Southwick’s 2015 Year in Review

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JANUARY
Education Secretary impressed with Southwick school project
State Secretary of Education Matthew H. Malone toured the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional schools this month and was impressed with the unique campus renovations.
Before the tour, Malone met with Superintendent John D. Barry and State Rep. Nicholas Boldyga, and was later joined by State Sen. Donald F. Humason while touring Granville Village School.
Malone said he frequently visits schools across the state.
“The oldest and most successful high school in America is a 7-12 school – Boston Latin,” said Malone. “The new model we are seeing is this 7-12 school. What systems are getting rid of is middle school.”
Malone said it makes sense to move toward K-6 and 7-12 schools, and K-8 and 9-12 schools.
“Middle school is a great concept but it’s not providing the connections we want,” he said.

Southwick fire chief accredited
Southwick Fire Chief Richard Anderson was granted accreditation from the Massachusetts Fire Service Commission this month.
The honor is a declaration of Anderson’s training, education and certifications and recognizes that he has demonstrated the required fire service experience.
Anderson submitted proof of training and certifications to the Commission for review.
“This validates my experience and knowledge of fire service,” Anderson said. “It goes to all of the training you’ve had, and for me it’s 37 years.”
The Massachusetts Fire Service Commission is a gubernatorial appointed board that has established a process for uniform credentialing for fire chiefs.

Motocross organizers meet
A group of men interested in taking over Motocross 338 met with the Board of Selectmen in Jnuary.
Mike Grondahl is leading the group and funding the operation. Gary Yelin, Travis Loucks and Peyton Stevenson also met with the board.
Loucks offered a written history of the track and the group’s vision for the track’s future. The MMX 338 track is on property owned by the American Legion Post 338. Grondahl is the potential lessee of the track. One of the concerns of both Grondahl and the board is the use of property owned by the town.
When asked, Grondahl said he was not looking to make money.
“I’m doing this out of love of the sport,” said Grondahl. “I don’t want to make a dollar off of this – I’ve been fortunate.”
Grondahl said as long as the track staff can be paid, he was “all for making it a nonprofit.”

DOT administrator: State ‘not interested’ in Route 57
It came as a big surprise to town and state officals this month when Administrator of the MassDOT Highway Division Frank DePaola wrote in a letter that the state was “not interested” in land where Route 57 is supposed to be extended.
The letter was sent to Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO), owners of the land. WMECO has been holding the property for the state, which promised to complete the Route 57 project decades ago and took homes along the path of the extension.
A meeting took place in Boston regarding the future of Route 57. The meeting with DePaola was attended by Agawam Mayor Richard Cohen and West Springfield Mayor Edward Sullivan, along with state Reps. Nicholas Boldyga and Michael Finn, and State Sen. Donald Humason’s chief of staff. Southwick officials were not informed of the meeting until the day before, so Selectmen Chairman Russell Fox asked Humason and Boldyga to represent Southwick’s interest in the issue.
“My personal opinion is that it should be completed,” said Fox. “I told the senator that I hope the Commonwealth would consider giving due consideration to Southwick.”
Fox said Humason and Boldyga indicated the meeting went well and were surprised to learn that just one day later a letter was sent to WMECO.
“It wasn’t very good news,” said Fox. “I think someone needs to explain what transpired.”

Motocross exec hopes to lease land
The start of the new year has brought the start of a new era for Motocross 338.
New lease holder Michael Grondahl is making plans to begin a new season and the first order of business involves the town and school department.
According to an article on www.vitalmx.com, Grondahl is hoping to lease a parcel of land from the town which has been used for parking in the past.

Brewery plans to move to Southwick
Owners of the Westfield River Brewing Company are looking to expand with a move to Southwick.
Sergio Bonavita, owner of the company, is turning the former Chuck’s Steak House at 707 College Highway into his new brewing facility.
“We love Westfield and we’ve been very successful here, but we recognize that building has a lot to offer,” said Bonavita.
Among the changes will be a hops farm behind the building.
“We have been growing a half-acre of hops for two years now.” said Bonavita. “Now we’re ready to start two acres this year.”

Board continues fight for Rt. 57
Despite the state’s recent acknowledgement of a lack of interest in completing the Route 57 project, the Board of Selectmen said it wants to send a reminder of the commitments made in the past.
“I would still like [to send a letter] with one or two sentences about the obligation and commitment made to these people,” said Board Chairman Russell Fox, who referred to homeowners who were forced out of their homes to make room for the project.

FEBRUARY
Unshoveled hydrant leads to fire loss
Although Southwick firefighters were able to contain a garage fire in early February, they may have been able to save more of the structure if a nearby hydrant was shoveled out from the snow.
Fire Chief Richard Anderson said the fire on College Highway by the Granby, Conn. line engulfed and totaled the garage and mudroom that connected the garage to the home.
“The only reason it didn’t get in the house is two firefighters worked in between the fire and house to contain it,” Anderson sad.
The fire was started by accident when a hanging light fell into gasoline and ignited.
Anderson said when they arrived on scene, the hydrant to the north was not working and they couldn’t find the hydrant to the south.
“It was buried, and we knew where it was but we still couldn’t get to it,” he said.

Police train for active shooter
Granville Village School was turned into a training facility for local and state police this week.
Members of the Southwick and Granville police departments trained with State Police for active shooter situations yesterday and again today.
With the school empty for winter break, police were able to simulate real-life situations and use hallways and classrooms for training.
“Active shooters are today’s reality,” said Southwick Officer Greg L. Burt. “The Southwick Police Department is committed to being ready to address the active shooter threat.”

No machines allowed on rail trail
Users of the Rail Trail are being discouraged from using snowmobiles on the trail.
Police Chief David Ricardi said while it is not a huge problem, the department does respond to some calls about the sleds on the trail.
“People will call every now and then when they see them and we’ve been able to get out there and stop them,” he said, adding that most people are cooperative and move along.
Ricardi said the trail is not plowed and snowmobile drivers often use the trail as a short cut while out riding.
Snowmobile and ATV tracks are clearly visible at the Congamond Road Rail-to-Trail location despite a large sign indicating otherwise. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
“But they’re really not supposed to be there – it is a Parks and Recreation Commissioner Daniel Call said use of any motorized vehicle, including snowmobiles and ATVs, is prohibited on the Rail Trail.
“All four kiosks along the six mile trail have signs posted that no motors are allowed,” said Call, noting that security and maintenance vehicles only are allowed on the trail.

