W Business Focused ♦ Community Driven

City Hall 59 Court Street Westfield, MA 01085

May 2012

City Council Meeting Highlights April 5th, and April 19th, 2012

estfield

Message from Mayor Knapik

Inside This Issue: GRP and EMS Update 2 Children’s Learning World 3 Glitz Glamour ‘n Elegance 4

Follow Economic Development Activities

As we get closer to the month of June, so too we are closer to seeing the completion of our “Municipal Makeover”.

To celebrate the completion of the Great River Bridge project the City will be welcoming Governor Deval Patrick on June 29th for an official ceremony. The festivities will take place on the brick terrace of the South side of the bridge and extend across the river.

This celebration will be part of a

series of events to celebrate the rebirth of the City and the promise of continued opportunities. Look for a complete listing of events in the

Westfield News during the month of June.

Somewhat behind the scenes has

been the continuation of the successful Best Retail Practices program, funded by the Community Development Block Grant. This program provides an opportunity for our downtown merchants to meet one-on-one with a retail specialist. The merchant receives a complete customized report on how, by making

a series of changes, they can dramatically increase their visibility in the marketplace and provide their customers with a great shopping experience.

We will continue to feature our merchant success stories in upcoming issues of this newsletter. You will also have a chance to see the results first hand when the Westfield Business Improvement District hosts another Shopping Evening on June 29th, 4:00 pm -7:00 pm.

Lastly, June will see the completion of the Chapman Playground, complete with a new Spray Park.

There is no better time to be part of

the Westfield community!

•ACCEPTED: $954,000 Grant for the construction of a new perimeter road in conjunction with the Gulfstream Expansion Project . •ACCEPTED: $7,360 Gift for the Tornado Gift account . •ACCEPTED: Donation in the amount of $250.00 to the Mayor’s Easter Egg Hunt account from the Kiwanis Club of Westfield.

http://www.cityofwestfield.org/?page_id=841

•ACCEPTED: $74,029 from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to the Engineering Department for the Williams Riding Way Flood Control Pump Station. •Appointment and Reappointments Approved:

•Caitlyn Blanchard- Youth Commission •Andrea Pianka-Citizens with Disabilities •Michael Reinhagen-Citizens with Disabilities •Ramona Flynn-Cultural Council •Dawn Sienkiewicz-Parks and Recreation Commission •Edward Watson-Cable TV Commission •Melisha Weldon-Youth Commission •Albert G. Giguere, Jr.-Flood Control Commission

Business Focused ♦ Community Driven

May 2012

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elcome to the first of our biweekly Green Repair Program and

Energy Management Service Community Reports. Our intent is to

inform you of what projects will be occurring and when they will

occur at the various municipal buildings that are included in the

GRP and EMS projects. We hope not to impede or disrupt the

community and your daily activities, however you may see and/or

hear various construction sounds and vehicles at different times

over the next several months.

This report will also provide you with an avenue for asking

questions and having them answered. Any questions you have

specifically regarding the GRP and EMS programs can be

submitted through the City of Westfield's Project Management firm

(P3) via email to tmacuch@p-threeinc.com and we will provide an

answer in the next report. For now, let's start at the beginning...

What is GRP and EMS?

The Green Repair Program (GRP) is an initiative provided to

cities and towns in Massachusetts with public school buildings that

have an immediate need for repair or replacement of

windows/doors, roofs, and/or boilers. This is a reimbursable

program directed by the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

The City of Westfield was invited into the program enabling them to

complete the necessary repairs at the schools listed in the side bar

at right.

Energy Management Services (EMS) are provided by companies

in order to assist building owners in developing energy conscious

and financially efficient facilities. The programs offered by these

specialized companies guarantee a savings to the building owner.

If the guaranteed savings are not achieved, the EMS provider

returns the shortfall. The City of Westfield appropriated $17M for

energy managed mechanical upgrades to building systems such

as high efficiency boilers, roof top unit ventilators and energy

recovery controls, and electrical system upgrades.

The coordination and combination of these two programs - GRP

and EMS - allows the City of Westfield to fully maximize the return

on their investment while providing much needed repairs,

improvements and upgrades to their Municipal buildings.

PROJECTS CURRENTLY INCLUDED IN THE

CITY OF WESTFIELD’S GRP PROGRAM:

Highland Elementary: Roof & Boiler Replacement

MSBA grant = $371,726

Southampton Elementary: Roof & Boiler Replacement

MSBA grant = $520,251

Westfield High School: Boiler Replacement

MSBA grant = $803,010

Westfield Vo-Tech: Roof, Window & Boiler

Replacement

MSBA grant = $5,296,989

Papermill Elementary: Boiler Replacement

MSBA grant = $348,706

PROJECTS CURRENTLY INCLUDED IN THE

CITY OF WESTFIELD’S EMS PROGRAM:

Police Department: Boiler Replacement

Southampton Fire Department: Boiler Replacement

Western Ave Fire Dept Garage: Boiler Replacement

Westfield Area Head Start: HVAC Upgrades

Police Department: Roof Replacement

Fire Headquarters: Roof Replacement

Athenaeum Library: Chiller Replacement

Franklin School: Roof Replacement

Westfield High School: Lighting Upgrades

Westfield City Hall: A/C Installation

UPCOMING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

May 15 - Vo-Tech High School: Cupola restoration

work will begin as it is least disruptive to the

in-session educational process.

