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Date: 10/12/2021
WEST SPRINGFIELD – On the ballot for the Nov. 2 election, seven candidates will be vying for five Councilor At Large positions. Candidates include incumbents Brian J. Clune, Brian J. Griffin, Sean Powers and Edward C. Sullivan and challengers Marc C. Follett, Kenneth P. Ritucci and Jamie Smith.
In advance of the election, in an effort to inform voters, Reminder Publishing asked all candidates the same series of questions on their candidacies and visions for West Springfield. Below are their responses, organized in alphabetical order by last name.
Reminder Publishing (RP) Why have you decided to run for Councilor At Large/re-election?
Clune: I have decided to run for re-election for Councilor At Large because I feel that serving on the council is an extremely important position and I have a deep-rooted belief in giving back to the community. There are many ways to serve your community and I feel that serving on the Council gives you a chance to deal with constituents and their concerns head on.
Follett: I want to keep West Springfield a great place to live for individuals and families. I was concerned when I felt that the town council was taking actions that weren’t with the best interests of its residents and businesses in mind., such as raising municipal fees 180 percent (over two years) and then changing to 230 percent over four years on sewer rates and why certain residential blight was not being addressed. When I started investigating and talking to other residents about what I learned, I felt that I could be a good representative to raise these issues and address these concerns.
Griffin: We have been through a tough stretch here with Covid and my heart goes out to those who lost loved ones. I assure you the Town Government has not stopped working and we have made great strides in the last two years. Some of the major accomplishments were that decreasing taxes in fiscal year 2021 (FY21) and maintaining the same in FY22, lowering sewer rates that was a huge campaign issue coming into this term, a veterans sewer rate exemption, ratifying the Bear Hole Conservation Agreement protecting the land forever, approving $498,000 Sewer Infrastructure Project Piper/Birnie Ave, authorization to move forward with the work related to Park Ave and Park Street through funding sought from the state, a similar $25 million dollar project on Memorial Avenue with state resources, the groundbreaking and start of construction for Coburn School, support for buying a new ambulance, endorsing and funding the hiring of 18 police officers, establishing a Task Force to combat the homeless population in our hotels on Riverdale, securing $10 million dollars in ARRA funding for infrastructure needs in schools, and another $3 million in ARRA funding for a new turf all athletic complex which is in design. This all happened while maintaining $11 million in the town's Stabilization Account and $6 million in Free Cash.
Powers: I was born and raised in West Springfield. I ran four years ago because I wanted to see my hometown continue to provide the same opportunities I was given as a child. Having a hand in the decision to rebuild Coburn Elementary, to look to the future to re-work Memorial Avenue, Park Street and Park Avenue, and the Elm Street area to make our downtown and main thoroughfares more welcoming and easier to navigate is the next big-ticket item and to leave a mark on your hometown in those areas is exciting.
Ritucci: I have been a resident of West Springfield for 40 years now, I love the city and the people. I am running for Councilor At Large because I believe in giving back to organizations/city venues etc. I am dedicated to West Springfield, having raised my family here. I want to contribute.
Sullivan: As a public servant who was born and raised in West Springfield and still lives and works in our community, I believe it is important to continue to work hard to make West Springfield the best place to live, work and play.
RP: What issues have you seen within the town that you wish to address?
Clune: Obviously with COVID the town was challenged like never before. I feel like we are finally getting back to normal and there is a lot of catching up to do on a myriad of fronts. Obviously supporting our police and fire as well as our school system remain a priority to me. Supporting small businesses and providing a high quality of service to the taxpayer always remains a top priority.
Follett: Issues that I think are important to citizens and businesses of West Springfield include: eliminating blight (residentially and commercially); giving residents choices on utilities/services like internet service providers; keeping municipal fees modest and ensuring that any increases are reasonable; and providing better oversight on how infrastructure projects are funded.
Griffin: The town continues to need to address a couple of major initiatives in the next term. Our streets and sidewalks are in major need of an overhaul and I expect that we can address this with the Mayor and the Council coming forward. We need to be bold with this given that the recent paving bid resulted in very favorable pricing, combined with anticipated low bond rates. Now is the time to maximize the amount of street improvement work to be completed over the next two paving seasons. Secondly, we need a new police station. This has to be a priority going forward and a feasibility study is anticipated to be supplied for review coming into the next term. Thirdly, get the new turf athletic field out of design and into construction. Fourth, engage and develop a management plan for Bear Hole. We have protected it in this term, now we have to work toward how it will be managed, what activities will be allowed, enforcement capabilities and the like. That will be a huge undertaking under the leadership of Town Attorney Kate O'Brien Scott and the committee. Fifth, we have to hire police officers given that we are down a bunch. I see 10 being hired in 2021 and another eight in 2022. The funding is there and I am sure the Public Safety Commission (who has some great individuals representing us) will get that rolling as well.
Powers: The commercial corridors of Riverdale and Memorial have brought large franchise restaurants which have been able to utilize our liquor licenses leaving none left for the next entrepreneur or local eatery to spring up. Creating a central business district and working hand in hand with our elected officials in Boston to obtain special legislation is at the top of my list of to-dos.
Ritucci: My concerns are always public safety and support for our first responders. Police, Fire, EMT personnel, they put their lives out on the line for us every day. They deserve our full support. As a former teacher, I would be concerned about how our money is being spent for Education as well as the content for learning. As a city/society, we need to protect our children as best as we can and that includes the educational process they are involved with. I would like to see more of our city streets are-paved and made better.
