Westover Job Corps now restricting students

Date: 2/17/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



CHICOPEE -- The management of the Westover Job Corps has issued a new set of rules for its students in response to complaints from neighbors in the Fairview neighborhood and from meetings with city officials.

In a memo issued to students by Center Director Michael Riley, the following conditions were outlined:

" Students leaving the Center must walk down Johnson Street to James Street and then to Memorial Avenue.

" Do not enter or walk on any side streets, though neighborhoods or residents' yards.

" Preston Park behind Ocean State Job Lot is off limits to students.

" Do not disrespect anyone in the community.

" Do not use profanity.

" Do not walk in groups (limit of three).

" Be a model student off center. [property].

" All students must be back on center by 8 p.m. center curfew. (Accountability meetings will be held in your dorm at 8:05 p.m. Monday through Friday.)"

In a memo to Mayor Michael Bissonnette's office from Celeste McDonald, vice president of corporate communications for Management & Training Corporation, the company that manages the center, the center would respond within 24 hours to community concerns; increase monitoring by center security staff of the center's boundaries to deter students leaving the center without permission; and provide shuttle service for some student to shopping areas.