tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19942530084274144652024-03-17T19:11:17.678-04:00Longmeadow BuzzThis blog is an alternative forum to MassLive for Longmeadow residents to discuss local issues and is sponsored by LongmeadowBiz.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger537125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-65259229085885240092024-03-17T18:56:00.008-04:002024-03-17T19:10:46.234-04:00ICYMI- Andrew Lam Announces Run for Longmeadow Select Board<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This information originally published by <u><i><b>Reminder Publications</b></i></u> on February 29 was submitted to the LongmeadowBuzz blog by Dr. Andrew Lam who is running as a candidate for Select Board in the upcoming <b>Longmeadow Annual Town Elections</b> on <span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><b>Tuesday, June 11</b></span>.</span><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-g0USAGUpwrMxU3OUJOJAo6MN6XdELfMQUY25mWwH6iqXsb0cTakepGgTcdLIsqTDF4h3a27p0x7Y70MGY-T9GH6mdW8iiRc2mZttvF1cMbLSOz5xhve23qlSfpayK41TeGj2fBxrbIsZsgpJ6PyORLAOiEeM5tE5069TlvFUBc9duYqwdOTbn4MLek/s186/lam-photo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="176" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-g0USAGUpwrMxU3OUJOJAo6MN6XdELfMQUY25mWwH6iqXsb0cTakepGgTcdLIsqTDF4h3a27p0x7Y70MGY-T9GH6mdW8iiRc2mZttvF1cMbLSOz5xhve23qlSfpayK41TeGj2fBxrbIsZsgpJ6PyORLAOiEeM5tE5069TlvFUBc9duYqwdOTbn4MLek/s1600/lam-photo.jpg" width="176" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b>__________________________________________</b></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJ6Y7sPbM-I7lnKWtqEg_5N4Ba6gMh0457BBHy2mewXpvj3c9MoIRG3Z5gIZ3iVDufDRjDhLHqseVjnXInDt5SHpA4sagcvUdoAJMtoBUlXQiTyC1Fw3SKQRQsHCVigR6c28PFcTXke1bnHq95dMg-cn_XVQzn8c_MeGsgRfcTM4FE7b0GUju_AV4pCI/s1002/Andrew-Lam-for-SB-Reminder-2-29-24-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="1002" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJ6Y7sPbM-I7lnKWtqEg_5N4Ba6gMh0457BBHy2mewXpvj3c9MoIRG3Z5gIZ3iVDufDRjDhLHqseVjnXInDt5SHpA4sagcvUdoAJMtoBUlXQiTyC1Fw3SKQRQsHCVigR6c28PFcTXke1bnHq95dMg-cn_XVQzn8c_MeGsgRfcTM4FE7b0GUju_AV4pCI/w400-h154/Andrew-Lam-for-SB-Reminder-2-29-24-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[click image to large]<br /><i>reprinted courtesy of Reminder Publications</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-55052857358863132352023-05-27T11:53:00.000-04:002023-05-27T11:53:54.146-04:00Why I am running for Planning Board as a Write-in Candidate<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span face="Roboto,sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><i>Th</i></span></span></span><span face="Roboto,sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>is letter was submitt</i></span></span><span face="Roboto,sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><i>ed to LongmeadowBuzz by Robert Bryant Miller- a <b>write-in candidate</b> for the <b>Longmeadow Planning Board</b>. </i></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Roboto,sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><i><b>_______________________________</b> </i></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span> </span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWr21CsOf4V3FlW_HM6rx_nGIpo1692EjjiRFR8UdcV_dRg9hNIEJb3GGEvChoKyr3_XVpMi5Md7buAmH4pU0OhuTi9jDcA6n8a9N2zVaocuxF7mylI-0xwtfzNC_9ELTVyiZhM6CRLNehGDVQ5pMt_V5uDHWZKfX1NLUu67gmUsKqlviTZBnhg_3/s1016/bryant-miller--sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="1016" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWr21CsOf4V3FlW_HM6rx_nGIpo1692EjjiRFR8UdcV_dRg9hNIEJb3GGEvChoKyr3_XVpMi5Md7buAmH4pU0OhuTi9jDcA6n8a9N2zVaocuxF7mylI-0xwtfzNC_9ELTVyiZhM6CRLNehGDVQ5pMt_V5uDHWZKfX1NLUu67gmUsKqlviTZBnhg_3/w400-h279/bryant-miller--sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span>I want to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Robert Bryant Miller, but my family, friends and neighbors know me as Bryant. <i>I am running for the open seat on the Longmeadow Planning Board as a write-in vote</i>. The upcoming annual town election is on <b>June 13th</b> at the <b>Community House</b>, polls are open from 7am-8pm.</span><br /><br /><span>Longmeadow runs deep in my family. My wife and I met while working together at the L’amitie, a French restaurant that was in the Longmeadow Shops in the early 80s. Then, in 1996, after having our 2 children, we decided to move to Longmeadow for the school system and community. My wife, Joan, is a nurse at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home while I’ve worked my whole life as a classically trained chef in fine dining restaurants. Now I am retired and have been watching my 2 grandsons full time in what I like to call “Grandpa Daycare” for the past 4 years. </span><br /><br /><span>One of my first involvements in town was when I joined the senior abatement program. I was assigned the job of fire hydrant inspection and painting through the water department. After finishing the program, I was actually hired on part time for another season to continue the inspections. I also participated in the Citizen’s Police Academy, learning about the town’s police department and even going for a ride-along. These opportunities opened my eyes to the fragility of our town’s infrastructure and were instrumental to my involvement in the Longmeadow Pipeline Awareness Group. To this day, I am still fighting and educating, for the safety of our town, regarding the redundant and dangerous pipeline proposal. </span><br /><br /><span>I believe with my awareness of the town’s current issues and my goal to see this town succeed for future generations; I would be an asset to the planning board. I am more than willing to learn the procedures, rules and regulations of the board and maintain our quality of life here in Longmeadow that all of us have worked so hard for.</span><br /><br /><span><b><i>I would like to ask all of you to please write in a vote for me, Robert Bryant Miller, for the Longmeadow Planning Board. </i></b><br /> </span><br /><span>With a write in vote, please remember to fill in the circle next to my name as well. </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span>Bryant Miller <br /></span></span></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-16160084431643249372023-05-21T13:50:00.000-04:002023-05-21T13:50:52.324-04:00Why I am Running for Re-Election to Longmeadow School Committee<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Roboto,sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><i>This letter was submitted to LongmeadowBuzz by</i></span></span></span><span face="Roboto,sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><i> </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">Nicole Choiniere</span></i></span><span face="Roboto,sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><i>- a candidate for re-election to the Longmeadow School Committee.</i></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Roboto,sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><i>____________________________</i></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Roboto,sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzPm1ofZu5cuDAECNbHBLN15uduwU7ivrbc_LWq6lSq0P5lT3TB7ZvYjpjidXwTNCRSSjrTco5sYhZoPXR036QVUXEDMucCW7n7jvZppKX7mlaur2nuo-UhhMUu4jfrU7aw8tATiKJcFZz3BSDs4F3TqiV-Zo4Dyf1jCow5OS_CqS91SuiAkLwiQ7/s820/nicole-sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="820" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzPm1ofZu5cuDAECNbHBLN15uduwU7ivrbc_LWq6lSq0P5lT3TB7ZvYjpjidXwTNCRSSjrTco5sYhZoPXR036QVUXEDMucCW7n7jvZppKX7mlaur2nuo-UhhMUu4jfrU7aw8tATiKJcFZz3BSDs4F3TqiV-Zo4Dyf1jCow5OS_CqS91SuiAkLwiQ7/w400-h175/nicole-sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Ten years ago, I moved to Longmeadow with my husband and our three children because we loved the town’s sense of community, excellent schools, public library programs, and open spaces for walking and biking. When my children were younger, I volunteered with the PTO in the Center School library and became the parent volunteer coordinator. I later spent two years serving on the board of directors for LEEF, volunteering with the committee to raise funds and review grant applications for teacher-directed educational opportunities for our students. In 2020, I was elected to the school committee, where I’ve been serving for three years.</span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeXU9CqeI9bSplUmjMIiHPtOGf8TZoMAYlTtpMl4JsErS5w1IYUSqv0j_4NJ9Q9x3LrGcdqz0oTOvF11Gv9-_C__mGckZ1NGxGryFh6vO6MnZT8KappxLKsaEE3JkdmGmWYayI9PYYPrPYfYrkJQc-2MgADbcbZzRyBAG6bYgWYl5AD-a2qJdE55A/s1394/nicoleforsc.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1394" data-original-width="1394" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeXU9CqeI9bSplUmjMIiHPtOGf8TZoMAYlTtpMl4JsErS5w1IYUSqv0j_4NJ9Q9x3LrGcdqz0oTOvF11Gv9-_C__mGckZ1NGxGryFh6vO6MnZT8KappxLKsaEE3JkdmGmWYayI9PYYPrPYfYrkJQc-2MgADbcbZzRyBAG6bYgWYl5AD-a2qJdE55A/w320-h320/nicoleforsc.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As a history teacher who works in West Springfield, I emphasize the importance of the democratic process and civic engagement – but these values are not merely academic to me. I know from my experience, in previous volunteer positions and my current term on the school committee, that a successful and supportive education system depends upon the knowledge and cooperation of many people. It’s the administrators, teachers, school staff, and families who work to keep academic and emotional growth at the heart of our children’s learning. I am seeking reelection to continue supporting that work, especially at a time when we are in the middle of exciting and important projects, including the middle school building project, curriculum work, initiatives related to our DEIB goals, and other ongoing community projects.<br /><br />School committee work is intense and multi-faceted, and it is important to rely on the experience and expertise of others. I’ve been so impressed by the people with whom I work every week, and I’m grateful to have been nurtured in my role by so many professional and attentive individuals. I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished together in my time as a school committee member. My collaboration with such a smart, talented, and dedicated group of people has helped me to acquire meaningful experience and expertise myself. I’ve learned a lot about how the educational system in Longmeadow works, from state and local funding to classroom curriculum, from building initiatives to contract negotiations. It would be my distinct pleasure to continue serving our town and applying what I’ve learned for the sustained improvement of our children’s future.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Nicole Choiniere <br /></i></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-82634875240606520702023-05-20T15:23:00.006-04:002023-05-20T18:38:06.613-04:00Why am I running for Longmeadow School Committee <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Roboto,sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><i>This letter was submitted to LongmeadowBuzz by</i></span></span></span><span face="Roboto,sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><i> </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">Michaela Fitzgerald</span></i></span><span face="Roboto,sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><i>- a candidate for the Longmeadow School Committee.</i></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto,sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>________________________________________</i></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Kr9wZV9WtW-FvqhJktPxarPvaMjygTqb29bLXpCoBM-rFh8-3EfgPEYf5wx067QGyuKv4SvG7nninMQdAHseZpRZjzEwSLiFAlKf3ztpEmOkaQjOsiK61cyxuVJQYnSmRLBYNyWeuQAzR6lPo30n0tfINkasP7apKr4-oXZizVEjpOTWuX7o1rH3/s1119/fitz-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="1119" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Kr9wZV9WtW-FvqhJktPxarPvaMjygTqb29bLXpCoBM-rFh8-3EfgPEYf5wx067QGyuKv4SvG7nninMQdAHseZpRZjzEwSLiFAlKf3ztpEmOkaQjOsiK61cyxuVJQYnSmRLBYNyWeuQAzR6lPo30n0tfINkasP7apKr4-oXZizVEjpOTWuX7o1rH3/w400-h300/fitz-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My name is Michaela Fitzgerald, and I am a candidate for the Longmeadow School Committee. For the past 14 years I have worked as an educator in Massachusetts. For the most recent 7 years I have been a resident of Longmeadow with my husband Brendan and our two children, Declan and Maeve. Longmeadow is a special place to us. Over these past years we have watched our kids grow, make their first friends and reach exciting milestones. Each new class, sports team and activity has allowed me to befriend and learn from so many Longmeadow parents and caretakers. These families, and the concerns and challenges we face raising and educating our children together are the reasons I am running for the school committee.<br /><br /> I have been an active member of school communities both as a teacher and a parent. In my career as a public school teacher (3 years in Salem, MA and 10 years in Springfield, MA) I have had a successful track record of improving educational outcomes through my involvement in a variety of school-based teams. I have served on school improvement teams, instructional leadership teams, literacy teams, and have held elected roles on School Centered Decision-Making teams. In 2017—in perhaps my proudest achievement as an educator—my school was awarded a National Blue Ribbon for Closing the Achievement Gap. This was the result of outstanding school leadership, innovation, and the tireless teamwork of educators taking an active role in school improvement planning. <br /><br />Since graduating from college, I have never left the classroom professionally and I have had the opportunity to hold a variety of roles within the classroom setting. I firmly believe my background in Special Education, teaching English as a Second Language, and a decade in Springfield Public Schools meeting the needs of a diverse group of learners will be an asset to the committee and to the district. Public Education is for everyone, and every single student deserves access to an outstanding education. This drives me as an educator, and I will work hard to make sure this happens in our district.<br /><br />Currently, I am a preschool teacher at St. Mary’s Academy in Longmeadow, a parent member of the Blueberry Hill School Council, a youth soccer coach, and a PTO volunteer. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3m8Sy0q3FeCFu7chdBPM7M8JxpAz18_bnaIJvnJE0yNzL2tPak_mz9fh3uvV8s2UzFymxRm6Fc8K8zVQa4_LMyalePHXl85UhehWKctApl6GH4HVsDQSrS1l7mzlIenutWQmE6M_1d-8E73UgcjP9K9r-pGpQUE4AJ-8u5d6Uwh6j0_qQ72jRlj1/s960/fitz-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3m8Sy0q3FeCFu7chdBPM7M8JxpAz18_bnaIJvnJE0yNzL2tPak_mz9fh3uvV8s2UzFymxRm6Fc8K8zVQa4_LMyalePHXl85UhehWKctApl6GH4HVsDQSrS1l7mzlIenutWQmE6M_1d-8E73UgcjP9K9r-pGpQUE4AJ-8u5d6Uwh6j0_qQ72jRlj1/s320/fitz-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have concerns about the direction of school committees nationwide and the increasingly divisive tenor of conversation surrounding them. There is a growing lack of focus on what is conducive to building the best outcome for students and making schools places where teachers and children want to be and excel. I—and many other Longmeadow parents—moved to Longmeadow in large part due to the stellar reputation of its schools. And now with one child completing his first year and another beginning in September, I am happy to say that I have found that reputation well-deserved. I want it to remain so, but like many others I have come to realize that we can’t take the continued stability and excellence of our most important institutions for granted. <br /><br /> During my years as a teacher, I have seen staff changes, curriculum changes and societal changes. I know firsthand the massive impact decisions made by administrators and school leaders have on student achievement. Well-intentioned and carefully considered decisions can flop when they finally reach the classroom. The classroom is the heart of education: it should be a safe home and a hub of learning for our children. I want a seat at the table so that I can utilize my classroom experience to make sure the needs of all students are considered, to keep our district a place where the best teachers want to come and establish careers, and to keep the education provided by the district a point of pride for all Longmeadow residents. <br /><br />On June 13th, please vote for Michaela Fitzgerald—an experienced and driven educator.<span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><i> Here is a link to my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090942128057" target="_blank">Michaela Fitzgerald for the Longmeadow School Committee</a> Facebook page.</i></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><i>Michaela Fitzgerald </i></span></span></span></span></span></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-42721088530701281432023-05-12T15:34:00.002-04:002023-05-12T15:42:02.216-04:00Why I am running as a Candidate for School Committee<p><span face="Roboto,sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><i><span style="font-size: medium;">This letter was submitted to LongmeadowBuzz by Kency Gilet- a </span></i><span style="font-size: medium;">candidate</span><i><span style="font-size: medium;"> for the Longmeadow School Committee in the upcoming Annual Town Elections.</span></i></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto,sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>____________________________________</i></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span face="Roboto,sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WuyTw8cHfTDN0LVC-ckPfN1W7qAYaOrMf-plyiFjMJMuVSkORHaGUlH5GY7mYt4rUX0pBwCDDWSIic3viOyPgBsZ7H0CvWF9f2egSZsHxdbAeP1Q_WrsrV56BKCmU0kkly8IwyCtQHwpYRdbv0K9KdwHXJPoHl1dzAdUS-JkAiTsYncDnqexKjDy/s1640/School%20Committee%20FB%20Cover.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WuyTw8cHfTDN0LVC-ckPfN1W7qAYaOrMf-plyiFjMJMuVSkORHaGUlH5GY7mYt4rUX0pBwCDDWSIic3viOyPgBsZ7H0CvWF9f2egSZsHxdbAeP1Q_WrsrV56BKCmU0kkly8IwyCtQHwpYRdbv0K9KdwHXJPoHl1dzAdUS-JkAiTsYncDnqexKjDy/w400-h225/School%20Committee%20FB%20Cover.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">My name is Kency Gilet and a candidate for the Longmeadow
School Committee. I moved to Longmeadow with my three children, Alicia, Adam,
and Abigail specifically because of the exceptional Longmeadow Public Schools.
