Search for The Westfield News Westfield350.comTheThe Westfield WestfieldNews News 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 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 VOL. 89 NO. 224 State representative debate livestream set for tonight By HOPE E. TREMBLAY according to its mission is “dedicated to “Our organization was formed to help Editor promoting efficient and responsible Westfield taxpayers make informed WESTFIELD — The Westfield administration of our City of Westfield decisions on those issues that are facing Taxpayer’s Association is hosting a state government, school system, and munic- our city today. We see these debates as a representative debate Wednesday which ipal utilities. The goals of the organiza- way of furthering that goal to help tax- we be streamed live on Channel 15. tion include researching issues, educat- payers make informed decisions,” said Candidates Ethan Flaherty, an ing taxpayers, representing the concerns Richards, adding “People may get more Independent, Kelly Pease, a Republican of the taxpayers, and planning action to information about our association by and Matt Garlo, a Democrat, will all affect change.” going on to Facebook and putting in participate in the event which begins at The Association officers are President Westfield Taxpayers Association.” 7 p.m. Sept. 16. The hour-long event is Brian Richards, Treasurer Jane Okscin The Association solicited potential the first of several debates hosted by the and Corporate Secretary Kathleen questions from the public on its Taxpayer’s Association. Hillman. Facebook page ahead of the debate. A The nonprofit, non-partisan Richards said hosting debates is part ETHAN KELLY MATT second live streamed debate is planned Association was formed in July and of the group’s intent. FLAHERTY PEASE GARLO for Oct. 13. ‘Celebration of life’ Fire Commission marks James Arps rejects proposal memorial tourney to increase By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent commission size WESTFIELD -Now in its 19th year, golfers are sought By PETER CURRIER to participate in the James Staff Writer Arps Memorial Golf WESTFIELD — The Fire Commission voted unani- Tournament, planned on Oct. This photograph was taken one week before James Arps was mously Sept. 14 in a teleconference meeting to recom- 3 at Tekoa Country Club. killed in a car accident in February 2001. He is seen with his mend against increasing the size of certain commis- A noon shotgun start daughter Ashley, and his son Thomas, who was celebrating his sions in the city from three to five members. begins the “celebration of second birthday. (SUBMITTED PHOTO) The vote was related to a motion by the City Council life” afternoon with lunch on on May 2, 2019 to increase the size of the police, air- the turn, according to Jeffrey er was a licensed electrician. have provided our 10th $500 port, and fire commissions. The motion was referred to Arps who is overseeing “He left behind many friends, scholarship to Hannah Bean, the Law Department and the Legislation and Ordinance logistics. Proceeds raised but he also left behind his wife who will be attending Coastal Committee where it has sat since. from the fundraiser will ben- A memorial golf tourna- Beth, three children, Ashley, Carolina University,” said Fire Commission Chair Albert Masciadrelli said that efit the CdLS Foundation and ment, now in its 19th year, Thomas, and Joseph, and now Arps. “We all know how pain- it would be in the best interest of the city and the Fire the Westfield Food Pantry. celebrates the life of Ashley has added two grand- ful the cost of college can be, Commission to remain as a three-person commission. “My brother played James Arps who graduat- daughters, Lindsey James and so every little bit helps. The He said that adding two more commissioners would Westfield youth hockey but ed from Westfield High Lilliana Rose.” memorial scholarship will invite more politics into the Fire Department, which all he did not play in high School in 1986. (JEFFREY Arps said the proceeds of continue to support local stu- three commissioners and Fire Chief Patrick Egloff school,” said Arps, noting ARPS PHOTO) the tournament originally dents in the pursuit of their agreed should not happen. James graduated from funded the James Arps dreams for a bright future.” While Commissioner Jeff Siegel agreed that the size Westfield High School in to Westfield to visit his Memorial Scholarship for Arps is hopeful they will be should not be increased, he briefly played devil’s advo- 1986. “He wasn’t terribly daughter Ashley and Westfield High School stu- able to net $3,000 from the cate and pointed out that having more people would athletic, but he loved build- friends. dents, but upon