TONIGHT Cloudy, Light Freezing Rain. Low of 36. Search for The Westfield News The WestfieldNews Search for The Westfield News Westfield350.com The WestfieldNews “SILENCE IS MORE Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TIME ISMU THESICAL ONLY THAN WEATHER CRITIC WITHOUT ANY SONG .” TONIGHT AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. — CJOHNHRI STEINBECKSTINA ROSSETTI Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com Search for The Westfield 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.87 NO. 298 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018 CRITIC75 CentsWITHOUT TONIGHT AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL.Two 86 NO. 151 seek to fill SchoolTUESDAY, JUNE Committee 27, 2017 vacancy 75 cents By AMY PORTER In his letter, Gosselin describes him- Commission for Citizens with Correspodent self as a “recognized expert in the work Disabilities, where he was elected secre- WESTFIELD – A special joint meet- of counseling and public education,” tary. ing of the Westfield School Committee saying he is “specially fitted by educa- A lifelong Westfield resident, Gosselin and the Westfield City Council will be tion, training, and experience” to per- received an Associate’s degree in liberal held on Monday, Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m. in form the duties of the School Committee. arts & science from Holyoke Community Council chambers to fill the vacancy on Gosselin previously served a partial term College in 1989, a bachelor’s of science the School Committee left by the passing on the School Committee in 2007, and a in elementary education from American of Kevin J. Sullivan. Candidates were full term from 2013 to 2017. In November International College in 1991, and a given until Friday, Dec. 14 to submit a of 2017 he ran as a candidate, but lost the master’s in higher education administra- letter of interest. Two candidates, former election. tion from Springfield College in 1996, as School Committee member and In addition to his service on the School well as several certifications. He holds Northampton Public Schools teacher Committee, Gosselin previously served Professional Education Licensure in assistant Jeffrey L. Gosselin and Barry as an Adjunct Faculty member at Mass. (Bo) Sullivan, Executive Director of the Westfield State University, a teacher in “If called to serve on the School Irish Cultural Center in West Springfield the Springfield Public Schools, and a Committee, I would advocate for poli- and a 15-year board member of the Boys counselor and program supervisor at the cies and legislation that are in the best and Girls Club of Greater Westfield, Carson Center. In Feb., 2018, Gosselin have submitted letters of interest. was appointed to serve on the See School Committee, Page 3 JEFFREY L. GOSSELIN BO SULLIVAN 250th Officer shortage Anniversary creates challenges for Westfield Police Committee’s By PETER CURRIER Correspondent WESTFIELD- The Westfield Police Department has next meeting recently been struggling with staffing constraints and a depleted overtime budget according to police officials. Police Chief John Camerota said that, as of the 2nd week in January, 17 officers will be unable to fill shifts as they are on on Monday leave for various reasons. Nine officers are currently out for By GREG FITZpaTRICK injuries suffered on the job. Two officers are on military leave Correspondent for more than one year, while four will be attending the State SOUTHWICK – The 250th Anniversary Police Academy in January. Committee is holding their next monthly Of the four attending the academy, two are full time officers meeting on Monday December 17 at 6:30 Interested residents of Southwick attend a previous meeting to discuss and two are reserve officers. During the November 13th, 2018 p.m. in the auditorium of the Southwick celebrating the Town’s 250th birthday. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick) Police Commission meeting, the two full time officers Town Hall. requested 30 days off in January to join the academy. Officers According to Jim Putnam, Chairman of ed pictures and information and the It’s also encouraged for anyone in Timothy Fanion and Jeffrey Vigneault were granted just 15 the anniversary committee, all of the Historical Content work group is the community to attend Monday’s days due to the department already being short on officers. working groups for the committee are looking to upgrade that. The book meeting, or any of the future meet- Commission Chairman Karl Hupfer said that in his experi- continuing to work on their respective would also be available for purchase. ings. ence, if a recruit has made it 15 days in the academy, they will areas in order to make