BOARD OF SELECTMEN

2004 TOWN REPORT

 

 

Special Greetings to the Citizens of East Longmeadow,

 

            The Board of Selectmen is comprised of Chairman Gary DeLisle, Attorney John Claffey and James Driscoll.  The Board of Selectmen is privileged to work on behalf of the Citizens of East Longmeadow.  The Board of Selectmen is the main policy making body of Town Government.  The Board of Selectmen exercises budgetary and oversight responsibility for the following Town Departments:  Police; Fire; Clerk/Treasurer/Collector; Information Technology; Council on Aging; Building Inspector; Veterans’ Services and Town Accountant.  The Board of Selectmen also serves as the Board of Health.

 

Gary DeLisle is the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.  Gary participated in his third year on the Board, providing leadership and experience.  Gary presided over all of the meetings of the Board of Selectmen in 2004.  One of Gary’s additional duties as a member of the Board is to act as the Chairman of the Long-Range Planning Committee.  This Committee is charged with evaluating the future needs of the Town infrastructure given current growth trends, normal maintenance and upkeep, and soliciting community input.   

 

John Claffey is the next member in succession of the Board of Selectmen.  John serves also as the Chairman of the Board of Health, for the Town.  John has been literally “Talking Trash” in 2004, working in collaboration with officials from the Towns of Longmeadow and Wilbraham and to develop a regional approach to waste disposal.  John also serves as the liaison to the Police Department for the Board, and was instrumental in keeping the search for a new Chief of Police on track.      

 

James Driscoll has completed a successful first year as a member of the Board of Selectmen.  Jim brings a wealth of talent and energy to the Board, utilizing his acumen as an entrepreneur in decision-making on behalf of the Town.  Jim serves as the liaison to the Fire Department and Clerk of the Board.

 

The Board of Selectmen participated in many different projects and with many different constituencies, in addition to the ones already listed, during 2004.  The Board was represented on the East Longmeadow/Longmeadow Chamber of Commerce, the Senior Center Study Committee, the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, the School Building Committee, the Scantic Valley Regional Health Trust, the Information Technology Committee, the Local Emergency Planning Committee and the Personnel Policy Committee.  And this list is by no means exhaustive!  The Board is involved with all aspects of our community, and appreciates the valuable insights and tireless efforts of the members of these committees, and all Boards and Commissions that help keep East Longmeadow strong.

 

           

 

 

2004 saw the departure of Leon Guamond, Jr. from the Board of Selectmen’s office.  Leon served as Executive Secretary for the Board for three years.  Leon proved to be an outstanding employee during his time in this position.  He kept the Board of Selectmen abreast of the day-today concerns of citizens, worked with all Town Departments in establishing ways to improve delivery of services, provided valuable input on a variety of committees and suggested and implemented programs that saved money from the Town’s bottom line.  Leon accepted the position of Town Manager of West Boylston, Massachusetts in November.  The Board of Selectmen acknowledges his achievements and wishes him all the best in the future.

 

John Whalen, Director of Parks and Recreation, filled in as Executive Secretary between Leon’s departure and the hiring in December of the current Executive Secretary, Nick Breault.  John is a long-time Town employee who is widely respected for his dedication to the Town, his excellent administrative skills and willingness to help out in whatever way he can.  He was supported with great aplomb by the staff in the Board of Selectmen’s office:  Lorraine Bansbach, Savina Basile and Joan Burke.  They worked together with the utmost energy and professionalism to keep the needs of the citizens and the Board of Selectmen fulfilled while the search for a new Executive Secretary was conducted.  The Board is proud to publicly recognize their efforts.

 

The Board of Selectmen was impressed with the great work done by the Town Charter Review Committee.  This Committee had the monumental task of developing a proposal for changing the way our Town government is structured.  They met no fewer than 25 times during 2004, presenting their final recommendations to the public in December.  By the time this Town Report is available we will all know whether or not the voters have embraced these changes.  Regardless of the outcome of the vote, the Board and the Town owe these Committee members a debt of gratitude for the terrific job they’ve done.

 

The Board of Selectmen is appreciative of the input given to them by the community at-large.  Your suggestions and concerns are given thoughtful consideration and are acted on as soon as possible.  The Board of Selectmen encourages any Citizen to call, email or visit its office whenever you need assistance.  We are located in Town Hall, 60 Center Square.  The telephone number to the office is (413) 525-5400 ext. 420.  We can be reached via email to the Executive Secretary at: nbreault@eastlongmeadow.org.