reaching tournament. prevent a situation where one commissioner is unable to ing things and buying tools.” “During one of these vis- $12,000 in the fund, the schol- “Half the proceeds go to the attend a meeting and the remaining two commissioners Arps noted his brother its in February 2001, he was arship can sustain itself in per- CdLS Foundation and the are stuck with a tie on a crucial vote. moved to Pittston, Maine, in killed in a car accident,” petuity. Masciadrelli said that he had never seen that situation 2000, and would return often said Arps, adding his broth- “This year, we are proud to See James Arps, Page 2 occur in his time as a commissioner, which spans more than two decades. Siegel also argued that there could be some value in having more points of view on the commission. He also said, however, that in a time of economic uncertainty Officer request to return to reserve status approved and fiscal conservatism, it may not be wise to add two more people to the commission who would have to By ANGELICA J. CORE tion, I would like to remain on reserve time. Sypek said he receive a stipend from the city. Staff writer reserve status in order to gain was impressed with Tsatsos’ Egloff pointed out that having a five-person commis- WESTFIELD – Westfield insight and experience as a interview and is slightly dis- sion would mean that two commissioners speaking Police Commissioners police officer.” appointed that he is not ready outside of a meeting would not be a quorum, which Leonard Osowski and Richard Valliere said Tsatsos’ con- to take on the full-time posi- would potentially allow them to discuss Fire Sypek approved Westfield cerns include that he has not tion but sees the win in him Commission business off the record. He argued that this Police Officer Matthew had enough time or experi- returning as a reserve officer. would bring more politics into the commission. Tsatsos’s request to return to ence to determine if being an “With that being said, with Under open meeting law, having a majority of a com- being a reserve police officer officer is for him. any professional organization mission gathered together constitutes as a quorum, Sept. 14 during the commis- “Typically, our reserve pro- it is always wise to build up which makes it illegal to discuss Fire Commission busi- sion meeting. gram offers a lot of insight to your system from the bottom ness if it is not part of a previously scheduled and During the last Commission officers before they come on up. I think returning Matt to a announced meeting. meeting, on July 20, Tsatsos the department full-time and it reserve police officer serves With a three-person commission that means that any was appointed as a full-time also gives them an opportuni- two purposes: One, it allows discussion of Fire Commission business between two officer. A month later, Police ty to see whether or not this is him to reflect more what he commissioners is in violation of that law. Chief Lawrence Valliere the type of employment that truly he wants to do career- Masciadrelli said th e police and airportcommissions received a letter from him that they really want to pursue,” wise, I think that is most are in agreement against the change. read, “This is my intention to said Valliere. important to Matt and we owe “After talking to the other comissions, I found that rescind my full-time employ- WESTFIELD POLICE Valliere also said since him that. Two, it allows us to they are in sort of the same realm. They don’t want their ment offer for the Westfield CHIEF LAWRENCE Tsatsos was appointed in July, Police Department. In addi- VALLIERE it did not give him a lot of See Request, Page 3 See Fire Commission, Page 3 Healthy reminders to be installed on the rail trail By HOPE E. TREMBLAY trail when people are hanging out there smok- Editor ing,” Hibert said. WESTFIELD – The Westfield Board of Carnes said she realized there was no health- Health donated 15 signs to post along the related signage on the Westfield portion of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail to remind visi- trail, which connects to Southwick and tors of health and safety rules. Southampton. The signs state there is no smoking or vaping The board had unused tobacco grant funds on the trail, as well as reminders to keep dogs on available for the project. Amelia Fanion of leash and other trail rules. Alchemy Method designed the signs, which Board of Health member Juanita Carnes sug- were made by Latka Printing. The Department gested the signs after observing numerous peo- of Public Works will install the signs. ple smoking on the trail. “They will place them at the entrances as well “While using the trail I saw people sitting and as periodically throughout the trail,” Carnes smoking.