Woodland School renovations ahead of schedule
Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional Schools Superintendent John Barry updated the School Committee this month on the campus construction progress.
He said Woodland Elementary School renovations are moving along rapidly and they should be completed ahead of schedule.
“Woodland will mostly be done at the end of the summer,” Barry said.

Cesan, Hill clash over complaint
Selectwoman Tracy Cesan and Town Clerk Michelle Hill clashed during a complaint hearing in February.
Hill filed a complaint against Cesan, who waived her right to an executive session and chose to address the complaint in open session.
Town Counsel Ken Albano was asked by Board of Selectmen Chairman Russell Fox to conduct the hearing.
Albano allowed both women to speak, uninterrupted and without questions, then allowed for rebuttal.
Hill filed the complaint Jan. 27 and accused Cesan of being unprofessional with regard to a Freedom of Information request from a citizen.

MARCH
Officials discuss community preservation
A working session on the town’s Community Preservation Act expenditures was an eye-opener for some in attendance.
The meeting was held at Town Hall this week with members of the Board of Selectmen, Conservation Commission, Community Preservation Commission, Planning Board, Finance Committee, Cultural Council, Historic Commission, and more.
Conservation Coordinator Dennis Clark gave a presentation on the use of funds.
“We were pleased that the selectmen gave us the opportunity to bring the facts and figures of the CPA to light,” said Clark. “There has been a lot of misunderstanding and false information circulating around town. I was even surprised to see how much has been done with CPA funds, and how much the state has contributed to the town’s CPA projects. It is fair to say that none of these projects would have happened if the CPA was not in place.”

Brewery sample size questioned
The Westfield River Brewing Company is getting closer to moving into the former Southwick Feed Warehouse and longtime Chuck’s Steak House property.
The topic came before the Board of Selectmen and Chairman Russell Fox said he had some questions in regard to the license.
“It would be a Farmer/Brewers license,” said Fox, “and would allow them to have samples to sell. I have some questions.”
Selectmen Joseph Deedy said he attended last week’s planning board meeting on a permit request for the brewing business and The Westfield River Brewing Company is getting closer to moving into the former Southwick Feed Warehouse and longtime Chuck’s Steak House property.
The topic came before the Board of Selectmen this week and Chairman Russell Fox said he had some questions in regard to the license.
“It would be a Farmer/Brewers license,” said Fox, “and would allow them to have samples to sell. I have some questions.”

Board approves pavement program
The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved contracting with Beta Group for a $16,700 pavement program.
Department of Public Works Director Randy Brown said he solicited quotes from three companies for pavement programs. Only two returned bids.
The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission proposal was $9,400 and Beta Group was $16,700, said Brown.
“Despite the higher cost, I feel the Beta Group program is superior,” he said. “The town would own it and we could use it not only for one year but in the future.”

Track trumps graduation tradition
Students at Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional High School look forward each year to the tradition of “walking the hill” to graduation.
This year, that long-awaited walk is probably going to be a shorter trip down the auditorium aisle.
A group of students presented a petition to the School Committee this month asking to continue the tradition of an outdoor graduation after they were told last week the ceremony would be moved indoors.
Senior Kathryn Merritt told the committee that students were very upset at the sudden change in plans.
“I know you’re trying to transfer to an indoor graduation, but I think this is not the year to do it when our school is only half-built,” Merritt said.
Barry said the high school track renovation is driving the move.
“The track project is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Barry said. “We’re trying to navigate the completion of the project around (next) spring sports schedules.”
In order to use the track next spring, work must begin as soon as possible. Because the outdoor graduation ceremony uses the track, and there is nowhere else to hold the ceremony outdoors, it must be held inside.
The new track project would most likely mean the end of the outdoor graduation tradition.

Ocean State denied liquor license
The Board of Selectmen unanimously denied a request for a license to sell wine and beer at Ocean State Job Lot.
The retailer made the request last month and the vote was tabled twice while the board waited for an opinon from Police Chief David Ricardi after Ocean State Attorney Mary O’Neil responded to several concerns raised by Ricardi.
Selectwoman Tracy Cesan said she had difficulty making her decision.
“I think they made a great presentation and have been responsible and diligent to comply with regulations, but I was struggling,” Cesan said.
Chairman Russell Fox said that he agreed.
“I think the needs of the town are being adequately met,” said Fox, adding there are “far too many” package stores now.
Cesan said she was in agreement. She hoped the board would be of that opinion in the future “regardless of who comes in.”

Group home a concern for neighbors
A new women’s group home on Klaus Anderson Road is a cause of concern for neighbors and the board of selectmen.
Residents living near the home at 201 Klaus Anderson Road said several incidents there have caused them to feel unsafe.
“We don’t feel safe at night,” said neighbor Victoria Hickey. “And with the warm weather coming, I don’t know if we will want to sit out in our own yards.
Southwick Police Safety Officer Sgt. Kirk Sanders said he visited the home this week and the women living there have “serious behavioral issues, not criminal issues” and are constantly with a staff member or specialist, even overnight. The goal of the program is to have the residents eventually live on their own. Sanders said he found the director there to be a nice man who is more than willing to do what he needs to do to make the neighbors feel comfortable.
Sanders also said it was his impression that they were there to stay.
“It seems that the issues are mainly with one girl,” said Sanders. “I have a feeling if they get more complaints about it she will be moved out.”
The home is leased to Becket Family of Services, which offers programs for children and adults in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.

APRIL
Residents complain about neighbors
Neighbors of a Point Grove Road home are concerned that a new resident could be violating the law.
Dean and Joanne Horacek of Country Club Drive were among a group of citizens that expressed their concerns to the Board of Selectmen this month, citing a tall fence, goats and rabbits, unregistered vehicles, and too many dwellers in the home as their chief complaints.
“I don’t know if that fence is legal or not,” said Dean Horacek, referring to a six-foot PVC fence erected across the front of the property. “Who would put a six-foot fence in front of their home? Apparently they have goats and other animals and I question how many people are living in the house.”
Dean’s wife Joanne said the homeowners had “30 bicycles in the backyard” and a number of unregistered vehicles.
Building Inspector Denis Gaido said he is aware of the concerns and at this time, everything at the home is fine.
“They’re doing everything they’re supposed to be doing,” said Gaido. “As far as zoning and everything goes, they’re okay.”
One neighbor who lives on Point Grove Road said she believes there may be too many people living in the home. She said a child living there told her there are 11 family members living in the home that neighbors said has three bedrooms. Some neighbors worried about the septic system there and whether that many residents would tax the system.
“It’s not going into a city sewer and they are responsible to maintain it if there is a problem,” Gaido said.
Animal Control Officer Tracy Root said she received several complaints about goats and other animals at the home in the past week. Root said the homeowners appear to be within their rights.
“They are in the Residential-20 zone, which allows for livestock on properties over 40,000 square-feet,” said Root. “That property is 40,075 square-feet.”
Root said the law allows up to 25 poultry on a property that size.
“They can also keep goats and saddle horses,” Root said.

