The EVENING NEWS is published Monday - Friday as well as Saturday mornings.
The News covers Westfield, Southwick and the Hilltowns.
BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Deval Patrick pledged Friday to sign a 25 percent hike in the state sales tax now that lawmakers have approved three reform bills, including a massive transportation overhaul bill. “Because of that, I will approve the new revenues we need to bring our budget into balance, offset the need for even more [...]
32nd Annual Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce Pancake Breakfast WESTFIELD – The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce will hold its 32nd annual Pancake Breakfast on The Green in Westfield, Thursday, July 9, 2009 from 7 AM to 11 AM. The Event is held rain or shine! Come enjoy your breakfast under the sky including pancakes, sausage, [...]
WESTFIELD — On Monday, June 29, 2009, the Rotary Club of Westfield, will hold its annual Installation Banquet. This is a very special event, as outgoing President Abby Simchak, will be roasted and given a fond farewell, and the incoming president, Amybeth Perry, will be welcomed and given her charges as president for [...]
By DAVE CANTON Staff Writer WESTFIELD — The Westfield Gas and Electric will be going after federal Stimulus money, the Municipal Light Board agreed last night, but one commissioner said he will be looking for a substantial payback for ratepayers. G&E Interim Manager Daniel Howard told the board last night at its meeting that some $4 billion in [...]
By DAN MORIARTY Staff Writer WESTFIELD — The Home Depot distribution center project cleared another regulatory hurdle Tuesday. The Conservation Commission approved the notice of intent and stormwater management plans submitted by the developer, Campanelli Westfield LLC, which would construct and lease the 657,000-square-foot structure to Home Depot. David A. Mackwell of the Kelly Engineering Group, Inc., presented the [...]
By BERNADETTE JOHNSON Staff Writer WESTFIELD — One man’s Field of Dreams is now a reality. With the help of many hands, Chris Dolan has brought Fenway Park to Westfield and is waiting to see if “they will come” when Fenway Westfield sponsors its first Jeremiah Hurley Jr. Wiffle Ball Tournament this weekend. “I was out here hitting [...]
By ANDREA BUGBEE Correspondent WESTFIELD — Quite possibly, there are as many Westfield residents who know a member of the Liptak family as there are residents who have enjoyed an afternoon at Stanley Park. But younger generations may not remember just how integrally the two are connected. On Sunday, June 28, beginning at noon, Stanley Park will host [...]
By DAN MORIARTY Staff Writer WESTFIELD — The City Council is set to conduct a special meeting tomorrow to discuss the city’s proposed budget for the 2010 fiscal year, which begins in just a week, on July 1, 2009. Mayor Michael R. Boulanger said Tuesday that the budget is still moving based upon “Cherry Sheet” numbers containing [...]
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) — Attorneys for a Massachusetts gun club and a former police chief say their clients shouldn’t be charged with supplying guns at a show where a boy accidentally killed himself. Eight-year-old Christopher Bizilj (bah-SEEL’) of Ashford, Conn., lost control of a submachine gun and shot himself at the Westfield Sportsman’s Club. The club and [...]
By DAVE CANTON Staff Writer WESTFIELD — An Agawam man is reportedly in critical condition and on life support today after he was allegedly beaten by another Agawam man at a weekend party. Joshua Lyons, 22, of 22 Royal Street in Agawam, remains in the Baystate Medical Center intensive care unit after police said he was struck [...]
City of Westfield’s 4th of July celebrations at Stanley Park went off Friday evening, July 3, 2009. High attendance and a sprinkle (at the end) with relatively clear skies Friday night made one of the most exciting Fourths in years. Have a Happy Fourth of July from all of us at www.wenpub2.com!
WESTFIELD — The Westfield Gas & Electric Municipal Light Board has narrowed its search for a new, permanent General Manger to two candidates.
Human Resources Subcommittee Chairman Thomas Flaherty said yesterday that the board winnowed 47 applications down to four candidates Wednesday evening.
The board met in executive session Monday and Wednesday, wading through the stack of resumes to narrow the field of candidates to four. …
DAVE CANTON
WESTFIELD — The City Council is considering a proposed ordinance to increase protection for firefighters.
The council’s Legislative & Ordinance Committee will review a proposed ordinance to aid firefighters identify buildings with a truss structure.
At-large Councilor James R. Adams, who submitted the ordinance proposal Thursday night, said a mechanism is needed to increase the safety of firefighters responding to a fire. …
DAN MORIARTY
SOUTHWICK — Repairs to a portion of South Longyard Road that passes over Great Brook are moving forward, after Tuesday the Board of Selectmen instructed the Town’s Chief Administrative Officer to complete negotiations on a contract with the low bidder. Selectmen accepted New England Infrastructure, Inc. bid of $689,57, after engineering consultant , Tighe and Bond recommended the bid.
