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East Longmeadow's Town Meeting
Town Meeting, the legislative branch of East Longmeadow 's government, addressed many important fiscal, zoning and other matters during the past year. Among other things:
• The Annual Town Meeting held in May, 2008: enacted an operating budget in excess of $47,000,000.00; a capital budget of approximately $4.5 million; authorized the acquisition of Norcross House; and enacted an important new by-law regulating home-based business • A Special Town Meeting in September, 2008, addressed budget items • Two Special Town Meetings were held on the same night in November, 2008. One dealt with budget adjustments; the second considered, and ultimately rejected, the acquisition of a large tract of land using Community Preservation funds.
There were several changes to the Appropriations Committee, as to which the Town Moderator is the appointing authority. Several longstanding members, Ray Miller, Lori Coutu, Jim Hayes, David Hodge and Frank Iovine stepped down; the Town benefited greatly from their service. New appointees include Lynne Rodriquez (who resigned shortly thereafter for family reasons), Rocco Carabetta, Russ Denver, Eric Madison and Jim Walsh, Sr. Each has already made important contributions to the Committee.
Town Meeting provides the opportunity for each registered voter to act as a "legislator" in town government. The fiscal problems facing the Country, the Commonwealth and the Town call for active citizen participation in setting priorities for the Town, whether through the budget process, by-law changes or other matters. I urge you to exercise your right and privilege by attending and participating in Town Meeting.
James B. Sheils
Town Moderator
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