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Interest in Driscoll's seat heats up quickly

Date: 7/31/2012

By Chris Maza

chrism@thereminder.com

EAST LONGMEADOW — It didn't take long for interest in Selectman James Driscoll's soon-to-be vacant position to garner some interest.

Just days after Driscoll announced at the July 24 Board of Selectmen meeting that he intends to resign from his seat on the board, Debra Boronski formally threw her hat into the ring, stating she intends to run for the position.

"I planned on running this year and have been attending the Selectmen meetings to gear up for the 2013 election," she said. "Mr. Driscoll's announcement simply changes the timing."

One other resident has confirmed interest in the position to Reminder Publications, but wished not to be named pending a formal announcement.

Driscoll cited new work responsibilities as the primary reason for his exit from the board for which he was in the midst of serving his third term, which is scheduled to end in 2013.

"After careful consideration, I have accepted a position with a company that is a great opportunity for me personally, but unfortunately — or fortunately — it's going to require 100 percent of my attention and I can't do both that career and continue my work on this board effectively," he said.

Earlier this month, Driscoll confirmed to this paper that he had accepted a job as national sales manager for Secure Bill Pay, based in St. Paul, Minn., but said he had no intentions of moving from East Longmeadow.

Rumors of Driscoll's departure had been circling around the community due to a perceived lack of presence in East Longmeadow. From May 1 to July 24, Driscoll was absent from just one meeting on July 10 but also participated in two meetings — May 9 and 29 — via speakerphone, in accordance with the new remote participation statute offered by the Attorney General's office and accepted by the Board of Selectmen.

He was also late to the May 21 meeting, which took place prior to the Annual Town Meeting, and left the Annual Town Meeting prior to its adjournment.

He also was not present at the annual Fourth of July parade with the other board members.

Driscoll and his ex-wife also recently sold their home at 53 Ridge Road, according to the Registrar of Deeds' office. According to Town Clerk Thomas Florence, he changed his voter registration address to 281 Porter Road in East Longmeadow in May.

Driscoll will remain a member of the board through Sept. 4, telling the fellow board members Jack Villamaino and Paul Federici that he had picked that date in hopes that they would be able to schedule a special election in conjunction with the upcoming elections, if they decided to go that route, however that was not possible.

Town Counsel James Donahue told Reminder Publications that the town is not legally required to have a special election and could operate with a two-member board until the Annual Town Election in April, however, if the board chose to pursue one, the election date must be set 100 days prior to the April election.

Villamaino, currently the board's chair, said the Selectmen would take no action until there is an actual vacancy.

Federici agreed that the board should take some time to assess its options.

"I've worked well with both Jim and Jack, so I'm sure that Jack and I would be able to continue to work together, but we have to think in terms of whether or not we are efficiently serving the town," he said. "We have to decide what is best for the town, not what's best for us.

Federici said the announcement was not something that had been discussed with the board prior to July 24, but he was aware of the mounting speculation regarding Driscoll's status.

"It did take us by surprise a bit. From what I understand, he only told a couple of people," he said. "Over the last few years, I have heard the rumors and more people have asked me about Jim's life than they have about mine."

Driscoll apologized for his secrecy regarding his decision.

"I sent a notice to our town clerk and our town administrator and asked them to keep it confidential because I didn't want any misinformation getting out there and that was probably, in retrospect, not a good thing to do because it put them in an awkward position and I take full responsibility for that and apologize," he said.

Boronski, president of the Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, has been an East Longmeadow resident for 10 years. She has a master's degree in management and operates Chamber Management Services with offices at 143 Shaker Road in East Longmeadow, and 60 State St. in Boston.

"I have run business organizations in Massachusetts for more than 25 years and believe I can offer a new perspective to the board that can help East Longmeadow identify new opportunities for growth and progress in the coming years," she said. "As a registered lobbyist I work closely with our lawmakers in Boston and believe my relationships will be useful in advocating for the best interests of East Longmeadow."

Boronski also has experience working in municipal government.

She is currently co-chair of the East Longmeadow Housing Authority and prior to that, she served for more than 15 years on the Chicopee Retirement Board.