Selectmen discuss a slew of topics at meeting
Date: 8/11/2009
By Courtney Llewellyn
Reminder Assistant Editor
EAST LONGMEADOW A variety of topics were discussed at last Monday's Board of Selectmen's meeting, ranging from the need for an athletic coach to the formation of a new parade committee.
Marlins Swim Team Coach Amy Marcotte, the board president for the Marlins Swim Team, came before the board to share her concern for the future of the swim team and the need for a new head coach.
"The program has between 100 and 120 swimmers," Marcotte explained, that participate in programs from October through January and from May through July, and a six-week stroke clinic is also offered in March.
Marcotte said the Marlins are looking to expand their programs so their swim team can remain competitive with those from other nearby towns, especially Longmeadow and Wilbraham.
The coaching job for the swim program, which is part of the town's Recreation Department, is a paid position; the salary of the new coach will depend on the certification levels and experience.
Swimmers in the program range in age from six to 18 years. Marcotte said the Marlins are looking for someone who can work well with all age groups.
"I'd hate to see anything jeopardize the team," Board of Selectmen Chair Jack Villamaino, who swam competitively in college, said.
Anyone interested in the position is invited to contact Marcotte at 575-6114 or at ryemakjack@yahoo.com.
Water Shut-off Program In June 2008, the Board of Selectmen and Town Clerk, Collector and Treasurer Tom Florence came up with a plan to not only save the town money, but allow residents to pay back water bills.
The plan was that if a water bill was not paid within three months of its due date, bill payers will receive three warnings. It would take between 30 and 35 days after the first warning was sent out before the water at a residence was shut off. Exceptions would be made for those in special circumstances.
The selectmen were happy to report on Aug. 3 that more than $202,000 in owed water bills has been paid and that no one's water was shut off, thanks to the hard work of the collector's office setting up payment plans for those who needed them.
"We didn't have to shut off anyone's water," Selectman Jim Driscoll noted. "That's a tremendous success."
St. Patrick's Day Parade Driscoll announced that the organizers of the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Holyoke were interested in having East Longmeadow participate in 2010.
"We've been trying to participate for years," Driscoll said. "This would be another great way for East Longmeadow to show its pride."
Those interested in the formation of a St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee for the town are asked to submit their information to Nick Breault, executive secretary for the Board of Selectmen, to 60 Center Square, East Longmeadow, MA 01028 or via e-mail to
nbreault@eastlongmeadowma.gov.
Police Chief Warrant Article Police Chief Doug Mellis came before the Board of Selectmen to discuss a proposed warrant article for this fall's Special Town Meeting, scheduled for Sept. 21.
Mellis would like to see a $300 fine put in place for those caught smoking marijuana in public places. He said this would be an additional effort to combat the use of the substance in town.