In a year of many changes for us, a community that welcomes diverse families
was a comfort. Two of my kids attend Wolf Swamp Road Elementary and one attends
Glenbrook Middle School.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDhppmoXp2e3zSzSjdV8jX5rLFxFskqdpUnAaID3iRXXDYQdSUzZUFLlYaowikB1RyEem9QeFUoOqiAIm747SjTt04JR5hyD6WWO6HyYFmT-CJUzq7ANJDEo-t4-3oBDKHoxNOBVcP-Xtr5Ht9BdF462ZlFX5t5Nfhsj5o84F1B0zZiqwC1bmDZGr/s2048/340288435_1628560900941702_6029754268288786847_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1494" data-original-width="2048" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDhppmoXp2e3zSzSjdV8jX5rLFxFskqdpUnAaID3iRXXDYQdSUzZUFLlYaowikB1RyEem9QeFUoOqiAIm747SjTt04JR5hyD6WWO6HyYFmT-CJUzq7ANJDEo-t4-3oBDKHoxNOBVcP-Xtr5Ht9BdF462ZlFX5t5Nfhsj5o84F1B0zZiqwC1bmDZGr/s320/340288435_1628560900941702_6029754268288786847_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As a full time, single father to three LPS students, my
stake in the continued success of Longmeadow Schools is clear. I believe our
students can overcome the most difficult circumstances life will throw at them.
They are not the victim of their traumas, but the champion of their strengths
and skills. The dire situation in our schools regarding the rates of depression
and suicidal ideation is a concerning trend that requires a proactive response.
I’m running to support our students in leveraging their strengths and community
resources to create their own legacy of success and happiness.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Professionally, I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and
National Certified Counselor with over a decade of experience treating kids,
teens and families suffering from emotional, behavioral, and mental
disturbances. My private clinical practice is in East Longmeadow, and I serve as
Vice President of a nonprofit mental health organization treating children and
families with mental illness in Easthampton. Additionally, I have been an
adjunct professor of psychology at Pace University for over a decade. Maybe my
favorite professional experience was serving as PTO President of Pottenger
Elementary School in Springfield from 2015-2017.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am deeply committed to promoting mental wellness, life
readiness, and parental engagement in our schools.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">If honored to join an already well-functioning committee, I
will prioritize the following areas:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i>Mental Wellness:</i></b> I believe that mental wellness is essential
to student success. I’m motivated to work with the full committee to ensure
that our schools provide the necessary resources and supports for students to
maintain good mental health. This includes promoting self-care practices,
implementing social-emotional learning programs, and providing access to mental
health professionals when needed.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i>Life Readiness:</i> </b>Our schools prepare students for success
beyond the classroom. I will support efforts to ensure that LPS provides a
well-rounded education that includes essential life skills such as financial
literacy, career readiness, and civic engagement. I will also advocate for
experiential learning opportunities that allow students to apply their
knowledge in real-world situations. There are many paths to success that should
be presented to our students.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>Parental Engagement:</b> </i>Caregivers play a critical role in
education, and I believe that strong parental engagement is essential to
student success. I will leverage my experience strengthening partnerships
between schools and families to provide opportunities for parents to get
involved and have a voice in their child's education. This includes creating a
welcoming and inclusive school environment, promoting regular communication
between parents and educators, and providing resources for parents to support
learning at home.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am ready to work collaboratively with school
administrators, teachers, parents, and community members to ensure that our
schools provide the highest caliber of education for our students. If elected,
I will be a dedicated advocate for mental wellness, life readiness, and
parental engagement in our schools.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I humbly ask that you vote Kency Gilet for Longmeadow School
Committee on Tuesday June 13.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Respectfully,</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kency Gilet, LMHC, NCC</span></span></p>
<p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-8781898215868117892023-05-11T12:39:00.000-04:002023-05-11T12:39:45.711-04:00Why I am running for School Committee as a Write-in Candidate<p><span face="Roboto,sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>This letter was submitted to LongmeadowBuzz by Adam Rosenblum- a <b>write-in candidate</b> for the Longmeadow School Committee. </i></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto,sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">---------------------------------------------- </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGte1jYyAb95jq1s_SD59y6xHVcfHi-uIZ-JJU4oI5_Y7ozKziotOXiwcS7lfAmIKMn4TA1tJJaB_8CVE1_dsS8yLvE7GPnagSrJoJRXE8DOkD_inWxltMghLZO4uIUCxTKFojHfqSpLuSoYwmi8Jk3lUT4rRLU4VI6oJJhfyAXNNtl84TUCuXuDB/s2172/rosenblum-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1586" data-original-width="2172" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGte1jYyAb95jq1s_SD59y6xHVcfHi-uIZ-JJU4oI5_Y7ozKziotOXiwcS7lfAmIKMn4TA1tJJaB_8CVE1_dsS8yLvE7GPnagSrJoJRXE8DOkD_inWxltMghLZO4uIUCxTKFojHfqSpLuSoYwmi8Jk3lUT4rRLU4VI6oJJhfyAXNNtl84TUCuXuDB/w400-h293/rosenblum-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j" style="font-size: medium;">My
name is Adam Rosenblum, D.O. I am a write-in candidate this June 13th
for the Longmeadow School Committee. I am excited to run for the post on
behalf of my two children, who will soon enter the Longmeadow School
District, with the goal of fostering an even stronger educational
community in Longmeadow.
I hope my voice on the committee will ensure our exceptional schools
will continue to flourish as they support Longmeadow families. </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkgJ7-pKh8wSDtiQ18SBuISyMZo2kEYSVmKHPOUSdhi3B_ByYNcYHbAHZ6Y9kboYgQNBDMBOwAUaVsQlFjQqT475VySt0LbC7wgp4gzk7mLcXHdYOWPPaQ93TSGvCvfjm8QlIl8hxfAaaHCaXEr9gaVQyZ26Y_RYSBV-p1gLfeXVz-AKzyvyguzR-/s1598/adam-rosenblum-photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="1598" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkgJ7-pKh8wSDtiQ18SBuISyMZo2kEYSVmKHPOUSdhi3B_ByYNcYHbAHZ6Y9kboYgQNBDMBOwAUaVsQlFjQqT475VySt0LbC7wgp4gzk7mLcXHdYOWPPaQ93TSGvCvfjm8QlIl8hxfAaaHCaXEr9gaVQyZ26Y_RYSBV-p1gLfeXVz-AKzyvyguzR-/w186-h179/adam-rosenblum-photo.jpg" width="186" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j" style="font-size: medium;">My
community service with the Longmeadow COVID Vaccine Clinic and Little
League has allowed me to meet so many neighbors, leaving me inspired. We
have the overwhelming potential to furnish our children with the tools
not only to thrive but to shape our society.
While I am a physician by training, I began my career as a public school
science teacher and afterward continued to teach at the college and
graduate levels. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j" style="font-size: medium;">My comprehensive experience in education will be an
asset to solving issues facing Longmeadow Public Schools.
I grew up in Western Michigan and was fortunate to gain my secondary
education in schools of similar quality to Longmeadow. I have seen the
dedication required by individuals to maintain and improve such
outstanding schools. Support for the teachers and staff that make these
incredible opportunities possible must be steadfast and frequently
reinvigorated. I will stand by our teachers and staff, working
tirelessly to realize the promise that education can fulfill in
Longmeadow. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j" style="font-size: medium;">When the voters cast their ballots on June 13th, they should have a
choice of candidates. This is an opportunity to bring in a new voice
with a positive attitude, the essential experience, and the community
dedication to meet the responsibilities of this noble committee. I’m
thrilled to see what we can accomplish working together for Longmeadow!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j" style="font-size: medium;">Check out my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092525945258" target="_blank">Adam Rosenblum for Longmeadow School Committee</a> FB page for more information.<br /></span></span><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x x14qwyeo xw06pyt x579bpy xjkpybl x1xlr1w8 xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto"></span></p><h1 class="x1heor9g x1qlqyl8 x1pd3egz x1a2a7pz"></h1><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x x14qwyeo xw06pyt x579bpy xjkpybl x1xlr1w8 xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto"><h1 class="x1heor9g x1qlqyl8 x1pd3egz x1a2a7pz"></h1></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j" style="font-size: medium;">Adam Rosenblum, D.O. <br /></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-40231098247755235672023-02-28T19:03:00.003-05:002023-02-28T19:03:49.722-05:00Being An Effective Longmeadow Select Board Member<p> <span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I asked Mark Gold- <i>current and the longest tenured member of the Select Board</i>
(since 2009) for an outline of the “homework” that is required for him in order to
adequately prepare for meetings. Below is his response: </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Contrary to what many people believe, being an effective Select Board
member is more than committing time for the meetings- two nights a
month. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAbf17ergATWJMvepKAJi41ykJyO1htotBRW5FR9aDuErHsBJCBN3uptLVcoYtYo8Zm-jTq-8shWShTSiAAO0qgmeqyubdVwKlcnoDt3QYGKOehvcziQewI5nmrrJqqRFOgpbz0V1cUBSSfSJT1NGUw-Bp68iZv8Qo439KwE9D3Cpn_2AqGu-3IrT/s382/gold.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAbf17ergATWJMvepKAJi41ykJyO1htotBRW5FR9aDuErHsBJCBN3uptLVcoYtYo8Zm-jTq-8shWShTSiAAO0qgmeqyubdVwKlcnoDt3QYGKOehvcziQewI5nmrrJqqRFOgpbz0V1cUBSSfSJT1NGUw-Bp68iZv8Qo439KwE9D3Cpn_2AqGu-3IrT/s320/gold.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Mark Gold<br /></b><b><i>Select Board member since 2009</i></b></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Mark attends an average of 8 meetings <b>outside</b> of the Select Board each month. </span></span><br /><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> (As a minimum Select Board members should attend those meetings for which they are the SB liaison.) <br /> Mark attends on a regular basis the following standing committees:<br /></span></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Scantic Valley Regional Health Trust <br /> <i>Meets 9:30 - 11 AM/ once/month</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pioneer Valley Transit Authority <br /><i>Meets 12 – 2 PM/ once/month</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pioneer Valley Planning Commission- PVTA <br /> <i>Meets 10 AM – 12 PM/ once/month</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Longmeadow Permanent Building Committee <br /><i>Meets 3-5 PM once per month</i></span></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In addition, Mark is also a member of the PVTA/ Paratransit subcommittee (Dial-a-Ride) because it is an important service in the Longmeadow community. He also attends the meetings for the Director review and compensation committee. These two sub-committees meet about 4-6 times per year in addition to the board meetings (for about an hour at a time). <br /><br />Mark also tries to attend a couple of Longmeadow Finance Committee meetings during the year, at least one Community Preservation Committee and one Longmeadow Capital Planning Committee meeting as well. These meeting are "seasonal" -generally during budget time. He also attends all of the town sponsored forums on the budget and related topics which typically occur 1-2 times/ year. <br /><br /> Mark has no idea how much time (if any) other Select Board members spend outside the regular meetings. He does know that the SB chair (currently Josh Levine) has to spend an hour before every meeting reviewing the agenda with the Town Manager Lyn Simmons. <br /><br />Mark believes that the other three current SB members do not attend many outside meetings. A Select Board member with a full time job and family commitments would be hard pressed to participate in many of these types of board meetings that are regularly held during "normal business hours”. For the most part, it's important that there is a representative from Longmeadow. <br /><br />Mark participates in as many Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) training webinars as possible. This past year he participated in 3 or 4 of them and usually skips the annual training on Open Meeting Law and Municipal Finances since he has completed them several times and they really don't change. There are two required training programs that all town employees (including Select Board members) must complete on Open Meeting Law and Conflict of Interest. These training programs are conducted on-line and take about 2 hours each to complete. Select Board members must complete a "test" at the end of the course and pass to be certified. Mark also attends the MMA annual meeting in Boston for two days every January. Only Mark and Tom Lachiusa as Select Board members attended the most recent event in January - which is a real shame because there's some GREAT information being shared there.<br /></span></span> <span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /> Prior to each Select Board meeting members receive a packet of information to review. The packet generally comes out on the Friday before our Monday meeting. It can take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours to review the information (depending if you read the many department monthly reports that are included). When there's a SB hearing (usually a utility or liquor license), Mark will review the information more closely and if there are questions he tries to send them to the petitioner in advance of the meeting so they have the answers. Mark has decided some time ago that "got-ya" questioning doesn't work well in town government. He also believes it's a waste of time when they say "we'll have to get back to you on that" which just wastes everyone's time. “I can't tell you how many times I have found an error in the packet, but I suspect I'm the only one who reads it anyway.” <br /><br /> Around budget time the time he spends on reviewing the budget can be as much as 6-8 hours in advance of the budget review meeting which this year will take place next Monday, March 6. As good as our Town Manager is in the preparation, he believes that oversight is worthwhile and wants to understand the budget as well as the Town Manager and our acting CFO Paul Pasterczyk. This same preparation goes for development of water and sewer rates. Second to Paul, he probably understands what makes up those rates better than anyone in town, and takes the time each year to closely review the proposal. This secondary review will be even more important when Paul finally retires. <br /><br /> Mark has not added up all the meetings and times, but his best estimate is that he spends 6-8 hours per week on town business, not including phone calls he gets at home and being present at meetings that he has with the Town Manager (his last meeting with Lyn lasted two hours). <br /><br /></span></span> <span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">Being an effective Select Board member is more than committing two nights a month for meetings. </span> </i></b> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Mark has been a Select Board member since 2009. While this is a salaried elected position at $2000/ year, Mark does it primarily as a give back to Longmeadow where he has lived with his wife Ellen for over 45 years. His two sons Daniel and Eric attended Longmeadow Public Schools.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Mark has made many significant contributions to the financial health and well being of our town by being adequately prepared for the regular biweekly Select Board meeting and getting involved with the business of our town. During his reelection campaign last year he outlined his <b><a href="http://longmeadowbuzz.blogspot.com/2022/06/top-10-gold-accomplishments.html" target="_blank">Top 10 Accomplishments</a>.</b><b> </b><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Thank you Mark for your commitment to our town.<b> </b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">__________________________________<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">There is a <span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><b>Special Election</b> next <b>Tuesday, March 7</b></span> to fill the empty Select Board seat. There are two candidates in this election: Walter Gunn and <span>Vineeth Hemavathi</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span>Their election candidate profiles can be found on the LongmeadowBuzz blog. <br />Here are the links: <a href="http://longmeadowbuzz.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Walter Gunn</b></a> and </span><span><b><a href="http://longmeadowbuzz.blogspot.com/2023/01/why-im-running-for-longmeadow-select.html" target="_blank">Vineeth Hemavathi</a></b></span><span> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Do your homework by reading these profiles to become an informed voter and then go to the Community House to vote for the best candidate. <br /><b><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">Polls are open from 7 am - 8 pm</span></b>.