TONIGHT Mostly Cloudy. Low of 58. Search for The Westfield News The Westfield MSearchAN S forERRORS The Westfield News TODAY IN WESTFIELD News “A ’ Westfield350.com The WestfieldNews HISTORY: Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns ARE HIS“TIME PORT IS THEALS ONLY WEATHER 1892: The Westfield OF DISCOVERYCRITIC WITHOUT.” TONIGHT Normal School at — James AMBITIONJoyCE .” Partly Cloudy. 53 Court Street dedicated. Search for The JOHNWestfield STEINBECK News Westfield350.comWestfield350.orgLow of 55. (presentlyThe City Hall) www.thewestfieldnews.comWestfieldNews Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TIME IS THE ONLY WEATHERVOL. 86 NO. 151 75 cents VOL. 87 NO. 142 WEDNESDAY,TUESDAY, JUNE JUNE 20, 2018 27, 2017 CRITIC75 CentsWITHOUT TONIGHT AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com Lightning City Council Preview: VOL. 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75 cents strike June 21, 2018 – causes fire Water Bond vote in Southwick may be postponed By GREG FITZPATRICK ByP AMY ORTER Correspondent Correspondent SOUTHWICK – Around 9 p.m. on Monday WESTFIELD – Although the night, the Southwick Fire Department respond- second reading and final passage ed to a report of a fire in an attic of a home on of the $13 million bond for water Congamond Road. Fire personnel discovered that the fire was caused by a lightning strike wells, connector and water tank, to that struck the house a half-hour earlier. Westfield City Advancement Officer Joe Mitchell, Crist Myers, president be used for the filtration and Neighbors saw the fire happening and alerted and CEO of Myers Information Systems, City Council president John J. improvements to wells 1 and 2, the owners of the home. Beltrandi, III and Mayor Brian P. Sullivan. (Photo by Amy Porter) completion of filtration and With mutual aid help from the Lost Acres improvements to wells 7 and 8, and Suffield Fire Departments, fire personnel connection to the Springfield water system and replacement of JOHN J. located the majority of the fire in the attic. BELTRANDI, III “We were able to contain the fire within the the water tank on East Mountain attic space of the structure,” said Southwick Road is on the agenda for At-Large City Councilor, Business acquires City Council President Fire Chief Russ Anderson. Thursday’s City Council meeting, Anderson added there was some damage to the vote may be tabled until one the side wall and part of the attic space. of two Special City Council meetings next week, as at least Due to the heat and humidity on Monday, two councilors will not be present, according to City Council firefighters were constantly being checked on Elm St. property President John J. Beltrandi, III. Also significant under Communications from the Mayor is See Lightning Strike, Page 8 By AMY PORTER the first quarter of 2019. a resolution from the Mayor for a Special Tax Assessment Correspondent “We’re growing as a company,” agreement for Myers Information Systems, Inc. and Camia, Westfield – On Tuesday said Myers, who said they have 20 LLC. “I think it’s justified. This company is making a sig- afternoon, Westfield Mayor Brian P. Massachusetts based employees, nificant investment in the downtown,” Beltrandi said about Sullivan, City Advancement Officer plus some out of state employees, the high-tech software company which recently purchased Microchip Joe Mitchell and Crist Myers, presi- contractors and consultants with 110 Elm Street. He said the 25-30 people employed will dent and CEO, of Myers Information whom they work. He said they plan frequent restaurants and visit shops, bringing foot traffic and Systems (myersinfosys.com) to put “a pretty sizable investment, business to the downtown. “It’s a big win for the city,” grant will benefit announced that the software com- well into hundreds of thousands” Beltrandi said. pany has purchased 110 Elm Street into the 1880 building, purchased on (formerly Stella’s Taproom and June 1 for $375,000. Myers said he’s Also on the agenda is $250,000 from the Community ‘hundreds’ Grille). Currently located in hoping for a smooth transition, and Preservation Undesignated (FY19) account to the CPA- Northampton, Myers Information to create a bright environment and Columbia Greenway Recreation account. Systems has been providing indus- culture to attract and retain the best of dogs try leading broadcast and manage- talent in the area. See City Council, Page 5 By LORI SZEPELAK ment facilities to commercial, non- Outgrowing their current location Correspondent commercial, TV, radio, and online on Hawley Street in Northampton, WESTFIELD-Hundreds of dogs will ben- platforms since 1988. Myers said Myers, who lives in Longmeadow, efit from a $1,000 grant recently received by following extensive renovations to the Westfield Regional Animal Shelter. the building, they expect to move in See Elm St., Page 3 Two Southwick police “We were awarded a microchip grant from Missing Dogs Massachusetts,” said officers affected Lori Charette, animal control operations manager. “This grant will allow us to offer a free microchip and implant the dogs that District looking to improve by opioid overdose come to our shelter as stray, and will be returning home to their families.” By GREG FITZPATRICK Charette said she “follows” Missing Dogs security at staff entrances Correspondent Massachusetts on Facebook and uses their ByP AMY ORTER SOUTHWICK – Two services when trying to find the owners of Correspondent Southwick Police officers strays that find their way to the local shelter. WESTFIELD – During public participation at the School Committee returned to work on Monday “We follow their page because in the meeting on Monday, Ward 2 Councilor Ralph J. Figy, liaison to the com- after being hospitalized on event an animal comes in here we may be mittee, reminded members and the public that the public hearing on the Sunday. FY19 city budget will be held on Wednesday, June 20 at 6 p.m. in City Around 10:30 a.m. Sunday See Microchip Grant, Page 8 Council chambers. He urged residents to come out in support of the pro- June 17, Det. Sgt. Robert Landis grams that are important to them. and officer Marc Siegel were Chief Financial Officer Ronald R. Rix reviewed financial statements dispatched to a residence on and end of year transfers. He said there is a healthy balance in the School Berkshire Avenue to check on a Choice account, which is funded by revenue from students that choice report of an unresponsive male. Det. Sgt. Robert Landis into Westfield Public Schools, and brings in approximately $800,000 It was then determined that the was one of two officers every year. School Choice funds may be spent on the education program, 29-year-old male passed away, that were affected by improving facilities, and transportation, among other items according to most likely from an opioid over- the opioid incident. Rix, who said they use $500,000 of the funds towards transportation dose. (WNG File Photo) annually. Although the Southwick Police Due to the remaining balance, Rix said the district will be using School The Westfield Regional Animal Shelter Department created a post on Monday about this incident Choice funds to improve security at staff entrances at all the schools. He has received a grant that will help pur- on their social media page, they declined to release the chaseWOW! microchipProf. packages It’s... 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