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Date: 5/18/2023
EAST LONGMEADOW — The Town Council approved $43,945 from free cash on May 9 to fund schematic design services for a pool building, or natatorium, on the campus of the proposed new East Longmeadow High School.
If approved in a November vote, the cost of the high school will be partially reimbursed by the Massachusetts School Building Authority, an agency that provides school facility funding and requires stringent building criteria in return. One of those criteria is that MSBA will not fund a school that contains a pool. Funding for that building would need to be separate, but School Committee Chair Greg Thompson said the district could use the same architect, engineers and builders, which would save time and money.
Despite being a separate project, the expected price tag would require a ballot question. Approval of the schematic designs for the natatorium was time sensitive if it is to appear on the November ballot alongside the school project.
Town Council President Ralph Page expressed concerns about funding a building without knowing what the voters will decide regarding the school. He commented, “We don’t even know if the school’s going to pass. If the vote doesn’t pass, obviously we’re not going to build a pool building off to the side.” He acknowledged that the town needs accurate numbers for voters regarding the tax impact of the projects.
Councilor Matthew Boucher spoke in favor of approving the funding, “as a former member of the Marlins swim team.”
Thompson commented that East Longmeadow had a “rich history of swimming in this town,” and said the existing pool is “past its time.” He also floated the idea of including stairs so older community members could access the pool in off hours.
Councilor Marilyn Richards said the pool was originally expected to cost about $10 million, however the price tag may be as high as $20 million. She said the project needs to be built with a price cap in mind, adding that she had heard concerns from residents that neither the high school nor the natatorium would be funded if the costs were too high.
“Yes, the cost is high. This is a difficult time to be building but this is our one shot,” Thompson said. The town would receive a 35% reimbursement from the state through the MSBA. “If we get a no vote, that goes away,” he said, estimating that the town would not get another opportunity for the MSBA to help fund the school in the next decade. Thompson acknowledged that $120 million is the “biggest amount we’ve ever spent for the town.” However, he said if the plan for the school is voted down, the town would need to pay $100 million out of pocket to repair the existing building and replace outdated systems.
Councilor Michael Kane pointed out that without funding the schematic design, residents cannot vote in November on whether they want a pool. “I wouldn’t want to take the vote away from our residents,” he said.
The funding was approved with a vote of 6-1, with Councilor Connor O’Shea voting against.
Financial matters
In other financial matters, East Longmeadow Fire Department Chief Paul Morrissette requested $56,500 be reallocated from unused American Rescue Plan Act funding for the purchase of a 2023 Chevy Tahoe with emergency radios. He explained that the cruiser had been on the capital expenditures list “for the past couple of years.” He said the existing emergency response vehicles are several years old and the department has been repairing them as needed. “They’re getting tired,” Morissette said.
The Tahoe would become Morrissette’s car, and his vehicle would be handed down to Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Beecher. The car Beecher has been driving during the day and has been used as an emergency fly car at night, will become a full-time fly car.
Morrisette also requested $25,515 from unused ARPA funding for bunker gear — the boots, jacket and coat worn while fighting fires. Morrisette explained that the department staggers its requests for bunker gear, replacing up to five sets each year. Best practices indicate each firefighter should have two sets of gear and their lifespan is about 10 years.
Both requests were approved.
Police Chief Mark Williams requested a transfer of $16,765 from one Police Department budget line to another. He explained that the department purchased a marked police cruiser for less money than expected, however, the cost of the unmarked car was higher than estimated. The transfer was approved.
Church banquet hall
3 Guys Catering withdrew its request for an all-alcohol license for the hall at Saint Luke’s Greek Orthodox Church, 400 Prospect St. A proposal to operate the hall on behalf of the church and bring in revenue through up to 100 events per year resulted in concern from Richards, who had pointed out that the church was in a residential neighborhood and the catering company would essentially be running a banquet facility.
3 Guys Catering co-owner Richard Freccero said the company was searching for an alternative site in East Longmeadow and will pursue one day liquor licenses as needed for events at the church.
As this was announced during a public hearing, residents could speak on the matter. Planning Board member George Kingston, speaking as a resident, said he had nothing against the church but cautioned against “setting precedent.” He said there are at least eight other churches with “underutilized halls” and “stretched resources.”
Resident Judy Lipke said she had not heard about the planned use of the hall, despite living two houses away, until reading about it in The Reminder. She noted there was already a lot of traffic on Prospect St. Similarly, resident Matthew Kane was concerned about traffic and referred to traffic problems due to overflow parking from the church’s annual Taste of Greece event.
Resident John Turner spoke against the project and said that it would do damage to other businesses in town that would not have an all-alcohol license available to them because it was held by 3 Guys catering. He also took issue with a church hosting events with and storing alcohol. “Are we going to have alcoholic beverages in schools next,” he asked.
Other topics
Department of Public Works Director Bruce Fenney and Director of Planning and Community Development Bailey Mitchell are both seeking MassWorks grants to cover projects worth a combined $2.5 million. Fenney is seeking a grant to rehabilitate the Chestnut St. pumping station, while Mitchell’s grant would help fund the town center zoning plan. Town Manager Mary McNally said she is “cautiously optimistic” about both being approved.
McNally said state Rep. Brian Ashe earmarked $75,000 for a new Tri-Town Trolley van. McNally praised Council on Aging Executive Director Erin Koebler for her work and said enrichment events are available to seniors on most weekdays. She said the town is “very fortunate” to have Koebler. McNally also praised the work at the East Longmeadow Public Library, especially the programming focusing on inclusivity.