Now, town official await approval from the state Mass Highway Department of engineering plans to repair the breach.
DAVE CANTON
Have a safe and happy 4th of July!
WESTFIELD — Mayor Michael R. Boulanger is submitting a number of requests to the City Council pertaining to another huge commercial development in the city.
Boulanger is submitting requests to support construction of the 400-megawatt, natural gas fired power plant located off Servistar Industrial Way on Ampad Road.
Included in that package is a resolution to remove the 37-acre site from the Summit Lock Economic Opportunity Area and create a new Pioneer Valley Energy Center Economic Opportunity Area.
The reason for that request is that the agreement between the power plant developers and the city calls for a 15-year tax incentive financing package. A TIF cannot exceed the life of the economic opportunity area to which it is attached, and the Summit Lock EOA has less than a decade remaining. …
DAN MORIARTY
WESTFIELD — A major provider of social services in greater Westfield is assessing the impact of reduced state funding on several programs.
The state budget signed into law by Gov. Deval Patrick earlier this week greatly reduces support for social service programs, but the specifics of those cuts are still unclear to many of the agencies providing services to residents.
Kathleen Damon, Chief Executive Officer of the Carson Center for Human Services, said this morning that the agency is still seeking information from the state regarding funding. …
DAN MORIARTY
WESTFIELD — Even as the school doors were closing behind students on the last day of school, Monday, June 21, South Middle School Principal Ronald Rix was on his way to Los Angeles, Calif., to “brag about Westfield” before a national gathering of educational commissioners.
Rix was invited by Dr. Russell Quaglia, president and founder of the Quaglia Institute of Student Aspirations, to share a panel with himself, the New Hampshire commissioner of education, schools superintendents from Somerville, Mass., and Selma, Alabama, and a principal from Helena, Montana, at the Council of Chief State School Officers’ (CCSSO) 2009 National Conference on Student Assessment.
“We’re one of the 10 national demonstration sites for Student Aspirations,” said Rix, “something I started when I was at North Middle School,” where Rix served as principal from 1999 until 2008 before transferring to South Middle School. …
BERNADETTE JOHNSON
SOUTHWICK — Selectmen, Tuesday, voted to approve a $1.4 million purchase and sale agreement for the former Suburban Chevrolet site with plans to convert it to a new Department of Public Works equipment yard and repair facility, but attorney Richard Buckley told the board that the seller of the property, Orbit Realty, is requesting the sale be expedited.
“We have to speed this as much as possible,” Buckley said. “They (the seller) will not go out seven or eight months.”
To that end., Buckley suggested that a Planning Board public hearing on a Special Permit for the site be scheduled as soon as possible.
DAVE CANTON
SOUTHWICK — Several competitor slots remain open for the July 12 Second Annual Rotary Barbecue and Chili Cook Off for those who think they have the “chops” to outcook the best of the best in Southwick grill-top cooking.
The Rotary’s new president Robert Fox said this morning that eight competitors stood up last year, and so far, 12 have signed on to cook their specialty barbecue dishes and put them to the judges’ taste.
The ultimate challenge, of course, is to make the finest chili. Be it hot or not, Democratic state Rep. Rosemary Sandlin and Republican state Rep. Don Humason will have to find something to agree upon as they, along with Tucker’s Chef Mike Anderson, judge the competitors’ work. The public will also get a chance to taste the competition’s work as well.
Anyone wishing to step up and compete with Southwick’s best can contact Fox at 569-5962. …
DAVE CANTON
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WESTFIELD — The City Council, meeting in a special emergency session Tuesday night, voted to rescind its two budgetary votes cast on Monday.
The council had voted to reject Mayor Michael R. Boulanger’s $103 million city budget and to reject the proposed Fire Department ambulance fund.
The intent of the councilors was to “send a message” to Boulanger concerning his handling of the budget process. Councilors believed that a negative vote Monday night would allow Boulanger’s budget, without council fingerprints, to go into effect.
Members of the council’s Finance Committee were critical of the budget because it continues to shift funds to salary and compensation accounts while reducing supply and service line items. …
DAN MORIARTY
WESTFIELD — The School Committee voted Tuesday night to approve its $52 million budget Tuesday night. That vote came shortly after the City Council “took no action” on Mayor Michael R. Boulanger’s appropriation request, which by default becomes the city’s 2010 budget.
The School Committee’s budget approval vote restored several positions with the $100,000 added by Boulanger just before the budget was presented to the council last Thursday.
