Three-year plan presented at public forum

By Dan Cooper

Staff Intern

LONGMEADOW- Deteriorating buildings, decaying infrastructure,and fiscal stability were all issues addressed by a three-year strategic plan presented by the Select Board at a public forum on March 8.

Select Board member Kathleen Grady presented the plan and said she was anticipating a "very high quality discussion" afterwards.

The plan called for a mission to preserve a safe and open community, residential and historical character, commitment to academic excellence, outstanding town services,and beautiful parks and open spaces.

Grady said, "Longmeadow has about $1,000,000,000 in the insured value of buildings and grounds."

She added that years of deferred maintenance have caused most buildings to have serious repair and renovation needs.

"Problems include handicap accessibility, mechanical problems with heating lighting and electricity, leaking and rotting windows and doors, and peeling paint and rotting wood," Grady said.

Grady pointed out the buildings most in need of repair include Glenbrook and Williams Middle Schools, the high school, the town hall and the Community House.

The Community House has peeling paint, broken bricks and mortar, rotting woodwork and slates falling off the roof.

Grady said progress on protecting buildings has been made.

"A citizen Facilities Improvement Committee has been formed to develop a plan for meeting the needs in the buildings, and initial applications for state funding for the middle and high schools are being prepared," she said.

The next steps for 2008-2010 include setting priorities for building repair, renovation or replacement, negotiating reimbursement from the state for schools, and to improve regular maintenance to prevent further deterioration and protect those buildings now in good condition, Grady said.

Another asset in need is open space, which includes parks, terraces, the green, playing fields and the Meadows. "All of them need mowing, raking, pruning, planting, and tree removal and replacement," Grady said.

Progress on protecting open space includes increased efficiency of staff; a citizen Tree Committee formed to advise on "urban forest," and continued beautification of building grounds and traffic islands by gardeners.

The next steps are for irrigation systems for playing fields, fences to limit access to playing fields, and additional grounds workers.

Grady also introduced the infrastructure, which includes water distribution, sewers, storm drains, roads and sidewalks, as another problem area.

"The problems include broken water mains, sewer back-ups and line breaks, broken and overflowing storm drains, floods and washouts, no water tower maintenance and no plan for ongoing replacement and repair," Grady said.

"The progress done includes a water and sewer rate study being done by an independent firm and the water tower has been cleaned," she said.

The next steps include planning a system of repair and replacement for infrastructure components and setting water and sewer rates to support a well-functioning water and sewer system.

One of the resources the town needs to protect, according to the Select Board, is the environment, following a suit by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for numerous violations mostly in the Meadows. Grady said the suit was settled in 2005 with a fine of $100,000 paid and another $150,000 suspended if the town complied with certain conditions set by the DEP until 2010.

Some of the progress that has been made includes asbestos abatement, and the development of an Environmental Management System (EMS) to provide regular testing, monitoring, and training. "We are the first municipality to develop an EMS," Grady said.

The next steps include making educational materials about the town's EMS available to other towns.

In the area of land use regulation, Grady said Longmeadow is nearly totally built out. Grady said developers, however, have gone to court to build houses in areas they want.

Progress made includes hiring a municipal law firm with specialists in land use, developing new subdivision regulations with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, and creating a Community Planning Department.

The next steps include reviewing and revising the Zoning Bylaws and hiring an Assistant Director of Planning who will provide technical assistance to boards and citizens wishing to renovate, write grants, and help the Planning Board implement a Long Range Plan.

Select Board member Paul Santaniello then presented the fiscal stability part of the presentation. "I have the easy part of the presentation because there is no fiscal stability in Longmeadow," he said. The challenges include a low amount of state aid, uncontrollable costs, such as health insurance, and emergencies.

Some of the progress made includes a creation of mechanisms for unforeseen needs, such as Finance Committee reserve fund for emergencies, an increase in revenue and a decrease in costs.

The next steps include a comprehensive assessment of facility and infrastructure needs, developing three to five year financial plans, and developing a program of planned replacement of capital assets.

"This is just a draft that is being presented to you," Santaniello said. "We have some big challenges facing our town."

The Select Board mentioned that economic management is part of the overall plan.

Many residents voiced their concerns about the deteriorating schools, especially the high school. They were also worried that the high school would lose their accreditation due to the poor quality of the building.

"Governor Deval Patrick has said he'll put in more money for reimbursing schools, which means we can get better maintenance," Grady said. "We should go ahead with the schools as soon as we get the money for them."

Grady added that the plans presented in the "Next Steps" portions will be done in the next two years. "We are starting to put the pieces in place," she said. "The puzzle is being assembled."

Several residents in attendance agreed that state senators and representatives, who were not present, should hear the concerns of the town if another public forum is held.