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| By Dan Cooper Staff Intern EAST LONGMEADOW - The Board of Selectmen voted on Jan. 30 to grant an all-alcohol license to Spoleto Restaurant, located on 84 Center Square. "Spoleto had already been approved in spring 2006 for a beer and wine license, so the only major change was to add in mixed drinks," restaurant manager William Collins II said. The restaurant opened in October 2006 and Board chairman Jim Driscoll said, "I was impressed then." Collins said the restaurant is monitored with closed-circuit cameras to insure safety. Driscoll said, "We [the Board] are 100 percent in agreement. We have no problem supporting this." The Board also re-approved Collins as manager and Michael Sakey as assistant manager. The Board then voted to approve a reimbursement from Superintendent Dr. Edward Costa for 12 remodeled classrooms, four each for Meadow Brook, Mapleshade, and Mountain View Elementary schools. "This is an opportunity to save the taxpayers of East Longmeadow money," Costa said. "The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has been restructured and will be in hiatus until July. There is a strong chance East Longmeadow will be one of the first communities the MSBA will look at to reimburse." The Board's newest member, Enrico "Jack" Villamaino, then informed the Board that the Design Selection Committee for the Senior Center Project has chosen a design from "six very good proposals and approved the design." Villamaino said the contract for the project can't exceed $159, 200 and represents a significant advancement for the Senior Center. The Board was informed a new Building Inspector would be needed, as the current one has been called to active duty in the military. Driscoll and Selectman Joe Townshend then both agreed to look into finding a way to get children sports uniforms for free. "This is a rich enough community, so children shouldn't be paying for uniforms," Townshend said. The Board then agreed to post a position for a permanent information technology director. "The department has been understaffed for too long and it is time to move it forward," Driscoll said. Executive Secretary Nick Breault informed the Board that there are two or three qualified candidates for the open dog officer position. The Board agreed to post the position again if the interested parties have changed their mind. Tony Santaniello, of Advanced Energy, was then brought before the Board to discuss how the company can help the community save money. "We can do a free audit in all the schools to determine if money can be saved through our products," Santaniello said. The Board agreed to let Santaniello conduct the audit. |