The vote to approve the budget followed an executive session meeting at which restoration of positions was discussed. …
DAN MORIARTY
SOUTHWICK — Work can now begin on the reconstruction of Lakemont Street after the Board of Selectmen last night approved a contractor’s agreement with Goncalves Construction of Ludlow.
The $352,800 project will strip the roadway down to its base, replace underground waterlines, install drainage and repave a slightly wider roadbed.
However, since the roadway is not an accepted town road, nor could it be made to meet Mass Highway standards, funding for the project would have to come from the town’s General Fund. …
DAVE CANTON
SOUTHWICK — In an acrimonious meeting, the Southwick Board of Selectmen heard one of its own describe his June 3 citation by Springfield police for possession of marijuana.
David St. Pierre did not deny that there was marijuana in his pickup truck the afternoon of June 3 as he sat with a young man he had been mentoring for the past two years. In fact, that marijuana, and its possible consequences for the young man, was what the two were talking about when a uniformed Springfield police officer interrupted and confiscated the drugs, seized St. Pierre’s handgun and cited the two for noncriminal possession of a Class D substance. …
DAVE CANTON
WESTFIELD — First Thursdays @ the Athenaeum will feature composer, pianist and recording artist Dan Kennedy (a.k.a. Daniel J. Kennedy), of Amherst, with the Dan Kennedy Trio in the Lang Auditorium at the Westfield Athenaeum from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 2.
Kennedy describes his music as “contemporary instrumental.”
“This, to me, just means instrumental music that is infused with jazz and folk elements,” said Kennedy. “I’m constantly composing new things.” …
BERNADETTE JOHNSON
WESTFIELD — Westfield police have announced temporary parking and traffic restrictions that will be enforced on Friday, July 3, to minimize disruptions caused by the crowds visiting Stanley Park for the annual Independence Day fireworks extravaganza.
Lloyds Hill and Mountain View Street will be closed to through traffic at 6 p.m., and, at 8 p.m., Western Avenue will be closed to through traffic from Loring Lane to Westwood Drive. …
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WESTFIELD — The City Council voted Monday night to reject the proposed 2010 budget by an 8-2 majority, then adjourned after approving, or rejecting, several other budget matters.
Then, with the exception of At-Large Councilor David Bannish, who left the Council Chambers immediately, they stood around in small groups with officials of the Police, Fire and School departments discussing the ramifications of their vote to reject the $103 million general fund budget submitted by Mayor Michael R. Boulanger. …
DAN MORIARTY
WESTFIELD — City Council President Charles Medeiros lamented the “old days when if you came into session with eight votes, you had eight votes, not the new days when you come in with eight votes and come out with three.”
Those evaporating votes related to Medeiros’ motion to eliminate the salary line item for city Personnel Director Richard Merchant, a motion that failed by a negative vote of eight councilors. Only Medeiros voted in favor of his motion, while Finance Chairman John P. Liptak voted to abstain. …
DAN MORIARTY
SOUTHWICK — Southwick health officials confirm that at least four people contracted a food-borne illness after eating at a wedding reception hosted by the Cove Restaurant on Point Grove Road. But many more may have been infected without even knowing.
Health Agent Thomas FitzGerald said state officials reported to him that four cases of campylobacter, a food-borne bacterial illness, were recorded after health officials conducted toxicology testing. …
DAVE CANTON
WESTFIELD — Westfield’s emergency responders were being dispatched from the Pioneer Valley Railroad yard behind the Westwood Restaurant on North Elm Street yesterday as the city’s first responders used their downtime to hone up on railroad safety.
Richard Towle, of Foxboro, law enforcement liaison officer with Region One of the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety, was on hand to share, from his 40 years of railroading experience, information concerning the safe and proper response to rail incidents. …
BERNADETTE JOHNSON
SOUTHWICK — The state Department of Environmental Protection is calling on commercial marinas on Congamond Lake to present their licenses required under state statute Chapter 91.
In letters to The Cove on North Pond, Crabby Joe’s on South Pond, and PB&J Marina, Louis B’s and Saunders Boat Livery, all on Middle Pond, all were ordered to provide information about the docks they have on the lake and any licenses held. The June 19 dated letters give companies 15 days to comply. …
DAVE CANTON
WESTFIELD — It was an unusual situation. A non-Rotarian presenting another non-Rotarian with The Rotary’s highest recognition. But, former Westfield Mayor and now Commissioner of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation Richard K. Sullivan Jr. handed the Paul Harris Fellowship medal to Westfield Police Chief John Camerota, the man he called, “Westfield’s Go-to Guy.”
