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Meeting covers various issues in town

By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



EAST LONGMEADOW The Board of Selectmen had much to discuss during their latest meeting, held July 17. A full two-page agenda included the monthly meetings with the police and fire departments, appointments with a number of different individuals and a solemn public forum.

The first order of business was appointing Daniel J. Kneeland, a Vietnam veteran and 34-year resident of East Longmeadow, to a position as a Veterans' Graves officer.

Dennis Bruno and a number of his neighbors came in to discuss their issues with a neighbor who, even in the warm summer months, uses a wood furnace that often fills an area of Westwood Avenue and Powder Hill Road with dark, noxious smoke and a rotten smell. The concerned citizens were looking for some way to control the man's use of the furnace, and Chairman Enrico Villamaino stated that Hampden and Wilbraham already have regulations in place concerning this kind of thing. The Board of Selectmen would look into how to put those kind of regulations in place in East Longmeadow.

The police department promoted the town's second annual National Night Out, which will hopefully be cooler than the 100-degree temperatures during last year's event. The event will be Aug. 7 from 5:30 - 8 p.m. at the East Longmeadow High football field. The police department will have a display of public safety equipment as well as some demonstrations of this equipment for the residents preview. It is an opportunity to provide a safe night for residents and for them to view what the police do in the event of an emergency to provide a seamless response.

Chief of Police Douglas W. Mellis also commended officers Donald Cavanaugh and Jason Guinipero for their intense investigation of the sexual assault and robbery that took place July 4. Their investigation led to a quick identification, warranting and arrest of the suspect.

The board finished their business with the police department with a 40-minute executive session discussing their communications with Frank Morrisino about emergency management.

When the meeting opened up again, Recreation Director Carolyn Brennan stated that she wanted to work with the board to fill the position of Assistant Activities Coordinator, which has been available since February.

Steve Houle, the temporary building inspector, announced that the clarity of the schedule of building fees left something to be desired. He reorganized the schedule, making it a bit more straightforward. Houle added what the building fees would be for just a foundation and a detached garage, defined what accessory buildings were and addressed certain fence complaints. The new schedule of building fees is now available.

Old business covered included the National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for the board and the skateboard demonstration request from Deanne Daggett of the East Longmeadow Skate Park Association. An incident of a rabid animal on Maple Street was also discussed.

A new item of importance was a reward credit for the town in the amount of $18,973 from the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA). The MIIA Rewards program provides special financial rewards for members who have taken important, prescribed steps to improve their loss experience. The town may take the amount as cash or as a premium credit for FY2008.

As per usual, the meeting finished with correspondence and a listing of upcoming meetings, invitations and reminders.