JOHN VELIS
WESTFIELD – Baystate Noble Hospital will receive $150,000 from the state despite a veto by Gov. Charlie Baker.
State Rep. John Velis (D-Westfield) and State Sen. Donald F. Humason (R-Westfield) urged their colleagues to override the veto Thursday and were able to secure the two-thirds vote needed in both the House and Senate.
The funds will help create a new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant entrance on West Silver Street.
“When the governor vetoed it I immediately set to work speaking to the Ways and Means Committee,” said Velis.
Velis said securing every dollar for Westfield is more important than ever because of major cuts to local aid across the Commonwealth.
“These earmarked funds are now the local aid funds,” said Velis.
Baystate Noble Hospital ‘s main entrance does have a ramp but is not ADA compliant.
“A lot of buildings were grandfathered in and that is my understanding of what happened at Noble,” Velis said.
ADA concerns are a priority for Velis who served on the Westfield Commission for Citizens with Disabilities before his election to the House.
“One of the hardest things I had to do was leave that group when I was elected,” he said, “so I am happy to do something to help the community.”
Velis said Westfield On Weekends and Western Mass Hospital also received earmarks but they were not vetoed by Baker.
“All in all this was a great funding year for the citizens of Westfield,” said Velis.
