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| ~ Submitted by Select Board incumbent Kathleen Grady To the voters of Longmeadow: I am a candidate for re-election to the Longmeadow Select Board. My first term was only one and a half years in order to stagger the terms of the new 5-member board. If re-elected, this will be my first full 3-year term. What an excellent adventure the last year and half has been! I have learned something new almost every day not always things I was longing to know, especially in my role as Water and Sewer Commissioner but it has been an education nonetheless. Some of the things I have worked on the hardest include: The court settlement with the Department of Environmental Protection The selection of the Town Manager Preserving historic Chandler Avenue Protecting the drinking water and offering fire protection to Dunn Road residents The merger of town and school financial services, human resources and maintenance Issues of importance to senior citizens, including property tax deferrals and exemptions Understanding and improving the infrastructure of Longmeadow Lobbying state and local officials for additional funds for Longmeadow Traffic safety, control of vicious dogs, municipal law, and budget, budget, budget. As Vice Chair of the Select Board, I have tried to implement not just the letter but the spirit of the Charter. For me that spirit includes accountability, openness, and citizen involvement whether in public meetings, private conversations or answering residents' phone and mailed questions. This has been a time of transition. Change has been harder and more complicated than I expected, even with my social psychology background. Now we are moving beyond crisis management into a time of planning for the future. In the upcoming year the Select Board will address several large issues that will bring additional predictability and stability to Longmeadow: A 3-year financial plan developed in cooperation with the Finance Committee and the School Committee A repair, renovation and maintenance plan for town buildings An assessment of the water and sewer system in order to develop a regular replacement and maintenance schedule Installation of the Wheelmeadow Brook sewer interceptor, the largest public works project ever in Longmeadow A complete review of the zoning bylaws. I believe the experience I have gained during this shorter-than-usual first term will be invaluable for these projects as well as the crises that are bound to arise. In addition, I bring 29 years of residency in Longmeadow, doctoral-level education, a career in research, and experience in owning and running a business. It is my pleasure and privilege to serve the citizens of Longmeadow. |