</span><br /></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-11781270472602524362023-01-25T16:00:00.000-05:002023-01-25T16:00:17.955-05:00Why I'm Running for Longmeadow Select Board - Walter Gunn<p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This information was submitted to the LongmeadowBuzz blog by </span><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Walter Gunn </span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">who is running as a candidate in the Preliminary Election on February 7 for the open Select Board seat.</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium;"><u> </u></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>_______________________________________________</u></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1yUxyZYTIlhmgJEYKCWa-Huh8xm80Hy-q_L-Shyr-Vl8j84TqEyRbOTt9O0a0SZaY1fxrYT6qj6e5PFy5Ct4DAkENshg8Kl5jO6AjbOKrribl868OWF-B-7t_yuoG-vcUvZzLypzTgNuDyj9bSMhn-qVpGAqxK48bp6W6_0k-7vZNRkZ4ACyBWSX/s640/walter-gunn-photo4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="478" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1yUxyZYTIlhmgJEYKCWa-Huh8xm80Hy-q_L-Shyr-Vl8j84TqEyRbOTt9O0a0SZaY1fxrYT6qj6e5PFy5Ct4DAkENshg8Kl5jO6AjbOKrribl868OWF-B-7t_yuoG-vcUvZzLypzTgNuDyj9bSMhn-qVpGAqxK48bp6W6_0k-7vZNRkZ4ACyBWSX/s320/walter-gunn-photo4.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Walter Gunn- <i>Candidate for SB</i></b></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To the residents of Longmeadow: <br /><br />Our town government needs the proper representation our people deserve. A special town election is required when a seat on the Select Board is vacated, as it was in July of 2022, and must be filled in a timely manner. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I am excited, not only as a resident of Longmeadow for sixty-one continuous years, but as someone who has worked for the community for twenty-two years, to be elected to the Select Board. Longmeadow thrives with excellent schools, public safety, public works, and resources for our seniors. Above all, we are a friendly and a great community dedicated to making this town the best in the Pioneer Valley. <br /><br /> I want to thank the Town of Longmeadow and its residents for putting their faith in me to serve the town. I also want to recognize and appreciate the support of the community members and town employees who get the hard work done day in and day out. <br /><br />In my many years of service, I have chaired and clerked for the Planning Board. I was also appointed commissioner to the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and today I am its chair, serving Longmeadow and the 43 communities within our region. I also serve as a voting member of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), important in the process of distribution of federal transportation dollars to our region. In each of these positions I have advocated for Longmeadow and brought much needed support to the projects that keep our infrastructure and institutions working, and thus our town. <br /><br /> To detail some of my accomplishments: </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Helped create the responsibilities of the Town Manager</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Planning for parks, recreation, and conservation for Longmeadow</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hazard Mitigation to make Longmeadow proactive and resilient to climate change.</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Complete streets making our roads safer for cars, bicyclists, and pedestrians</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No Chandler Avenue development preventing unnecessary invasion of our historic past.</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Action on commercial development in the interest of the for today and tomorrow.</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Zoning By Law updates to continue protecting our Town’s Amenities.</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Expedited the rebuild of Converse Street ahead of schedule, assured a new sidewalk and crossing at Bliss Road to Blueberry Hill School will be completed this year, that Converse Street and Longmeadow Street intersection will be upgraded and Longmeadow Street will be rebuilt. </span></span><br /></li></ul><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As a Select Board member, I will: </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Support the Charter and Town Meeting Form of Government.</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Stop the Eversource pipeline from Longmeadow to Springfield forever and follow the state’s lead on clean energy implementation, including new solar energy power, to keep the promises we have made as a green community.</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Preserve open space now and for generations to come.</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Assure safety to pedestrians and bicyclists</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Keep roads efficient, safe, and neighborhood friendly</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Support our first responders assuring that Longmeadow continues to be safe for our residents.</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Stop the East Longmeadow “warehouse,” a proposed project that will flood our town with trucks destroying roads and congesting traffic</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Provide resources to the Middle School Building Committee to ensure the town gets a Middle School now, not later. <br />(I’m Williams Middle School ’73) and make sure we have the resources to keep our 3 elementary schools modern and safe (I’m Converse Street School and Center School). I supported and helped the Town get a new high school (I’m Class of ’79).</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Evaluate the proposed move of two town hall facilities to Greenwood Center.</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Work to create more housing for our deserving seniors.</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Repurpose former town property in new and innovative ways.</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ensure our fair share of state money for schools and roads.</span></span></li></ul><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As a Select Board member, my primary responsibilities will include supervising fiscally responsible annual budgets (as a former small business owner budgets are the difference between success and failure), performance-based appointments to committees and commissions, and timely revue of the town manager. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Speaking of budgets: We have come and are perilously close to the “$25 per $1000” limit on taxation. With good fortune and good budget management we have kept under the threshold. This year’s budget, FY 2023 is no exception. Longmeadow is boxed in by this persistent problem. Regrettably, we have very little space to build out and generate new revenue within the town. Perhaps, we are not the only town of 351 in the Commonwealth to feel this pain. We will need to show leadership and engage our legislative representatives to help resolve this problem for the benefit of this community, when required. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally, please vote for democracy in our Town’s primary, February 7th and the Special Election March 7th and preserve our form unique form of New England Town Government. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank you for your support and belief in me to keep our community vibrant.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrjJvHaMlIwUym6-5WeRLThzc9kgfT6KoBcbhWOJg_d_EjtE2kw0VGr7yJUoHDYyi3l-fw9jO7pmrb2sCNVGuhyEg_REYFywlU_AZF0G7Xqji4q-Xxn5vZ0tQUUe2wAzyu1JvSsCYYjMadsU2JBiZxUFm-PP7EXNAs07vDUTtEe1y0X2CyVvn1WtE/s350/walter-gunn-signature.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="50" data-original-width="350" height="46" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrjJvHaMlIwUym6-5WeRLThzc9kgfT6KoBcbhWOJg_d_EjtE2kw0VGr7yJUoHDYyi3l-fw9jO7pmrb2sCNVGuhyEg_REYFywlU_AZF0G7Xqji4q-Xxn5vZ0tQUUe2wAzyu1JvSsCYYjMadsU2JBiZxUFm-PP7EXNAs07vDUTtEe1y0X2CyVvn1WtE/s320/walter-gunn-signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> </span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-70426297684362772562023-01-23T18:39:00.003-05:002023-02-07T16:31:42.279-05:00Why I'm Running for Longmeadow Select Board - Sanjiv Reejhsinghani<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This information was submitted to the LongmeadowBuzz blog by </span><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Sanjiv Reejhsinghani </span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">who is running as a candidate in the Preliminary Election on February 7 for the open Select Board seat.<u> </u></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>_______________________________________________</u><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIcdyHpDEH44MvKUK8gJltieHSKyupdcGGMmVfIKQmSAtjm6c7i55uE7671YLIV6LlJPtvuFKLxKuA3WaTLrbXlqqTLjrmYjsk_jlsbe4Aad1lbuZBmto3y8ib1cojFVNeV19WZdgNfuHjubIHI45750Fe-aQAsCney56NnlojaOAPhFrmo30bxEF/s129/sanjiv%20reej.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="129" data-original-width="76" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIcdyHpDEH44MvKUK8gJltieHSKyupdcGGMmVfIKQmSAtjm6c7i55uE7671YLIV6LlJPtvuFKLxKuA3WaTLrbXlqqTLjrmYjsk_jlsbe4Aad1lbuZBmto3y8ib1cojFVNeV19WZdgNfuHjubIHI45750Fe-aQAsCney56NnlojaOAPhFrmo30bxEF/w114-h194/sanjiv%20reej.jpg" width="114" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sanjiv Reejhsinghani</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;">First of all, I want to thank the editor of the LongmeadowBuzz blog for allowing all the candidates for the upcoming Select Board Special Town Election to post profiles on this very valuable site. Hopefully, these profiles will allow our townspeople to make as informed an opinion as possible while voting in the preliminary election on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">For those people that don’t know me, I have deep and long-lasting ties to the community of Longmeadow, MA. Although I originally spent my adolescence in the nearby community of Wilbraham, MA, my family moved to Longmeadow after I turned 15, and I spent three rewarding years at Longmeadow High School (LHS), where I served as editor of the high-school newspaper, The Jet Jotter, and participated on the varsity swim team, concert band, wind ensemble (thank you Michael Mucci and Peter Thomsen), National Honor Society, as well as captained the math and science teams. </span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Over the past 30 years, the bonds of friendship I forged with my LHS classmates have only strengthened with time. Many of these friends have now moved back to the area and have started their own families, and their children now attend schools within our elite Longmeadow public school system, which I believe to be the town’s greatest resource and attraction for other families hoping to move into Longmeadow so that their children can also share in the greatest educational opportunities possible. <br /><br />My parents both emigrated from India in the 1960s, and my father, now retired, worked as a chemical engineer at a plant in the Indian Orchard section of Springfield, while my mother continues to work full-time as a solo pediatrician in her late 70s. Theirs is the American dream personified: my father was able to come to the United States in the 1960s by pursuing a doctorate degree, and my mother started her own successful medical practice when no commercial landlords would rent her office space to practice medicine in the early 1970s because she was both foreign-born, and a woman (back then, there were relatively few women enrolled in American medical schools). <br /><br />After graduating from LHS, I enrolled in Emory College of Emory University in Atlanta, GA, where I graduated with a B.A. in English, then I finished up a dual Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)/Master of Healthcare Administration (M.H.A.) graduate degrees at Georgia State University in Atlanta. I was also lucky enough to volunteer as a First Responder/medic both in college and at the Paralympic Games in Atlanta. In Atlanta, I worked in administration for the State of Georgia Health Planning Association and the Georgia Department of Medical Assistance. <br /><br />After moving back to Longmeadow in early 2000, I worked as an outside sales consultant for several pharmaceutical companies, and I also helped my mother with back-office duties at her pediatric practice. I went to Western New England School of Law as a part-time evening student, where I served in the student government, was president of the Health Law Association, participated in the National Health Law Moot Court competition, and was elected as Senior of the Year of my graduating law school class. I also completed three legal aid trips to under served areas of the country while in law school. <br /><br />My commitment to public service has continued since finishing law school, where I currently am on the Board of Directors of the South Asian Bar Association of Connecticut, and I volunteer regularly via the Hampden County Bar Association pro bono outreach initiatives. I currently serve on the Executive Board of the Real Estate Section of the Hampden County Bar Association, and I am one of 16 attorneys across Massachusetts currently leading the Business Law Section Council of the Massachusetts Bar Association. <br /><br />I’ve had the benefit of serving as a key volunteer for both former State Senator Eric Lesser (whom I’ve known since he was in high school) during his 2014 and 2016 campaigns, as well as State Representative Brian Ashe during numerous election cycles. Indeed, it was Dr. Martin Lesser, Eric’s dad (and whom I’ve known for decades), who, in part, inspired me to run for political office, after he recently asked me “when I was going to run for something”. This, along with inspiration gleaned from President Teddy Roosevelt’s famous quote that “the courage belongs to the man who is actually in the arena,” have led to my candidacy today for this Special Election for Select Board. <br /><br />I believe that my business acumen, and my experience as an attorney in the real estate sector, as well as my experience as a real estate broker and active real estate investor, can help Longmeadow navigate some challenging budgetary times ahead. <br /><br />Longmeadow is facing an existential crisis as its tax revenues have a continuous shortfall compared to the rising expenditures of running the town. By 2033, it will have reached the Proposition 2½ tax ceiling (it is estimated), and state legislative approval would be needed to increase the mill rate beyond the $25.00 per $1,000 in property tax value. Right now, Longmeadow has a property tax rate of $22.92/ $1000 tax rate, and residential real estate and commercial real estate rates are both taxed at the same rate.<br /><br />It may be possible for Longmeadow to institute different tax rates (like in Springfield) where commercial buildings (the commercial tax rate) are taxed at an elevated rate to residential homeowners to generate much-needed tax revenue. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">However, for certain types of commercial leases (especially double-net or
triple-net commercial leases), the commercial tenant (business owner)
might have to shoulder such a pro-rated commercial property tax increase
(especially if there's a tax escalator involved), so I am not in
favor of a dual (residential and commercial) tax rate at the present
time.</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Furthermore, Longmeadow needs to actively plan for budgeting for a potential new consolidated singular middle school if renovations are not practical or feasible for either or both middle school locations. This is a given in that both Glenbrook Middle School and Williams Middle School are both in disrepair, and the useful life of both buildings has long begun to wane. <br /><br />Finally, after enjoying Long Meddowe Days for decades on the town green, I found it unfortunate when that mid-May festival disappeared a few years ago. Last October, the Long Meddowe Fall Festival was a welcome destination for families and townspeople that sorely missed the old fair. I believe that these types of festivals and gatherings should be encouraged (and funded) at the town level to bring a greater degree of social touch points to our town, and possibly a Long Meddowe Spring Festival could be considered, as well, down the road, in either the short or long-term.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEM81busTRT3alVtsrE-rRHibG4e2rP8tp7GVv92G7dgoiazuYzbjvGrNInNBkveztCSLszT79qVnR8cCB4UllIJigbDSsbyxn5GONp_0IVzlis0PXwmuFAaFFyW80c2ntaga4pfvzD1ay5jDeFzZU4FFgXKy4-AjtaDYajpm2xveJKfIpletLX7z/s350/signature-sanjivjpg.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="50" data-original-width="350" height="43" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEM81busTRT3alVtsrE-rRHibG4e2rP8tp7GVv92G7dgoiazuYzbjvGrNInNBkveztCSLszT79qVnR8cCB4UllIJigbDSsbyxn5GONp_0IVzlis0PXwmuFAaFFyW80c2ntaga4pfvzD1ay5jDeFzZU4FFgXKy4-AjtaDYajpm2xveJKfIpletLX7z/w298-h43/signature-sanjivjpg.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br /><p><br />
