Westfield Mayor Daniel Knapik said a decision will be made about whether to go ahead with a groundbreaking ceremony later this week.
Homeowers on Cross Street in Westfield parked on the street in March to show how narrow the street can be when a new elementary school being constructed at the former Ashley Street School is built. Here a sign on a lawn on Cross Street expresses one's sentiment on the matter.WESTFIELD – Opponents of a new $36 million elementary school at Ashley and Cross streets have apparently succeeded, at least temporarily, in their effort to block its construction.
Superior Court Judge Tina Page issued a temporary restraining order late Wednesday and set a hearing for Sept. 12.
Mayor Daniel M. Knapik called the injunction a “temporary setback,” adding that the address listed on the order applies to Cross Street and not Ashley Street on property where residents are challenging the city on using that parcel, currently ball fields, for a school and not maintaining it as open space.
City officials have scheduled a ground breaking for the new school for Friday at 1 p.m. Knapik said a decision will be made on that event after receiving the full details of Page’s order.
Fontaine Brothers Construction of Springfield has been awarded the construction contract and the school will resemble one in Williamstown designed by Margo Jones, of Greenfield.