Sullivan: I believe it is important to note, during my recent term, we stopped the excessive increase to the sewer rates that previous Councils had implemented. It will be important to keep fees down and also taxes, (taxes have not gone up since I was Mayor of our City); while at the same time we must continue to make improvements to our infrastructure. It will also be important to ensure that our zoning protects the integrity of our neighborhoods and school zones.
A good school system is not only essential for our children, but has also proven to be the most important factor in drawing businesses and families into communities across the commonwealth.
These will be a critical focus of mine well into our future. If elected I will enjoy continuing to work hard for West Springfield and will appreciate everyone’s vote this election year.
RP: If you are elected, how do you plan to work with other members/constituents?
Clune: I believe in a customer service approach in dealing with constituents. If they are contacting a local official regarding an issue, it is clearly very important to them. I listen to their concerns and see what I can do to assist them as they navigate Town Government. In regards to working with other members it's quite simple. No one councilor can deliver when it comes to issues that come before the council. It's working together as a team and listening to other member's concerns that ultimately will lead to success.
Follett: I want to be part of a council that focuses on proposing and passing legislation that helps town residents and businesses. I think it is important to work toward figuring out how to work together to make something possible, and not just within the council but interdepartmentally within the town as well. If this means compromise or a little bit of give and take, then so be it. If it is better for the town and our residents, that’s what is ultimately most important.
Griffin: I have been a town councilor for a while now. No initiative in this town can be done by any one individual. Over the years I have prided myself on hard work, being able to listen, and building consensus around issues. Constituent services is why I continue to seek a seat with the council. Whether it is in neighborhoods, individual hardships, or small and/or large businesses, I intend to roll up my sleeves and get them the answers they need. Accessibility has never been an issue with me and never will be. I literally love speaking to the townspeople and business community.
Powers: In the same way that I have over the past four years. COVID created a new obstacle of less face-to-face opportunities with our constituents. Building on that and reestablishing those in person connections is the primary goal post-COVID.
Ritucci: If elected, my time will be spent working for the citizens of the city first and foremost. It is critical that the City Council members always remember who elected them and why. I plan to digest each and every topic put before me and work with other counselors, the mayor and the town to make rational decisions that will benefit our citizens. My purpose for being on the Council is to support city businesses as well as all of the citizens. I bring with me an open attitude to help the citizens of West Springfield. Their agenda is my agenda.
Sullivan: With my experience as our former mayor, president of the West Springfield Town Council and serving on the School Committee, I have a keen understanding of how to work with constituents and elected officials to move through the burdensome bureaucracy of government to advance issues to fruition at the local and State levels, that are in the best interest of West Springfield.
RP: How can you/the city support small business development and expansion?
Clune: I will assist small business development and expansion by working with department heads and fellow councilors so that small businesses feel like town government is there to assist them. Without a strong business community, we have nothing. I feel like we have made strides in this regard but there is always more to do. Again, businesses have been challenged like never before due to COVID and we need to assist them in any way that we can.
Follett: I think that small businesses in town could be helped with District Improvement Financing (DIF) and Tax Incentive Financing (TIF) especially for properties that are distressed. These incentives could bring in businesses that would revitalize the area. I also think it is worth looking at how the permitting and approval process for new businesses and projects is run and seeing if there is room for improvement. Everyone knows the old adage, “time is money”, so anything the Town can do to help get things moving faster to get new businesses started and projects finished will benefit our residents and make West Springfield an attractive destination for new businesses.
Griffin: Small locally-owned businesses by nature often rely on their communities far more than large corporations. However, to truly leverage the resources and value the community offers, the company needs to become one of its key members. Building that genuine feeling of belonging and rapport with citizens that live within the area is a great start. In my mind we need to have the ability to reach out to the small business and large business in our community to retain those who have invested in our great city. We need to continue to engage in lowering the tax rates. You may or may not recall that West Springfield was in the top 5 or all 351 cities and towns when it came to this rate. Over the last several tax cycles we have brought that unenviable position to a more reasonable rate. Lastly, we need to build a Coalition of Small Business Leaders/Large Business Leaders by way of a committee that meets monthly to discuss ideas with the Mayor, Department Heads, and the Town Council and strategize as to how we can improve either by establishment of new ordinances or revamping old ones. That will actually be a fun discussion as I see it.
Powers: In the way that I mentioned above (providing more liquor licenses) but also in ways that we have already tried to tackle. I filed an outdoor seating ordinance allowing our local eateries to establish temporary outdoor seating areas where food and liquor can be served. COVID’s emergency orders have been a great trial run and I look to fully implement that ordinance this upcoming Spring. The town has already taken steps, and I have voted in favor of reducing taxes on small businesses in the town and on easing zoning requirements to allow new growth.
Ritucci: It is critical that small businesses thrive in West Springfield. They are the heartbeat of our commercial wellbeing. Now, more than ever, small businesses need support in order to survive. The pandemic has put a terrible toll on our small businesses, consumer support of these entities is very much needed. I would like to work on the council to encourage small businesses to come to West Springfield and see the supportive city that we are. More can always be done, but cities need as many small businesses as possible to support their citizens. I am for entrepreneurship and small businesses are key to economic growth in West Springfield.
Sullivan: In addition to being the chairman of the West Springfield Redevelopment Authority; I am also the only councilor serving on the Local Rapid Recovery Plan (LRRP) committee in an effort to secure money from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for small business development and expansion in WS; which is even more critical since the arrival of the pandemic.
The polls will be open for voting on Nov. 2. For information on in-person early voting, visit https://www.townofwestspringfield.org/government/departments/town-clerk/elections.
For those who would like to vote by mail, visit https://www.townofwestspringfield.org/government/departments/town-clerk/elections to complete the application and submit to the Town Clerk’s Office by Oct. 27.
Smith did not respond to questions as of press time.