“He is a role model,” Sullivan said of Camerota. “You don’t see his name in the paper as the organizer, but he is usually the one who makes it happen. When the Taste of Westfield needed help, he was the one who made it happen. He coaches sports team, flips burgers, anything he can do to help, John is there. He truly lives ‘Service Over Self.’” …
DAVE CANTON
BOSTON (AP) — Strained budgets have prompted some Massachusetts communities to cancel or rejigger their fireworks schedule, so Secretary of State William Galvin has compiled a list of activities.
The state’s chief historical officer announced Monday that information about fireworks displays, parades, concerts and other activities can be found at his Web site, www.sec.state.ma.us.
Westfield
Event: 2 Parades
Date and Time: July 4th in the morning and afternoon
Event: Fireworks
Date and Time: July 4th at dusk
Location: Stanley Park
Admission: Free
Information: http://www.cityofwestfield.org/home.html
Southwick
Event: Car Show
Date and Time: Saturday, July 4 from 11am to 4:30pm
Location: Babbs
Admission: Free
Event: Cruise Congamond ? Parade of Cars around the Lake
Date and Time: Saturday, July 4 at 2pm
Location: Babbs
Admission: Free
Event: CRC Concert Series
Date and Time: Saturday, July 4 at 2pm
Location: Babbs
Admission: Free
Event: Light up the Lake
Date and Time: Saturday, July 4 at dusk
Location: Babbs
Admission: Free
Event: CRC Boat Parade (Theme TBD)
Date and Time: Saturday, July 4 at 6pm (gather at 5pm)
Location: Saunder?s Marina
Admission: Free
Information: http://www.congamond.org/events.html
UPDATE: July 3 – Fireworks at Stanley Park
Friday, July 3 – Fireworks at Stanley Park Parking at Westfield State College Western Avenue to Close – Stanley Park Gates Closed
WESTFIELD – The July 3rd Extravaganza will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will be held in the Recreation Field with Fireworks to follow. Stanley Parks gates will be closed to vehicle traffic the entire day. All Parking will be in Westfield State College Parking Lots. Western Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic from Loring Lane to Overlook Drive from 8:00 p.m. to the completion of the fireworks. There will be no parking on the Park grounds for this event except for handicap parking and those who hold a preferred parking pass. The Tennis Courts/Recreation Gate will open at 4:00 p.m. to allow handicap parking on the premises and the gate on upper Kensington for those who hold a Rose Garden parking pass. All vehicles that park in the Tennis Courts/Recreation parking lot in Stanley Parks will have to exit out the lower Gillette Road gate. No vehicles will be allowed to exit out the Tennis Courts/Recreation Gate. The Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m.
Please bring your lawn chair or blanket.
UPDATE:
Rain date for the fireworks will be SUNDAY, JULY 5th.
RUSSELL — A newly elected Russell selectman is crying foul after her name was put to a letter approving Russell Biomass’s proposed alternative truck route, something she said she has never liked.
“I would never agree to that,” Nancy Mezger said of the letter Friday. “I could never think that was in the best interests of the town. The only thing it does is move the problem from Main Street to River Street.”
Mezger said Friday she has contacted the state Department of Public Utility and will be filing a dissenting letter with the agency, specifically not “favoring” the alternative truck route mentioned. …
DAVE CANTON
WESTFIELD — The City Council will meet tonight to vote on the city’s proposed 2010 budget, which has to be in place by Wednesday when the new fiscal year begins.
The School Committee will also meet both tonight and Tuesday to deal with final budget issues, as well as releasing an evaluation of School Superintendent Shirley Alvira. …
DAN MORIARTY
SOUTHWICK — For anyone visiting Prifti Park in Southwick this past weekend, it was clearly not the usual place to be. Parked on the outskirts of the park were an older style military transport vehicle, a small camper, a radio tower with all sorts of homemade and commercial antennas and a portable generator that controlled electrical power.
Sitting under a makeshift shelter constructed from a blue tarp were amateur radio operators, Keith Stromgren, assistant director of the Southwick Emergency Management Agency, who was bellowing into a microphone – CQ field day, CQ field day, this is WC1SW, Whiskey – Charlie – One – Sierra – Whiskey, the radio call sign for the Town of Southwick, while his brother Kevin, director of the Granville Emergency Management Agency, sat with a laptop computer entering the radio operators who responded to the CQ call. The term CQ is used as a general announcement on the amateur radio frequencies to invite other radio operators into a conversation or contact. …
FREDERICK GORE
AGAWAM — After 38 years of working as an on-site exterminator, Albert “Skip” Gagnon Jr. now wears a freshly ironed oxford and tie when he arrives at his cubicle. But his business is still bugs.