</p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-35857106533029133512023-01-23T18:36:00.002-05:002023-01-23T18:43:25.616-05:00Why I'm Running for Longmeadow Select Board - Vineeth Hemavathi <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This information was submitted </span><span style="font-size: medium;">by Vineeth Hemavathi</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> to the LongmeadowBuzz blog who is running as a candidate in the Preliminary Election on February 7 for the open Select Board seat.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>____________________________________ </b><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtmkmJhSLRPHntcUTLzRsELUJwbKt12IF0SOPfWDq0rUZqS1FmvI-mbPyFtGoN47LEBPtodzacB9Zg94UO5JX8wpFaOq3_BmpWnYHv9ZN_nwiUXaqZ6fAAPUW1cN_l5onsOMyXNj5ipcT6zbMdIOFfVXLSqkHnfrHR9ZEWruAQaDtLH6LDw0ijKtT/s484/vineeth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="484" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtmkmJhSLRPHntcUTLzRsELUJwbKt12IF0SOPfWDq0rUZqS1FmvI-mbPyFtGoN47LEBPtodzacB9Zg94UO5JX8wpFaOq3_BmpWnYHv9ZN_nwiUXaqZ6fAAPUW1cN_l5onsOMyXNj5ipcT6zbMdIOFfVXLSqkHnfrHR9ZEWruAQaDtLH6LDw0ijKtT/w200-h200/vineeth.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">My name is Vineeth Hemavathi, and I’m running in the <b>February 7, 2023</b> Preliminary Election for the Longmeadow Select Board. I’ve spent my entire life in public service as a: </span><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Teacher</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Organizer</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-size: medium;">National security analyst</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Attorney advocating for victims of domestic violence </span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Attorney representing victims of housing discrimination right here in Western MA</span></p></li></ul><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Public service has always been my day job, and it’s provided me with the experience to be a valuable Select Board member. I didn’t choose which child walked into my classroom, or which victim of domestic violence called our office asking for help. I had to assess every person and unique situation as it came and work within the budget and time constraints to develop creative solutions, engage community partners, and employ the necessary resources to deliver results. I’ve always fought for those who had nowhere else to turn. These skills and this commitment to public service are exactly what our Town needs in their elected officials.</span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I will also bring important perspectives to the Select Board. The Select Board has five members, and to ensure the best decisions are made, we need to have folks of different experiences, expertise, and perspectives sitting at the table. If elected to the Select Board, I would be the first person of color ever elected, the only member with a career in public service, and the only member with preschool aged children. These perspectives matter when we’re making decisions today that will affect our Town’s tomorrow.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1Ob1ZW537J94oxvST1s5jp6gEYb0e_pw6P5HYQiXlFF8YQZtX_60uQpFZSiXy6POFTLePtH2zpih_7YNoWq4WJziC-oJ6vEww6AhalBY0KSVTqKJJFExCT3QwUf_ilsbxiKbROyM80tKlMErRdIhi5kkI4h0B47ZDodap1A_cUsXVq36cJ00EtBK/s772/vote-vineeth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="772" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1Ob1ZW537J94oxvST1s5jp6gEYb0e_pw6P5HYQiXlFF8YQZtX_60uQpFZSiXy6POFTLePtH2zpih_7YNoWq4WJziC-oJ6vEww6AhalBY0KSVTqKJJFExCT3QwUf_ilsbxiKbROyM80tKlMErRdIhi5kkI4h0B47ZDodap1A_cUsXVq36cJ00EtBK/s320/vote-vineeth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I plan on running in the June Annual Town Election, but first thing’s first, <b>I hope to have your vote in the February 7, 2023 Preliminary Election. Voting will take place at the Longmeadow Community House at 735 Longmeadow Street, and the polls will be open from 7 am - 8 pm. </b><br /><br />If you’d like to learn more about our campaign, check us out on Facebook at <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088170926711" target="_blank">Vote Vineeth for Longmeadow Select Board</a></b> and on Instagram at <a href="http://vote.vineeth"><b>vote.vineeth</b></a>. <br /><br />I look forward to talking to you and earning your vote.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8rEaWpMCrP11RK0e4d7_1tXMr5-CVazxLWoTXn60dmiap4x00xSd24c2q8Y0TLdro-QR02sA5yWus4vXQ0Poh5wOUN3BMw-x7XnN3OzwDl27fjPfCCUs7uvQCIK3A4FAi4AFBQmRmOKIoGsgOmrzbQyuhC8HbS9Ey_GLIC7UoP95dGVRyW2bGPWj/s350/vineeth-signature.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="50" data-original-width="350" height="41" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8rEaWpMCrP11RK0e4d7_1tXMr5-CVazxLWoTXn60dmiap4x00xSd24c2q8Y0TLdro-QR02sA5yWus4vXQ0Poh5wOUN3BMw-x7XnN3OzwDl27fjPfCCUs7uvQCIK3A4FAi4AFBQmRmOKIoGsgOmrzbQyuhC8HbS9Ey_GLIC7UoP95dGVRyW2bGPWj/w283-h41/vineeth-signature.jpg" width="283" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-88084030200053589392022-06-11T18:47:00.001-04:002022-06-11T18:51:33.205-04:00Why I’m Running For The Longmeadow Select Board- Dan Zwirko<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><i>This information was submitted to the LongmeadowBuzz blog by Dan Zwirko who is running for Select Board on June 14.</i></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><i>_____________________________________ </i><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"> <br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGmUfEQcy2gagWJiB8Rrjuf63nOmcWMbSWU0b1q8TxYkBZwbfDfVmzcG0ysCdQCHlq7GC44rytZmpMBqFABXI2_g8b-I0sdxYbwFO5Q4Tuup1L10STqc06jdZ-dM6vAHZczfi8CTgDhOEqH_34XB6pkChM2jXq2HEL-8yws9MGqmYNGiEOHJPprq5/s2500/zwirko-sign-photo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="2500" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGmUfEQcy2gagWJiB8Rrjuf63nOmcWMbSWU0b1q8TxYkBZwbfDfVmzcG0ysCdQCHlq7GC44rytZmpMBqFABXI2_g8b-I0sdxYbwFO5Q4Tuup1L10STqc06jdZ-dM6vAHZczfi8CTgDhOEqH_34XB6pkChM2jXq2HEL-8yws9MGqmYNGiEOHJPprq5/w382-h174/zwirko-sign-photo.jpg" width="382" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">My name is Dan Zwirko. I am
running for the Longmeadow Select Board and I respectfully ask for your vote on
Tuesday, June 14th. I grew up in Longmeadow and I am a product of the school
system from first grade at Center School to graduating LHS in 2003. I went on
to the University of Vermont where I was captain of the D1 lacrosse team. I
came back to Longmeadow to serve my community as Representative Brian Ashe’s
first legislative aide for nearly 5 years. This position allowed me to fight
for local aid, assist with constituent issues, and build relationships with our
local and state officials. Since then, I’ve been working in software security
sales.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">I am running for Select Board
because I care about helping people and I want to give back to the community
that has given so much to me. The challenges we face in the years ahead will
impact the next generation of residents. We know that what has been tried,
hasn’t always worked. Bringing new ideas and a new voice, and working with all
stakeholders, will be my approach.</span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Over the past 3 months, I have
knocked on over 1,000 doors to hear concerns and ideas from our residents. Our
elected officials need to engage more with our residents, be visible, and
approachable. With many working families in town, we should also leverage
technology and social media to interact. Residents have appreciated the
positive campaign I’ve run. </span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Longmeadow provides many
quality services and beautiful green spaces for everyone to enjoy. We need to
maintain these through sound fiscal management. We must identify creative ways
to increase our revenue outside of residential property taxes. By engaging with
the Massachusetts Municipal Association, councilors outside of Longmeadow, and
our own residents, we will identify innovative ideas to implement here.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">My relationships in our region,
as well as on Beacon Hill, are deep. Like it or hate it, we are dependent on
state funding. Because many of our challenges will require assistance from the
state, I will use my knowledge and relationships to shine a light on our needs
and aggressively advocate for funding. Whether it is the looming tax ceiling,
local aid, or infrastructure, I can lead in this area.</span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">As our community grows, so does
its make-up. For Longmeadow to be a community open to all, we must recruit a
more diverse set of candidates to fill our current vacancies on various boards
and committees. Our current demographic make-up isn’t well represented and we
can do better. Longmeadow can be the community that brings people together, not
pulls us apart.</span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Finally, I would like to see
Longmeadow do more community-wide events to connect all of us, such as a winter
carnival, outdoor concerts, art displays, fishing derbies, and summer
porchfests that highlight local musicians and our unique neighborhoods. These
are ways we can showcase ourselves and build our community together. </span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Please join me in moving
Longmeadow forward. I respectfully ask for your vote on Tuesday, June 14th!</span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Thank You,</span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Dan Zwirko</span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Candidate for the Longmeadow
Select Board</span></span></span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-74658841315851098132022-06-09T18:45:00.003-04:002022-06-09T18:45:52.527-04:00Elect Scott Bombardier for Longmeadow School Committee <div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Scott Bombardier submitted this letter to the LongmeadowBuzz about his candidacy for a seat on the Longmeadow School Committee.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;">___________________________________________<br /></p><p>
</p><p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFRa8ujN1v41crl8sejIhlDloMouAAXU7q8k4fKJOfav_hkirR5O0jN_0lFhTjW0eITDoAcWQcqnnsnzkve5e1cHw1YOEf7p1j9lBig5MtXmZW7Cbp3RIbeMq6U5w5mfaiZ7URXbPBxF-YCoM2KADGSzRKUaeEKNtY2EYi2h9e6YZY3MQjlfCWe7g/s1014/scott%20bombardier.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="1014" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFRa8ujN1v41crl8sejIhlDloMouAAXU7q8k4fKJOfav_hkirR5O0jN_0lFhTjW0eITDoAcWQcqnnsnzkve5e1cHw1YOEf7p1j9lBig5MtXmZW7Cbp3RIbeMq6U5w5mfaiZ7URXbPBxF-YCoM2KADGSzRKUaeEKNtY2EYi2h9e6YZY3MQjlfCWe7g/w496-h279/scott%20bombardier.png" width="496" /></a></div><br /><div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: #454545; mso-highlight: white;">My background in education began over 20 years ago when I
had the pleasure of teaching music to elementary age students.<span> </span>That grew to working with children of all
ages, including instructing a high school music program and coaching a high
school varsity track team.<span> </span>This past
winter, I began coaching one of our in-town third and fourth grade girls
basketball teams.<span> </span></span>
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: #454545; mso-highlight: white;">Professionally, I have over 15 years of business and
leadership experience.<span> </span>As a district
sales leader for PepsiCo, I lead a diverse group of individuals and maintain
positive working relationships with our clients.<span> </span>One of my greatest strengths is listening and
working with people that have differing opinions and views.<span> </span> <br /></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: #454545; mso-highlight: white;">In addition to my professional experience and my
experiences working with children, I am also married to a Longmeadow
educator.<span> </span>This has given me a much
greater understanding of curriculum, policy, and the day to day roles of our
educators.<span> </span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: #454545; mso-highlight: white;">Lastly, I’m a proud parent of two LPS students.<span> </span>My daughter Adysson is heading to LHS in the
fall and my daughter Tessa is wrapping up her 3rd grade year at Center.<span> </span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: #454545; mso-highlight: white;">All of these experiences have inspired me to run for a
seat on the Longmeadow School Committee.<span>
</span>I am uniquely qualified, and feel strongly that in order to effectively
take on this role, it is important to make sure all opinions are heard and
considered in order to make informed decisions regarding our schools.<span> </span></span></span></span>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: #454545; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Please consider voting for me, Scott Bombardier<br />for
Longmeadow School Committee on June 14th.</b></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: #454545; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Scott Bombardier </span></span>
</span></span><span lang="EN"></span>
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<![endif]--></p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-44627137097212461942022-06-07T16:09:00.002-04:002022-06-07T16:09:51.416-04:00Why I'm running for School Committee- Carissa Rosenblum<p><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-6f10f71d-7fff-032f-77ae-2b7ff19df2b9" style="color: black;"></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This letter was submitted to LongmeadowBuzz by Carissa Rosenblum- a candidate for Longmeadow School Committee. </span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5eRbl4Z-_gnqlCX_8omckox5Be5qD_cROhh-bSw3IlEkR20kw4-NAppyW7CRey4SGjsXGp6I46iA2lLX80y1xinseej-aNevmim3tuOzCutzLXk3IDMc6qY4PmOLPMc2DsmEsvsL8ANVv71fYXroYk0PbYlbOvfLWQzJp-Sl3NTrcc62adsSJIdY/s2349/rosenblum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="2349" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5eRbl4Z-_gnqlCX_8omckox5Be5qD_cROhh-bSw3IlEkR20kw4-NAppyW7CRey4SGjsXGp6I46iA2lLX80y1xinseej-aNevmim3tuOzCutzLXk3IDMc6qY4PmOLPMc2DsmEsvsL8ANVv71fYXroYk0PbYlbOvfLWQzJp-Sl3NTrcc62adsSJIdY/w441-h277/rosenblum.jpg" width="441" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My name is Carissa Rosenblum, and I wanted to take a moment to explain why I am running for Longmeadow School Committee. Blending ten years of a diverse, education-focused pedigree has prepared me to speak to the issues from multiple viewpoints: as a classroom teacher, an educational coach, a college instructor, a statewide curriculum and instruction consultant, and most importantly as a parent. I have worked with a diverse set of schools in some of the poorest and some of the most affluent, high-achieving regions of our country. My comprehensive experience in education will be an asset to solving the issues facing Longmeadow Public Schools. </span></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-6f10f71d-7fff-032f-77ae-2b7ff19df2b9" style="color: black;"></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-6f10f71d-7fff-032f-77ae-2b7ff19df2b9" style="color: black;"></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">During this campaign, I’ve been fortunate enough to speak with many families who have children attending our schools and have been made aware of some of the issues we are facing. As a proactive problem solver, I’m excited to address the challenges and partner with the community to come up with long term solutions that will ultimately benefit everyone.</span></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-6f10f71d-7fff-032f-77ae-2b7ff19df2b9" style="color: black;"></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-6f10f71d-7fff-032f-77ae-2b7ff19df2b9" style="color: black;"></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">If not apparent, I have a deep passion for education. I earned my bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees all in the field, and I love working with students, teachers, and administrators to ensure that students are exposed to the best educational opportunities possible. I have two young children who will attend the public schools here–for them, and the rest of the children in Longmeadow, I will work to make sure the educational opportunities here are positive and memorable experiences. </span></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-6f10f71d-7fff-032f-77ae-2b7ff19df2b9" style="color: black;"></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-6f10f71d-7fff-032f-77ae-2b7ff19df2b9" style="color: black;"></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When the voters cast their ballots on June 14th, they will have the opportunity to bring in a new voice with the training, experience, and a unique position to address our issues. I’m excited at the chance to get to work for Longmeadow!<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Carissa Rosenblum <br /></span></span></div><p><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-6f10f71d-7fff-032f-77ae-2b7ff19df2b9" style="color: black;"></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-45373039241077845192022-06-07T12:47:00.002-04:002022-06-09T14:00:02.442-04:00Zach Verriden for Longmeadow School Committee<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>This letter was submitted to LongmeadowBuzz by Zach Verriden- a candidate for Longmeadow School Committee on June 14.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvRdBDtjsEoe8oT-I4pgZua61u_yWwbsw-_QJ_MDMPkI4-r7NFs6BaDoHkH7FtUGdp3lIGqgdWNlBiv2fucp6cxqbo55rkOqYke1WAco1gwqfInSos1Oo4RYZR4Hfoe8grez4y_aPVVjobm5YCedQYz7-vdTvnGyP8tidmtpeQMSTNGzzZSHnlHSv/s1500/zach-image-wide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="1500" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvRdBDtjsEoe8oT-I4pgZua61u_yWwbsw-_QJ_MDMPkI4-r7NFs6BaDoHkH7FtUGdp3lIGqgdWNlBiv2fucp6cxqbo55rkOqYke1WAco1gwqfInSos1Oo4RYZR4Hfoe8grez4y_aPVVjobm5YCedQYz7-vdTvnGyP8tidmtpeQMSTNGzzZSHnlHSv/w481-h165/zach-image-wide.jpg" width="481" /></a></div></span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-e5d1dbbb-7fff-b63c-0a60-695ce152515c"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My name is Zach Verriden and I am running for Longmeadow School Committee. I am running because I care deeply about civil service and serving our community. I am a lifelong educator who currently serves as the Chair of the Longmeadow Select Board’s Coalition for Racial Justice Task Force Chair, as a member of the Blueberry Hill Elementary School Council, a parent in the Special Education Alliance of Longmeadow (SEAL) and as a leader with the Longmeadow Anti-Racism Coalition (LARC). Through these experiences in Longmeadow, I have repeatedly heard a desire to create a more equitable and inclusive Longmeadow. I am also, most importantly, a Longmeadow parent. I hope to bring these experiences and insights to the Longmeadow School Committee in order to build on excellence with an eye toward equity and inclusion for all learners.