Council Recognizes WHS Swim Teams' Achievements

The halls of the overflowed with swim team members who were recognized for their outstanding season by Mayor Andy Skibitsky and the Westfield Town Council Tuesday evening.

Coached by , both the boys and girls swim teams won the state championships on Sunday, Feb. 26. Skibitsky, who was in attendance to see the girls team capture the victory, called it one of the most exciting sporting events he'd ever attended.

Both Skibitsky and Councilwoman Jo Ann Neylan read the names of the teams' members and presented Knight with a resolution. Knight declared the swimmers "some of the hardest working kids, bar none" and said he was proud to have coached them. 

Skibitsky also proclaimed the month of April Parkinson's Awareness Month.

During the public comment portion of the evening, the Council heard mixed opinions regarding the Central Avenue pedestrian activated stoplight. Maria Carluccio, a Central Avenue resident, has addressed the Council for the past 18 months and asked that the stoplight be moved to the intersection of Central Avenue and Clover Street rather than remain at its current midblock location.

At Tuesday's meeting, Carluccio slowly counted to seven to represent the number of accidents that have occurred in the vicinity of the stoplight in the past 11 months. The seventh accident, during which a Mercedes SUV , took place on Wednesday, March 14, the evening following the last Town Council meeting at which Carluccio again asked the Council to reconsider the light's placement.

"Can you imagine if someone had been on the other side of the fence planting spring flowers or opening up their pool?" Carluccio asked. 

During their exchange Skibitsky said the accident had nothing to do with the light. Carluccio responded by saying it is the configuration of flashing lights and lines on the road that leaves drivers not knowing what to do. 

Fellow Central Avenue resident Adina Enculescu, in front of whose home the light currently stands, addressed the Council and said she speaks "for the children, the pedestrians and the people who drive over there."

"It's not safe," she said. "I ask you kindly and politely to think of it again for the people of Westfield and for your conscience, too." 

Greg Kasko, a retired Westfield police officer, said that he believes a report Skibitsky had received from the contains four inaccuracies regarding the locations of accidents that were said to have happened near Central Avenue and Clover Street.

Kasko then enumerated the accidents that have occurred (1 in 2002, 1 in 2003, 1 in 2004, 1 in 2005, 2 in 2006, 3 in 2007, none in 2008-2009, 5 starting in July 2010 , 5 in 2011 and 2 in 2012) and stated that of 21 reports, nine happened in the first eight years, prior to the light's installation, and the remaining 12 have occurred since; 16 in total involved vehicles making left turns. 

Addressing the mayor, Kasko said traffic safety expert Gordon Meth identified the area as a "hot spot" in 2005 and asked Skibitsky what he has done to alleviate the issue of left-hand turns at that hot spot.

Resident Stephen Allen addressed the Council and said the controversy over the light is taking away time from more pressing issues. Allen believes the town should be more focused on the recent rash of break-ins. While he said he recognizes that crime is up not just in Westfield but across the state and the country, it is a growing concern that Westfield "is not as safe as it used to be."

Allen said two weeks ago numerous cars were broken into just blocks away from his home. He said the Westfield police force needs to be "as visible as possible." 

The mayor addressed Allen's comments by saying that residents should keep their homes locked and if anyone sees anything suspicious they shouldn't hesitate to call the Westfield Police Department. He advised residents to hide their money and valuables. He also noted that if any residents were interested in starting a neighborhood watch program he and members of the police department would be happy to attend the meeting and help them get started. Skibitsky also noted that detectives are busy looking into the home burglaries but said often car break-ins are caused by teens looking to make some quick cash. 

Two other residents spoke and said they were glad to see a light on Central Avenue. Both are parents and said they recalled how difficult it was to cross the road prior to the light. 

Councilwoman Neylan announced that a third public outreach meeting regarding the traffic and parking in and around WHS and will take place on Wednesday, April 18 in the WHS cafeteria. More details will be made available as the event draws closer.

Fifteen restaurants were granted sidewalk cafe licenses. Check back with Patch for a full listing.