SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN
WESTFIELD – Mayor Brian P. Sullivan met with several members of Senator Elizabeth Warren’s staff on Monday, to discuss the water issues facing Westfield.
“They reached out to us, and also went to the Air National Guard, to open the lines of communication,” Sullivan said on Tuesday. He said the three from the office, include Warren’s state policy regulations director Ashley L. Coulombe, let him know that they are paying attention.
Sullivan said the city has been in direct touch with Sen. Warren’s office, but they wanted him to know that they are paying attention to the meetings. “Obviously, they are there to help,” he said, adding, “It’s good to confirm the strong support that Sen. Warren is giving us.” He said it was good to put a face to the calls that have been made.
Sullivan said Warren sits on some strong sub-committees, such as the Committee on Armed Services, where they go over military procedures. He said he was told that the Senator was having discussions on Westfield’s behalf, and added that information on any avenue of assistance was helpful.
In addition to meeting separately with the ANG, Warren’s staff also reached out to Kristen Mello of WRAFT (Westfield Residents Advocating for Themselves), who brought with her Mary Jones of the Toxic Action Center and former Ward 4 Councilor Mary O’Connell for an afternoon meeting with them in Springfield.
Mello said she has been speaking with Jessica Wong, Warren’s Western Mass staff person “on and off for a few months now.” She said last week, Wong called back and asked if she would like to meet.
“I was really encouraged by the whole thing. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be an open door, or an (attempt) to squash us. They listened to our concerns, and asked for documentation,” Mello said.
Mello also said, since the members of WRAFT had their attention, they asked Warren’s office how to get the Air Force to set up and bring in remediation for Westfield, including bottled water and filters.
The group also asked that Westfield be considered for the list of communities to do blood testing and health studies of PFAS-epsosure. Mello said Warren was one of the senators that put some money for the study in the National Defense Authorization Act, although only eight communities nationally will be chosen, according to Mello.
Mello said Warren’s office got to hear all three sides yesterday. “Which was nice, because I’ve heard everybody else’s story, and it was useful to be the last,” she said.