</span></p></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-e5d1dbbb-7fff-b63c-0a60-695ce152515c"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have taught in classrooms across the country and am passionate about education. I have also served as a building principal and district superintendent while navigating facility renovation and construction projects very similar to the middle school(s) decision facing Longmeadow at this time. I am a career educator who received my master’s degree in Education Policy and Management in 2008 from Harvard University and am currently completing my Ph.D. in K-12 Education and Policy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I also hold a business certificate in Educational Entrepreneurship from Rice University.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am a proud father of four children and our family moved to Longmeadow, Massachusetts specifically for the educational opportunities offered to my children, but in particular for my oldest son Henry who requires a complex Individualized Education Program (IEP). As a parent, educator and neighbor, I hold the unique perspective of being on both sides of the table for children in Longmeadow. I have worked as an independent educational consultant offering innovative solutions to educators and currently serve as the Senior Director of Youth & Family Programs at the Springfield JCC. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I look forward to working in partnership with a wide range of community members and colleagues on the Longmeadow School Committee and throughout the school community to realize the district’s vision of seeing all students engaged in rigorous, introspective, and culturally responsive learning with a commitment to anti-racism, equity and social justice. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b><i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I need your vote on Tuesday, June 14th to help Longmeadow Public Schools realize the promise of excellence with equity for all learners.</span></i></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-e5d1dbbb-7fff-b63c-0a60-695ce152515c"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Zach Verriden, <i>Candidate for Longmeadow School Committee</i></span></span></span></span></p></span></span></span></div><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7RJbtz4xsixNgu74i_tRREqEkxOp1Ka75Fm7VKIIwSL62R7QR0nYpDwIJdDO1_MztBLraSYjbKIDfdZIgf7lMaEUNVi9uPqolXzDJLgx74OuBYf69H46WK_aAZ_-wa_HildkybQ6-KdN9dDw-dspvbySwjsR9oiqTv8ax-eULkkxTLjGmlM98yUK/s836/zachforschoolcommittee.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="696" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7RJbtz4xsixNgu74i_tRREqEkxOp1Ka75Fm7VKIIwSL62R7QR0nYpDwIJdDO1_MztBLraSYjbKIDfdZIgf7lMaEUNVi9uPqolXzDJLgx74OuBYf69H46WK_aAZ_-wa_HildkybQ6-KdN9dDw-dspvbySwjsR9oiqTv8ax-eULkkxTLjGmlM98yUK/w478-h576/zachforschoolcommittee.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><p></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-1547420825379449682022-06-07T12:25:00.000-04:002022-06-07T12:25:14.743-04:00Andrew Berke Unofficially Withdraws from Select Board Election<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV6rg-vR2uBRBTD-0ukm-MiYOxUTTKF1NjOYHZg2oI2wlsEblXFPtEnePINs5-uNkBXoEvaGHkGXJiXUE2AtmRW1mwnFhfmjGXGFLcjzTXYCBALAlIZRPBNuiFvHjvITx4n6cLr_XCKI-zBMqkah63ii4ldw3HeMkkx5wUh4_gjFdyf4I2BAacanH/s825/ballot-berke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="530" height="776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV6rg-vR2uBRBTD-0ukm-MiYOxUTTKF1NjOYHZg2oI2wlsEblXFPtEnePINs5-uNkBXoEvaGHkGXJiXUE2AtmRW1mwnFhfmjGXGFLcjzTXYCBALAlIZRPBNuiFvHjvITx4n6cLr_XCKI-zBMqkah63ii4ldw3HeMkkx5wUh4_gjFdyf4I2BAacanH/w499-h776/ballot-berke.jpg" width="499" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-83243268562899058672022-06-06T17:30:00.001-04:002022-06-07T16:10:11.547-04:00Why I'm Running for School Committee- Julie Morgan<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This letter to the LongmeadowBuzz blog was submitted by <b>Julie Morgan</b>, candidate for election to the Longmeadow School Committee.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5mLWb17Io22rAmJ9pNJD9PVPy_R5cxL98rLn6M1oB8alfeU_JXKx0TSQQXWlUEH4gXfR0XydaLRgKm1ebSmEwHjCcq_v2aIYsp81Vropkfsj5cIrrHMI_23H3TcV-9GDx2iClWJ6PYMFN9OpWycplTAb-E81YVqow5Qt6Wx4vVIHSd3kYk9_Not6/s960/julie-morgan.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="960" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5mLWb17Io22rAmJ9pNJD9PVPy_R5cxL98rLn6M1oB8alfeU_JXKx0TSQQXWlUEH4gXfR0XydaLRgKm1ebSmEwHjCcq_v2aIYsp81Vropkfsj5cIrrHMI_23H3TcV-9GDx2iClWJ6PYMFN9OpWycplTAb-E81YVqow5Qt6Wx4vVIHSd3kYk9_Not6/w433-h260/julie-morgan.png" width="433" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">_________________________________________</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Longmeadow’s public schools are a critical part of our town. We entrust them with our children’s future. We support them with our tax dollars. For many of us, they serve as our closest connection to the rest of our community. When our schools flourish, our town does too. That’s why it’s so important to have leaders on the Longmeadow School Committee who know how to sustain and improve our public schools, building a school system that provides a great education for all our kids. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I’m running for Longmeadow School Committee because I have the experience and expertise to help our town navigate the challenges it faces and to make sure our schools are the best that they can be. I have been working in education policy for over a decade, helping shape policies that improve educational quality and access at both the k-12 and higher education level. I have taught education law and public policy at Boston College, researched education policy at think tanks, and served as a senior education counsel in the U.S. Senate helping write some of the very laws that govern our schools today. I currently work on higher education issues at the U.S. Department of Education. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">These experiences have given me a strong background in many of the issues facing our schools. I understand the kinds of choices school systems need to make to improve educational quality and to create a safe and nurturing learning environment for all students. I have also worked on school funding and managed organizational budgets, and I’ll be ready to help Longmeadow navigate tough choices about how to invest in our schools. Most of all, my experiences have taught me how to bring together people who have opposing views to find common ground and move forward together, and how to engage in inclusive decision making so that we can all be confident that our views are represented. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I’m also a parent. I have two children in Longmeadow schools, and being an LPS parent helps me better understand the strengths and the challenges of our school system. My kids have had great experiences in our schools, with caring and supportive teachers who have fostered their love of learning. Through my kids, I spend time with other LPS parents and get to hear about their experiences too. Many parents are happy with their childrens’ experiences, but they have real concerns. Parents worry about the impact of the last two years on their childrens’ mental health and academics. They worry about the intense pressure kids face, particularly in the upper grades. They worry that our schools are not adequately preparing Longmeadow’s students to participate in an increasingly diverse society. And they worry about the big changes that may be coming our way, like the future of our middle schools. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I believe it is critical for the Longmeadow School Committee to address these concerns and more over the next few years. In doing so, I can promise that I will approach every decision by thinking about three factors. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">First, what will best meet our kids’ needs? This may seem trivial, but when facing complicated issues that involve funding, logistics, and other big considerations, the impact of School Committee decisions on students’ learning and wellbeing can get lost in the shuffle. I won’t let that happen. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Second, how will a decision impact our community more broadly? The decisions that affect our schools affect the rest of the town as well, and vice versa. To me, it’s critically important that we consider the broader impact on the town and surrounding community when we make decisions about our schools, including the overall effect on the town’s budget, the environmental impact, and the downstream effects on the town over the coming years. I’ll work closely with the Select Board and other town boards and commissions to make sure we are working together toward our broader goals. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally, I will make sure to look closely at how our decisions support Longmeadow’s educators. The teachers, school leaders, support staff, and other school personnel in Longmeadow have made it through unthinkable challenges in the last few years, and I continue to be in awe of their commitment. I will make sure that we take their needs and opinions into consideration, and I will ensure that they continue to get the support they need so that they can deliver the best possible educational experience for our students. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The School Committee election will take place on June 14. I hope that you will consider voting for me when you go to the polls. If elected, I will work hard for you and for all our residents to make sure we have high quality, safe public schools that we can all be proud of.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Julie Morgan </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-26363055847898326962022-06-06T17:04:00.003-04:002022-06-06T17:17:27.206-04:00Top 10 GOLD Accomplishments<div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iewPrmnvBz7xUaug4wYtxsjMLETZy94ysnInvMUxAO5vCMXBXz5K2ZYawZI9VvhxTX-OSWzu98ArVgAnTVzli6T6CCZVZv85NHj7TJCn5ZHHFaRvdzQ9R6jUG0TzRmeOJDHjDwsqkyuqpVHvAHp-GVWaL8nkJ3fl4T92VUHAkphXZIgKT4aFvYlX/s500/gold-facebook.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="500" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iewPrmnvBz7xUaug4wYtxsjMLETZy94ysnInvMUxAO5vCMXBXz5K2ZYawZI9VvhxTX-OSWzu98ArVgAnTVzli6T6CCZVZv85NHj7TJCn5ZHHFaRvdzQ9R6jUG0TzRmeOJDHjDwsqkyuqpVHvAHp-GVWaL8nkJ3fl4T92VUHAkphXZIgKT4aFvYlX/w439-h173/gold-facebook.jpg" width="439" /></a></span></span></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mark Gold who is currently running for re-election to the Longmeadow Select
Board submitted the following letter for consideration by Longmeadow
voters where he outlines his <b>Top 10 Accomplishments</b> as a Select Board member since 2009.</span><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b>____________________________________________________</b><br /></div></div><div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><u><b>Top 10 GOLD Accomplishments </b></u><br /></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Gold has participated in the development of 13 annual town
budgets, all developed to provide level services to town residents WITHIN <i>(and for the last two years below</i>) the
2.5% allowable increase in tax rates.</span><br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Gold spearheaded the project that resulted in the purchase of
Longmeadow’s streetlights from Eversource.<span>
</span>The town purchased the streetlights in the fall of 2019 and converted
them to high efficiency LED lights during 2020.<span>
</span>This purchase and conversion project is<b> saving the Town over $420,000 per year</b> in lease and
electrical expense, a savings that increases each time electrical rates
increase.<span> </span>This savings worked out to
<b>$80 per household per year in 2020.</b></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> <br /></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Gold participated in the negotiation of three trash hauling contracts.<span> </span>In each instance, <b>his experience has brought
significant contributions in the form of reduced costs to the town</b>.</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> <br /></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Gold participated in formulating the MGM Surrounding
Community Agreement that resulted in the Town of Longmeadow having the second
highest impact payment of any community in Western Mass.<span> </span>Gold also was able to get a 2.5% annual
impact fee escalator inserted into the agreement- something that will provide
Longmeadow <b>hundreds of thousands of dollars of additional revenue</b> during the
19-year life of the agreement.</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> <br /></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Gold implemented installation of remote-read water
meters.<span> </span><b>This project has saved the town
hundreds of thousands of dollars</b> by allowing for the reassignment of water
department employees who formerly read meters full time to tasks that had
previously been outsourced.</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> <br /></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Gold formulated and secured passage of the 0.75% supplemental
local meals tax.<span> </span>This tax originally
estimated at $60,000 per year has resulted in annual revenue that <b>exceeds
$100,000 in most years </b>and was $120,000 in FY2019.</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> <br /></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Gold is considered the Select Board member who understands
the process by which water (and sewer) rates are set.</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br />a.) He yearly reviews the recommendations of the town’s CFO and has on several
occasions convinced other Select Board members to reduce the proposed water
rate below what was recommended by the CFO, without disruption to the finances
of those enterprise funds.</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span><br /></span>b.) Secured passage of a by-law
change and subsequent water billing system that includes a connection fee to
assure that zero water users contribute to capital requirements.<span> </span>This parallels the sewer connection fee and
reduces the cost per unit of water for all water customers.<span></span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br />c.) In 2021 Gold completed a study of water use patterns that
resulted in the Select Board adopting sewer rates that are more equitable for
residents with lawn irrigation system.</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Along with former CFO Paul Pasterczyk, Gold led the effort
for structuring and securing bonding (funds) for the Longmeadow High School
construction project. The bonding
structure optimized the principle vs. interest structure of the bonds to
<b>minimize the impact on tax rates over the life of the bonds</b>.</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> <br /></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Gold initiated the purchase of a fiber optics line that had
been leased by the town for intra-town data and voice communications.<span> </span><b>This purchase has saved the town over $50,000
per year in lease costs</b>.</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> <br /></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Gold intervened with the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority to
retain bus service to Longmeadow (Bay Path University route) when that service
was scheduled to be eliminated.<span> </span>This
intervention was part of Gold’s activities representing Longmeadow on the PVTA
Advisory Board.<span> </span>As part of this responsibility,
Gold also helped integrate Longmeadow to the expanded 3-Town trolley that
provides “dial-a-ride” services to seniors within Longmeadow, East Longmeadow
and Hampden at reduced fares relative to the more traditional para-transit
(dial-a-ride) service.</span></span></li></ol><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> <span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><b>Vote Mark Gold for Select Board on Tuesday, June 14 <span style="background-color: white;"><span> <br /><br /></span></span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><b><span style="background-color: white;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VgvYDVxrk6oVc0w39SWwnF34xUJhguQo2mHcDy7k8Xtp-t0j9lIHV_m9Dz99dS-rOUDDxEiy3BeT75wfieoVUyjTJATA3tS8EN9I0lKyZrbrkCp68GCYwIqKqxZX6f9Si7Ky5jicDsrTHYH4AmCGURW17y1uAMzUZFwgTQo8KIh281JCNtBCTz86/s1280/vote1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VgvYDVxrk6oVc0w39SWwnF34xUJhguQo2mHcDy7k8Xtp-t0j9lIHV_m9Dz99dS-rOUDDxEiy3BeT75wfieoVUyjTJATA3tS8EN9I0lKyZrbrkCp68GCYwIqKqxZX6f9Si7Ky5jicDsrTHYH4AmCGURW17y1uAMzUZFwgTQo8KIh281JCNtBCTz86/s320/vote1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> </span></span> </b></span></span><br /></span></div></div><div><br />
