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Reminder Assistant Editor WEST SPRINGFIELD While surrounding communities have opted to terminate the tenure of their current administrations, this town's confidence in their mayor Edward Gibson has not waned. At Town Hall last Wednesday, Gibson and members of the Town Council and School Committee were sworn into office in front of a packed room of family, friends, constituents and town officials. In the mayor's speech he expressed his appreciation for the voters of West Springfield as he became momentarily overcome with emotion. "You've given us a tremendous vote of confidence," Gibson said of the voters' decision to re-elect him and other members of the Town Council and School Committee. He added that the vast levels of experience from those elected will aid them in the coming years, which may prove challenging because of decreasing state aid. Gibson outlined his plans for the coming term, including an aggressive road and sidewalk repair campaign, an ambitious plan for school renovations and improvements to the levee system. He said another primary focus over the next several months will be the FY 2009 budget. Gibson explained that state budgetary cuts and West Springfield's increasing need for infrastructure improvements have made the budget process challenging. He said that 30 percent of residents live on fixed incomes and that he must weigh and balance the need for services and improvements against that of rising taxes. *** Members of the School Committee and Town Council were also sworn in last Wednesday night, many of whom were re-elected to office. Five of six members of the School Committee were reelected including Nancy Farrell, Kathleen Alevras, Joseph Foresi Jr., Daniel Sullivan and Patricia Garbacik. Carmino Santaniello Jr. is the only newly elected member of the committee. District Councilors re-elected include Angus Rushlow, Cynthia Romaniak, Michael Finn and John Sweeney. The re-elected at large councilors sworn in included Gerard Matthews, Kathleen Bourque and Paul Boudo. Newly elected to the council are Robert Mancini and Richard Newman. Town Council President Gerard Matthews and Town Council Vice President Kathleen Bourque were also re-elected to their posts by majority vote amongst the councilors. Fourth District Councilor Sweeney, said the council will face similar challenges over the next two years as in previous terms. He explained that his primary concern, as stated during his campaign, is for traffic and traffic safety concerns. Sweeney said the council will also be focusing on the tax shift, the overall budget and small and large business sustainability. As a newly elected at large councilor, Mancini said he will focus on bringing enhanced insight to the council. He explained that he will bring his previous experience as a member of the West Springfield Special Police to focus on specific areas of concern such as traffic. Mancini added that he is requesting a seat on the Traffic and Safety Committee because of his strong concerns for increased speeding, accidents and congestion throughout town. Mancini said a primary focus of the council must also include school renovations and expansion, specifically those needed at Tatham Elementary School. | ||||||
