Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 9/24/2020
LONGMEADOW – During its Sept. 8 meeting, the Longmeadow Select Board agreed to enter an agreement in favor of renovating the Holyoke Soldiers Home, interviewed a candidate for the Cultural Council, and received an update from Fire Chief John Dearborn as the town prepares to reopen schools.
As one of the meeting’s first orders of business, the board was presented with a resolution to join a coalition of communities speaking out in favor of renovating the Holyoke Soldier’s Home.
“The federal government approved to pay 65 percent while the state was supposed to pay 35 percent, however they chose to put the money in Chelsea rather than in this area. We’re looking for the state to give us the 35 percent that we’re going to need to put a new building up and renovate the old one,” Richard Connors, a member of the coalition, said.
When asked why the coalition did not have more recent numbers, Lena Vellturo, another petitioner, said that the most recent study, which was done ten years ago, is still relevant today.
“They did a complete study about ten years ago, all of the recommendations brought up then are the same ones we are asking now. What happened was the state decided to put their money into the Chelsea Veterans Home versus the Holyoke Soldiers Home, that’s why the information is older,” she said.
Ultimately the board approved a motion to join the coalition.
The board also interviewed Katie McGonigle for the vacancy on the Cultural Council, and she explained why she wanted to be on the council.
“I have had wonderful experience on the application side of the process by helping bring performers and activities and events to Storrs Library for children, teens and their caregivers. It’s been a wonderful experience and now I’d like to give back and help out on the council itself,” she said.
The board will vote on McGonigle’s application at its next meeting.
As part of his regular COVID update, Fire Chief John Dearborn said that the town was working on reopening schools and said one of the biggest issues was fluctuating guidance.
“One of the challenges we find is that you get guidance on Monday, it will change on Wednesday, and then you are welcomed with a weekend of reading when it changes on Friday,” he said.
He also said that preparations are already underway for the upcoming fall town meeting.
“Right now, we’ve answered a lot of the big logistical questions about holding a socially-distanced inside meeting using the high school building. We are going to start working out the fine tuning of those details,” he said.
He closed the update by adding that the town was looking into the logistics of distributing flu shots and an eventual vaccine for COVID.
As part of its regular business, the board also approved a project change order for a rip rap slope at the Department of Public Works facility along with approving changes to the Town Charter for the Finance Committee, the Permanent Building Committee, and the Audit Committee, as presented by the Charter Review Committee.
The Longmeadow Select Board next meets on Sept. 21.