the 250th Putnam also added that a new logo “There’s plenty of work to be likely finish it. Anniversary celebration a success. for the 250th Anniversary has been done,” said Putnam. “It’s a great “I have never had this issue before,” said Chief Camerota, The parade committee is working on created and will be discussed further opportunity to interact with other who has been on the police force since 1976, “we have had to having the parade for October 10, 2020 on Monday. people in town for a very good pur- pull officers from special units to run regular shifts.” and is estimating a cost of approximately “I’m really excited about that, it’s pose.” Camerota said that the department is still meeting at least $25,000. Putnam also reported that the a real vibrant logo that captures what In April of 2018, the Select Board the minimum shift requirements. However, many officers events committee is scheduling events for we all really love about Southwick,” announced that they were looking to have had to work more overtime to compensate. The extra the celebration. A few of the events said Putnam. form a committee to work on the overtime has drained their allotted overtime budget. already being worked on include a Putnam is pleased with the prog- 250th anniversary project. In 2020, “We will be lucky to make it to January 1st,” said Camerota, Christmas tree lighting contest in ress that all of the work groups have the town of Southwick will be cele- “hopefully people will come back from injuries soon.” December of 2019, a winter carnival in done, but there is more that needs to brating their 250th anniversary. The The police commission has asked the finance committee to February of 2020 and a pub crawl on St. be done. events are expected to kick off in give the department an additional $100,000 towards the over- Patrick’s Day in March 2020. The “We’re getting to the stage where November of 2019. The town was time budget. The committee will vote on the measure on Historical Content work group is plan- we need to complete our calendar of incorporated as a separate commu- December 11th. In the meantime, efforts are being made to ning a commemorative book that would events and get some working budget nity on November 7, 1770. The com- send possible new hires to the police academy in June. include 250 years of history in Southwick. figures around the things we need to mittee’s plan is to have an event each Although the academy is not for another six months, Westfield For the 225th Anniversary, a book includ- do,” said Putnam. month. Police are working to get new recruits in beforehand. “We are planning to get a waiver from the Massachusetts Police Training Council to allow trainees to begin working before they attend the academy,” said Camerota. Kids running event proposed for Whalley Park By GREG FITZpaTRICK Desanto will be attending a conference in Correspondent January in King of Prussia, Penn. where SOUTHWICK – Andi Desanto of she will meet with current Community Tolland is looking to host a running series Coordinator’s to learn from them on how for kids at Whalley Park. At a Park and to run the event. Recreation Committee meeting this week, Desanto sees the Healthy Running Desanto indicated that she is looking to Series as a great opportunity for children host races in the spring, called the Healthy of all ages. Kids Running Series. “You can’t beat that distance for these Founded by Pattison Sports Group in kids that aren’t active all the time, it’s just Pennsylvania in 2009, the Healthy Kids a fun event for them to do with their Running Series is a nationwide program friends,” said Desanto. that allows children aged two-years-old At the Park and Recreation meeting Left to right: Commission Chair Karl Hupfer, Commissioner to 14-years-old to adopt a healthy and this week, Desanto made a request to the Felix Otero, Commissioner Leonard Osowski, and Police active lifestyle. The Healthy Kids committee to have the Healthy Running Chief John Camerota at Monday’s Police Commission meet- Running Series is a five-week program in Kids Series at Whalley Park. Cara ing. (Photo by Peter Currier) the spring and fall that takes place every Cartello, of the Park and Recreation Sunday for two hours. The running events Committee, said that the committee still include the 50-yard dash, the 75-yard needs to go over the spring schedule and dash, the quarter-mile run, the half-mile see if the event can be held at Whalley run, and the one-mile run. Kids are able to Park before officially approving Desanto’s City of Westfield holiday hours compete each week and can earn points request. Cartello did say the committee WESTFIELD – Mayor Brian based on what place they come in. At the was in favor of the idea.