EASTHAMPTON — Kendall Sullivan was only 7 years old when she made one of the most important phone calls of her life — and her mother’s.
Sullivan’s quick thinking on Nov. 3, 2018, as well as the efforts of Easthampton police Officers Justin Malinowski and Ilona Dorosh, who was off duty at the time, saved the life of Sullivan’s mother.
The now 11-year-old and the two officers were recognized by the Easthampton Police Department with lifesaving awards at a ceremony at the high school on April 11.
“Without Kendall making that 911 call to get her mother help during her medical episode, her mother may not have been here today,” said Police Chief Robert Alberti.
The awards ceremony, in its ninth season, recognized significant accomplishments of city police officers, community members and businesses that have taken place between 2015 and 2020. Traditionally, the ceremony is held every three years, but the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the event.
In total, 112 awards were presented under five categories: meritorious conduct, lifesaving, community service, commendation and merit. Nominations for awards come from police supervisors, accolades or appreciation letters from the community.
Alice Thibault was among 12 citizens and businesses that were recognized for her actions to provide aid, comfort or support to Easthampton residents or members of the Police Department. Every day for the last decade, Thibault brings coffee, hot chocolate or water to police officers working details throughout the city — often multiple times a day.
“She’s our adoptive mother. It doesn’t matter what the weather is like outside, she always comes out and takes care of us,” said Detective Andrew Beaulieu, spokesperson for the department.
The department recognized the merit of numerous law enforcement officers’ actions in 13 different incidents. Among them was a multi-agency investigation of explosives near Lower Mill Pond that led to the February 2017 arrest of Bryan Desmarais after a significant amount of explosives and materials — including chemicals used in manufacturing explosives — were found in a suite at the Brickyard mill building on Pleasant Street.
“Some of these chemicals located at 142 Pleasant were so volatile that a portion of the mill building had to be evacuated for fear of a possible explosion. These volatile chemicals were later safely detonated and rendered safe,” Alberti said.
Desmaris pleaded guilty to 57 charges and was sentenced to five years in prison, according to Alberti.
For their efforts in working to protect the city, the following Easthampton officers were recognized: William Mielke, Beaulieu, Alberti, Capt. William Kelly, Detective Lt. Mark Popielarczyk, Sgt. Chad Alexander, Sgt. Eric Alexander; and Holyoke Police Lt. James Albert and Christopher Bzduch, a federal agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Easthampton was awarded $15,000 through the state Department of Energy Resources Green Communities Competitive Grant Program to use toward the purchase of two new 2022 Tesla Model Y fully electric vehicles. The city is one of 64 municipalities to receive grants to fund clean energy projects.
The Teslas will be used by the city’s Police Department and were chosen specifically for their ability to meet required performance standards for police use while still being fully electric, according to Conservation Agent Cassie Tragert.
“As a member of the Green Communities program, the city must work toward reducing its usage of fossil fuels and electrifying the city’s fleet is a key part of that process which the grant program is designed to help facilitate,” she said.
The electric vehicles will replace two gas-powered police vehicles that are slated to be sold. At the time of the application, the total cost of the two Teslas was quoted as $102,580. The remaining cost of the new vehicles after the grant funding is applied will be paid from the city’s Cannabis Stabilization account.
The two gas-powered vehicles had cost Easthampton a combined average of $5,600 annually in gas, according to Tragert. Chief Alberti intends to present the purchase request at a coming City Council Finance Committee meeting, and will follow up by going to a City Council meeting for full approval. Tragert says the purchase represents a commitment to action in response to the City Council’s resolution declaring a climate emergency on Sept. 22.
Green Communities funding enables municipalities to help the state achieve its long-term clean energy and climate goals, said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Patrick Woodcock. Other projects pursued by municipalities throughout the state include ventilation system upgrades to the installation of insulation and energy management systems at municipal buildings and facilities.
In greenhouse gas emissions terms, the Department of Energy Resources estimates that the projects should reduce emissions by 3,316 metric tons — roughly equal to taking nearly 700 cars off the road.
Southampton and Easthampton police departments will be participating in the 2022 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 30. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the department will be collecting unwanted prescriptions, non-prescriptions, veterinary medicines and vitamins at the drive-thru event. No liquids, syringes, IV equipment or chemotherapy medicine will be accepted.
The drop-off point in Easthampton is the fire bays at the public safety complex at 32 Payson Ave., and in Southampton is the police parking lot at 8 East St.
Staff Writer Emily Thurlow can be reached at ethurlow@gazettenet.com.
