| My name is Edmund B. Bowen. I am a resident of East Longmeadow and a volunteer member of the East Longmeadow TRIAD organization. TRIAD is a national organization. The East Longmeadow TRIAD is a community partnership between seniors and senior service agencies, law enforcement and public safety providers. The primary goal of the TRIAD concept is to reduce the criminal activity targeted at seniors and to enhance the delivery of law enforcement and public safety services to senior citizens. Two East Longmeadow TRIAD projects include: THE FILE OF LIFE: The File of Life is a plastic, magnetic folder in which important medical information, including medications, allergies, doctors, and emergency contacts may be contained. Emergency contacts are trained to look for these on refrigerator doors for fast response in case of emergencies. The wallet size cards are also available. WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER? TRIAD members, together with the East Longmeadow Fire and Police Departments, are installing house numbers as follows; a two-sided sign that displays 4-inch high, black or white, reflective numbers attached to a five foot high metal stake which will be installed by a TRIAD member. It will be installed near the driveway or walkway, where it will be visible from the street or the reflective numbers will be affixed to both sides of your mailbox. A charge of $5 will help cover the cost of materials. The members of the East Longmeadow TRIAD have expressed their disappointment with the public's interest or participation in the "What's Your Number" program. We believe that this is an extremely important program since a survey of the town has shown that there are many homes that lack a suitable house number marking. Without suitable house numbering, there is always the possibility that the Police, Firemen, or Ambulance drivers will be delayed in identifying and responding to emergency calls. It should also be noted that ambulance drivers are not necessarily East Longmeadow residents; therefore, proper house numbering is especially important. So far, the East Longmeadow TRIAD group has sold and installed 100 posts and numbers. This is far less than needed. The TRIAD group has had a number of events where house numbering and post installations have been offered with disappointing result. The East Longmeadow town by-laws do have some house numbering requirements; however, other towns in Massachusetts have been revising their house numbering requirements to make them more specific and also add substantial penalties for non-conformance. We would like to hear from town residents. You may do so by contacting TRIAD member Janice Michaelis at 525-5424. Donations for TRIAD will be gladly accepted. TRIAD members meet on the first Friday of each month at 9 a.m. in the Pleasant View Senior Center, 328 North Main Street, East Longmeadow. Residents are invited to attend. E. B. Bowen East Longmeadow |