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</p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-32575791449970332892022-06-05T18:49:00.003-04:002022-06-05T18:56:17.052-04:00Vote FOSTER and GOLD for Select Board<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Marie Angelides, a former member of the Longmeadow Select Board submitted the following letter to the LongmeadowBuzz blog to share with Longmeadow residents....</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDe2LNAyDQBq2dmdXdcfJdIDS8awYD4g1J20lJ_CH5TCoyqoKK5SL_9TL49sgQd7WYzDfTAjxdTY310au7H2I0549Qqeo-1sS3NqRP8wznV1RwuOy8gaB3r5vxDStU9LWhXsAbNBDzVNHL4WyaS44m7k7IIyJ3qpPwQm-Ebmkf2wVcYNhkxfYggWc/s500/angelides-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="204" data-original-width="500" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDe2LNAyDQBq2dmdXdcfJdIDS8awYD4g1J20lJ_CH5TCoyqoKK5SL_9TL49sgQd7WYzDfTAjxdTY310au7H2I0549Qqeo-1sS3NqRP8wznV1RwuOy8gaB3r5vxDStU9LWhXsAbNBDzVNHL4WyaS44m7k7IIyJ3qpPwQm-Ebmkf2wVcYNhkxfYggWc/w491-h201/angelides-3.jpg" width="491" /></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>_________________________________ </i></span><br /></i></span></div><p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">I ask you to please vote for Richard Foster and Mark Gold for
Longmeadow Select Board on June 14<sup>th</sup>.</span></b></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqyILNRNZvhqN2RjSxXCZxe1DQNfxJ-quYBCUWXpkxfrw5Ofh5o8RERp35oYCtU3kAjCD9SN0rJs-L7ZTJ7LPNPccZnStOdFOoqpeSLB5WScns_iaBGtHXmMSgzwv4dQFIwjvFfOa2gy8Mvug0HAZOhvmpi-Y4VoGGuNAFCkAkCITZmBjidnPZsDs/s2057/gold-foster.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="2057" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqyILNRNZvhqN2RjSxXCZxe1DQNfxJ-quYBCUWXpkxfrw5Ofh5o8RERp35oYCtU3kAjCD9SN0rJs-L7ZTJ7LPNPccZnStOdFOoqpeSLB5WScns_iaBGtHXmMSgzwv4dQFIwjvFfOa2gy8Mvug0HAZOhvmpi-Y4VoGGuNAFCkAkCITZmBjidnPZsDs/s320/gold-foster.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />I could list numerous
important accomplishments of both these men, but we need to look to the future. Longmeadow is facing unique challenges and we need experienced and proven
leaders on the Select Board. Our first challenge is how do we plan for the
needs of <span> </span>our community with a shrinking
budget. We need Select Board members with the budgeting knowledge and skills to
deal with the problems of<span> </span>pension and
retiree health benefits devouring the budget and the 2 ½ tax ceiling. The rapid
rise in inflation and salary costs makes these next few years especially difficult. They have proven their leadership in this area by increasing revenues outside
of the tax base, limiting the tax increases while addressing the concerns of
our unfunded liabilities and expanding our maintenance programs. The town
fiscal rating increased under their leadership.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="476" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFn6nxnGCctziWEMwElSRrgYXMyDpwo6kiQ20ecygQ_cZjrCeVxX6JhF60_8yGBmK2T9z84DhoPHTguczV2pD9a8tsOFw6q4Gv-kw51sWJTBz-Z9YgKj4eltnRBdvnieM_R6w7AGCwOJhl5sH8rn1iDGZBgYwnL3uLKzctx218HWZzJ8AIGGiEL3z/w410-h287/gold-foster-2.jpg" title="Richard Foster" width="410" /><br />Richard Foster (left) and Mark Gold <br />at 2019 Select Board meeting<span style="font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Another challenge facing Longmeadow is the Tennessee
Pipeline (TP) and Eversource planned expansion. The Select Board has been
studying the issues surrounding our gas infrastructure. Serious commitment of
town resources has been made hiring experts and attorneys. Richard<span> </span>and Mark <span> </span>have been involved since the beginning of the
process and understand the complex engineering and legal issues. Longmeadow
needs to create a long term and comprehensive safety plan for the pipeline. This
is a serious discussion that needs to be handled with transparency and leadership. Richard Foster has the proven leadership skills and Mark Gold as an engineer has the technical
knowledge and expertise to work with the pipeline and gas experts.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We are living in a new world. The needs of our residents and
especially our children<span> </span>are radically
different from even a few years ago. The Select Board needs to prepare a 10-year
plan and review our goals. We need to address mental health, transportation <span> </span>and conservation. Mark Gold has worked on a
town wide Internet, and began the solar credit program. Richard Foster has
looked at the housing issues for our seniors. Their work needs to be continued.
<span> </span><i><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><b>We need an experienced Select Board to
lead<span> </span>Longmeadow in creating and
implementing a long-range plan.</b></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally, Longmeadow has been approved for building a new
middle school. Richard<span> </span>and Mark<span> </span>helped successfully complete several
large<span> </span>building projects. <span> </span>Especially important at this time is their
knowledge of municipal finance and the Massachusetts School Building funding
structure. The middle school will be facing interest rates that are 2-3 times
more than the high school. Mark Gold and Richard Foster are<span> </span>key players in managing this complex
financing issue. <i><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><b>I strongly urge you to vote for Richard Foster and Mark Gold
on June 14. </b></span></i> Go to town hall and vote now if you are not available on election
day. After the election reach out to them. We need to work together to plan for
the future of Longmeadow. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;">
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzHdPBf2YWtj0U-XjiMiorhrLmWQu38UTx908hv3Atdt1ExMWY_y49IduvrS4pLo6CjKOSp5Is3od2bl7FE8YYZclBNNDY84mzEkrQMNXrqk6bUSBZxn8i3Fm25_QxHNAL1LjdLxwjM4S2FKsu6coJjHDb-jev6nqaiQuwN8g1zeu94C1Y8posaYM/s345/angelides-signature.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="87" data-original-width="345" height="81" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzHdPBf2YWtj0U-XjiMiorhrLmWQu38UTx908hv3Atdt1ExMWY_y49IduvrS4pLo6CjKOSp5Is3od2bl7FE8YYZclBNNDY84mzEkrQMNXrqk6bUSBZxn8i3Fm25_QxHNAL1LjdLxwjM4S2FKsu6coJjHDb-jev6nqaiQuwN8g1zeu94C1Y8posaYM/s320/angelides-signature.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-31046093054761098682022-05-30T18:53:00.000-04:002022-05-30T18:53:42.010-04:00Why I’m running for reelection to the Select Board<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This letter to the Longmeadow Buzz blog was submitted by Mark Gold, candidate for re-election to the Longmeadow Select Board....</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWOghLI7XuXKpJsulQGNBKl4OzQn_SFDHAr78KWykTMBzJmaycbH2PTcrUcgowykgpYW5xGxWF0cBUAe5SQeSsKfd8QUYWeOTrotmFHksi-3yPeKYiShP3VMNXl721gbqsCa_b6A2lEoeUrXUaXGzBAsQ-xuaD-T4_bhWwgobEiKNxWuxWL1xGkRNM/s663/mark-gold-candidate%20tor%20select%20board.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="663" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWOghLI7XuXKpJsulQGNBKl4OzQn_SFDHAr78KWykTMBzJmaycbH2PTcrUcgowykgpYW5xGxWF0cBUAe5SQeSsKfd8QUYWeOTrotmFHksi-3yPeKYiShP3VMNXl721gbqsCa_b6A2lEoeUrXUaXGzBAsQ-xuaD-T4_bhWwgobEiKNxWuxWL1xGkRNM/w320-h267/mark-gold-candidate%20tor%20select%20board.jpg" title="Mark Gold for Select Board" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Dear
Longmeadow Residents,</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m running for reelection to the
Select Board because I believe I can uniquely continue to contribute to the
progress of Longmeadow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The experience
I’ve gained during my tenure on the board has provided me with knowledge and
understanding of the issues that are important to the residents of Longmeadow,
and the ability to make progress on resolving those issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My position as senior member of the Select
Board provides the stability and consistency that continues to support our Town
Manager and Chief Financial Officer, both relatively new to their
positions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet with all that my past
initiatives have helped achieve, there are achievements that remain incomplete,
and I am asking for your vote on Tuesday, June 14th to allow me to complete
these goals. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Tfs3MXVsH3DM6nuhSlEiGGpfjjVtVM9KsYxMmxI7rfLvHADSah9LgYi765jvYTE3UHoLlEj7gKkbWZzYz-Xkplfh6yjZDnwf5Wt4etNaDuziU_Uc-sRKZZm8DfEZ8AXPQh6bOOxMnDBVjHg2PSjb_V8rHDWb7XNIuEwfJO8Yx1OuVcwwIjt9JGXq/s3615/gold-townhall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2632" data-original-width="3615" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Tfs3MXVsH3DM6nuhSlEiGGpfjjVtVM9KsYxMmxI7rfLvHADSah9LgYi765jvYTE3UHoLlEj7gKkbWZzYz-Xkplfh6yjZDnwf5Wt4etNaDuziU_Uc-sRKZZm8DfEZ8AXPQh6bOOxMnDBVjHg2PSjb_V8rHDWb7XNIuEwfJO8Yx1OuVcwwIjt9JGXq/w400-h291/gold-townhall.jpg" title="Mark Gold for Select Board" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Since
I began my service to the town, I have represented the residents on a wide
range of issues, demonstrating my understanding of your concerns on issues as various
as water and sewer rate setting, project management, support agencies, and
capital expenditures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have an understanding
at both the budgeting level as well as the operational level of the financial
issues of the town and its functional departments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While continuing to support the work of
groups such as the Energy and Sustainability committee, Storrs Library, and others,
I have uniquely focused my work and support on groups and issues that are
critical to the smooth operations of the town, particularly those that have a
limited constituency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People who follow
the actions of the Select Board know that my work for the town goes beyond the
twice-monthly board meetings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
represent Longmeadow on the Metropolitan Planning Committee, Pioneer Valley
Transit Authority, and the Scantic Valley Regional Health trust as well as continuing
to track the interests of the town at the Hampden County Regional Retirement
board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">E</span></span>xamples of my achievements during
my latest term as a member of the Select Board are numerous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As one example, I had a leadership role in negotiating
contracts for the curb-side pick-up of trash, participating in vendor
discussions both during the initial contract and the revision of that contract needed
to respond to the bankruptcy of the Bondi’s Island trash disposal site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My involvement in both processes had a
positive financial impact for the town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
a second, but even more impactful example of my individual initiative, leadership,
and focus, the town completed the purchase and conversion of our streetlights
to high efficiency LEDs, an achievement that is saving the town over $400,000
per year in lease and operating costs.</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Over the past 26 months our world
has been impacted, and progress on new initiatives slowed, by the COVID-19
pandemic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our town manager, and indeed
our entire town government has necessarily focused on addressing COVID related issues
that were never anticipated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am asking
for your support in the upcoming election to allow me to provide my knowledge
and support as we regain the ability to address issues that have been deferred
over the past two years; issues such as the installation of a solar energy
facility and town-wide internet access.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It
is my hope that in the coming term you will support these initiatives (and
others) that will enhance the services the town provides for its residents
while maintaining the quality of life that makes Longmeadow a distinctive
community in Western Massachusetts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
ask for your vote in the June 14<sup>th</sup> town election to allow me to make
that possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdqqrM-wwHB2OO-8-U4bRsuj7VygJLs9OkHQEuKf6igG4jZ13Z4haYRPjA362wCnl2eGMXlT5GcjUtfBWfv0QVh-YPjS_m46E0QxchMis4RlAiZUztG2xTui1ZPzfrfgy2-23fT96iiMIQGZVe-2BvsZgYSqqEtpdqABiPmfY5mLZdRAD4UW71Q1z/s125/signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="125" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdqqrM-wwHB2OO-8-U4bRsuj7VygJLs9OkHQEuKf6igG4jZ13Z4haYRPjA362wCnl2eGMXlT5GcjUtfBWfv0QVh-YPjS_m46E0QxchMis4RlAiZUztG2xTui1ZPzfrfgy2-23fT96iiMIQGZVe-2BvsZgYSqqEtpdqABiPmfY5mLZdRAD4UW71Q1z/s1600/signature.jpg" width="125" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-41723763333762386512022-05-05T14:59:00.004-04:002022-05-05T15:03:03.956-04:00The Skateboard Park Project needs additional review<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="css-1sbw6cc"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-wrapper" data-testid="truncate-container"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-content content-body-full"><span color="var(--fg-primary)" data-testid="styled-text" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Linkify"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfyDA-AKLVrPWaXuEoDY5LT8fNDaTsHcAc-uc_iwoTPOGUlC0TmUi0Mjr8vGD057v7Yyeu6dY4p3HznTSKahMONSdKd5Ho_rYxuqptkKWysAos1r-kV5FOTAeMFGuY60EsksMiHc1el2dseUwc-WT4aRalzHDzG6CxOOqy6rjz-6nVuOneaX43z3H/s500/foster.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="500" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfyDA-AKLVrPWaXuEoDY5LT8fNDaTsHcAc-uc_iwoTPOGUlC0TmUi0Mjr8vGD057v7Yyeu6dY4p3HznTSKahMONSdKd5Ho_rYxuqptkKWysAos1r-kV5FOTAeMFGuY60EsksMiHc1el2dseUwc-WT4aRalzHDzG6CxOOqy6rjz-6nVuOneaX43z3H/w200-h190/foster.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="css-1sbw6cc"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-wrapper" data-testid="truncate-container"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-content content-body-full"><span color="var(--fg-primary)" data-testid="styled-text" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Linkify"><br />Richard Foster- a former Select Board member and currently a candidate for Select Board at the upcoming Longmeadow Annual Town Elections weighs in on Article 36 that funds the construction of a Skateboard Park at Bliss Park.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="css-1sbw6cc"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-wrapper" data-testid="truncate-container"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-content content-body-full"><span color="var(--fg-primary)" data-testid="styled-text" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Linkify"><br /><i>From the May 10 Annual Town Meeting warrant </i><b><u><br /></u></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="css-1sbw6cc"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-wrapper" data-testid="truncate-container"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-content content-body-full"><span color="var(--fg-primary)" data-testid="styled-text" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Linkify"><b><u>ARTICLE 36</u><br />To see if the Town will vote to fund the Community Preservation Project to provide funding for the construction of a skateboard park at Bliss Park in the amount of $350,000, or a greater or lesser sum, to be funded from the Community Preservation Undesignated Fund Balance, or take any other action relative thereto.</b><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="css-1sbw6cc"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-wrapper" data-testid="truncate-container"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-content content-body-full"><span color="var(--fg-primary)" data-testid="styled-text" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Linkify">____________________________________________________<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="css-1sbw6cc"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-wrapper" data-testid="truncate-container"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-content content-body-full"><span color="var(--fg-primary)" data-testid="styled-text" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Linkify">Many on Facebook are supporting this project for a variety of reasons including telling us how cute the boys were who originally presented this Citizens’ petition at a Town Meeting a couple of years ago and how that should be the basis for approving this project etc. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="css-1sbw6cc"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-wrapper" data-testid="truncate-container"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-content content-body-full"><span color="var(--fg-primary)" data-testid="styled-text" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Linkify">One of the posters rightfully pointed out that it starts with this and then they keep coming back for more money because of a lack of planning. "We’ve seen this play before. As delineated by the Select Board and Finance Committee, this project is not ready for funding yet. That is not to say No; it is simply saying you need to do additional work to fully expand the overall needs of this project before asking for funding. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="css-1sbw6cc"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-wrapper" data-testid="truncate-container"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-content content-body-full"><span color="var(--fg-primary)" data-testid="styled-text" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Linkify">This group has already spent $15,000, where are the deliverables? Without detailed plans and specifications, these requested sums of money are merely guesses. So, we spend an additional $350,000 to find out we need an additional $350,000 and then the question is raised, did we really need this $700,000 project? Projects like this need to have a Class A estimate before construction funding is even considered. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="css-1sbw6cc"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-wrapper" data-testid="truncate-container"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-content content-body-full"><span color="var(--fg-primary)" data-testid="styled-text" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Linkify">For a Town that is rapidly approaching the tax cap spending limits, do we need additional liability and long-term maintenance cost? What about the potholes that we don’t have enough staff to provide timely maintenance on our roads? Do we just let them get bigger as we try to maintain yet more infrastructure? <i><b>This project was started as citizens’ petition that was defeated at Town Meeting</b></i> and then brought back as a Community Preservation project. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="css-1sbw6cc"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-wrapper" data-testid="truncate-container"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-content content-body-full"><span color="var(--fg-primary)" data-testid="styled-text" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Linkify">As I read the comments being posted on this project, it only reinforces my belief that we need a new form of local government with a council that would mandate full and complete vetting of major improvements and expenditures before being authorized for funding. Where is this on the master plan? I would like the average of 97% of our registered voters who don’t attend our Town meeting to become energized and take back control of our town from self-serving special interest groups with the formation of a more professional local government. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="css-1sbw6cc"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-wrapper" data-testid="truncate-container"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-content content-body-full"><span color="var(--fg-primary)" data-testid="styled-text" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Linkify">We now have a keenly articulate professional town manager that needs our support in protecting the development and execution of long-term needs-based programs. This will never happen as long as we allow special interest groups to set the agenda for our Town.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="css-1sbw6cc"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-wrapper" data-testid="truncate-container"><span class="truncate-line-truncation-content content-body-full"><span color="var(--fg-primary)" data-testid="styled-text" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Linkify">Richard Foster/ <i>Longmeadow Town Resident</i><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-55595639671760410512022-05-05T13:20:00.002-04:002022-05-05T13:21:41.283-04:00Bliss and Laurel Parks- April 2022 Update<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 17pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BLISS AND LAUREL PARKS</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RESTORATION UPDATES: APRIL 2022</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">__________________________<wbr></wbr>_____________________________</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5MqD_jj8xqNhnO3B3cSFDiBlgxuumXScH8hgf7PP6xfxbkjws06vUC_2ucqrAALVUUqmmFqSUw-eVnYfj2Ka0ayEJCDHmknsZN7uvhZOPzlBzWablNzTbYHSfu3_YVdHy9zH9QB23eU67JL_tMyZU1cmxgf3QH0HrdaEwQt-pDwr8BTt93spaS_5/s819/restore-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="819" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5MqD_jj8xqNhnO3B3cSFDiBlgxuumXScH8hgf7PP6xfxbkjws06vUC_2ucqrAALVUUqmmFqSUw-eVnYfj2Ka0ayEJCDHmknsZN7uvhZOPzlBzWablNzTbYHSfu3_YVdHy9zH9QB23eU67JL_tMyZU1cmxgf3QH0HrdaEwQt-pDwr8BTt93spaS_5/w527-h335/restore-2.jpg" width="527" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><p></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The leadership team of the “Friends of the Parks” citizen group is pleased to share the work <b>(see below)</b> that has been advanced on behalf of Bliss and Laurel Parks in the last two years. We are grateful for our partnership with the CT River Conservancy, whose affiliation with us has helped identify multiple sources of funding to support restoration of Cooley Brook, an integral feature in the parkland ecosystem. </span></span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><li style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Received a Community Preservation Act Grant for development of a <b><a href="http://www.longmeadow.org/restoreblissandlaurel" target="_blank">Sustainable Landscape Plan, Spring 2019</a></b>. “ ” </span></span></span></p></li></ul><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Conway School, Spring 2020</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://www.longmeadow.org/restoreblissandlaurel" rel="noopener" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This plan recommends ecologically sustainable options to restore Cooley Brook: 1)address sedimentation in Laurel Pond<br />2)improve public use and enjoyment<br />3)mitigate upstream erosion. Eradication of invasive species, reintroduction of native species, improved trail use, mapping and maintenance, increased use and diversity of access for the public within established ecologically sound guidelines are also discussed. </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><li style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Partnered with CT River Conservancy, 2020. Water testing of Cooley Brook begins, 2021. Underwrote, with US Fish and Wildlife support, a preliminary engineering cost estimate for Cooley Brook water district restoration work, Fall 2021. Project management services made available. Parkland plans referred to the US Army Corps of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game and, Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, Spring 2021</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></p></li><li style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">US Army Corp of Engineers requires Hydrology & Hydraulic Study prior to consideration of an offer for “in lieu of funds,” just under $300,000, available through MA Dept. of Fish and Game. US Fish and Wildlife offers “in kind labor” to execute restoration pending approval of funds being released, value conservatively estimated to be $500,000, Summer/Fall 2021. MA Div. of Ecological Restoration approves Town Grant application for preliminary engineering design of restoration work at the Cooley Brook water district site, early 2022. Work currently underway. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></p></li></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We encourage you to</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">join with us at the <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">Annual Town Meeting on May 10, 2022</span> to support these efforts with a <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">YES VOTE</span> for the Community Preservation Act approved Grant (<span style="background-color: #fcff01;">Article #31</span>), endorsed by the Finance Committee, for a $75,000 Hydrology & Hydraulic Study of Cooley Brook. This is an unprecedented opportunity to achieve significant improvements to Bliss and Laurel Parks with funding that requires no match or additional commitment of Town Tax dollars. </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b> </b></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>ARTICLE 31.</b><br />To see if the Town will vote to fund the Community Preservation project for a hydrologic and hydraulic study of Bliss and Laurel Parks in the amount of $75,000, or a greater or lesser sum, funded from the Recreation/Open Space Fund Balance, or take any other action relative thereto. </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>This engineering study will focus on the Bliss and Laurel Parks portion of the Cooley Brook drainage area and will identify causes of erosion, sedimentation, and flooding in and around Cooley Brook and Laurel Pond. The study will provide information necessary to guide any future work related to the development of high quality, high value CPA eligible projects, such as the removal of the derelict, nonfunctional reservoir infrastructure; improvements or other dam-related work on Laurel Pond dam; and rehabilitation of Laurel Pond and/or Cooley Brook’s streambanks. The hydrologic and hydraulic study will have the added benefit of supplying the town with information regarding stormwater management in the Blueberry Hill area of town. The results of the hydrologic and hydraulic study are also necessary to access additional grant funding for projects such as these, including monetary grants from the MA Department of Fish and Game and in-kind labor grants from the US Geological Survey.</i><br /></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Recommended by the Finance Committee</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Presented on behalf of the leadership team for “ Friends of the Parks” by </span><span style="background-color: transparent; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fran Cress, liaison for the group. </span></span></b></i></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-52558320997255237262021-10-30T21:25:00.000-04:002021-10-30T21:25:19.660-04:00Article #14- A Vote for Additional Shopping in Town <p><span style="font-size: medium;">This article regarding Article #14 was submitted by Jim Moran, Longmeadow resident.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>______________________________________</b></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonMgCtvoJVLLzwax1sNYHFce_o7l3piDuuANlkrJqcCKfMMYzP8Z-ZMKWw7BiFF9MFNwJPWdCKND8-vR1hBxtRS68JY42G-dktt9cXi18ySprnqCfwyxA5atr8kMPsWDjNii63DLm1EY/s989/colvest-property-view.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="989" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonMgCtvoJVLLzwax1sNYHFce_o7l3piDuuANlkrJqcCKfMMYzP8Z-ZMKWw7BiFF9MFNwJPWdCKND8-vR1hBxtRS68JY42G-dktt9cXi18ySprnqCfwyxA5atr8kMPsWDjNii63DLm1EY/w400-h188/colvest-property-view.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>916 Williams Street</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Warrant Article #14 at the Special Town Meeting on Tuesday, November 2 will likely decide the future of the Church property at the corner of Redfern Drive and Williams Street as voters will decide on a possible change to its zoning from Residential to Commercial as requested by the current owners- The Colvest Group. (Article #14)<br /></span></div></div><div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Question- Do town residents want to see additional shopping in town or do they want to see their taxes reduced through commercial development of the property or both?</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Voters at the Special Town Meeting on Tuesday need to know the impact of this development on their quarterly tax bill.<br /><br />Because Colvest and others in town including some Select Board members are promoting this development as a means to reduce property taxes for homeowners or to mitigate the effects of the Proposition 2.5 tax ceiling, I decided to determine the actual impact of additional property taxes from a new shopping center at this location on our budget process. </span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Normally I would ask long time town employee Paul Pasterczyk with budget related questions but he retired this past June and is no longer available. My next best resource is Mark Gold- a long time member of the Select Board and one of the most knowledgeable members of our town government regarding Longmeadow's budget process.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here are some of Mark Gold's comments in this matter....</span> <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Below
are recent estimates made by the Longmeadow Assessors office with assistance from KRT appraisals for property values and tax revenue for the proposed 916 Williams Street development based upon a
similar recently developed adjacent parcel for the Longmeadow Shops.<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYXq8ODfip9bvHsz7UsK0tiCVwAnqL0wrOkDpnXQxE_-xyUtgkTilSPy_C-p2OBJhwh6TUEVeuOQOPb06AvCgc3Hgv1mihI9P57utWsMeAVsxCixFQdMvSqLbIGZvivFA0ZV1FasyiDY/s397/colvest.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="227" data-original-width="397" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYXq8ODfip9bvHsz7UsK0tiCVwAnqL0wrOkDpnXQxE_-xyUtgkTilSPy_C-p2OBJhwh6TUEVeuOQOPb06AvCgc3Hgv1mihI9P57utWsMeAVsxCixFQdMvSqLbIGZvivFA0ZV1FasyiDY/w400-h229/colvest.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Town of Longmeadow raises approximately $56 million every year through property
taxes. For ease of computation, let's say they go up by 2% per year
(last year was 1.78%, but the Prop 2-1/2 limit is 2.5% so 2% is a good
compromise). <b>2% of $56 million is $1,120,000 per year. </b> <i>That's what the town needs to increase our tax revenue by each year <b>JUST TO KEEP A LEVEL
SERVICE BUDGET</b>. </i> This annual increase covers town/ school salary increases, increases in the cost of fuel, etc..
<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</div><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: medium;">
When improved, Colvest's property will bring in about $175K in annual tax
revenues. The rest (water, storm water, sewer, etc.) is a wash because of enterprise
funds. Meals taxes (if there's a restaurant) would be extra. But the
property already brings in $25K in taxes, so it is only<b> a net increase of
$150K</b>. That's 13% of the annual increase we need, <b>and</b> <b>that increase
only comes in ONE YEAR.</b> So the impact of this property on our Prop 2.5 tax
ceiling issue is negligible. We need a 30 house subdivision coming into
the town every 3rd or 4th year if we want the growth to impact tax
rates.
</span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</div><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: medium;">
Looking at the impact of the
development on the average homeowner's tax bill. <br />For 2021...<br /></span><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Total Town property evaluation was $2,283,546,608</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Amount to be raised by taxes: $56,494,943
</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Tax rate; (2 divided by 1): $24.74
</span>
</li></ol>
</div><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: medium;">
So, according to above table, a Colvest building (there's also
land value, but that's already in line 1 above) will be valued between
$4.6 and $5.5 million. Let's call it $5 million. All other things being
equal, that would result in the following calculation:
</span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Total Town evaluation was $2,288,546,608 (increase of $5 million)</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Amount to be raised by taxes: $56,494,943 (this doesn't change in this scenario) </span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Tax rate; (B divided by A): $24.69
</span></li></ol>
</div><p>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><b>That's a reduction of $0.05 in the tax rate.</b> </span><b><br />For the "average"
home assessed at $354,000, that's a savings of $15 in ONE YEAR ONLY.</b> After that, the taxes go up again, although one could argue that they
save that $15 every year in perpetuity.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Regarding Tuesday's town meeting vote on Article 14 .....</b><br /><b><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><i>Vote YES if you simply desire to see additional shopping options in town. Remember a YES vote will have a very minor effect on your tax bill.<span style="background-color: white;"><span> <br /></span></span></i></span></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><i><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span>Vote NO if you want this property to remain zoned as Residential.</span></span> </i></span></b></span><br /></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-26954874674280789612021-10-29T13:24:00.001-04:002021-10-29T13:24:44.812-04:00Zone Change Premature, Vote No<p></p><div class="img-guider" style="text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDAvwByvSVnm5lrUrvmohydMRB-9Hv9OcDyI0ILVuoZNReFrg_xit67Mf3y1VdMNykjtpnsBA0YH7Lru8tbscHn5OhyrqgCXawnPyWvBGMvQ8QnW-zMb92_TfcT7u5In4vzb3iCNRYDM/s1272/church-property.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="1272" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDAvwByvSVnm5lrUrvmohydMRB-9Hv9OcDyI0ILVuoZNReFrg_xit67Mf3y1VdMNykjtpnsBA0YH7Lru8tbscHn5OhyrqgCXawnPyWvBGMvQ8QnW-zMb92_TfcT7u5In4vzb3iCNRYDM/w400-h190/church-property.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />This "letter to the editor" was published in the Reminder on 10/28/2021 and reprinted here with permission of the author, Bruce Colton who submitted this letter as an individual.<br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>____________________________________</b><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">As a long-time member of the Longmeadow
Planning Board, I am proudest of my sponsorship of the town’s site and
design review by-law. Site and design review is the town’s strongest
tool for regulating growth.</span></p><p>
</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The bylaw is most empowering when combined with a developer’s need to obtain a zone change to accomplish its goals.</span></p><p>
</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Though it is not widely realized by our residents, the former
Christian Science Church, at 916 Williams St., was sold several years
ago to a developer who seeks to use the site for commercial development.