School to connect to sewer, but has time
Members of the Finance Committee met with the Board of Selectmen and School Superintendent Dr. John Barry to discuss connecting the sewer to the schools.
Selectboard Chairman Russell Fox asked Barry to explain to the group what the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has mandated regarding the connection of the renovated high school to the town sewers. Currently, there is no sewer line that runs past the school campus.
Barry said negotiations took about a year, but the school department and DEP have come to an agreement.
“We can continue to use the septic with additional monitoring,” said Barry. “We have to install more equipment in the fields – that’s what we do going forward until there’s a connection.”
The renovation project includes a pipe from the school to Powder Mill Road. It does not include a pipe that runs by Woodland and Powder Mill schools.
Members of the board wondered if that would be a cost to taxpayers.
“We see that as a district cost,” Barry said. “We think we could use unexpended CIP (capital improvement) funds to get that connection done so that there’s no cost to the taxpayers.”
Barry said the DEP agreement buys the town time to get the school connected to the sewer. Once that connection is made, the neighborhood can be connected.

Turmel selected new STGRHS principal
Joseph Turmel was named the new principal of Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional High School (STRGRHS) .
Turmel was selected by the regional school committee following interviews with four candidates.
Superintendent Dr. John Barry said all the candidates were well qualified, but Turmel has a combination of experience, vision and commitment the committee and Barry were looking for.
“He rose to the level of coming in first,” Barry said. “His references spoke very highly of him and he wants o make a commitment to the school and community.”

ACO asks for increase in hours
Animal Control Officer Tracy Root pleaded with the Board of Selectmen to increase her budget.
Root said she understood that departments were expected to submit level-funded budgets – or even lower budgets – this year but Root said she needs experienced help and asked to increase part-time employee Krisanne Quinn-Keene from 19 hours per week to 22 hours.
“We are growing,” said Root. “We opened in October and by Nov. 14, we had 52 animals.”
Root said Quinn-Keene is her second in command and could easily handle some of the tasks that bog her down.
The request was ultimately denied.

Residents show support for motocross
Residents and motocross enthusiasts filled the Town Hall auditorium in April for a public forum on Southwick Motocross.
Organizers Mike Grondahl, Gary Yelin and Travis Loucks presented some thoughts on their proposal to run the motocross at American Legion Post 338.
Last year the longtime MX 338 promoters retired and Grondahl, a former racer and founder of Planet Fitness, stepped forward.
“I’m hoping to reopen the track so people get the experience I got,” he said.
Speakers at the packed forum largely supported the continuation of the race track.
“I’ve been here 40 years and the track was here before I was,” said resident Jack Sinico. “I think it should stay.”
Several other residents spoke in favor of keeping the track active, prompting Selectwoman Tracy Cesan to clarify the purpose of the meeting and the board’s position.
“We are not here to say we don’t want motocross,” said Cesan. “I personally want motocross – I think it’s a wonderful thing for our community.”
Board of Selectmen Chairman Russell Fox stressed that the town is working together with the group.
“We’re not in an adversarial position,” Fox said.

MAY
Southwick TM voters OK budget, study
Residents of Robin Road will have a $10,000 study of their street paid for by the town.
Town Meeting voters overwhelmingly supported the article at a Special Town Meeting that took place right before the Annual Town Meeting at Southwick Tolland Granville Regional High School.
Also during the Special Meeting voters approved using $350,000 from the stabilization fund for the design of the first part of Phase II of the sewer system.
“We now have the capacity to start Phase II of the sewer system,” said Fox, referencing the completion of the Parallel Sewer Interceptor Project.
Town Meeting unanimously approved a school department budget of just over $10 million and approved transferring $50,000 from Community Preservation funds to compete a new outdoor track at the schools.
A temporary moratorium on common driveways recommended by the Planning Board was also approved.

Low voter turnout in Southwick
Just as Southwick Town Clerk Michelle Hill predicted, turnout was very low for the town election in May.
Just 278 of the town’s 6,450 registered voters – or 4.31 percent – cast their vote.
A largely uncontested election conributed to the low numbers, with just one actual race on the ballot for Park and Recreation Commission. Jeanne Reed Waldron won a one-year term on the Southwick Park and Recreation Commission over opponent Jocelyn Linnekin.
Waldron received 175 votes to Linnekin’s 83 votes.
All 13 of the other races on the ballot were uncontested, and won by the people whose names were on the ballot. In many cases, blank ballots widely outnumbered the write-in votes.
Incumbent Russell S. Fox retained his seat on the Board of Selectmen, as did School Committee members Jeffrey T. Houle and Jean Marie McGivney-Burelle. David R. Recoulle was elected as an assessor, and Roy M. Benson earned a three-year set on the Cemetery Commission.

Resident working to save the fireworks
After reading about the Park and Recreation Commission’s fireworks concerns in The Westfield News earlier this month, resident Cory Flagg decided he needed to help keep the tradition alive.
“This was never a problem when I was a kid and I want the kids of Southwick today to have fireworks and carnivals,” said Flagg, the father of a three year-old.
Parks and Rec. Chairman Kelly Magni said this week that the fireworks budget was slashed to just $1,800. Normally, he said, the budget is not too much higher but he and his family were able to make up the shortfall by parking cars at the property that is now Whalley Park during the annual Fireman’s Carnival. This year, the carnival is not likely to take place because of construction at the school campus where the carnival is held.
The town fireworks display has coincided with the carnival in the past.

Benefit to be held for fire victims
A Southwick family is trying to put their lives together after a devastating fire tore through their Feeding Hills Road home on Mother’s Day.
Caissy Cross-Price, her husband Scott, and their three children were home at the time of the fire and escaped without injury, but lost everything. Cross-Price is the daughter of retired Southwick Police Sgt. Richard Cross and his police brothers have rallied to help the family through a benefit organized by the Southwick Police Associations.

