LONGMEADOW – The Town of Longmeadow is hosting their annual election on June 16, and with it, three individuals are running for two open seats on the planning board. Both Kenneth Taylor and Bo Sjoberg are running for a seat on the board for a five-year term, and Joshua Levine is running for a four-year term.

Reminder Publishing conducted a question-and-answer interview with the three candidates to discuss their backgrounds, what they feel the most important issues in Longmeadow are in regard to planning, and their thoughts on how the planning board is currently running.

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

Joshua Levine: I moved to Longmeadow in 2018, in a return to Western Massachusetts after living in Washington, DC for 18 years. I am an East Longmeadow High School graduate and attended college and law school at the George Washington University. After graduating, I practiced law in Washington for 10 years, with the last four in the U.S. Department of Justice Tax Division. After attempting to raise three small children in a rowhouse on Capitol Hill in Washington, my wife Katie and I moved to Longmeadow to be closer to family. I now practice real estate and estate planning law in East Longmeadow at Levine Law.

As a practicing real estate attorney and someone who regularly appears before local municipal boards, I am familiar with land use issues and the need for clear guidance for our residents and businesses looking to move to town.

Bo Sjoberg: My name is Bo Sjoberg. I will be 24 this July and I am a life-ong Longmeadow resident. I am currently obtaining my law degree from the Western New England University School of Law, where I serve as president of the Environmental Law Coalition. In 2018, I received a degree in Economics from Roger Williams University, where I served as class president. I am a product of the K-12 Longmeadow School System and I am proud of my town. Longmeadow has been my home my entire life and, from a very young age, I developed a strong sense of pride in being a responsible Longmeadow resident. I would find nothing more rewarding than serving my fellow residents and ensuring a prosperous future in our town’s planning, while encompassing and preserving the enriched history of Longmeadow.

Kenneth Taylor: I am Ken Taylor and am running for re-election to the Longmeadow Planning Board.  I have been a town resident for 52 years and both of my children have graduated from the town school system.  I am a graduate Engineer from the WNEC University and am a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Massachusetts.  In my work career I was a project engineer and forensic metallurgist. I served on the Water and Sewer Commission for 21 years prior to the town changing to town manager style.

RP: Why did you decide to run – or run again – for the planning board?

Levine: In January 2020, I was appointed to the planning board to fill a vacancy for a departed member. I sought appointment to the planning board, and am now running for election, because Longmeadow is a beautiful and historic town and I want to ensure we have smart planning for future land uses. The planning board will be tasked with preserving Longmeadow’s considerable charms in the face of new development, and that is a challenge I look forward to tackling.

Sjoberg: The decisions we make today will have a significant impact upon the quality of life of residents in Longmeadow tomorrow. I believe the next generations of Longmeadow residents deserve a voice as to how the town plans for the future - much like those who came before us. All demographics of the town should be represented in the Longmeadow Planning Board. I will proudly represent the younger residents who are the future of Longmeadow. As a resident who plans to live in this town for many decades, I feel a responsibility to work on efforts now, which will ensure Longmeadow’s future as a successful, safe, and beautiful place to live. I envision Longmeadow becoming a “best practice” community, which in turn can serve as a model for our surrounding communities and region.

Taylor: I have served on the planning board for 13 years.  I love Longmeadow and am aware of the need to provide guidance to the natural, historic and cultural resources.  Since I moved here, I have seen Longmeadow change from a town with open fields to one which is fully developed.

RP: What do you feel are the most important issues in Longmeadow in regard to planning?

Levine: Longmeadow is a built-out town, for the most part, but many buildings are aging and may need replacement or renovations. We may also soon see requests development on our few open spaces as we approach the tax cap and the town seeks other revenue sources. I also believe that, as we pivot away from fossil fuels, the town may need creative solutions for renewable energy needs. The planning board will be tasked with crafting, evaluating, and enforcing land use regulations that use our valuable resources in a way that is beneficial now and for future generations. Smart planning now is the best way to ensure that future residents are happy with development while preserving the character of our town.

Sjoberg: What is important to me is secondary to what is important to the tax paying residents for whom I will be honored to represent. Listening to their voices and concerns will help to ensure quality of life for all. The Longmeadow Planning Board represents the taxpayers of Longmeadow and my personal opinions of the town should not supersede the interest of the residents. With that in mind, I believe important issues in Longmeadow regarding planning include historic preservation and environmental protection.
    1.    Historic Preservation-  I will be a strong advocate for historic preservation. The Town of Longmeadow is enriched with American history. I will maintain the unique character of our beautiful and beloved town. I will work hard on the residents behalf to continue the aesthetic traditions of this special community.
    2.    Environmental Protection- I will be a strong advocate for environmental protections. I will encourage environmental impact assessments for any new development proposed to the board. It is my intent to reduce our town’s carbon footprint by encouraging the development of renewable energy.

Taylor: The most important issue facing the town is the proposed gas pumping / metering station on the Longmeadow Country Club grounds. The planning board has had many public meetings resulting in a series of by-laws that will hopefully stop the installation. Another issue will be town finances.  The current tax base cannot support all the services the residents want.  Any new developments that could provide more tax revenues will come before the planning board. Other issues will be the Water Tower property, the former Christian Science Church redevelopment, the re-use of the former Synagogue on Williams Street, the possible consolidation of the Middle School and the use of those properties.  The recent accomplishments of the planning board are the Brewer-Young Mansion zone change and commercial development, the Dwight Road Medical project, the Willie Ross School expansion, the Pride gas station development, and the Longmeadow Shops expansion.

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

Levine: I have been an appointed member of the planning board since January 2020 and have been continually impressed with the knowledge and experience of my fellow board members. It is clear that everyone has a passion for Longmeadow and takes seriously the duty to preserve our town’s valuable land resources and historic appeal.

Sjoberg: I believe transparency is the most important aspect of local politics. Longmeadow residents should always be informed and should never be hidden from policy decisions made by any board. I will remove bureaucratic roadblocks which burden the residents and lessen the productive value of the board’s function. I will never silence a resident’s opinion or concern on a particular matter. All town residents should be informed on the issues for which the planning board rules. I will work to make the board’s work easily accessible for the residents to view and form their own opinion.

Taylor: By definition the planning board has the responsibility to guide the development of the town in the best interest of all its residents. The planning board plays an important role in developing the visions for future growth and preservation of the community by listening to the public for opinions and comments concerning the welfare and appearance of the town’s residential appeal and formulating rules and by-laws in an effort to maintain the unique character of Longmeadow.

RP: Why should residents of Longmeadow vote for you?

Levine: I am an experienced and enthusiastic resident who wants to see our town grow in a sustainable and green manner. I was honored to be appointed to the planning board earlier this year and look forward to serving the people of Longmeadow far into the future.

Sjoberg: Longmeadow residents should vote Bo Sjoberg for planning board because I represent the future. I am passionate about our town and will work hard for you. I will bring a new and fresh perspective that includes a vision for the future, while honoring our treasured past.

Taylor: I feel that my education and work experience will continue to be of great assistance in evaluating proposals from a different viewpoint as I work with the others on the planning board and coordinating with other boards for the betterment of all residents in this lovely town of ours.