Insofar as the property is presently zoned “residential,” this will
require that the property be rezoned to “business” use.</span></p><p>
</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The proposed zone change is arguably the most significant item on the warrant for the Nov. 2 Special Town Meeting.</span></p><p>
</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In the normal course of events, a developer would have come before
the Planning Board with detailed plans showing the proposed structures,
site layout, traffic flow and curb cuts in order to request an
endorsement of the proposed zone change.</span></p><p>
</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">However, in this instance, breaking with the practice of virtually
every proposed development over the past 30 years, the Planning Board
was shown only tentative and generalized proposals for the site’s
development. The proposed development seemed designed to squeeze every
last developable inch out of the property. Finally, the proposal seemed
to ignore the steep decline in the need for retail space over the past
decade.</span></p><p>
</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">For all these reasons, and the board’s need to be sensitive to the
surrounding residential neighborhood and very heavy traffic on Williams
Street and Bliss Road, the Planning Board voted 3-1 against rezoning the
property as a business zone.</span></p><p>
</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Given the rising cost of government services, it is important that
Longmeadow obtain as much property tax revenue as possible. However, the
source of this revenue must be strictly regulated.</span></p><p>
</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The site and design review process works best for the town when a
proposed development requires a zone change. This gives the Town Meeting
voters the ability to see detailed development plans before casting
their votes on a zone change. Granting a zone change at this stage of
the process will seriously compromise the Planning Board’s ability to
shape this development in the town’s interests.</span></p><p>
</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The developer should consider withdrawing its request for a zone change at the Nov. 2 Special Town Meeting.</b></span></p><p>
</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>If not, the voters should vote down this premature zone change.</b></span></p><p>
</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I am writing this letter as an individual.</span></p><p>
</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Bruce Colton</strong><br /><strong>Longmeadow</strong></span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-21382526312793490322021-10-06T12:01:00.003-04:002021-10-06T14:08:02.867-04:00Proposed Zone Change- 916 Williams Street<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>This letter has been submitted to the LongmeadowBuzz by Mark Gold, a member of the Longmeadow Select Board.... </i></span> <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>______________________________________ <br /></b></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3eoOI1cTAfcD3Zz-7d_SJinU2m-2fOq0YiC2WsdonZYsm95Cfvrie-wZOfF2sPkWrhyhucLJt42JlVecCvBx_fpsaUMKEX-0xBeUNCQk2_xsnHUcYL2j-YwNauOjBRP7i7GRpttRZanA/s1081/church+property.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="1081" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3eoOI1cTAfcD3Zz-7d_SJinU2m-2fOq0YiC2WsdonZYsm95Cfvrie-wZOfF2sPkWrhyhucLJt42JlVecCvBx_fpsaUMKEX-0xBeUNCQk2_xsnHUcYL2j-YwNauOjBRP7i7GRpttRZanA/w400-h244/church+property.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>916 Williams Street</b> (Colvest-Longmeadow LLC-owner)</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: medium;">At the October 4, 2021 meeting the Select Board voted 3-2 to place an
article on the Special Fall Town Meeting warrant that would change the
zoning of the parcel of land at the corner of Redfern Drive and Williams Street that is currently the site of the First Church of Christian
Scientists.</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: medium;">This 2.92 acre site has been owned by a developer for several years. The
developer is seeking the zone change from residential to commercial to
allow for commercial development of the property.</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>At a hearing earlier this summer, the Longmeadow Planning Board voted 4-1
to <u>oppose</u> this zone change.</b> Their primary reason for this opposition
was that the developer did not present a site and design plan for review
by the Planning Board, but rather discussed general alternatives for
the development of the property. The Planning Board opposed the zone
change because without an approved site and design review by the Board, a
zone change would give a developer "
<i>carte blanche</i>" to construct commercial development on the property.</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>This proposed zone change will be the subject of a vote at the
Special Town Meeting that will be held on Tuesday, November 2nd at 7 PM
(location to be determined).</b> </span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: medium;">It is important that residents interested
in voicing and voting their opinions on this proposal attend that
meeting IN PERSON. There are no provisions for absentee or proxy voting
at a town meeting. </span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>If you are interested in contributing your vote to this issue,
please attend this meeting.</b> If you know of someone who lives in the
neighborhood who should know of this upcoming vote, please pass along
this information to them. </span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Mark Gold/ Longmeadow Select Board </span></i><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994253008427414465.post-20523836785878348232021-08-30T18:40:00.003-04:002021-08-30T18:53:56.061-04:00Skatepark Site Proposal at Bliss Park<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This letter was submitted to LongmeadowBuzz by Fran Cress, Longmeadow resident.<br /></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">_______________________________</span><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">August 16, 2021</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">TO:
LONGMEADOW CITIZENS</span></b></p><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">RE:
SKATEPARK SITE PROPOSAL BLISS PARK</span></b>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This is not an
indictment of Skateparks (SP). However, Bliss Park is NOT a suitable location
for the proposed Skatepark. Information provided herein explains that position.
It also questions the process by which Longmeadow approaches development
projects.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeoTHcrtE1Ys05LdrsVq_cFPNW8nKnzF5F_3PktIceSbYoGX5VOZ-zJQ73N5jISW03m9VMc58NOzenWZYOiDL48yNmXOPuJUxnrKGFAOjuVQjrYs_R6Y9Ubcs2s2DE4aY_N6OMnnYvd8/s1000/bliss-park-skate-board.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="1000" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeoTHcrtE1Ys05LdrsVq_cFPNW8nKnzF5F_3PktIceSbYoGX5VOZ-zJQ73N5jISW03m9VMc58NOzenWZYOiDL48yNmXOPuJUxnrKGFAOjuVQjrYs_R6Y9Ubcs2s2DE4aY_N6OMnnYvd8/w400-h230/bliss-park-skate-board.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I have been unable to
confirm that this proposal was supported by collaborative community planning. I
do know that <b>the SP proposal ignored: (a) a Town Vote that denied organizers
their request to fund a SP study and, (b) two Town Plans that were developed
with community input and are intended to direct what, where, when and how we
use taxpayer supported capital for infrastructure, recreational and
conservation improvements on Town Land</b>.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><b>(1) The current
2021-2028 Town Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) </b>was in development in 2020.
Between January and June of that year feedback from the Town was being
collected via Public Survey. The Plan was approved and presented to the
community on February 2, 2021 <br />(See <b><a href="http://www.longmeadow.org/1194/Open-Space-and-Recreation-Plan" target="_blank">Plan</a></b>). </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The
OSRP directs related Town planning for the designated period.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Out of 400
respondents to the public questionnaire/survey only 5 respondents expressed an</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> interest in a
skatepark, or a 1.25%, an indisputable quantitative measure of lack of
support. Of the 146 respondents who provided additional comments, a SP was
mentioned only 9 times. A Skatepark did not distinguish itself as an overall
priority for the Town.. A "feasibility" study is in the plan - but a "feasibility"
study is </span><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">an assessment of the practicality of a proposed plan or method
or concept - it is not a site assessment. A site assessment comes if a
feasibility study determines this is something Longmeadow should pursue as a
recreational investment based on </span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">project's relevant factors
(ex: including economic, technical, legal, scheduling considerations, resource
impacts, etc.) </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A task force to undertake a feasibility study was never formed. An
ad hoc group led by Alex Grant was already advancing the siting of a Skatepark.
They now identify as the Skatepark Working Group. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">At a <b>Town Meeting
on November 05, 2019, Article 24 for Funding of a SP site study was submitted
and failed. </b>Opponents to the Article recommended that any development
decisions be withheld until the new OSRP was promulgated. Notwithstanding this
lack of Town support, <b>Alex Grant submitted a grant application to the CPC later in the fall of 2019. The CPC, the Town Committee tasked with approving
grant proposals for the tax money set aside under the Community Preservation
Act, chose to approve the study giving it “tacit” Town Approval despite the
Town vote on 11/05/2019. This moved the grant application to Town Meeting on
June 23rd, 2020 under Article 30 for Town consideration. The Article passed at
this lightly attended COVID Town Meeting under “Consent Agenda 6” with no
debate. </b>Curiously, the record for Consent Agenda 6 omits Article 30 in its
list, but it could be inferred that it was to have been included.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Special Interest
Groups should not be able to co-op limited tax dollars unless their project has
been identified as a Town goal. If a citizen or a group of citizens have a new
concept they want integrated into a Town Plan they should bring their concept
before the Town by offering a series of forums for discussion. Subsequently,
the concept should be voted upon at Town Meeting. I am not aware of forums of
this type being brought before Town residents prior to November 2019 or June
2020 regarding the proposed development of a SP.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><b>(2) The
Environmentally Sustainable Landscape Plan for Bliss and Laurel Park was
developed in the Spring of 2020 </b>through collaborative engagement of
Longmeadow Citizens To Save Our Parks (LCSOP), citizens of our community and
Plan drafters; The Conway School of Northampton. (See <b><a href="http://www.longmeadow.org/restoreblissandlaurel" target="_blank">comprehensive plan</a></b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">) This Plan was also funded by a CPA grant of $12,000 but, was the
culmination of four and a half years of work by the LCSOP to legally preserve
Bliss and Laurel Parks as parkland in perpetuity under Article 97 of the MASS
Constitution after the Town had attempted to site the Adult Center in Bliss
Park. <b>LCSOP prevailed three times at Town Meeting in receiving citizen
support, first to stop the development, then to compel the Town to legally document
the two Parks as protected and finally to obtain funding for the CPA Grant.
During development of this Landscape Plan, a Skatepark was not discussed,
requested nor contemplated despite robust community engagement.</b></span>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The current proposal
to site a Skatepark in Bliss Park is being promoted with a blind eye to its
future impact. It will be extremely costly to construct and to maintain. It is
in conflict with the Town’s expressed desires for these parks. (<b>See
attachments.</b>) It will impact the ecology of Cooley Brook, already impaired and
designated an “Urban Waterway” whose water quality is being monitored by LCSOP
in collaboration with our partner the CT River Conservancy. The brook suffers
from dramatic erosion as a result of undersized and deteriorating stormwater
infrastructure. <b>The brook and associated parkland environment will suffer
further erosion as a result of the proposed SP, a large 15,000 square foot impermeable
concrete surface. </b>Laurel Pond whose contours and depth have been
dramatically affected by increasing sedimentation caused by erosion upstream
will also be further impacted. Both the brook and the pond require significant
restoration. Three options were offered to restore Laurel Pond based upon
findings from a proposed hydrology study.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If we are to be
successful in our Town planning efforts, the Town government must adhere to
guidelines and priorities established by constructively developed Town Wide
Plans such as the <b>OSRP </b>and <b>The Sustainable Landscape Plan for Bliss
and Laurel Parks. </b>An internal screening process must be implemented,
through which all requests for tax dollars are vetted against these PLANS to
determine whether new proposals are in accord with or in conflict with articulated
goals. This should include Community Preservation Act grant requests. Projects
in conflict should be set aside and not permitted to reach the floor of Town
Meeting before they are presented to the community in widely publicized Community
Forums. The Town Meeting is not an appropriate place for dialogue. Rational and
Informed discussions do not prevail. Costly mistakes often ensue.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">WE
ARE NOT USING “TOWN PLANS” TO DIRECT THIS SKATEPARK DEVELOPMENT. Therefore, the
following should be noted.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;">● </span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">a 15,000 SF Impermeable surface WILL impact erosion in Cooley
Brook especially with associated stormwater infrastructure issues</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;">● </span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">the burden of construction costs and annual maintenance costs in
relation to the percent of citizens will utilize the structure makes it a
flawed Town investment</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;">● </span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">the cost of necessary lighting, regular police detail and, DPW
engagement will tax already scarce resources</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;">● </span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">if public access is limited to Town residents, how will the town
manage user identification</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial-BoldMT;">● </span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">alternatively, if the site
is made accessible to non-residents as a “destination skatepark,” similar to
the adjacent playground use, what regulations will be promulgated and enforced
to limit potential liability costs; insurance, legal, waste management, hours
of operation and staffing</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial-BoldMT;">● </span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">if this structure is not
designed to meet the needs of both skaters and BMS/off-road bikers will citizens
continue to assume that they can alter public lands for their personal use with
trail systems that are neither approved nor constructed utilizing approved
design standards</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial-BoldMT;">● </span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">consider the impact to
existing infrastructure and adjacent neighborhoods that will result from increased
noise, lighting, traffic congestion, parking issues and restroom facilities,
the latter two of which are currently insufficient, seasonally locked or
permanently mothballed</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial-BoldMT;">● </span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">does this support our
efforts to limit development that impacts our carbon footprint and contributes
positively to our climate change initiatives.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Efforts to improve
Bliss and Laurel Parks have seen enormous strides forward in the last five
years despite limited funding. We are currently in a position to benefit from
in-kind funds from The Army Corps of Engineers, National Fish & Wildlife
and State Fish and Game to completely remove the derelict infrastructure west
of Laurel Pond in Cooley Brook; the vestiges of the former water supply
district. We have also just been selected by the CT RIver Conservancy for
funding to cover an engineering assessment of the site to outline the best
removal process and its potential cost. Our verbal commitment from the Army
Corps of Engineers is pending completion of a hydrology study of the brook.
This is required to ensure that deconstruction of this infrastructure, which is
now a century old, will improve the flow of the brook without detriment and
offer us a clear route to select the appropriate option for revitalizing the
Laurel Pond area among the three options outlined as possibilities in the 2020
Sustainable Landscape Plan, our subsequent project. The cost of such a
hydrology study is not expected to be more than $15,000. We have yet to locate
a source of funding that does not require taxpayer dollars.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In light of the
above, the fact that we agreed to appropriate CPA funds for a plan to site a
skatepark that the majority of the Town did not support is wasteful. The fact
that we are now likely to be asked to spend the kind of money necessary to
build and sustain said skatepark, on Article 19 conserved land, is disturbing.
It may even be illegal, something that will be explored. It is time we aligned
our spending priorities with identified and critical issues that support
improvements to the Town’s existing, yet compromised and ageing infrastructure
AND undertake projects that reflect what the majority of citizens have
expressed about their vision for conserved public spaces.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Respectfully
submitted,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fran Cress, Citizen</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></p>
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