“My main job is to sell, but I do a lot of other things,” said Gagnon, a Whip City resident whose first exterminating job was back in the 1960s with the former Matthews Exterminating in Westfield. Now he works at the corporate offices of Braman Termite and Pest Elimination Specialists in Agawam, and he calls upon his years of field service to identify pests and elimination plans for clients, as well as to troubleshoot for technicians who are out on the road. …
ANDREA BUGBEE
SOUTHWICK — Sitting at the wheel of a high-powered car, traveling at high speeds on crowded city streets, dodging tractor trailer trucks, panicked drivers in every imaginable type of vehicle and even throwing in a few dim-witted pedestrians with obvious death wishes, would push an adrenalin overdose through most of us. It is, however, pretty much a big yawn for Frank Lombardo Sr. He has seen it all before and then some. He has seen thousands of horrendous calamities with dozens of vehicles demolished, scores of people killed, carnage and destruction beyond any conceivable scale, yet he seems strangely unfazed. …
DAVE CANTON
WESTFIELD — Two live bands, the talent of young local singers and the region’s best fireworks display will be the featured entertainment at the The Westfield Kiwanis Club’s second annual “Lights for Liberty” Independence Day weekend celebration at Stanley Park July 3.
Westfield Kiwanis Club Fireworks Co-Chairman Adam Wright said the event will kick off at 6 p.m. July 3 with a choral performance by the Young Singers of Westfield, a group that showcases the vocal talents of Westfield schoolchildren. “Shaggy,” the popular morning disc jockey from KIX 97.9, will act as master of ceremonies for the evening, which will also include the music of Brass Attack and The Soul Sensations. …
WESTFIELD — The City Council voted Thursday night, at the recommendation of the Finance Committee, to move funds into the city’s stabilization account.
Ward 5 Councilor Richard E. Onofrey Jr., a member of the Finance Committee, requested that the council approve two transfers, moving $388,650 from free cash and $50,000 from the city’s reserve account into the stabilization fund. …
DAN MORIARTY
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WESTFIELD — Human resources directors came under fire Thursday night as City Council members considered cuts to the 2010 budget.
Council President Charles Medeiros suggested that he would vote against a proposed $100,000 cut to the School Department if the School Committee would vote to eliminate funding for Helen Bowler, the department’s chief operations officer, legal counsel and Human resources Director. …
DAN MORIARTY
WESTFIELD — The City Council reviewed the proposed 2010 Fiscal Year budget submitted by Mayor Michael R. Boulanger, approving most of the spending provisions Thursday night.
The council will meet in special session at 5:30 p.m. Monday to make the final votes on the proposed $116 million spending package, as well as final changes or cuts. That budget is more than $3 million less than the current year’s budget of $119 million. …
DAN MORIARTY
SOUTHWICK — The Planning Board is holding a zone change public hearing open pending a town decision on its next Special Town Meeting. The board heard a request earlier this week to change the zoning on a portion of six Tannery Road properties, and while all the board members seem to be in agreement to recommend the change to Town Meeting, when the townwide session will be scheduled has a bearing on when the board can vote.
Chairman Douglas Moglin told fellow board members that unless everyone is sure a Special Town Meeting will be set within six months of the Planning Board vote, it would be better to leave the public hearing open indefinitely. Once the board closes its pubic hearing and a Special Town meeting is not called, for example until February of next year, then the pubic hearing will need to be reheard and the issue revoted before it can go before town voters. …
DAVE CANTON
WESTFIELD — A stolen laptop cooperated in its own recovery thanks to software loaded in the machine which allowed the owner to track its Internet use.
Det. Lt. Paul Miller, commander of the Westfield Police Department’s Detective Bureau, said Wednesday that a laptop computer which was reported stolen at Westfield High School last month was among the city-owned computers which contains special software. …
CARL E. HARTDEGEN
WESTFIELD — The Westfield Municipal Light Board unanimously approved a boosted $359,389.10 contribution to the City of Westfield for its payment in lieu of taxes for FY 2009. The proposed PILOT increases the payment by 10 percent over last year’s payment, documents indicate.
The actual dollar amount as calculated under a formula agreed upon by the city and the G&E set a payment of $419,389.10.
DAVE CANTON
STEVE LeBLANC
Associated Press Writer
BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Deval Patrick said Thursday he intends to sign a bill approved unanimously by Massachusetts lawmakers designed to toughen state ethics standards in the wake of a series of political scandals.
Patrick praised passage of the ethics bill as the final piece of a reform package that included transportation and pension reform bills already approved by lawmakers.
“Any one of these measures is significant on its own merits, but taken together they are a down payment on credibility,” he said.
Patrick, had threatened to veto a 25 percent sales tax hike approved by lawmakers unless they delivered all three reform bills to his desk first.
Patrick now says he’ll sign the tax increase after lawmakers agreed to a few final changes to the transportation bill.