Two firefighter/EMTs hired
Two full-time firefighter/EMTs were selected from a pool of five candidates.
The Board of Selectmen chose Jessica Bishop and Michael “Eric” Brogan to fill the positions. Both are volunteer members of the Southwick Fire Department.
Chief Richard Anderson said it was a tough decision and he was proud of his three SFD privates.
“Three of those interviews were with my people,” he said. “I’ve got some good people.”

JUNE
Rotary presents Southwick Days
The Southwick Rotary Club is making sure the town’s carnival and fireworks traditions continue this summer.
The fireworks, which is an effort of the Parks and Recreation Commission, was in jeopardy this year when the budget was slashed to $1,800. Coupled with the announcement that the Southwick Fireman’s Association would not run the carnival this year, and the fact that Whalley Park would not be open and therefore there would be no income from parking cars there, the Commission was worried the 60-plus year firework tradition would come to an end.
Resident Cory Flagg and the Southwick Police Association rallied to donate money to the fireworks fund and other residents and businesses followed suit.
After Selectman and Rotarian Joseph Deedy set the wheels in motion to bring back the carnival in addition to the fireworks, the Rotary sprung into action.
Rotary member Ellen Miles said Southwick Days, which includes the carnival, fireworks and Grill’n Daze competition, will take place July 25-27 at the Southwick Recreation Center on Powder Mill Road.

MCAS to stay another year
The Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School Committee voted in June to give only the MCAS test to students in the next school year.
Superintendent Dr. John Barry said the committee had to decide whether to test students with MCAS or the new PARCC test next year. PARCC is not yet approved by the Department of Education, but is a new test system that is more aligned with the common core curriculum and was designed to be used as a national test.
Barry said there is no guarantee the PARCC will be approved and added that many of the states that originally signed on to use PARCC as a national standardized test have dropped out.
“Is the intent of this still viable?” Barry wondered. “My recommendation is to stay with the MCAS.”

Track benefactor revealed
The donor making a new track at Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional High School a reality has finally been revealed.
The Steven and Elizabeth Nielsen Gift Fund has made a donation of approximately $500,000 for the track. Steven Nielsen is a STGRHS graduate who Superintendent John Barry said “has never forgotten” where he came from.
Nielsen also funds the Atkinson Scholarship, one of the largest scholarships given to a student at the high school. Named after longtime math teacher and track coach Dick Atkinson, the scholarship awards $7,500 each year for four years of college to a STGRHS junior.
Barry said Atkinson is a legend at the school and was Nielsen’s math teacher and coach. And, apparently, someone who inspired the philanthropist. Atkinson is still inspiring students today.

Motocross permit approved
The Board of Selectmen signed off on a permit for the American Legion to continue running motocross events.
Chairman Russell Fox said selectmen approved the language written by town counsel that covers use of town-owned land.
“The school also has to sign-off on that,” said Fox.
For years, motocross organizers have used several acres of land owned by the town that is part of the school district use. The land is approximately four acres and is not actively used by the schools.
“We agreed on a payment of $2,000,” Fox said this morning. “They also have an agreement with a private property owner to use his land. I believe they are paying him $5,000, so we wanted to be fair and make this affordable for the Legion.”
The American Legion Post 338 will hold the permit, and will then allow another group – including Mike Grondahl and Gary Yelin – to organize and run motocross events.
“Who they choose to run it is their business,” said Fox of the American Legion.
In the past, the town has charged $1,000 for a three-year permit and the board agreed last night to a one-year, $350 permit fee to get the events up and running.
Fox said he believes the agreement is fair.
“It allows motocross to continue and protects the town,” said Fox of the agreement and permit.

JULY
Town supports Southwick Days
Southwick Days organizer Joseph Deedy said the three-day carnival was a success, with the Parks and Recreation’s fireworks display drawing crowds Friday night.
“It was packed for the fireworks,” Deedy said. “I wish we could have fireworks every night to draw crowds.”
“It was great,” said Deedy. “We are looking at making improvements, such as signage for the event, and improved entertainment Saturday, but we are happy . . . it was a success.”

Southwick Library fully joins automated sharing network
Patrons of the Southwick Public Library will soon have quick access to 120 libraries in western and central Massachusetts.
Library Director Anne Murray said the library is in the process of transitioning to the C/W MARS system, which is the Central and Western Massachusetts Automated Reserve Sharing network.
The library has been an online part of C/W MARS for 20 years but had limited access to the 120 libraries in the network. Last year, C/W MARS decided to terminate the online option.

Dock fee concerns resident
A change to a regulation regarding permanent docks in town has one resident, who is also a member of the lake management committee, hoping to prevent the change.
Michael DeBay told the board of selectmen that an expansion of regulations would now mean that permanent dock owners would pay a fee for their docks if they were not brought in for the winter.
Currently the regulation calls for a fee for temporary dock owners who do not bring in their docks for the winter. DeBay said his biggest problem with the change is that it only affects half of lake residents.
“This is being addressed on the Southwick side not in Suffield,” he said. “It should be across the lake since it is considered a Massachusetts pond and is covered by Massachusetts law, not Connecticut.”
Selectmen Chairman Russell Fox suggested the board initiate a work session with the lake management committee, conservation committee, Ricardi, and someone from the commonwealth of Massachusetts who could speak to the regulation.

Suffield mining operation a concern for residents
Residents of both Southwick and Suffield are worried a gravel and sand excavation business in Suffield, Conn., could affect their water.
Department of Public Works Director Randy Brown said 30-40 residents of the two towns attended a Southwick Water Commission meeting to discuss the situation.
“This is in Suffield, but it’s located within the Zone 2 area of Great Brook in Southwick, so it’s an area of concern,” said Brown.
Lakeroad Materials is the mining company proposing to reopen excavation of the land, which was previously mined for sand and gravel. The land is located not far from South Pond on the Congamond Lakes. The operation ceased for about a decade and is set to start up again.
Because the land is in Suffield, Southwick has no authority over the project.
“Even the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP) has no say,” said Brown. “The Suffield Zoning Board approved it.”

Board member makes video
Selectman Joseph Deedy has been videotaping the Board of Selectmen meetings since June, but they are not posted for public viewing – yet.
Deedy is using his own equipment to record them and said it’s “a work in progress.”
For now, the recordings are stored on Deedy’s personal computer, but he hopes they can be posted on the town website in the future.
Deedy said he is still working out some inconsistencies with the video and sound.
“The first one has no audio, and the second and third videos have sound but they’re not quite in sync,” he said.
Deedy said when fellow selectman Tracy Cesan was elected, she tried to coordinate the taping of the meeting but had no luck getting volunteers to help.
“It was a great idea,” said Deedy, “So I decided to try it this way.”
Deedy said he spoke with the town’s computer technician Jim Middleton about uploading the video to www.southwickma.org, but found out it could not happen right now.
“To do video on demand or streaming is another package from our web host provider,” said Middleton. “We do not have the capability to do it now.”

