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Date: 3/1/2023
LONGMEADOW — Capital Planning Committee Chair Stephen Metz presented his capital expense recommended for the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) budget at the Longmeadow Select Board meeting on Feb. 21. He explained that the Capital Planning Committee considers requests based on whether they are mandated by law or regulations, are a safety issue, would improve efficiency, the quality of life for residents or aesthetics.
Of the $2.82 million in capital project requests submitted by Town Manager Lyn Simmons, the Capital Planning Committee recommended approval of projects worth $2.35 million. These include $185,000 for an entry vestibule at Wolf Swamp Road School as well as district-wide upgrades to school locks and security for $25,000. A total of $100,000 was added to the Fire Truck Fund, $425,000 was allocated to sidewalk replacement and $700,000 for road paving.
Upgrades to the playgrounds at the district’s three elementary schools were recommended, funded with $555,000 from the general fund, $555,000 from the Community Preservation Committee and another $80,000 from grants and/or federal American Rescue Plan Act funding. These upgrades will make the playgrounds accessible to students of all abilities.
One project that was discussed at length by the Select Board was a recommended $100,000 for “project development.” Simmons explained that the DPW had requested $225,000 for a new line item, “engineering funding.” Simmons proposed $100,000, including $25,000 for “general administration.” The Capital Planning Committee recommended combining this line item with the $25,000 of funding for “project development.”
Metz said his committee then reduced the total amount from $125,000 to $100,000 because “general administration” is operational, rather than capital in nature. Despite the term “administration,” Simmons said the money would not pay for administrative DPW staff, but professionals that oversee large-scale projects and ensure they conform to standards. Not having someone in this position can have costly ramifications, she said.
The majority of the capital projects are to be paid for through the General Fund. The Ambulance Fund would supply $35,000 for medical equipment and cardiac monitoring, while $550,000 from the Sewer Retained Earnings Fund would pay for the replacement of a jet truck.
The Select Board will vote on the capital budget as part of the full town budget in March and voters will decide on whether to approve the budget at the Annual Town Meeting in the spring.
On the subject of the budget, Select Board Vice Chair Mark Gold reported that the Scantic Valley Health Trust will raise its rates for the 2024 calendar year by 2 percent. He pointed out that it was a smaller increase than many other municipal healthcare systems and called it “phenomenal.”
Gold also said that while Longmeadow has the state’s highest tax rate, as of FY23, it now has the 50th highest average tax bill in the state, down from 46th place.
Electric vehicles
The board discussed the potential future use of town-owned electric vehicle (EV) chargers. Select Board Chair Josh Levine reported that Eversource is “looked down on across the state” for its EV tariffs, which make up a portion of EV charging station costs. Select Board member Tom Lachiusa said the town would have to have EV chargers available on both sides of town in case a vehicle runs down away from its home base. He also noted EVs are good for some applications, but standard vehicles may work better in some circumstances. “Maybe the technology isn’t up to where it should be,” Lachiusa said.
Lachiusa also noted that he went to a conference on community policing, where municipal officials discussed training police to handle mental health calls or having a social worker or other mental health professional ride with officers. He said police departments in Pittsfield and Amherst already use such programs. “It changes things when you have an unarmed officer show up,” Lachiusa said. He added that such personnel can help officers process job stress.
Stormwater bylaw changes
The Select Board has considered updates to the stormwater bylaw changes at two of its past meetings. Assistant Town Manager Corrin Meise-Munns said the board’s comments have been worked into the final draft, where appropriate. Language in the bylaw regarding discharges to municipal stormwater drains has remained unchanged from the 2008 bylaw except when referring to fines associated with the third offense.
The compliance period of 14 days is the same as in the original bylaw. while these Select Board had expressed concerns that the limited window to correct violations would have a negative impact on residents “with pre-existing conditions.” Meise-Munns explained that the 14-day period is already a part of the bylaw and DPW Director Sean Van Deusen asked that it stay to alleviate concerns that the department’s authority would be blurred during a longer period. The bylaw amendment will now go to the Planning Board.
Other topics
Gold thanked the Longmeadow Police Department for solving the bank robbery at Longmeadow’s Berkshire Bank branch and he credited the “hard work” of the Detective Bureau.
Gold said that remote participation in municipal meetings is set to end under state law on March 31. He asked to extend it locally and said it had been beneficial. Levine agreed. The topic will be discussed at the Select Board’s next meeting.
Select Board Clerk Dan Zwirko said residents have reached out with concerns about the closure of Baystate Health Urgent Care. While he admitted he was not sure what the board could do about the situation, he suggested working with private entities to facilitate moving into the town.
Simmons explained that the raised crosswalk at the intersection of Williams Street and Grassy Gutter Lane is not compliant with Massachusetts Department of Transportation standards. She noted a claims adjuster working with the town damaged his vehicle at that crosswalk recently. Simmons said the issue is “on our radar” and the town is looking at “possible fixes.”
The addition of a patio area at One-Way Brewing was the topic of a public hearing during the meeting. Co-owner Jason Tsitso explained that the patio area will not be connected to the brewery, but instead would include a bar housed in a shipping container, which could be locked at night. If the patio bar is not in use, waitstaff will bring beer to patrons and all customers will be carded, he said. “No customers will be outside those areas with beer,” Titso assured. The board approved the change.
The Conway School of Landscape Design has been hired to create “ecological enhancement” designs for Cooley Brook and Bliss and Laurel parks. Levine said the town is accepting applications for “a resident advisor” to work with the landscape design students on the project. To apply visit longmeadowma.gov/cooleybrook by March 10.