“I will keep up my end of the bargain,” he said.
He also said that by signing the state budget, which calls for raising the sales tax from 5 percent to 6.25 percent, he hopes to avoid a proposed toll hike scheduled to go into effect on the Massachusetts Turnpike on July 1.
The ethics bill was prompted by a wave of political scandals, including one that led to the recent indictment of former House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi.
The bill would ban giving gifts of any value to lawmakers, increase the penalty for bribery of state officials to a $100,000 fine, 10 years in prison, or both, and double the penalty for violating lobbying laws to a $10,000 fine or up to five years in prison.
It would also increase the state Ethics Commission’s power to investigate and prosecute violations, create a statewide grand jury to make it easier to investigate political corruption and require ethics training for state and municipal workers and elected officials.
Supporters of the bill, including the watchdog group Common Cause, said it will begin the process of restoring the public’s faith in state government.
“This is a serious, thoughtful, and comprehensive bill,” said Pam Wilmot, director of Common Cause Massachusetts. “It is the most significant ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance disclosure reform in decades.”
The bill had some critics in the House, even though they voted for it.
Rep. Jeffrey Perry, R-Sandwich, said the bill will do little to curb the temptations of elected officials looking to enrich themselves especially when one party — the Democrats — holds overwhelming power in the state.
“This bill does nothing at all to change the culture of this institution,” Perry said.
Other lawmakers said the legislation didn’t go far enough.
Rep. Jennifer Callahan, D-Sutton, faulted the bill for making no changes to the Legislature’s decision to exempt itself from the same open meeting laws that govern city councils and local boards of selectmen.
Callahan said the Legislature should hold itself to the same standards of openness.
“It can be done,” Callahan said.
The bill maintains the current limits for donations to political campaigns — $200 a year for registered lobbyists and $500 for everyone else.
But it eliminates so-called “special committee” arrangements between state political parties and elected officials.
That change came after it was revealed Patrick had an agreement with the state Democratic Party allowing donors to give him $500 while donating up to $5,000 to a special fund called the Seventy-First Fund. (Patrick is the state’s 71st governor.)
In 2008, the fund contributed more than $288,000 in “in-kind contributions” to Patrick, picking up the tab for consulting fees and technology expenses.
The bill would still allow individual donations of up to $5,000 to state political parties.
The push for ethics reform followed the indictment last year of former state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson, D-Boston, on accusations of accepting bribes and the separate indictment earlier this year of DiMasi, a Boston Democrat, on charges that he used his position to reap $57,000 from an alleged bid-rigging scheme.
Part of the case against DiMasi hinges on the definition of “lobbyist.”
An individual is currently deemed not to be a lobbyist under state law if they spend less than 50 hours lobbying lawmakers or receive less than $5,000 in fees during each six-month reporting period. The bill would tighten that to 25 hours or $2,500.
By DAVE CANTON Staff Writer SOUTHWICK — A longtime member of the Southwick-Tolland Regional School Committee has tendered her resignation, saying she wants more personal time. Elizabeth St. Pierre told the committee of her decision at its last meeting. “I have loved being on the committee,” she said, “but I have decided to resign for personal reasons as of [...]
By DAVE CANTON Staff Writer SOUTHWICK — The physician who became world-famous after she was forced to perform her own breast cancer biopsy while stranded in Antarctica has died at her Southwick home. Jerri Lin Nielsen FitzGerald was surrounded by her family when she finally lost a 10-year-long battle with various forms of cancer Monday evening. “She was [...]
By DAVE CANTON Staff Writer SOUTHWICK —The low apparent bid for the reconstruction of the South Longyard Road crossing of Great Brook came in more than $310,000 less than the $1 million appropriated by Town Meeting. New England Infrastructure, Inc. of Hudson, submitted a bid of $689,577 for the project against the high bid of $1,177,565 from Acton [...]
By DAVE CANTON Staff Writer SOUTHWICK — School administrators are meeting later today to decide if a new girls’ varsity sport will be added to the Southwick-Tolland Regional High School roster for the coming year. Superintendent of Schools John Barry said this morning that he will meet with High School Principal Pamela Hunter and Athletic Director Frank Montagna [...]
By DAVE CANTON Staff Writer SOUTHWICK — Embattled Selectman David A. St. Pierre wants to have a meeting with fellow selectmen about his recent citation for possession of marijuana, but not in private. He wants a public meeting. “I want everything out in the open,” he said yesterday. “I want people to know what is going on. There [...]
By DAVE CANTON Staff Writer SOUTHWICK — The town recycles, DPW Director Jeffrey Neece said, but perhaps not enough. It’s not that the residents aren’t doing their part, but Neece feels that not enough things are being recycled, such as plastic bags. “Do you know how many plastic bags people use each year?” he asked rhetorically. “You can [...]
