LONGMEADOW – One seat on the Longmeadow Select Board is up for grabs at the June 16 election, and longtime resident Steven Marantz has filed papers with the town to fill the seat for a three–year term.

While the race is not contested, Reminder Publishing conducted a question and answer interview with Marantz to allow for residents of Longmeadow to get to know him.

Reminder Publishing (RP): Please provide a brief history of your background and experience and how it relates to a position on the select board.

Steven Marantz: I have been a resident of Longmeadow for 25 years. My community involvement has included serving on the Longmeadow Finance Committee from 2002-2007 and serving as chair of the committee from 2003-2007. Under my leadership the Finance Committee created the town’s Operational Stabilization Fund in 2003. I have been the Longmeadow representative on the region’s Casino Mitigation Committee since 2017. In 2018-19 I was the Longmeadow lead in the State’s Solarize Springfield/Longmeadow program that resulted in over 40 solar installations in  town.

Before moving to Longmeadow I was on the South Hadley School Committee from  1986-95, and chair from 1987-1994.  

I have a BA from Dartmouth College and an MS from UMass Amherst.

I have been a financial advisor for 38 years.

I am familiar with town government, I understand finances. I believe that these attributes will enable me to be a positive addition to the Longmeadow Select Board.

RP: Why did you decide to run for select board?

Marantz: I decided to run for the select board position as I was raised on the premise  that government should be a positive force in people’s lives. I believe that my past experience in both the financial sector and local government can help navigate Longmeadow through what I expect to be a challenging period of time.

RP: Aside from the pandemic – what do you feel are the most important issues facing Longmeadow at this time?

Marantz: There are several issues that I believe Longmeadow needs to address:

•A looming problem facing Longmeadow is the distinct possibility that the town will reach the $25 per thousand levy limit set by the state under Prop. 2 1/2. If that happens, significant financial strains will inevitably hit Longmeadow.  The town committee investigating the issue unanimously voted to put an article on the warrant for upcoming Town Meeting that would allow Longmeadow to begin the process of avoiding  this possibility.  As the eventual result of changing the tax cap levy limit requires action by the Massachusetts legislature, I wholeheartedly endorse passage of the warrant article to get the process started .

•Another potential issue facing the town is the threat of Tennessee Gas building a gas metering station in a residential area close to Wolf Swamp Elementary School.  This industrial gas facility, along with a proposed high-powered gas pipeline running through Longmeadow, could pose significant health and safety issues to town residents.  Two Town Meetings have overwhelmingly passed by-laws prevent this from happening, but given the possibility of federal and state interventions, town officials must remain vigilant - and the select board should be at the forefront in challenging this threat.

RP: How do you feel the Town of Longmeadow has handled the pandemic? How do you think the town can best move forward during this uncertain time?

Marantz: I believe that the town of Longmeadow has handled the pandemic as well as could be expected. Fire Chief Dearborn, our chief safety officer, has diligently adhered to the state protocols regarding this issue.  I believe that face masks should be worn in all indoor establishments in town (and the state and the country). As we move forward, the town should follow the guidance of health officials and infectious disease experts.  Unfortunately, I don’t believe we will be “back to normal” until there is an effective vaccine.

RP: What are your thoughts on how the select board is currently running? Is there anything you would work to change if you could?

Marantz: The select board  appears to be running relative effectively. My strong belief is that the  addition of Lyn Simmons as town manager has been a significant bright spot. I do feel the board has to be as transparent as possible. The major change I would work for is to have the board take the lead on energy sustainability practices.  Even though this project took a long time to realize, the purchase of the town’s lights from Eversource was an excellent move in that direction - a move that will save energy as well as money for the town.

RP: Why should residents of Longmeadow vote for you?

Marantz: I am asking the residents of Longmeadow to vote for me as I believe I have the necessary qualifications to serve on the select board.  I approach the position with humility and look forward to serving the citizens of Longmeadow.