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Date: 12/21/2022
EAST LONGMEADOW – The East Longmeadow Town Council voted unanimously on Dec. 13 to conduct a town manager search without the help of a professional search firm.
Town Council President Ralph Page reminded the council that there had been two previous searches, with help from Community Paradigm Associates, LLC and Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management, respectively. Kane said he had participated in both searches and said the town’s Human Resources Department can do “90 percent of what the outside firm did.” He said it would also save the town at least $10,000, the lowest cost during the previous searches.
Councilor Kathy Hill said the Massachusetts Municipal Association could “give advice,” if the town hits a snag. While there may be a cost to this, she speculated that it would be far less than the cost of a search firm.
Councilor Connor O’Shea agreed with an in-house search approach. He said using a firm for the first two searches “added a layer of transparency,” which was needed after the controversy in which a councilor was said to have created a hostile work environment for Town Manager Mary McNally, leading to her resignation in October 2021. With that councilor no longer a member of the body, O’Shea said the search could be done in-house. He added that a screening committee may not be necessary, either.
New Town Hall
The Town Council voted 6-1 to borrow $3.5 million and use an additional $2.4 million in free cash to purchase 382 North Main St. Only Councilor Michael Kane voted against the measure.
McNally later explained to Reminder Publishing, “The town intends to purchase 382 North Main St. for eventual use as the new Town Hall. The existing Town Hall will continue to be used for town departments, some of which are situated elsewhere.”
McNally said the town expects to close on the property in February 2023 as the purchase agreement is still under review. The town will gradually shift operations to the new location and the current Town Hall will continue to house town departments. She noted there are already satellite departments, such as those on the campus of East Longmeadow High School, so the arrangement would not be novel.
The move addresses condition and space issues at the current town hall. The purchase agreement is under review by town counsel.
Bylaw changes
Two new bylaws were approved by the council. The first bylaw established a five-year Compensation Review Committee. Every five years, the committee would form in January and deliver a report by April 1 of the same year. All pay increases for multi-person bodies, such as the Town Council or the Planning Board, would need to be reviewed by the committee, which will consist of three or five residents not on any paid board of committee.
The second bylaw established a Commission on Disabilities. The majority of members on this seven-person team must have one or more disabilities, while one member may be a relative of a person with disabilities and another must be an elected or appointed town official. The commission will coordinate programs to bring “full and equal participation in all aspects of life in town.” This work would include making policies, working with local organizations and encouraging awareness of people with disabilities.
Free cash transfers
Finance Director Stephen Lonergan presented transfers from Free Cash to the council. The first would use $7,178 to correct a billing issue for the Information Technology Department. The second would pay $5,988 for a new scheduling and time entry system for the Recreation Department. There is also a $39,454 transfer to settle a disputed utility bill from the DPW. Prior year’s bills were also paid through a free cash transfer.
Another financial matter was a vote to borrow $235,000 for a street sweeper. This will be reimbursed from the Stormwater Enterprise Fund.
Other topics
McNally told the council that the town’s fiscal year 2023 (FY23) tax rate of $19.20 was approved by the state. She cited the use of American Rescue Plan Act funding for capital projects as a major factor in being able to reduce the rate from $20.29 in FY22. That said, she cautioned residents to expect a higher tax bill because property values had increased.
The process of moving permitting online is underway. McNally praised the work done by Planning and Community Development Director Bailey Mitchell and Information Technology Director Ryan Quimby. She said this will “streamline” the process for the town and make access to forms easier for residents.
McNally announced that Lonergan was leaving his position with the town at the end of the year. She said she was grateful that he had “done a lot to professionalize the Finance Department.”