By DAVE CANTON Staff Writer SOUTHWICK — It’s so Andy Hardy! “We need to make some money … I know, let’s put on a show!” Only this time it’s not a 1930s Mickey Rooney vehicle, but a realistic way to raise funds for the rebuilding of the stage in the Town Hall auditorium. And it’s not Judy Garland, but [...]
By DAVE CANTON Staff Writer SOUTHWICK — A Powder Mill Middle School, all-girl team has taken a third place prize for technical merit in the Northeast Junior Solar Car Championships over the weekend at Western New England College. Earlier, Paige Lisowski, Tara Dowd and Jowal-Lisa Walden took the top prize for design at the preliminary competition June 6. The [...]
By DAVE CANTON Staff Writer SOUTHWICK — Local businessman, and now athletic field developer, John Whalley told the town’s Finance Committee last night that he plans to sink some $3 million to $4 million into a 70-acre athletic field on Powder Mill Road to install utilities, lay out nearly ten different playing fields, build special wheelchair accessible [...]
By DAVE CANTON Staff Writer SOUTHWICK — Town officials are making preliminary plans to add an emergency chlorination system to the town’s water supply system to comply with federal regulations, the first time chemicals have intentionally been added to Southwick municipal water. But even though a permanent system is not required at this point, DPW Director Jeffrey Neece [...]
By JEFF HANOUILLE Staff Writer WESTFIELD – Michael Sullivan’s single in the bottom of the ninth inning scored Adam Pami and the Westfield American Legion baseball team won in extra innings at Jachym Field against East Springfield Wednesday night, 4-3. With the victory, Westfield Post 124 improves to 7-4; East Springfield Post 420 is now 8-5. Connor McMahon started [...]
Westfield North 10-11’s blast Southampton
By JEFF HANOUILLE Staff Writer WESTFIELD – Little League coach Tom Flaherty has found the secret to motivating 10 and 11-year-olds. Just promise them an ice cream before each at-bat and the player is sure to come through. That’s exactly what happened yesterday in the first game of pool play in the 10 and 11-year-old District 2 All-Star [...]
Westfield North rallies to stun Agawam
By JEFF HANOUILLE Staff Writer WESTFIELD – Fueled by an eight-run uprising in the top of the sixth inning, the Westfield North Little League All-Stars came back from a 9-2 deficit against Agawam with a thrilling 14-12 victory in the first pool game of the 11-12-year-old District 2 Tournament at Papermill Playground last night. With the victory, Westfield [...]
Westfield Legion team rallies to top Holyoke
By JEFF HANOUILLE Staff Writer WESTFIELD – Westfield High School junior Mike Sullivan delivered a two-out, two-run double in the sixth inning to break a 3-3 tie and the Westfield American Legion baseball team won its first game of the season in its home opener last night at Bullens Field over visiting Holyoke Post 325 by the [...]
Fundraiser set for Westfield youth baseball team
WESTFIELD – There will be a beer tasting fundraiser at the Sons of Erin on William Street this Friday from 5:30-9 p.m. to help raise money for the Westfield Terminators youth baseball team, which is heading to Cooperstown, N.Y. in August to play ball. The Terminators, who will be one out of 96 teams from the [...]
Tough break: Saints bow out to undefeated Lions in state semis
By JEFF HANOUILLE Staff Writer WORCESTER – They’re not ready to knock off the best in the state in Division III but the St. Mary High School baseball team is on its way. Losing 11-4 in the state semis at Tivnan Field in Worcester Wednesday afternoon to undefeated Central Mass. champion West Boylston (24-0), the young and untested [...]
Missed it by that much: Bombers fall 1 run short of state final
By JEFF HANOUILLE Staff Writer WORCESTER – One error here. A base running mistake there. A wild pitch over here and a close play there. Those little plays can add up to a lot in a baseball game and in the end lead to a team’s downfall. That was the case last night at Tivnan Field in Worcester, [...]
Back-to-back: Bombers repeat as sectional champions
By JEFF HANOUILLE Staff Writer CHICOPEE – Twice last night, the Westfield High School baseball team gave senior third baseman Nick Gezotis opportunities to shine. Each time, the right-handed cleanup hitter delivered. Gezotis’ two-run, game-tying triple to left center in the top of the seventh inning sparked a dramatic 6-5 victory for second-seeded Westfield (18-5) Monday night against top-ranked [...]
30 years in the making: Saints win Western Mass. crown
By JEFF HANOUILLE Staff Writer CHICOPEE – St. Mary High School baseball coach Troy Collins remembers watching his older brother, Todd, win a Western Mass. baseball title with the Saints when he was younger. That was 30 years ago. Now, Troy has a Western Mass. baseball title of his own, thanks to a 10-5 victory for the eighth-ranked Saints [...]
