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Date: 1/11/2023
LONGMEADOW – The Longmeadow Select Board formally approved the list of projects that would be funded by the town’s $4.7 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
The board had reviewed the list at its last meeting and approved it with some revisions. Town Manager Lyn Simmons suggested adding bleachers at Wolf Swamp Field to the list.
Like all the Select Board members, Dan Zwirko supported the use of ARPA funds for the bleachers. He said the town’s athletic fields are in “terrible shape,” and the bleachers will help finish the “investment” at Wolf Swamp Field. The field was refurbished in 2021 for over $1.5 million.
Simmons said the $20,089 for bleachers could be redirected from a few other projects. The first option was to draw from the $600,000 of ARPA funding Simmons had originally recommended for window replacement at Center School. She said the full cost is estimated at well over $3 million and the roof of the school also needs replacement, bringing the total to an estimated $5 million. Simmons said that she hoped to apply for the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s Accelerated Repair Program when the currently paused program is reopened.
The Select Board also expressed reservations about using one-time ARPA funding to paint the schools and other town buildings at $150,000. Select Board Chair Josh Levine was in favor of that course of action. Simmons cautioned, however, that the Capital Planning Committee will not fund painting, and the money would have to be allocated a little at a time from the town’s annual budget.
Select Board Vice Chair Mark Gold questioned who is eligible for the town employee essential pay. “People are going to come out of the woodwork,” he commented.
Simmons explained that the pay is for employees who were required to physically be present to do their job during the period when the state had closed most businesses and services. This includes, members of the Longmeadow Police and Fire departments, as well as the DPW, vaccination staff and Meals-on-Wheels drivers and cooks. The individuals must still be employed by the town to be eligible.
In the end, the funding for the bleachers was taken from the $189,000 that had been designated for essential pay. Simmons said that she could ask for more money for that purpose in the future.
The full list of ARPA-funded projects can be found at https://www.longmeadowma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/2913?fileID=24715.
Flags and banners
The Select Board approved a policy on flying flags and banners, as well as one that regulates displaying the town seal. After feedback from the public, the prisoner of war/missing in action flag was added to the list of flags and banners that can be flown on town property, alongside the flag of the United States of America and the flag of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. An exemption was carved out for Longmeadow Public Schools to fly other flags during events on school property.
Other topics
Levine reminded residents that the Department of Public Utilities will be accepting comments on the Eversource Western Massachusetts Gas Reliability Project until Jan. 17. The town recently filed for “petitioner status,” which grants Longmeadow standing to bring motions and file for discovery.
Simmons reported that demolition has begun on what remains of the Maple Center Shopping Plaza, a strip mall that was ravaged by fire in November 2021. It should take about two weeks to remove the debris while salvaging anything that can be reused, she said. After that is complete, construction will begin on a replacement structure.
Another fire, this one at the Springfield Jewish Community Center (JCC) in November 2022, left many in the larger community without a place to gather or programs to attend. The Longmeadow Adult Community Center opened its doors to them in late 2022 and Simmons said the town decided to extend the offer through January. Further plans will be considered then.
The date for the Annual Town Meeting was set for May 9, at 7 p.m., at the Longmeadow High School Auditorium.