Power of selectmen members comes into question

By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor

EAST LONGMEADOW A long and intense meeting of the Board of Selectmen the evening of Aug. 28 accomplished many different things, from appointments to permit approvals.

Council on Aging

Two separate positions within the Council on Aging (COA) were filled during the meeting. Interviews were conducted before the decisions by selectmen Joe Townshend, Jack Villamaino and Jim Driscoll as well as COA Director Carolyn Brennan.

Nancy Yesu, applying for the position of Assistant Activities Coordinator, stated that her three greatest strengths when it came to work were flexibility, dependability and creativity.

"When working, I use a mix of structure and spontaneity," Yesu said. "I love when you get to mix things up."

Yesu has served as Operations Director at both Pine Manor in Springfield and Redstone Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in East Longmeadow.

"She has a wealth of experience and we should take advantage of that," Driscoll said.

Three candidates were competing for a bookkeeper/clerk position within the COA. The ultimate decision was for Danell Tavella.

"I was impressed by her resume and experience," Townshend stated.

Tavella said that she is a dedicated employee with a strong work ethic. She focused on aging studies while attending Springfield College and gained experience through on-site internships at nursing homes.

"I've lived in East Longmeadow almost all my life," Tavella said. "I want to grow with the Council on Aging. I want to be a part of its moving forward."

Other Positions

The Public Safety Advisory Committee was re-appointed by the Board of Selectmen to serve one year terms. The members of the committee are Jon Bobianski, Richard Brady, Philip Chapman, Andrew Fraser, George Moriarty, Barbara Mulak, Atty. John O'Neil, Michael Sacenti and Craig Tedeshi.

Additionally, appointments of upcoming election workers for both parties were approved as well. Three workers were appointed to each of the town's four precincts, as were a number of substitutes. They are to serve one year terms from Sept. 1 - Aug. 31 of next year.

Open positions are still available for interested citizens in other departments. The Board of Selectmen is accepting applications to fill an opening on the Conservation Commission, which administers the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection and Rivers Acts at the local level. The deadline for application submission is noon on Sept. 7.

There is an opening on the Cultural Affairs Council (CAC). The CAC promotes cultural and artistic opportunities throughout the community. Applications will be accepted until the vacancy is filled.

The selectmen are also accepting applications for nominees for the Governor's appointment to the East Longmeadow Housing Authority (ELHA). The selectmen will review the applications of interested residents, conduct interviews and then send their recommendations for the appointment to the Governor. The deadline for submissions is Sept. 5.

If interested in any of these positions, send a letter of interest and resume to Nick Breault, Executive Secretary, c/o Board of Selectmen, 60 Center Square, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Email submissions should be directed to nbreault@eastlongmeadow.org.

Resignations and Remembrances

Theron Simpson, Jr. recently resigned his position on the Zoning Board of Appeals to continue his career in Charlotte, N.C. Mary Lou Donahue also resigned from her position as a member of the Local Emergency Planning Committee.

The Board of Selectmen, Fire Chief P. Robert Wallace and Police Chief Doug Mellis also offered condolences to the family of call firefighter Lt. Brett Minahan, who recently lost his battle with cancer. He served 19 years with the fire department.

The Fire Department will be holding a candlelight vigil the evening of Sept. 11 at 7:45 p.m. to remember those who lost their lives on that day six years ago. Fire Chief Wallace encouraged all citizens to bring their families and candles for this memorial. If there are any questions about the vigil, call the fire station at 525-5430, Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Approvals of Permits

The soon to be opened Cafe Lebanon gained approval for a transfer of all alcoholic beverages licenses from Simone's Restaurant. Also approved were the appointments of Nadim Kashouh as manager and Michelle Yagmin as substitute manager, the food establishment permit, a catering license, a common victualer license and the milk and cream license.

Because Cafe Lebanon will maintain the same number and organization seats as its predecessor, the restaurant obtained a site plan waiver from the Planning Board.

The Power of the Board

A long and heated discussion about an Aug. 23 incident involving Selectman Townshend and Romito & Sons brought into question the authority the Board of Selectmen -- and the Board of Health -- have over certain operations in town.

A letter from John W. Romito stated that Townshend accompanied Building Inspector Stephen Houle into the restaurant. The owner welcomed them, and the "first words Selectman Townshend spoke were 'I'm here to do a health inspection! I am the Chairman of the Health Board!'" according to Romito.

Put off by his attitude, Romito asked Townshend to leave but said that Houle could remain to do whatever inspection he desired. Romito, his wife and his son-in-law eventually stepped outside where an intense argument ensued.

"Houle proceeded to inspect the store, and found nothing that constitutes any violation," Romito wrote in his letter.

A local resident, G. Hyland of Seneca Place, stated in a letter to the selectmen that he witnessed the outdoor argument and was "embarrassed at how [I'm] being represented" by a selectman. "There was yelling, screaming and a poor choice of words," Hyland's letter stated. He compared those arguing to "12-year-olds using locker room language."

Townshend vehemently denied this and explained the situation in detail to the rest of the board. He had gained permission from Robyn MacDonald, director of the Planning Board, to accompany Houle on an inspection of Spoleto Restaurant. Once that had been completed, they decided to check the other restaurants nearby Romito & Sons and Fusion Cafe . No violations were noted at either location.

Townshend had heard that Romito & Sons had an oven in their basement and wanted to make sure they weren't in violation of their permit like Spoleto had been. He was not aware that that oven had been approved of in Romito & Sons' special permit.

"I'm pro-business and I support business in this town," Townshend said. "I'm the last one who would want to give someone a hard time. I'm sorry for what happened."

Villamaino said that what occurred was a misunderstanding of policy. "We serve as the Board of Health, not as health inspectors," he told Townshend. What Townshend was looking for the oven in the basement was not a health issue anyway.

"It is improper for the Board of Health to assume Planning Board responsibilities," Villamaino added.

Selectman Driscoll thought it was more than improper. "This was harassment," he said, "and this was completely avoidable." Driscoll added that he was accusing Townshend of an abuse of power.

When discussion finally ended a motion was made that "No member of the Board of Health shall participate in any on-site inspection of any premises having a license issued by the Board of Health unless said inspection has been authorized by a majority of the Board; provided however that a Board of Health member may attend such inspection if there is an urgent or emergency situation as determined by the Health Agent or other emergency personnel in the community."

The motion passed 3 - 0.