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 10, 2020 VOL. 89 NO. 009 City to restrict vape sales at convenience stores, gas stations By PETER CURRIER members Juanita Carnes, lations that came out from the not restrict where vapes can is very confusing and they’re Massachusetts bill, which was Staff Writer Margaret Doody, and Teresa state to let it back into the or cannot be sold. not sure that they’re allowed opposed by both state Rep. WESTFIELD- The same Mitchell Jan. 8 were in unani- convenience stores,” said Before such a move can be to have it, or they never made John C. Velis and Mayor and day the fourth vape-related mous agreement that they Rouse. made, the proposed new regu- much money off it in the first former state Sen. Donald F. death in Massachusetts was should begin the process of A motion had already been lations would have to be post- place and it’s just a volatile Humason Jr. also includes a announced, the Westfield restricting where vapes can be made by the Board of Health ed publicly twice at different market right now.” 75 percent excise tax on Board of Health began the sold in the city. to take such action back in intervals. A public hearing on The timeline is unclear, but remaining vape products that process of trying to limit vape Rouse heavily criticized the September, but it was never the issue would also need to it is likely that the process will takes effect on June 1. Shortly sales to “adult only” stores recent bill, called “An Act followed through because take place. begin before the Board of after the bill’s passage, the following legislation that Modernizing Tobacco Gov. Charlie D. Baker “The good thing is that I Health meeting in February. federal government came out passed in the State House of Control,” because it did not announced just days later that have been around to a lot of The vape ban and the subse- with their own, similar regula- Representatives and Senate include any sort of restriction there would be a total ban on these convenience stores and quent bill banning flavored tions on vape flavors, mean- banning most flavors of on where vapes could be vape sales. gas stations that used to sell products has caused the clo- ing that Massachusetts cannot vapes. bought and sold. That ban was lifted in vape stuff. Most of them have sure of some shops in the area repeal most parts of the bill Public Health Director Joe “It was a horrible, glaring December in conjunction not brought them back in yet,” already, such as the Vape should it be desired in the Rouse and Board of Health omission from the new regu- with the vape bill, but it did said Rouse, “either because it Escape Bar in Southwick. The future. Southwick partners with Eversource for energy efficiencies By HOPE Jan. 7 to discuss the findings said Bullock. “We’re provid- The police station report is program,” he said, which lights,” Bullock said. E. TREMBLAY of an energy audit in the build- ing $9,700 as an incentive not finalized, but would reflect offers similar efficiency sav- Chief Administrative Assistant Managing Editor ings and get the board’s with zero percent financing similar savings and financing. ings at no upfront cost. “The Officer Karl Stinehart said the SOUTHWICK – Southwick approval to move forward. for the balance, which would Select Board members work was excellent – it was town does own the lights and is partnering with Eversource Bullock said Eversource be part of the electric bill.” unanimously approved the almost too good to be true.” asked how the town could on a capital project that will received two proposals from Cost for improvements at plan Tuesday. Chairman Russ Fox asked Bullock about upgrade them. create energy efficiencies at Green Energy to perform the the fire station on Depot Street Fox said he had personal changing out the town’s deco- “There are retro-fit kits,” Town Hall and the fire and work, which includes new would be much higher. experience with the rative streetlights along the Bullock said. “I’ll look into it police stations. exterior lighting at Town Hall “The Fire Department will Eversource efficiency pro- main corridor to LEDs at a for you.” Bill Bullock, supervisor of and in the parking lot. The cost $74,500,” said Bullock. gram. lower LED rate, noting there Bullock said LED lights last energy efficiency for existing lights would be “The incentive is $39,500, so “As a small business owner are 58 such lights. longer than traditional bulbs, Eversource, met with the replaced with LEDs. the town would finance I took advantage of the “There is a rate change, and produce more light and are Southwick Select Board on “It would cost $13,700,” $34,000.” [Eversource] small business the town needs to own the energy efficient. Free clothing bin aims to help those in need By PETER CURRIER McNutt went to the Westfield financial situation is behind every day with clothes to drop Staff Writer T.J. Maxx store with her chil- her and Mama Cakes is a off for those in need. WESTFIELD – Kim dren, who were not wearing small business success story. Sometimes, McNutt said, she McNutt was not always a suc- jackets despite the winter However, McNutt still sees people walk by, notice cessful baker and business temperatures. remembers those challenging the bin, and take the coat off owner. In fact, the owner of “We had no money to buy days and the sting of what their back and place it in the Mama Cakes went through a winter coats for the kids,” that woman said to her. One bin. tough time when she could said McNutt. day, three years ago, she Originally, it was supposed not provide winter coats for A woman outside the store decided to act the way she to be something she only did her children. loudly scolded McNutt for wished others had acted when during the winter, removing McNutt’s husband was one not having coats on her chil- she needed help. the bin sometime in March of thousands of airport dren. McNutt said that when “I decided to put out a bin when the weather becomes employees laid off after the she went back to her car, she of our winter clothes for all tolerable. However, she said terror attacks of Sept. 11, just cried, not knowing how the homeless I see walking by people have started donating 2001. The drastic cut to their to get out of the situation they here all the time,” said to the Mama Cakes bin during income was devastating, were in, and hurt that others McNutt. “The clothes I put the summer as well, adding McNutt said. She did not judged her without knowing out were gone in a day.” know what to do and recalled the full story. Since that first day three toys or shoes, or other sum- an incident that left her heart- “If that woman was me, I years ago, the bin, located in mer appropriate clothing for broken at the time and years would have gone inside and front of Mama Cakes at 40 kids to the bin. later inspired her to pay for- bought them some clothes Elm St., has become a regular McNutt encourages every- ward her success. instead,” said McNutt. fixture at her bakery, and she one to take or donate items Kim McNutt, owner of Mama Cakes, with the mostly full bin A few months after 9/11, Today, McNutt’s tough sees people coming by almost and not judge those in need. of clothes for those in need. (Photo by Peter Currier) Family WHOA! event is Saturday at Horace Moses Scout Reservation By AMY PORTER youth up to 9-years-old, and said Steven Roberts, program One of the many Staff Writer $15 for those 10 or older. director of the Western Mass offerings during RUSSELL – Feel the need There are also special rates Council. the monthly to get outside with the kids for groups of 10 or more. Roberts said no affiliation Woronoco and shake off the winter More information is available with the scouts is required. Heights Outdoor blues? WHOA!, sponsored by on the website at wmascout- He said people can come in at Adventures pro- the Western Massachusetts ing.org/WHOA. 9 a.m. or at noon, and leave gram is a hike Council of the Boy Scouts of Activities for all ages, some whenever they want. The that explores the America, offers an outdoor weather dependent, include schedule is open, and people many facets family event Jan. 11 at the blacksmithing, disc golf, can try as many activities as of nature. Horace A. Moses Scout escape rooms, geocaching, they want to, or stay with the (Submitted photo) Reservation in Russell. ice fishing, mountain biking same one or two. WHOA! stands for or snow shoeing, photogra- Roberts said attendance Woronoco Heights Outdoor phy, radio, snow shelters and varies from month to month. Adventures, and is open to welding. Boots or other stur- December had the lowest par- the public. The day’s activi- dy shoes are recommended. ties run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Soups, chowder, hot dogs, ticipation, with about 20 peo- or any portion thereof.