WEST SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. John Velis used a campaign event to dig into the needs of a city new to the redistricted senatorial district: West Springfield.

The May 11 event was conducted at the Irish Cultural Center and gave Velis the opportunity of speaking with Mayor William Reichelt, as well as voters.

Under the district map in effect for the past 10 years, West Springfield has shared a senator with much of Springfield. The lines that take effect with this year’s elections place West Springfield in the district that also includes Agawam, Easthampton, Holyoke, Montgomery, Russell, Southampton, Westfield and two precincts in Chicopee.

Velis, a Democrat from Westfield, is running for re-election in that district. Agawam City Councilor Cecilia Calabrese is running as a Republican.

Reichelt told Reminder Publishing he has been speaking to Velis about the issues West Springfield is facing. The mayor noted West Springfield is known as having the largest refugee population in the commonwealth, which offers a number of governing challenges including schools.

The mayor said there are 52 languages spoken in the schools. Recently he has been seeing more Ukrainians coming to the city.

He explained the state funding for education, Chapter 70 funds, do not keep up with the changes that happen within the budget year. “We are happy to take on more students. We more than welcome them,” he said, adding though the city requires more funding.

Velis said he has been meeting with the mayor and with state Rep. Michael Finn, a West Side Democrat, about what is happening in West Springfield.

“I’ve been made aware of many issues,” he said.

He said that grouping these communities “makes sense,” as they have similarities.