AUGUST
Big Y solar project runoff floods Southwick neighborhood
A heavy rain caused major problems for several residents of College Highway who live in front of the new solar project being built by Big Y.
Runoff from the project left one homeowner without a driveway and another without a usable backyard.
Michael Noble, who lives right next to the access road to the project, said there was always some runoff from the hill, but not like what he experienced this week.
“It was never like this before,” said Noble.
Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Randy Brown was on scene during the storm and the next day. He said representatives from the solar company, RGS Energy, and design firm Design Group, Inc., as well as Big Y, were also on-site along with town officials.
“There is pretty significant erosion,” said Brown. “It is pretty clear that it is runoff from the project.”

Concerns over Point Grove Road home in Southwick continue
Residents in the Point Grove Road and Country Club Drive neighborhood met with the Southwick Planning Board to discuss a petition to change regulations regarding farm animals and livestock in the Residential-20 (R-20) zone.
Dean and Joanne Horacek represented the 27 residents who signed the petition, which was submitted to the board in early July.
Residents complained about their neighbors at 13 Point Grove Road back in April and expressed concerns about animals, vehicles, the number of residents there and a large fence.
When the petition was presented, the board asked to have representatives of the petitioners come before the board and wondered if Animal Control Officer Tracy Root should be invited.
Moglin said that the problem was actually zoning and Root’s hands were tied on the matter. Root said that the homeowners appeared to be within their rights.
“They are in the Residential-20 zone, which allows for livestock on properties over 40,000 square-feet,” said Root. “That property is 40,075 square-feet.”
Root said the law allows up to 25 poultry on a property that size.
This week, the Horaceks reiterated their concerns and hoped the solution would come in the form of a revision to R-20.
“What really needs to be done is change R-20 to better meet the requirement for residential living,” said Dean Horacek.
When the petition was presented, the board asked to have representatives of the petitioners come before the board and wondered if Animal Control Officer Tracy Root should be invited.
Moglin said that the problem was actually zoning and Root’s hands were tied on the matter. Root said that the homeowners appeared to be within their rights.
“They are in the Residential-20 zone, which allows for livestock on properties over 40,000 square-feet,” said Root. “That property is 40,075 square-feet.”
Root said the law allows up to 25 poultry on a property that size.
This week, the Horaceks reiterated their concerns and hoped the solution would come in the form of a revision to R-20.
“What really needs to be done is change R-20 to better meet the requirement for residential living,” said Dean Horacek.

Brewery given go-ahead
The Westfield River Brewing Company got the final go-ahead from the Southwick Board of Selectmen.
The board unanimously approved all licenses needed for the brewery to operate in its new location at 707 College Highway, best known as the former Chuck’s Steak House.
Now that the local licenses, including Farmer’s Brewers, Farmer’s Winery, and Farmer’s Distillery licenses, have been granted, owner Sergio Bonavita just needs approval from the state Alcohol Beverage Control Commission. Once approved, the brewery will open to the public.

More progress made at park
The Parks and Recreation Commission discussed the latest updates to Whalley Park last night.
Commissioner Daniel Call went over items being taken care of now, including lighting throughout the park. Call said he met with representatives from Musco Lighting last week and reported that the lights were installed and are working.
“The fields look good, the parking lot, the road going in – it was 9 p.m. and you would have thought it was daylight,” said Call.
Call added that commissioners should also be able to operate the lighting system, but an employee should serve as the manager of the remote system.
The Whalley Park sign on the stone wall at the entrance is also lighted manually.
Call said that while the park is not finished, there is progress being made.
“Things are getting done in a timely way,” he said.

New crosswalk tape tested
Pedestrians crossing Feeding Hills and Powder Mill roads will notice a new kind of crosswalk.
Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Randy Brown said they are testing a reflective tape crosswalk versus the traditional painted version.
“It is applied directly to the asphalt,” said Brown. “The hope is that it will last much longer than paint. Right now we paint crosswalks at least once a year – sometimes twice in high traffic areas.”
The three crosswalks are located near the school campus and will be more easily seen in the dark because of the reflective quality of the tape, which is about 12-inches wide.
DPW employees laid the new tape crosswalks, lining the two sides of the walk with tape, but not striping the inside.
“This is a new product for Southwick,” said Brown. “It should last multiple years and if so, we’ll see labor savings from not painting so often.”

School start date delayed
The first day of school for the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District has been bumped to Sept. 2 due to construction work.
Superintendent John Barry notified parents last week of the change via phone message and a letter was posted on the district website.
Opening day for grades one – 12 is Sept. 2, with preschool and kindergarten orientation the following day and kindergarten starts Sept. 4.
Barry said the last day of school has not changed and is set for June 12 if there are no snow days, and June 19 if there are five snow days.
“We made some changes to professional development days and we are using Good Friday as a half-day so that it doesn’t change the last day,” said Barry.

Preston seeks name change
Ruth Preston is trying to bring the town up to modern times in the name of women everywhere.
Last week Preston, administrative assistant to the Southwick Planning Board, requested that the Board of Selectmen change its name to the more gender-neutral Southwick Select Board.
Preston said it’s something she feels would be a giant step toward recognizing the leadership of women in town.
“I noticed that other communities in the state have a select board, and we have had women on our board,” said Preston. “The term selectmen is inappropriate in this day and age – women are leaders.”

