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 TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2020 VOL. 89 NO. 018 Public Works requests kick-off Southwick budget talks By HOPE ings at 8 a.m. with the Board March 7 beginning at 8 a.m. ed what he will likely request E. TREMBLAY of Assessors and will contin- with the Town Clerk and end- in the Feb. 22 hearing. For the Assistant Managing Editor ue until 11:05 a.m. with the ing with the Southwick- most part, he said the num- SOUTHWICK – Budget Southwick Fire Department. Tolland-Granville Regional bers remain the same as the talks have begun in Most reviews are slated for School Department at 11 a.m. current year. However, there Southwick. 10-15 minutes, however, 30 for 45 minutes. The are increases expected, The Select Board last week minutes is allotted for the Southwick Police will also including $1 million in pav- had a preliminary discussion DPW at 9:45 a.m., 25 minutes meet March 7 for 45 minutes ing and infrastructure with Department of Public for Park and Recreation at at 9:55 a.m. improvements, $454,000 for Works Director Randy Brown 10:40 a.m. and 40 minutes for Other departments sched- road machinery (a tractor on what he will be asking for Southwick Fire. uled for March 7 are the with mower, hot box and in his Fiscal Year 2021 bud- Other departments meeting Board of Health, Community dump truck), and an increase get request. Feb. 22 include the Historical Preservation Committee, in refuse fees from $236,000 The Board meets with the Commission, Economic Conservation Commission, to $305,000, among others. Finance Committee for joint Development, Library Council on Aging, Cultural “There are some bigger hearings in marathon Trustees, Planning Board, Council, Cemetery ticket items,” Brown said. Saturday sessions with every Town Accountant, Computer Commission, Building The public is welcome to department to review budget system Administrator, Lake Inspector, Emergency observe the sessions, which requests. Management and Water Management, Buildings and take place at Southwick Town The first session is Feb. 22. Commission. Grounds and Animal Control. Hall, 454 College Highway, The Board will begin meet- The second session is Last week, Brown present- in the Land Use Room. DPW DIRECTOR RANDY BROWN Countdown to Kindergarten draws 100 new students By AMY PORTER and Community Engagement copy machines to help fami- Staff Writer (CFCE) in collaboration with lies sign up online, and copy WESTFIELD – Susan WPS, helps the enrollment required documents they may Dargie, director of curriculum and registration process in the have brought with them. and instruction for Westfield fall. She said they were grate- Dargie said at one point the Public Schools (WPS), called ful that Hebert was open to line was so long, that they had this year’s Countdown to moving it up to January to to plug in the second copier. Kindergarten, held Jan. 16 at start to connect earlier with Each elementary school the Boys & Girls Club, the families that have children principal had a table, and fam- best yet. entering kindergarten. ilies were directed to the “It was great, very well Over 100 kindergarten stu- school their child would be attended,” Dargie said. dents were signed up last attending to meet some of the Dargie said the event, which Thursday. Director of staff, get questions answered, is coordinated by Paula Assessment Denise Ruszala and sign up for upcoming Hebert, director of the and the Central Office staff events, such as summer play Westfield Coordinated Family brought chromebooks and two dates and kindergarten orien- tation. Elementary literacy and math coaches handed out activity sheets for the children, and tips were given to parents on things they could do to help prepare their children for kin- dergarten. Food services had sample lunches, and informa- tion on how to sign up for MySchoolBucks, a way to pay for school lunches online. The Boys & Girls Club and the YMCA were present with information on before and Parents register their children for school at Countdown to Kindergarten. (Photo submitted) after school child care and programs at their organiza- Dargie said they can get start- tions. ed with the process by going “It was a really nice event; online to schoolsofwestfield. very positive,” Dargie said, org and clicking on online adding that she met five-year- registration. Required paper- olds who were “ready to roll.” work may then be brought One parent told her their child into the Central Office on the had been up early and asking first floor of the Westwood all day whether it was time to Building at 94 North Elm St., go yet. where any questions can be “It was a great opportunity answered. to share information and start Families who register to connect with our newest online and give their email families to Westfield Public address will be automatically Schools,” Dargie said. added to their