Services provided at the Western Avenue campus served more than 500 people during the week.
WESTFIELD – Something good comes out of everything and Saturday’s storm has brought the city and Westfield State University closer together as a single community.
The university has been serving as shelter, eating and meeting place for residents without power since Sunday at 1 p.m. and is continuing to offer its services at Juniper Park School, Scanlon Hall and its dining commons.
The shelters, managed by the city’s Medical Reserve Corps have assisted more than 300 people with meals, medical attention or just providing a place to recharge cell phones as of Wednesday afternoon, said Ernest W. Iannaccone, shelter manager.
On Wednesday, 39 people were being housed at Juniper Park School and another 34 were at Scanlon Hall.
Also on Wednesday, the university extended housing services to utility workers who traveled to Westfield from North Carolina to assist the city’s Gas and Electric Department. Thirty-five workers took advantage of the offer.
“Everyone has been really nice here but I just want to go home,” said Joyce M. Ahlberg, 62, of Hampden Village. “It is nice here and I have no complaints but I did want to stick it out at home,” she said.
Ahlberg’s dog Ramos was being cared for at the city’s Animal Shelter.
Karen Kohanek also wanted to return to her home on King Place.
“I’ve been here since Monday and we are being treated very nicely but I miss my place,” she said.
The shelter stay was a first for both Kohnaek and Ahlberg.
At the dining commons John F. and Ursula K. Tuohey of Holyoke Road were enjoying a “late breakfast.” They have been night-time guests at Scanlon Hall since Sunday.
“They have been extraordinary and out of their way to keep us warm, fed and safe,” said 82-year-old Ursula Tuohey. “This is an experience but we have met some old friends and made some new ones,” she said of the stay.
John Tuohey, 84, said they have gone home “to check things” each day. “Everyone here has been fabulous and we are just waiting for that phone call telling us our power is back on,” he said.
Dining commons manager Marie Lees said the dining room was open “around the clock” Saturday, Sunday and Monday. “We remain open 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. providing three meals a day and everyone is welcome,” she said. She was unable to provide an estimate on the numbers of meals provided for area residents.
“I have been here 17 years and this is the first community effort involving the campus dining facility. The community now realizes we are here and they are welcome,” said Lees.
The weekend storm closed the campus for classes until Nov. 7. About 200 of the university’s 5,000 students remained on campus.
WSU president Evan S. Dobelle said a decision during the recent $6 million dining facility expansion and renovation to include a generator capable of powering the commons aided in allowing the campus to serve the community.
“This is a time of need, we are here and this is something we must do,” said Dobelle.
Dobelle said student members of WSU’s Emergency Medical Technical and Public Safety clubs volunteered their services for 18-hour shifts since Sunday to assist the community at the shelters.
Mayor Daniel M. Knapik called the university’s effort “an amazing response. The response from the college as well as our community has allowed the city to take care of its residents.
“Westfield State University is a wonderful asset for the city. There are other communities with colleges and universities but the difference in Westfield is that Evan Dobelle was a mayor and he knows the problems communities face in emergency situations. Evan is one of us,” said Knapik.
Dobelle is a former Pittsfield mayor.
University resident assistants to the student population provided security and access to residence halls for students and to other buildings as necessary.
WSU senior class president Meaghan B. MacDonald, 21, a resident assistant, said about 40 of the total 65 assistants were on campus when the storm knocked out power to the region.
“The need was there and everyone did what had to be done. It also brought the resident assistants closer together and we all made new friends,” MacDonald said.
The campus shelter services were also enjoyed by staff as well as those whose homes were without electricity.
Professors Vanessa H. Diana, English, and Aaron O. Reyes, geology, were at the dining commons enjoying a bite to eat and opportunity to recharge laptops and cell phones Wednesday. They reside on Park Drive, across Western Avenue from the campus.
Joining Diana were her daughter Amaya and son Graham, both students at South Middle School. Westfield public schools were also closed for the week because of the storm.
“It has been OK. But the nights are not fun,” said Amaya.
“It has been boring with not much to do and cold,” added Graham.
