Westfield Ward 6 City Councilor William (Bill) Onyski (WNG file photo)
I’m hopeful that the warm weather will be here, and stay here, soon. Although the days are getting longer, it’s been difficult to work outside in the evenings due to the weather. I’m crossing my fingers that this will change soon.
Thank you to Chris Padden and Barb Giroux for inviting me to the Hampton Ponds Neighborhood Meeting. Also attending were Mayor Sullivan, staff from the office of Representative Velis, members of the Westfield Police Department, the Environmental Police, and the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
This meeting allows Hampton Ponds area residents to discuss topics of interest and problems in the area. Residents are able to interact with multiple agencies at a single location which eliminates guesswork and running around learningwhich department is responsible for what problem.
One issue discussed was the possible expansion of the Hampton Ponds Playground. The submission of the block grant application for the playground will be this summer and input from the neighbors is encouraged. We will plan a neighborhood meeting in the near future.
Another issue discussed was the repair of the State boat ramp. After the meeting, I learned that the Westfield Conservation Commission approved emergency repairs to the boat ramp which will allow the ramp to open on time this year.
Earth Day Cleanup is scheduled for Saturday April 22, 2017. Volunteers are needed to help clean up areas of the city. You can either form your own clean up group or come on your own and be assigned to a group. Volunteers spread out over different areas of the city to collect trash to make the city look its best. I volunteered for the Earth Day Cleanup last year and it was very rewarding. Believe it or not, when you pick up trash with a group of people, it is not like work at all—the time really flies. It’s a shame that slobs throw trash out of their cars and an event like this is needed but I applaud everyone who volunteers to help. You can pre-register for the event by calling Karen Leigh at 413-572-6281 or emailing her at [email protected] ins are also welcome: Saturday, April 22, 2017 ~ 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM meet at the Masonic Lodge, 72 Broad Street, Westfield, MA at 8:00 AM, rain or shine. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring waterproof boots, work gloves, and a desire to help clean the environment!
The Westfield Citizens Scholarship Foundation (CSF) Dollars for Scholars will be holding their annual awards night on Monday, May 15, 2017 at South Middle School at 7:00 P.M. This very worthwhile organization is headed by Cynthia Neary and has many hard working volunteers.Since 1962, CSF Westfield has awarded more than three million dollars to 6,006 deserving Westfield students to help them achieve their dream of higher education. This year, $125,000 will be awarded.
Although the scholarship application timeline has passed, donations are accepted and appreciated all year. If you are interested in making a donation, checks should be made out to CSF Westfield Dollars for Scholars and mailed to CSF at P.O. Box 382, Westfield, MA 01086.
CSF Westfield has two fundraising events coming up in April. On Saturday, April 22, 2017, CSF will hold a Shred Day from 9:00 A.M. until noon, or until the Valley Green truck is full, in the parking lot of the Westfield Senior Center. People can bring a limit of 3 boxes of paper to be shredded and there is a donation to CSF of $5 for each box.
On April 29, 2017, CSF will hold their 1st Annual CSF Westfield Dollars for Scholars Golf Tournament at Tekoa Country Club. Information is available on the CSF website at csfwestfield.dollarsforscholars.org. Golfers and sponsors can still sign up for this wonderful charity event through April 21, 2017.
The Joseph Avenue are sewer project is set to commence. Mobilization will begin the week of April 10, 2017. Actual construction will begin the following week with test pits being dug throughout the construction area. The main construction will start at the intersection of Rachel Terrace and Grandview Drive. Due to the nature of sewer construction, there will be inconveniences in the Joseph Avenue area. However, the end result will be beneficial to the neighbors.
In City Council news, the Legislative and Ordinance Committee continues discussing the best way to accept private ways to become City streets. I reported this in my last column so I’ll keep this brief. There were two schools of thoughts on accepting private ways. One was through individual acceptance of private ways; the other a home rule petition through the State Legislature. Each has their drawbacks and benefits. We are also now investigating the possibility of quickly accepting the streets that are considered to be “low hanging fruit”. These are the easy streets, no pun intended. Members of the Legislative and Ordinance Committee all have the same goal and we are just investigating different avenues to get there.
On Thursday, the City Council approved a Host Community Agreement with HEKA Health Incorporated for a medical marijuana facility to be located on 98 Sgt. T.M. Dion Way, near the rear of the State Police Barracks. The agreement dictates that HEKA provide the city payment equal to 3% of the revenue generated and an additional 1% dedicated to infrastructure repairs. This facility will bring both revenue and jobs to Westfield.
Last but not least, I appreciate the support of the Ward 6 residents and all of the residents of Westfield. I have been working hard to help with residents’ issues and make choices and votes that benefit Ward 6 and Westfield. On April 4, I took out nomination papers and will run for the Ward 6 City Council seat for a second term. I am optimistic that my work and record over the past sixteen months will provide continued support from the residents of Ward 6 in November.
Thank you for taking time to read this. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] or 413-568-7747.
