Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 3/31/2021
LONGMEADOW – The candidates for the 2021 Longmeadow town election have been made official. This year, there are two open seats on the Select Board and two residents running to fill them, Thomas Lachiusa, the current Chair, and Josh Levine. Reminder Publishing reached out to the candidates and asked them to introduce or reintroduce themselves to residents. The following are their introductions in their own words.
Thomas Lachiusa
Tom Lachiusa is running for his third term on the Longmeadow Select Board. This year is his second time being chair of the board. He is excited about continuing with the board as his six years on the board will give him experience to continue making contributions that keep the decisions about people, not numbers. Tom is a social worker and has an office in Longmeadow. He and his wife have lived in Longmeadow since 2000. All four of their children graduated from Longmeadow High School and have now graduated from college.
His wife Jeanne is an occupational therapist who is an associate professor at Bay Path University.
What Tom has learned from his years on the board is, although the world keeps changing, Longmeadow residents want to maintain the special character of Longmeadow. Folks do not want a lot of changes. The changes the board will help facilitate will increase the tax base, steadily improve the quality of town services, and identify policy changes that are fair to residents, although it is a difficult task at times.
The experiences that have meant the most to Tom include:
• Helping facilitate the discussion on the zone change that led to the refurbishment of the Brewer Young Mansion
• Maintaining the connection between Longmeadow and Senator Markey when federal leadership was needed to get funding for a safety gate at the railroad crossing on Tina Lane
• Participating in the selection of a Charter Review Committee that did an outstanding job.
• Speaking at several gatherings for veterans and seniors
• Aiding with the transition to a new town manager and reducing conflict between the previous town manager and the Select Board
• Supporting the efforts of residents who knew it was time for a new DPW facility, and an Adult Center that needed to be more than programming that was crammed into part of an old grammar school
Please vote for Tom Lachiusa in the June town election for Select Board.
Josh Levine
My name is Josh Levine and I’m asking for your support as I run for Longmeadow Select Board. I’ve lived in Longmeadow since 2018. I moved here with my young family for the same reasons as many folks do – the stellar schools, the beautiful green spaces, and, above all, the sense of community. As a member of the Select Board, I want to keep and enhance those traits that make Longmeadow a desirable place to live.
As a real estate attorney with a private practice in East Longmeadow, I am regularly before municipal boards in other towns and am experienced with interpreting bylaws. I am also a current member of the Planning Board and have seen first-hand the impact of decisions made by town government. My experience will aid me on the Select Board.
As a member of the Select Board, I foresee a number of issues that will need to be addressed.
First, Longmeadow is a town where residents enjoy and rightfully take pride in the services our town has to offer. We can’t let that fall by the wayside – that’s why people want to move here. Services are expensive and there is a clear hesitancy among town residents about exceeding the tax cap. Of course, the Select Board’s priority is to spend tax money wisely, balancing the needs and wants of the community while allowing our tax rate to increase at a reasonable pace. We also need to explore creative ways of raising funds. In the end, I believe that town residents will not accept the spending cuts required if we do not lift the cap and, eventually, the town will need to vote to ask the legislature to allow it.
Second, Longmeadow needs to be welcoming to everyone. I have been disturbed by reports of racist attacks such as the Zoom bombing of the town task force and instances of unacceptable behavior in the school system. The Select Board took a positive step last year when it declared racism a public health crisis and needs to continue with concrete actions, such as appointing a diversity officer and supporting school programs to combat racism.
Third, communication is key. People should know what’s being discussed before meetings so that voices can be heard, rather than after, when it’s too late. People may not agree with every decision made in town but at least they should feel involved. The way people interact with town government has moved online and we need to reflect that.
Finally, I am hopeful that we are past the worst of the pandemic, but we must remain vigilant. Longmeadow has been let down by the state and we need to continue to keep pressure on Governor Baker. Thankfully, Longmeadow itself has done a phenomenal job in keeping residents safe and educated. Looking to the future, continued adherence to expert guidance is necessary. We can’t let our guard down.
I look forward to serving you on the Select Board. Please vote for me on June 22!