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| By Courtney Llewellyn Reminder Assistant Editor EAST LONGMEADOW The Board of Selectmen said goodbye to some old faces at their Sept. 9 meeting and hello to some new ones. Dave Horgan, who resigned from his position as head of ELCAT at the end of August, met with the selectmen for an informal exit interview during public forum time. "I really enjoyed working for the town of East Longmeadow," Horgan said. "When I first came in, ELCAT needed some help. I feel I've brought ELCAT to a higher level. I've really, really enjoyed working with everybody here and I'm glad to see my position improved." "We were lucky to get someone with your talent and qualifications here," Board of Selectmen chair Jim Driscoll stated. Selectman Joe Townshend asked why Horgan was leaving. "You were a big reason," Horgan replied. "You were a discouraging voice in an encouraging environment ... I could never figure out what you were really after." Townshend mentioned his issues with Horgan being how difficult he was to reach and how much sick time he had taken from work. Before ending the conversation, Horgan said he feels "confident with Don Maki at the helm." Maki has been made acting director of ELCAT. The Board of Selectmen also bid adieu to Joe Dilk, who has been a member of the Industrial Development Authority in East Longmeadow since its inception in 1976. He also resigned his position as director and chair of the Industrial Development Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, which he has held for the past 45 years. "At 86 I feel that it is time to hang up the gloves and stop and smell the roses," Dilk wrote in his resignation letter. "Our industrial park is in good shape with only a few parcels left. I have seen it go from a corn field to what it is today. It has been a pleasure to serve the town over the past years." "Joe is one of the hardest working people I know," Driscoll said. "He is a champion of industry and balance." Town Hall will be saying goodbye to its old windows soon, with removal beginning the week of Oct. 13 with installation scheduled to be finished by the week of Nov. 10. Driscoll wanted residents to be aware that during the removal and installation process, some offices in Town Hall may be temporarily relocated. The Board of Selectmen and the Fire Department plan on soon welcoming Bill Houle as the newest call firefighter to the force. Houle will complete the final stage of his Massachusetts Firefighter testing at the state's fire academy on Sept. 18. "I have no doubt that Bill will pass with flying colors," Fire Chief Richard J. Brady stated. Houle would be the first of a new class of call firefighters for the town. The water shut off program was approved by the selectmen in a unanimous vote at the meeting, after Town Clerk, Treasurer and Collector Tom Florence made all the recommended modifications to the program's rules and policies. The program will shut off town-supplied water after a lengthy period in which no payments are made on a water bill. "The intent is not to shut off anyone's water," Townshend said. He noted that on-time payers would see their rates increase because of non-payers, and the shut off program will help prevent that. East Longmeadow is also looking to say hello to a new Council on Aging nurse. Kay Thompson recently retired after serving 19 years in the position, and the Board of Selectmen plan on interviewing candidates at their next meeting, scheduled for Sept. 23. |