, which Councilor had received a State will meet on Wed., Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. in Brent B. Bean, II. 911 Grant of $37,905 City Hall Room 201. (WNG File Photo) open seat that’s part of the State Young singers In advance of the committee, Bean met By GREG FITZpaTRICK 911 Department with Chief Camerota and Captains Larry Correspondent Support and Incentive Valliere and Michael McCabe to discuss temporary and longer SOUTHWICK – The Grant program. sought for term solutions. Southwick Historical Southwick In order for an appli- “I can’t thank the department enough for their understanding Commission is short one mem- Chief of Police cant to be eligible for revived and flexibility,” Bean said, acknowledging that the police depart- ber and is currently looking to Kevin Bishop the grant, they have to ment is currently facing a shortage in manpower, due to officers fill that vacancy. discussed the be an existing regional out on injury and military leave, and some officers leaving to join The five-member committee grants his public safety answer- concert choir departments in other municipalities. has been short one person since department is ing point or regional Bean said the department will include the schools when they last spring and filling up that receiving. emergency communi- By LORI SZEPELAK schedule the SRO officers for their shifts during the month of vacancy is important. (WNG File Photo) cation center that’s Correspondent February, and have them make two to three stops per school every “You really need an odd num- expanding. WESTFIELD-The first rehearsal day, on top of answering any calls they get. ber of people for voting purpos- The program is designed to help public is fast approaching for the recently Bean said by the end of February, new officers they have hired es,” said Southwick Historical safety dispatch centers throughout the resurrected Young Singers of Greater will become available to fill shifts after having attended the Police Commission member Dave commonwealth that have primary 911 Westfield, according to its new artis- Academy. Gunn. systems in place. tic director Kerry Turok. Following their meeting, Capt. Valliere shared his instructions to Gunn would like to see an “These funds will be used for assisting “Young Singers of Greater scheduling supervisors, asking them to assign the SROs to a sector individual that has a passion for in the cost of personnel for dispatch,” Westfield was founded in 2001 by that allows them to easily access the school they are normally history but maybe someone said Bishop. Janet St. Jean as an auditioned con- assigned to, and to adjust their assignments to make this work. that’s younger and can bring a According to Bishop, the department is cert choir for talented young singers “The department’s goal is to return the SRO’s back to their different perspective. awarded the State 911 Grant on an annual in the greater Westfield area,” said schools asap. In the meantime, we are trying to ease the tension “It would be nice to get some basis, but usually receives $25,000. For Turok. “Janet St. Jean ran the group that this has caused for some administrators, teachers, parents and younger blood in the group to Fiscal Year 2019, they were given an with wonderful success for 16 years students. Thank you for your cooperation (SRO’s especially), help bring in some younger peo- increased amount due to Southwick’s before retiring in 2017.” while we ride this out,” Valliere wrote in his instructions. ple,” said Gunn. dispatch center now accepting wireless Turok is accepting students in “I got a number of calls from parents and teachers that this is a The Southwick Historical phone calls for emergencies, which has grades 5-8 with the first rehearsal real concern,” Bean said. He said for them it’s not just about the Commission deals with all sorts an increased cost. slated Feb. 7 in the Catherine Dower safety, but the relationships the SRO’s are building in the schools, of historical items and features Bishop added that the department will Center for the Performing and Fine and the resources they provide. He said the pole were great to in town. Recently, the commis- be able to use the funding at any point Arts at Westfield State University. work with, along with Councilors Michael Burns, liaison to WPD sion has been helping preserve now since it came into effect on January Rehearsals will be conducted and Mary Ann Babinski, who chairs Public Health and Safety. the historical contents of the Old 2. Thursday nights from 6 to 7:15. The plan going forward will be discussed in full in the Public Library, working with the Town The Southwick Police Department is “There will be about 16 rehearsals Health & Safety meeting on Feb. 6. Bean also said he would like to work on a more permanent fix See Commission, Page 3 See Dispatch, Page 5 See Young Singers, Page 3 in next year’s budget. Westfield’s Dena Hall to Chair Baystate Health Foundation Board of Trustees SPRINGFIELD – Dena M. “We are grateful for the gift of ness leader, Hall brings a strong Through her leadership role on Hall of Westfield, who has served Jean’s talents and thrilled that she record of community service, as the Baystate Health Foundation as Baystate Health Foundation’s will be passing the baton to some- well as valuable insights to her board, as well as her tireless con- vice chair for the past two years, one as accomplished and commit- new role at the Foundation.