|
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.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary DeLisle, Chairman
John Claffey
James Driscoll
|