child’s elemen- For families with children tary school email list, and entering kindergarten who will receive information and Abner Gibbs Elementary School Principal Stacy Burgess were not able to attend the updates on upcoming events WPS Director of Assessment Denise Ruszala goes over the welcomed families. Each school had its own table. (Photo sub- Countdown to Kindergarten, at the school. mitted) registration process. (Photo submitted) Businesses sought for High School Career Fair at Westfield State By AMY PORTER Chamber is really hoping to She said the fair is a great workshop ahead of the event Staff Writer reach its goal of 75 area busi- community and civic engage- for students who will be attend- WESTFIELD – The Greater nesses this year. Last year, ment event that raises the vis- ing the fair, to help them get the Westfield Chamber of over 60 businesses attended. ibility of businesses. most out of the opportunity. Commerce is seeking busi- She said she is encouraged It’s also an opportunity for Businesses are encouraged to nesses for the Westfield that early registrations include students to gain a greater sign up early for free vendor Education to Business Alliance new businesses that have not understanding of business and tables for the event on the (WE2BA) High School Career participated in past fairs. employment opportunities in Chamber website at westfield- Fair on April 16 from 8:30 to Businesses do not have to be a Westfield that can inform their biz.org. The last day to register 11:30 a.m. at the Woodward member of the Chamber to future career decisions, as well is April 10. Center at Westfield State participate in the career fair. as giving them experience Table sponsorships are also University. Phelon said the benefits to with interviewing and other being sought to help defray the Over 500 juniors and seniors businesses include establish- interpersonal skills. expenses of the event. A Vendor from Westfield Technical ing connections with students Students will also have the Table Sponsorship of $750 will Academy and Westfield High for the future workforce, edu- chance to learning about sponsor 75 tables, offer an School will be in attendance to cating students on job skills potential job opportunities, exclusive giveaway and logo on learn about career opportuni- and educational requirements internships and cooperative the survey handed out to all ties available in the greater needed in their field, and pro- education placements. participants. Coffee Bar spon- Beth Cardillo, executive director, and Julie Waniewski, Westfield area. moting employment and Phelon said she hopes to sorship of $250 includes sig- director of community relations, both at Armbrook Village, Chamber Executive internship opportunities, pres- partner with Westfield High nage at both coffee bars at the encourage businesses to participate in the annual WE2BA Director Kate Phelon said the ent and future. School to hold an assembly or event. High School Career Fair. (Submitted photo) PAGE 2 - TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2020 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS Fans celebrate Red Sox at Winter Weekend By PETER CURRIER Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD — The first Red Sox Winter Weekend at MGM Springfield came at a crossroads for the team and fanbase, as two-year manager Alex Cora and the team parted ways days earlier due to the sign stealing scandal. Despite the loss of a man- ager that had, until now, been considered a fan favorite, Red Sox fans made the most of the weekend and didn’t seem to pay too much mind to the scandal surrounding the team. Cora’s departure was con- current with Major League Baseball’s ongoing investiga- tion into the Sox about their possible use of technology- assisted sign stealing in their 2018 World Series winning season. For the most part, between the fans, players, and team personnel that attended, people seem to be willing to wait for the conclusion of the investigation before casting judgement one way or anoth- er. During the opening Town Hall Jan. 17 at the MassMutual From left: retired Red Sox players David Ortiz, Mike Timlin, Koji Uehara, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jason Varitek, Keith Foulke, and Alan Embree at the Center, retired right-handed Reunion of Champions panel. (Photo by Peter Currier) pitcher Pedro Martinez tried to ease the anxiety some peo- departure. The most promi- the microphone, he ended it the investigation of the Red suspensions of Manager AJ could and celebrate some of ple may have about the status nent name being thrown by exclamation that Varitek Sox, although early reports Hinch and General Manager the older players and teams of the team while the MLB around by fans was former should become the new skip- indicate that any sort of sign Jeff Lunhow for their sign that the Sox fielded over the investigation is pending.