We mourn the loss of police officer Jose Torres. It is with a heavy heart that I write about Westfield City Council affairs. Westfield has lost Police Officer Jose Torres due to a tragic accident on Thursday morning. Officer Torres was a respected police officer and is a loved family member. My husband Jack and I extend our deepest sympathy to all his family, friends, colleagues and construction work crew at this difficult time.
School upgrades. During the summer vacation, Westfield contractors began upgrades to many of the city schools and the police station. City Councilors and School Committee members had the opportunity to tour the Voc-Tech High School. This 1930’s building with a solid structure was in need of many upgrades. The project management firm P3 is tackling an ambitious list of jobs to bring the school to modern standards: replacement of windows and boilers; HVAC systems; electrical circuit wiring; outside brickwork, where needed; and upgrades to the cupola. The highlighted project of our tour was a part of the HVAC system. The school building requires more oxygen. The solution? Puncture through the walls literally to bring outside air into the new ventilation ductwork. Some members of the construction crew are graduates from the Voc-Tech. It’s wonderful that former students are both employed and applying what they learned at the Voc-Tech to improve their alma mater for the next generations of students. I thank the city, especially Mayor Knapik, Superintendent Scallion , Cindy Minicucci, Tammy Tefft, and Karen Fanion, and the contractors, especially Dan Pallotta and construction crews, for taking the time to show us the investment taking place in Westfield schools.
Farmers’ markets. Summer time is growing season. western Mass has farmers and small businesses committed to producing local produce and foods. Many have partnered with Westfield businesses and institutions to bring us their local foods and produce at three farmers’ markets on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Buy local fruits, vegetables, breads, pies, jams, honey, maple products, apple butter, cut flowers, plants, cheeses, eggs, and more at the following locations and times:
Westfield Farmers’ Market
Church of the Atonement
36 Court Street
Thursdays 1:30 – 5:30 pm
Farmers’ Market at the Arbors Assisted Living
40 Court Street
Saturdays 10 am – 1 pm
Farmers’ Market at Zuber’s Ice Cream & Deli
98 Southwick Road
Sundays 9 am – 1 pm
Agma Sweeney
Westfield City Councilor
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of the Westfield News.
