The city is unfolding a major construction plan for widening of Western Avenue. The project will address work on this roadway from the Noble Hospital to the Bates Road split. The effect on residents is major and, as a result of this impact, Councilor Ann Callahan and I have requested that the city conduct a public information session to inform residents of the details of the project. There will be a meeting on Wednesday, November 14 at 7 p.m. at Highland Elementary School. Our city engineer will be at this meeting to present an overview of the plan (involving a new traffic light, widening of Western Avenue, removal of trees within the tree belt, new sidewalks, and the installation of several traffic islands.) This is an opportunity for citizens to learn the details and to give their input on this proposed two year project.
Westfield is losing a long-term dedicated employee with the retirement of Greg Kalfa this fall. Greg began his career with the city in 1984. Some folks may remember that Greg became treasurer under controversy during this selection process. Greg stepped into an office in turmoil and diligently worked to bring order to chaos. He has worked so hard for our city and truly deserves all of the best for the future. Best wishes to Greg and Pat.
I recently was able to celebrate with a hard working grassroots group of folks in Russell who, after seven long years, are able to relax and celebrate the victory of the Russell Biomass, LLC pulling out of the project. I am so proud to know these folks and proud of all they have done. Their work and success are a tribute to small town folks pulling together and standing up to big money and big projects. I am proud also of the interest our City of Westfield showed in this project early on in the process. Councilors Barbara Swords, Jim Adams, Peter Miller, Rick Onofrey, Jason Russell, Nick Morganelli and I all attended public meetings in Russell run by the Commonwealth. While Charlie Medeiros was acting mayor he could not have been more helpful in immediately signing a letter to the Commonwealth indicating our displeasure over the project. Richard Sullivan, while mayor, spoke eloquently at a public hearing in the fall of 2006 making the point that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts should not unilaterally over ride a community’s local zoning laws that had been set in place to protect the residents of a town or city. David Canton, a reporter for the Westfield Evening News at the time, is a huge hero of mine because he wrote fairly about the project at personal peril. However, there were many heroes that affected the outcome we now see. Determination and a “stick to it” philosophy are the themes of this victory.
Our Westfield Veteran’s Day Parade will be held on Sunday, November 11. The parade will kick off at 10 a.m. on Elm Street (at the Chapel Street intersection) and marchers will proceed along the route from Elm to Broad to West Silver Street and terminate at Parker Park. The annual memorial service will then be held.
Mary O’Connell, Ward Four City Council
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of the Westfield News.