Proposed common driveway bylaw sent to selectmen
The Southwick Planning Board agreed to send a proposed common driveway bylaw to the Board of Selectmen this month.
A subcommittee, led by Planning Board Vice Chairperson Roz Terry, met numerous times over the spring and summer to create a driveway bylaw.
“We had a lot of heated discussions and came to the conclusion that we needed two – a general bylaw and a common driveway bylaw,” said Terry.
The subcommittee, which included two members of the board, representatives of the police and fire departments, a conservation commission member, and community members, debated how far the bylaw should go, literally.
Some people said there should be a certain width driveway all the way to the house for safety apparatus to fit in case of emergency. Others said whether or not a resident wanted a certain width – or any driveway – was not a decision the town should make. In the end, the recommendation was to require the common driveway be wide enough for safety vehicles, but anything over 200 feet was the homeowner’s discretion.
Terry said the committee studied bylaws in several towns and based much of Southwick’s bylaw on the town of Southampton.
“We used a lot of Southampton’s and simplified it,” Terry said.
The bylaw also limits the number of homes sharing a common driveway

New funeral home approved
Business partners Jody Darren Newcomb and Brian Paolillo are hoping to open a funeral home on College Highway this fall.
The pair met with the Southwick Planning Board to request a modification to the special permit at 691 College Highway. The property is owned by Ralph DePalma and was most recently occupied by an antique shop. It was previously a hair salon and a physician’s office.
Newcomb has 20 years experience in the funeral business. He and Paolillo have known each other many years and decided to join forces for the business venture.
“I’ve known him for a while and people kept saying he should open his own home,” said Paolillo. “My role is more financial.”
Paolillo said while they are partners, Newcomb will run the funeral home. They chose Southwick, said Paolillo, because they wanted to provide services to a small community and liked the ties Southwick’s residents have to the town.

SEPTEMBER
Southwick solar project solution planned
The Southwick Planning Board is waiting to approve changes to a solar project behind Big Y until a site visit takes place.
Matthew Puntin of SKS Design, designer of the seven-acre solar array, met with the board this week to dicsuss changes to the stormwater management plan following water damage done to neighbors of the property last month.
“This is in response to the flash storm we had Aug. 13,” Puntin said
The homes, owned by Michael Noble and Martha Baillargeon, suffered damage when water from the project ran onto their properties during the heavy rainstorm. Noble’s property was damaged both in the front and back yard, and Baillargeon’s gravel driveway washed out onto College Highway. Both residents attended this week’s planning board meeting to hear what Puntin had to say.
“We’re proposing an additional swale for an extra level of protection,” said Puntin of the area near Noble’s house.
Puntin proposed another trench to keep water from Baillargeon’s home.

Single, lower tax rate set for Southwick
The Board of Selectmen set the tax at a minimum residential factor of one again and the state certified a rate of $16.94 per $1,000 valuation.
The recommendation of a single tax rate was given by the Southwick Board of Assessors. Chairman Paul Connolly noted that the majority of taxpayers in town are residents.
“Commercial makes up just 5.5 percent and industrial is 2 percent,” Connolly said. “We recommend we maintain a tax rate of one.”
Finance Committee member Robert Horacek spoke in favor of the single rate. Resident Deb Herath spoke during the single rate discussion and told selectmen that residents of the lakes would be seeking tax relief once a sand and gravel mining business on the Connecticut side of the lakes gets underway.
“People will petition to bring the value of the lake down, just when you need it most,” she told the board before the vote Monday.
Many towns and cities elect to have a split rate, which usually shifts the tax burden onto commercial and industrial property owners.

Murray retires, Caruso named new Southwick library director
For 20 years, Anne Murray has directed the Southwick Public Library. She gave it her heart and soul and made it her home, but now, she is moving on to new adventures.
Murray was feted at a retirement party held at the library. She recounted her time since she began as the assistant librarian in 1994.
“We were in the old building on College Highway – it was so small – but we had a tremendous number of people who used it,” she said.
By the time the library moved into its current location on Feeding Hills Road, Murray was its director and ready to take the library into the future.
She was succeeded by longtime library employee Diane Caruso.

Focus on STEM discussed
Powder Mill Middle School teacher Beth Grady is picking up where retired science teacher Sue Pac left off.
Grady is taking over many of the duties performed by Pac concerning STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Grady and Principal Ronald Peloquin met with the Southwick-Tolland-Granville School Committee yesterday to discuss her plans for the coming year, which included an integration of STEM rather than eaching each area separately.
Grady said she hopes to continue the tradition of an overnight science program, if construction allows, and she plans to add new programs to the STEM curriculum, including the Future City and Math Counts competitions.
“I think it’s important not to get rid of programs students like so I’ll be talking to them,” Grady said.
Grady offered a short STEM presentation that addressed the need to offer integrated STEM education.
Peloquin said he hopes to do more specific testing of STEM to collect data about which areas students gravitate toward and where there needs to be work.

Wellness grant helps employees get fit
Town Clerk MIchelle Hill, a former member of the Marine Corps., believes in staying active.
When some of her co-workers at Town Hall expressed a desire to be more active, Hill decided to help motivate them by applying for a wellness grant from the state. Last year, the town was awarded $600 to get a program started and Hill just found out Southwick has received another $800 for this fiscal year.
“We can also get more money – up to $1,200 total – through incentives,” Hill said. “There is a training incentive next week that will give us another $100.”
A three-member committee of town employees is required to administer the grant. Hill and Parks and Recreation Administrative Assistant Cara Cartello are currently seeking a third member to help them plan programs.
“We used the grant money last year to get a gym going,” said Hill.
Hill purchased gym mats, hand weights and steps, as well as several fitness DVDs. Town employees can sign-in to use the room – located in the basement level of Town Hall – during their lunch break or any time when the building is open. A treadmill and two different exercise bikes were donated for employee use.
“I’m looking for an eliptical machine now,” Hill said.
Hill plans to make the room even more gym-like this year and has plans for several programs.
“Last spring we had a walk group that was well received,” she said.

OCTOBER
Former chief against ACO mutual agreement
Former Police Chief Mark Krynicki urged the Board of Selectmen not to contract with Granville for animal control assistance.
Several weeks ago, the board discussed a mutual aid agreement for animal control services.
Krynicki said what Granville was asking for was not mutual aid.
“My understanding of mutual is both parties would bring something to the table,” he said. “Granville doesn’t have an animal control officer, so this is just a contract for services.”
Krynicki recommended that the board not sign an agreement. He cited the addition of 43 miles to the department’s coverage area and the age of the 10-plus year-old animal control vehicle as two reasons not to work with Granville on this.
“I don’t think this would be mutually beneficial,” said Krynicki. In September, the Board of Selectmen tabled a vote on the agreement after Animal Control Officer Tracy Root said she had no knowledge of it.
Root said Police Chief David Ricardi told her he was discussing a possible agreement and asked her what Southwick charges for daily boarding and picking up animals, but she did not know what the agreement entailed.

