WESTFIELD – After presentations by applicants, the Community Preservation Committee, chaired by Joseph Muto, voted to fund four projects at its Feb. 12 meeting, some in full and some in part. The funding will now go to the City Council for approval.
The committee voted to fund $200,000 of a $400,000 request for the American Legion Post 124, 38 Broad St., to install a lift in the rear access of the chapter building in order to be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Post had previously received $600,000 from the CPC for restoration work at its building.
During the voting, Muto said he personally didn’t feel comfortable forwarding another $400,000 to the project.
Committee member Kathleen Palmer asked what needs to be accessed on the second floor. Post Commander Joseph Delaney said all meetings and gatherings are held upstairs. “Seniors aren’t able to get up the stairs,” he said.
Committee member William Porter said he was supportive of what the Post is doing, and asked about whether a chair lift would work. Albert Masciadrelli, chair of the building committee, said they had explored all other options.
“I do understand. It’s not a matter of what the American Legion Post 124 does for the community; it’s a question of putting public funds into it,” Muto said.
The committee asked if they gave partial funding, could the Post get the other funding to finish the project? “I would support partial funding, because there are more requests than dollars available,” said William Porter. “I would support 50%.”
During the discussion of the motion, the concern was raised whether 50% would make the project still viable. City Planner Jay Vinskey said the funding could be restricted toward the lift. The motion to give $200,000 passed, with a request that the Post return with a plan to go forward after consulting with the architect.
“You’d have to come back to the committee before you access the funds,” Muto said.
A request from the Greater Westfield YMCA for $400,000 to expand year-round community access to Camp Shepard passed unanimously with no further discussion. The project will allow the land and resources to expand from a part-time youth outdoor program center to a year-round community asset for Westfield residents of all ages and abilities.
The grant will be used for the rehabilitation of the bath-house, with a welcome center and covered program pavilion at Camp Shepard, located at 370 NW Road. The total project cost is $2,558,500.
“This project directly addresses facility accessibility and safety standards, and will allow the Y’s land to be opened as a year-round community asset. This project will help us to meet the main objective of our strategic plan: To innovate through improving the Y’s facilities to ensure the Y’s long-term sustainability, evolving relevance and community impact. By delivering on our strategic plan, we strengthen our capacity to serve our community,” wrote Director Andrea Allard in the application.
Also approved in full with no new discussion was $400,000 requested by DOMUS for the Old Town Hall Veterans Apartments. The Old Town Hall apartments will be a supportive project targeted toward homeless veterans and veterans at-risk of homelessness from the Greater Westfield area, and will create 18 new units of housing and supportive services.
DOMUS has partnered with the Veterans Services office and will partner with the local VA Supportive Services for Veterans Families for supportive services to residents. The total project cost is $9.4 million, and will meet two goals of the CPC: the creation of affordable housing and historic preservation by rehabilitating the Old Town Hall building, according to the application. Ann Lentini, director of DOMUS, said the project is expected to be completed in June 2027.
A request from the Amelia Park Children’s Museum for $250,000 for an outdoor learning playscape was partially funded by the committee at $150,000. The project, “Farm in the Woods” will transform an underutilized patio at the museum into an attraction for Westfield residents. The total project cost is $426,331.
When asked if the museum could move forward with partial funding, Executive Director Diane Chambers said, “We’ll find the money.”
Committee members said they were in favor of the project, which committee member Richard Salois said would be an “excellent usage for the museum,” but had some questions about access to the playscape by the public.
A review of a request by the Church of the Atonement to amend its grant agreement relative to the preservation restriction was continued to the next quarterly meeting on April 16 at 6 p.m.
Also continued to the next meeting were funding requests for a group home on Cabot Road run by the Berkshire County ARC, Honey Pot land preservation and a pedestrian connector for the Hampton Ponds Playground.