June 1 - Vo-Tech High School: Abatement of

hazardous materials in the line of

construction, demolition of the existing

windows on the upper campus, (1930’s

building), and removal of 5 boilers throughout

the buildings.

W

Several arts and crafts for different projects fill the store, and all of Cheryl’s children work, or have worked in this store at different times in their lives. The Children’s Learning World carries Melissa and Doug, a popular company that has a multitude of different games, puzzles, puppets, arts and crafts, along with outdoor things, such as pails and shovels, bubbles, etc. They also have publishing companies for teachers and for home; Carson Dellosa, The Mailbox, Trend and Evan Moor, just to name a few! Cheryl’s goal is for parents as well as teachers to have a place to go when they need resources for their children or students, whether it is a home or public schooled child, they can be assured to have the resources they need to do a project or workbooks for extra help. Children’s Learning World has things from decorating a classroom to puzzles and games for children. They also have games and puzzles for adults! This is a business that Cheryl knows families need to help in their children's education, big or small, preschool to high school and then some! She hopes to be here in Westfield for a long time!

Business Focused ♦ Community Driven

May 2012

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Monday – Friday: 10 am – 6 pm Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm Closed Sunday

Phone: 413-538-9800 http://www.childrens-learning-world.com

The Children’s Learning World, owned by Cheryl Thivierge, in the Hampton Ponds Plaza on 1029 North Road is your #1 resource for all your educational needs! They say that you always excel in what you have a passion for in life, and Cheryl’s story is the prime example. Cheryl was shopping at the Hampton Ponds Plaza one day at a store called Hammetts Learning World. As she was checking out, Cheryl asked the cashier for an application for her daughter. At that time, her eldest daughter was 17 years old. Soon after, her daughter started working there, and nearly a year later rumor had it that the store was going to close. This store sold a lot of educational materials not only for the parents, but for teachers as well. Cheryl’s daughter would come home from work and tell her how upset the teachers were that this store was going to close. This was the turning point for Cheryl, and she was upset this store was going to close because she was one of the parents who frequently shopped there. Cheryl’s daughter would always say “Mom, you need to start your own business!” So the seed was planted. Growing up, Cheryl’s Father had owned a few businesses, and she would work for him. She had always wanted to own a business of her own some day. Cheryl felt that this store was the perfect business to own. All the doors opened towards this opportunity, and Cheryl officially opened up on February 28th 2005, changing the name to Children's Learning World.

http://www.childrens-learning-world.com

Business Focused ♦ Community Driven

May 2012

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Glitz Glamour n’ Elegance opened their doors on 160 Elm Street on April 6, 2012, just in time for wedding season! Glitz Glamour n’ Elegance, owned by Stephanie Wesolowski is a full service florist and bridal accessories boutique. They have hand made custom designed items that can be ordered for each wedding, special events, or special gift occasion. Beautiful items fill her display cases, including hair pieces, clips, jewelry and floral arrangements. Glitz Glamour n’ Elegance will hand craft items if you need a gift to walk out with or just want to buy yourself a special gift. These designs include Swarovski crystal and sterling silver. Since she was a little girl, Stephanie has had a passion for floral and accessory design. Growing up she loved flowers and always helped her parents maintain their gardens. She was able to arrange them as she wanted, and now with owning her own home she has gardens filled with flowers! Prior to opening the shop, she was working full time as an accounts payable manager and running the Glitz, Glamour n’ Elegance business out of her home since 2008.

She knew this business was what she truly loved and Stephanie had been asked on many occasions by her customers if she had a storefront. After discussing with her husband and family, the decision was made to follow her dream and open a store front. Thanks to family and friends, a loving and very supportive husband, a wonderful Mom who’s always willing to help to make dreams come true, a Father that’s always there to lend a hand, and everyone else who helped make her dream come true, Stephanie got it done! Stephanie decided to bring the store to Westfield because the demographics are great for the market. Stephanie is still changing and improving things in the store everyday. She wants it to be just right! Her current goal is to continue selling her customers quality products at a reasonable price. Everyone who came out for the grand opening was very welcoming and offered so much information to help her succeed in Westfield. She has received a wonderful response from customers and has already booked two weddings since she’s opened.

Add a touch of Glitz, Glamour n' Elegance to your special event! Reserve your wedding date today, they're filling up quickly!

Visit them online at www.GGnElegance.com “Like” them on facebook www.facebook.com/GGnElegance.com For personal appointment: Call 642-1443 or email ggnelegance@gmail.com

160 Elm Street 413-642-1443 Monday – Saturday Closed Sunday

P h o n e o r d e r s a n d w a l k - i n s a r e w e l c o m e !