During 2004, we continued to maximize our investments in order to realize higher yields using low risk investment vehicles.  Working with Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, our average rate of return was 4.1% or a full 2 percentage points over banking institutions.  On February 1, 2004, we changed banks from Fleet Bank to PeoplesBank.  With a reduced fee structure and a different rate of return schedule, we realized savings of $25,000 annually for the town.  PeoplesBank also donated funds to pay for the Traffic Study for their new branch located at the corner of North Main Street and Mapleshade Avenue as well as donating $35,000 for the new High School football scoreboard.

 

In 2004, we maintained a tax collection rate of close to 99% with the balance collected in subsequent years.  We have implemented new strategies for collection purposes.   We implemented the Senior Tax Abatement program, which has been very successful thus far.  Seniors are able to “work off” $500.00 from their Real Estate tax bill by participating 111 hours in the program.  The right skill sets of those participating have met the needs of the department heads making it a win situation for both parties.

 

The Town of East Longmeadow went through a formal request fro proposal process in which the clerk’s office participated in order to select a new software vendor.  We are looking at one centralized software package for all departments, especially one that can merge the Accountant and Clerk offices together.

 

We continue to implement cost savings and efficiencies in our office in the hopes of staying within our budget as well as upgrade the way we currently perform functions.  We helped the School Department implement on-line payment services for their bus and athletic programs.  Once a new software package is in place, we will implement on-line payments for all tax collection purposes.  Our website for the Clerk’s office continues to grow as we try to communicate as much as we can in order to make it easier for the taxpayers to understand the functions of our office.

 

With this being my second year on the job, I have been fortunate in receiving great cooperation from all who work in the various town departments, especially the support from the Board of Selectman.  Also, I must express my appreciation for the Staff in the Clerk/Treasure/Collector’s office that professionally and efficiently handles such a variety and volume of business on a daily basis.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Thomas P. Florence

Town Clerk, Treasurer, Collector