More research needed on smoking policy
When it comes to no smoking on town property, the jury is still out about whose job it is to enforce it.
The Southwick Board of Health discussed the topic of the town smoking policy again, including enforcement and how to handle e-cigarettes. Health Director Thomas Fitzgerald was asked by Chief Administrative Officer karl Stinehart and the Board of Selectmen to weigh-in on the topic as the board finalizes its code of conduct policies.
Fitzgerald and health board members Dr. Jerome Azia and Susan Brzoska agreed that enforcement could not come from the board.
“It would be impossible,” said Fitzgerald. “If someone called because a person was smoking somewhere, by the time I got there the cigarette would be out and I could not prove it – it would be very difficult.”
Electronic, or e-cigarettes, are not regulated by the federal or state government and Fitzgerald said there are currently no bylaws about “smoking” them in public. The Board of Health did approve a regulation recently that no one under age 18 should have e-cigarettes.
“It gives off vapor, not smoke, but I suppose that could bother some people,” Fitgerald said.

Cesan walks out of board meeting
Selectwoman Tracy Cesan abruptly left the Board of Selectmen meeting in mid-October following what she said was an invasion of her privacy.
Chairman Russell Fox brought up an issue that was discussed in a previous executive session regarding a complaint made against Cesan from a town employee alleging she behaved improperly and made a disparaging remark about the employee.
The matter was turned over to town counsel for investigation and a report was made.
“He concluded that there is a poor working relationship and a disparaging remark was made,” said Fox.
He then said a written apology from the Board of Selectmen should be sent to the employee.
Cesan protested and said she would not be apologizing for something she did not do. She also questioned the investigation from town counsel, saying it was “predetermined, predestined, not accurate, and flawed.”
“You will have to look at legally forcing me to apologize for something I didn’t do,” she said.

Atkinson honored at track dedication
The Coach Richard Atkinson Track & Field Facility is now officially open.
A ribbon cutting was held at the brand new $750,000 track on the grounds of Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional High School.
Named for the longtime coach and former high school math teacher, the track was made possible through a donation of more than $500,000 from the Steven and Elizabeth Nielsen Gift Fund, as well as funds from the Community Preservation Committee.
Nielsen said Barry asked him to speak about his motivation to bring a new track to STGRHS.
“Fundamentally, that motivation rested on the desire to help Coach Atkinson,” said Nielsen.
Atkinson is celebrating 51 years of teaching and coaching in Southwick this year, and Nielsen wondered how many lives he has touched.
“Think of the thousands of students he has positively influenced both in the classroom and on the track,” he said.

Southwick solar fees set
The Board of Selectmen established solar fees as two solar projects are underway in town.
After much discussion, the board set a fee of $7 per $1,000 valuation, an electric panel fee of $200, and a per-panel fee of .25 cents, all for commercial projects. It also set a flat fee of $50 for residents and a $50 electric fee and agreed to make sure the project at Big Y was aligned with the new fees.
Building Inspector Denis Gaido recommended a fee of .40 cents per panel but the board believed this would be cost prohibitive to large projects such as the one going in on Congamond Road because the fees would be well over $130,000.

Southwick Regional developing own app
Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional High School is about to get a bit more cutting edge.
Principal Joseph Turmel and Information Technology teacher Melissa Trzasko sought and received approval last week from the school committee to develop a school app for smartphones that could also be used via text or email.
The app is called SchoolWay and is run through the Jostens company. The free program can be downloaded the same way as any other app.

NOVEMBER
Boldyga and Humason take Southwick by large margin
The town overwhelmingly supported Republican candidates in the election, including incumbent state Rep. Nicholas Boldyga and incumbent state Sen. Donald Humason, who were both re-elected.
Boldyga received 2,602 votes to challenger Democrat Sam DiSanti, who received 773 votes. Voters cast 2,593 votes for Humason, while Democratic challenger Patrick Leahy received 861 votes.
After the polls closed, Boldyga was joined by family and friends at Roma Restaurant where he celebrated his victory.
“Thank you to my supporters,” he said once the numbers for Southwick and Agawam were announced. “And thank you to my wife for believing we can go out and change the world.”
Boldyga was elected to his third term in the House last night.
“I very humbly will go back to Boston and represent our community at the State House,” Boldyga said.
Southwick native Suzanne Seguin, an Independent, was Southwick’s choice for Register of Probrate in Hampden County and easily beat opponent Gale Candaras in Southwick.

CPA survey set for next census in January
Residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on the future of the Community Preservation Act this January.
A survey on the act, which is funded by a three percent residential tax, will likely be included in the next census, which is set to be sent in January.
The Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, and Community Preservation Committee (CPC) met last night to discuss a recommendation by the Finance Committee to place a question on the 2016 presidential election ballot to reconsider the CPA tax.
CPC member Dennis Clark said it wasn’t that simple.
“There’s no reconsideration,” said Clark. “It’s lower it or eliminate it. It would have to be a specific question.”
Selectmen Chairman Russell Fox said the CPA is “a great program,” but that “things have changed.”
“We picked up some serious debt with the school project and we know there are some taxes coming up with the sewers,” said Fox.
Fox suggested a survey in the census or a non-binding ballot question on the next local election.
Clark and CPC Chairperson Chris Patt were concerned that would be an opportunity for educating the public with those options.
Fox said a pro and con type of wording could be included. Clark previously suggested reducing the tax to one-percent rather than eliminate it but he said this would reduce the town’s CPA grant opportunities by 75 percent. A reduction to one percent would also take $167,000 off what taxpayers would play.

Cesan, board, address her recent absences
Since abruptly leaving a Board of Selectmen meeting several weeks ago, Selectwoman Tracy Cesan has been absent.
Cesan said her absence the past two weeks “is a reflection of the negative treatment I feel I have been subjected to as a BOS member over the last two plus years and more specifically the recent actions towards me by a public official during the October 6, 2014 and October 20, 2014 BOS meetings.”
Cesan said her absence at meetings is not a reflection of her involvement with the board.
“I believe any reasonable person would understand my reluctance to return to that table on Monday nights after what I have endured,” Cesan said in an email to the newspaper.
“I have shared my concerns with the remaining BOS via an e-mail sent out by the BOS Secretary; they have not responded or reached out to me. I feel this topic, as well as other topics have been brought to the newspaper and open BOS meetings as a battle of public opinion and perception and to have the town’s people reflect on my character in a negative way, I chose not to elaborate further at this time or engage in this battle,” she wrote.
Cesan said she is “disheartened at the path some people have taken that represent our town” and that personal opinions of her have distracted them from town business.

