Towns in western Hampden County to swap legislators in redistricting planDate: 10/21/2021 BOSTON — Greater Westfield legislators say they’re satisfied with the state’s proposed redistricting maps, though they are sad to lose some of the communities their districts are giving up.
The maps, released on Oct. 12, account for changes in town and precinct populations recorded by the 2020 U.S. Census. The Legislature redraws its political map every 10 years to ensure that state senator and representative districts are equal in population. While the state population grew in the past 10 years, both Westfield and Southwick, and many of the Hilltowns, shrank in size, according to the Census.
Under the redistricting proposal, Westfield would no longer form a state representative district on its own. Instead, 11 of the city’s 12 precincts would join with the town of Southampton to form one district. Some eastern neighborhoods of Westfield would be attached to a West Springfield-based representative district.
“It was nice to just represent the city of Westfield,” said state Rep. Kelly Pease, R-Westfield. “With the changes in redistricting, I am now losing one precinct in Westfield, 6B. That is the precinct that goes up Holyoke Road, along East Mountain [Road], and Route 20. Paper Mill and Devon Manor area. I have a lot of great constituents in that precinct, and I will still look out and help them, along with Rep. Mike Finn from West Springfield.”
He said he is “excited about picking up the town of Southampton” and eager to meet town officials and his prospective new constituents.
If approved by the Legislature and governor, the new district lines would take effect with next year’s elections. Legislative leaders say they want to vote on the maps before the end of October, ahead of the Nov. 8 deadline for House members and potential challengers to establish residency in the district where they intend to seek election in November 2022.
Finn, a West Springfield Democrat whose district is growing to include one precinct each in Westfield and Agawam, said he envisions a smooth transition.
“I feel that I am very familiar with both communities that are being added to the 6th Hampden District,” he said. “I’ve worked with the local Chambers in both communities since being elected to the Legislature in 2011, and have also worked collaboratively with my House and Senate colleagues on regional issues. In addition to great working relationships with both communities’ elected officials, I also have many family friends in both communities. I really feel these two new precincts are a perfect match for me.”
Though the new district maps have proven controversial in some parts of Eastern Massachusetts, Finn predicted that the proposed lines in Hampden County won’t change before the final vote.
New senator for Southwick
After more than 30 years of sharing a Senate district with Westfield, Southwick is proposed to be shifted to the sprawling Berkshires district currently represented by state Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield.
Granville and Tolland are also slated to be dropped from the district currently represented by state Sen. John Velis, D-Westfield.
“Redistricting is a tough process, and it is always difficult to lose communities that you have gotten to know so well,” Velis said. “It has been my honor to represent Southwick, Granville, and Tolland since joining the Senate last year. I have been able to work alongside so many incredible officials and residents, and will continue to zealously advocate for these communities through January 2023.”
The three towns would join a district that includes all of Berkshire County and some western towns of Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. Blandford, Chester, Huntington and Otis are already in this district. Hinds has announced he will run for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, leaving an open seat in the 2022 state Senate election.
The Westfield-based district would gain another bordering town, West Springfield.
“When the Census report came out showing populations trending east, all of us in Western Massachusetts understood that changes to our districts would be necessary,” Velis said last week. “For my district, that means moving east and potentially adding West Springfield, a town that I have great personal connections to. My mom and grandparents lived right on Orchardview Street, and I have spent so much time in that community throughout my life. I even spend my Tuesday and Thursday mornings working out at West Springfield High with Mayor [William] Reichelt and Rep. Finn. I have so many strong relationships within the town and would relish the opportunity to represent West Springfield as their senator.”
That district would now include Agawam, Easthampton, Holyoke, Montgomery, Russell, Southampton, Westfield, West Springfield and one precinct of Chicopee. Velis said he doesn’t see the map changes as having an impact on his chances of re-election.
“No matter where the district is, I will always meet people where they are at,” said Velis. “Going door-to-door, getting to know people and the issues important to them, that will always be the focus of my campaigns. I look forward to doing just that in whatever communities are in the new district.”
Hilltowns join Southwick district
State Rep. Nicholas Boldyga, R-Southwick, will have a lot more territory to cover if he is re-elected in 2022.
The 3rd Hampden District, which has consisted of Agawam, Southwick and Granville for the past 10 years, will add seven Hilltowns under the proposed map: Blandford, Chester, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery, Russell and Tolland. The redistricting proposal moves one Agawam precinct into the West Springfield-based 6th Hampden District, though Agawam would remain the largest population center in the proposed 3rd Hampden District.
Boldyga did not respond to an email request for comment on Oct. 12, or a telephone call on Oct. 14, in time for The Pennysaver’s deadline.
The 3rd Berkshire District currently represented by state Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, D-Lenox, formerly included Blandford, Russell and Tolland, but would now be limited to Berkshire County towns only, with Becket, Otis and Sandisfield forming its eastern edge. The northern Gateway towns are currently in the districts represented by state Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Sunderland, and state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, D-Northampton.
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