Gear’d up: Former Bomber completes stellar college career
By JEFF HANOUILLE Staff Writer WESTFIELD – Former Westfield High School girls lacrosse goalie Jen Gearing didn’t even want to play lacrosse at the college level. But after some convincing from the coach at Keene State in New Hampshire, she decided to put the mask on, grab a stick and play for the Owls. Four years later, Gearing [...]
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Jun 30, 2009Photo submitted!
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Jun 16, 2009Zicam Cold Remedy nasal gel is shown in Boston Tuesday, June 16, 2009. The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday said consumers should stop using Zicam Cold Remedy nasal gel and related products because they can permanently damage the sense of smell. (AP Photo/Eric Shelton)
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Jun 16, 2009or ... ANOTHER 48 hrs part duh!
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Jun 10, 2009Arts and Leisure front starting with West Side's Taste of the Valley!
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May 28, 2009Thursday, May 28, 2009 Westfield Evening News with some color.
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May 26, 2009Taking a walk on a beach in Centerville, Cape Cod, May 23, 2009. Centerville is in Barnstable County, in the Barnstable Town metro area.
The community was formerly called Chequaquet, or "pleasant harbor." It was renamed Centerville for its location among the Barnstable villages
The latitude of Centerville is 41.648N. The longitude is -70.348W. It is in the Eastern Standard time zone. Elevation is 46 feet. (SR)
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May 19, 2009Bronze Tablet Nominees. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
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May 19, 2009Every Monday the Westfield Evening News reports business and economic trends.
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Granville, Blandford, Huntington...
Announcing July 2009 Courses at Southern Hilltowns Adult Ed Center
Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:22:57 GMT
City of Westfield
Summer Food Service Program
Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:19:46 GMT
Town of Southwick
Southwick/Granville CROPWALK
Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:18:37 GMT
City of Westfield
Westfield Theatre Group Summer Theatre Camp
Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:12:42 GMT
City of Westfield
Acting Studio for Kids Opens
Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:27:21 GMT
North Korea fires missiles in 4th of July salvo
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- North Korea launched seven ballistic missiles Saturday into waters off its east coast in a show of military firepower that defied U.N. resolutions and drew global expressions of condemnation and concern....Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:36:11 GMT
Former NFL quarterback McNair killed in Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair and a woman were found shot to death Saturday afternoon inside a condominium in downtown Nashville, police said....Sat, 04 Jul 2009 23:23:01 GMT
Palin links resignation to 'higher calling'
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) -- Outgoing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on Saturday laid the groundwork to take on a larger, national role after leaving state government, citing a "higher calling" with the aim of uniting the country along conservative lines....Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:10:25 GMT
In NYC, biggest fireworks show in US set to begin
NEW YORK (AP) -- The Fourth of July weekend is shaping up as a celebration for Americans watching fireworks around the country - and for three elephants and a turtle....Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:07:10 GMT
Marines march in grueling Afghan sun for July 4
NAWA, Afghanistan (AP) -- Taliban militants were nowhere in sight as the columns of U.S. Marines walked a third straight day across southern Afghanistan. But the desert heat proved an enemy in its own right, with several troops falling victim Saturday to temperatures topping 100 degrees Fahrenheit....Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:43:52 GMT
Coroner: Teen 5th killed by apparent serial killer
GAFFNEY, S.C. (AP) -- A teenage girl shot while helping her father in their family's small furniture and appliance store died Saturday, becoming the fifth victim of a suspected serial killer terrorizing a small South Carolina community, authorities said....Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:03:41 GMT
Obama's trip: A mission to reshape US image
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Determined to change the way the world views the United States, Barack Obama is onto his next foreign mission: rebuilding relations with Russia, proving to global leaders that America is serious about climate change, and outlining his vision for Africa, his father's birthplace....Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:30:19 GMT
Honduras' swift coup was months in the making
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) -- Soldiers ringed President Manuel Zelaya's modest home, spilled into the cul-de-sac and swarmed the neighborhood, blocking what little traffic there was in a posh corner of the Honduran capital so early on a weekend morning....Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:10:51 GMT
Networks to offer live Jackson memorial coverage
NEW YORK (AP) -- The memorial for Michael Jackson may be a tough ticket live, but it shouldn't be hard to find it on television....Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:39:18 GMT
Serena Williams beats sister Venus at Wimbledon
WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -- Serena Williams kept telling herself she was facing just another foe in the Wimbledon final Saturday, just another woman who hits the ball quite hard, just another player trying to deny her a Grand Slam title....Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:57:57 GMT