Town creates conduct policy for visitors
The Board of Selectmen approved a Visitor’s Code of Conduct, which outlines behavior expectations for people on municipal property.
“This is so everyone can feel safe on town property,” said Chairman Russell Fox.
The document has been a work in progress for several months and was sent to all department heads for review and comments, as well as to Town Counsel.
The policy states that the Town of Southwick employees strive to provide a positive experience for those visiting Town facilities, by following the “Employee Handbook.” In addition, the Town supports a workplace that is conductive to personal safety and security and is free from intimidation, threats or violent acts. The Town does not tolerate workplace violence, including the threat of violence by anyone who conducts business with the Town.

Few concerns raised during liquor hearing
A public hearing on the town’s updated liquor license regulations was conducted in just 11 minutes this month.
With few questions or concerns from the audience, the Board of Selectmen closed the hearing on the new regulations, which Town Counsel Benjamin Coyle said were “very similar to the ones enacted now.”
The biggest change is the requirement for all licensed establishments to participate in Training and Intervention Procedures for Servers (TIPS).
The regulations require the licensed manager and at least one employee be TIPS-certified and at work during all hours of operation.

Longtime Southwick town employees retire
Co-workers and friends Marie Traska and Gail Cigal have a combined 57 years of employment with the town as they head into retirement.
Both women were feted with parties as they prepared for their last day on Nov. 28.
For Cigal, it was a very long career with the town.
“I have been an employee for 40 years,” said Cigal, the Department of Public Works administrative assistant. She also spent a year volunteering before being hired.
The Town Hall custodian for 16 years, Traska said she plans to visit her friends and stop in for “afternoon tea” with her former co-workers.
“Everybody here is great,” she said.

DECEMBER
BYOB request denied, liquor regs approved
The Board of Selectmen voted against a Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB) request and approved creating a policy against the practice.
Last week, a new business owner approached the board with the request, which they tabled until this week when all three board members were present.
Police Chief David Ricardi offered his thoughts via a letter and said if the board did not address the BYOB issue, it would be legal by default.
“We both told (the owner) BYOB wasn’t something we’re interested in for Southwick,” said Chairman Russell Fox.
Selectwoman Tracy Cesan asked if the rest of the board was completely against BYOB or if it wanted to have a policy that allowed for a limited amount of alcohol to be brought into an establishment.
Selectman Joseph Deedy said the board took a stance on alcohol last spring and he did not want to stray from that.
“We already took a position with Ocean State about booze in this town,” said Deedy.

Sanders named Officer of the Year by chiefs
Southwick Police Sgt. Kirk Sanders humbly accepted the 17th annual Richard G. Werenski Officer of the Year Award from the Western Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association during a ceremony at the Citizens Police Academy graduation early this month.
Traditionally, the honored officer receives the award during the WMCPA annual dinner but Sanders didn’t want to miss the graduation ceremony for the Citizen Police Academy. That, said Southwick Police Chief David Ricardi, is exaclty what earned Sanders the award.
“Over his 35-year career, he has put his community ahead of his own needs and his personal goals were set aside,” Ricardi said.
For Sanders, that’s just what’s important.
“I grew up in Southwick and it’s part of who I am,” said Sanders. “And I had great parents who taught me well that community is important.”

Granville students to attend combined school
With a vote of 6-1, the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School Committee approved relocating Granville Village School grades seven and eight to the new combined 7-12 school on the Southwick campus next fall.
The lone vote against the measure was cast by the committee’s Granville representative William Stevenson.
Stevenson plead his case for keeping the students intact prior to the vote. He also noted that the move would be approved but he hoped the school could then be utilized by Tolland students so that they did not have to endure the long bus ride to Southwick.
“I apologize to the families of Tolland for making your children go so far to school,” Stevenson said, referring to a decision of the now defunct Granville School Committee not to allow Tolland students at the Village School.
“The Granville School Committee no longer exists and the Village School is part of our district – this is the perfect time to move to Granville Village School,” he added.

Town to re-apply for development grant
The Board of Selectmen gave its approval to move forward with a regional development grant for Southwick and Granville.
The communities are asking for $900,000, including $90,000 for a mobile food pantry and $479,000 for housing rehabilitation
Selectman Joseph Deedy headed a committee to work on the application with Pioner Valley Planning Commission’s James Mazik. The town was denied the same grant during the last round of awards because it did not receive enough comments from residents of Veteran Street, where a development project is proposed, and a lack of documented participation in meetings, among other items.
“The cutoff was 76 points and you were eight points below that,” said Mazik when he last met with the board to talk about re-applying.

Roadway study reveals below average scores
A pavement management program was presented to the Board of Selectmen last night, and the results of a road study showed Southwick fared a bit below average.
Anthony J. Garro, vice president of Beta Group, told the board Southwick’s roads scored an average of 61.75 out of a possible 100 points in the road surface rating (RSR).
When compared to similar size towns receiving similar Chapter 90 funds, Southwick came in a few points below average.
“Comparable towns scored in the mid-60s, so Southwick is a little low,” Garro said.
Garro said Beta has studied numerous communities and its lowest road score was in Bethany, Conn. with a 54, and its highest was Brookline with a score of 84.

Work on Southwick solar project halted
Residents living near Big Y have noticed the solar project there has come to a halt.
Work on the project ceased a month ago and town officials are in the dark as to why.
Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart said he has tried to make contact to find out the status of the project and how to ensure the project fees are adjusted, but he has not received an answer yet.
Last month, the Board of Selectmen set a fee of $7 per $1,000 valuation, an electric panel fee of $200, and a per-panel fee of .25 cents, all for commercial projects. It also set a flat fee of $50 for residents and a $50 electric fee and agreed to make sure the project at Big Y was aligned with the new fees.
Big Y Energy Manager Gary Kuchyt said yesterday he was not able to divulge details on the situation at this time, but would have more information in a month.
“We are working on getting that project completed, but we’ve run into a few roadblocks,” was all Kuchyt said.

Southwick mom saves baby from fire
Three families were displaced Christmas Eve and narrowly escaped serious injury when a fire broke out in a Two States Avenue home on Congamond Lake.
An infant boy was sleeping in the basement apartment of the three-family home and his parents were in the second floor apartment when smoke was seen coming from the basement window.
The child’s mother acted quickly to get her son out and ran outside, smashed a window, crawled inside and grabbed the child, and crawled back out because there was no interior access between the apartments.
She and the baby both suffered from smoke inhalation and the woman was also treated for leg lacerations from the broken window. The child’s father was also treated for smoke inhalation.