Welcome to 2021! 2020 was quite the year, by any standard. On what was supposed to be a year-long celebration of Southwick’s 250th birthday, COVID-19 impacted Southwick and the rest of the world. Southwick, like every other city and town, had to find new ways to be able to serve our constituents, while keeping our employees as safe as possible. Every department in Town Hall had to adept to be able to serve our residents. From our Board of Health to Buildings and Grounds, from Council on Aging to the Department of Public Works and the Town Clerk’s office, challenges were faced head on.

We mourn those that were lost and are frustrated by the time, events and holidays with friends and family that were missed. We also salute the men and women in our healthcare system, first responders and essential workers who worked tirelessly throughout. With 2021 upon us, we cautiously look forward to the end of the pandemic and a return to some kind of normal this year.

We will carry some of our Southwick250 events into 2021. Out 250th birthday and the end of the pandemic deserves a proper celebration! Southwick is a great place to live, work and play. We were fortunate to have several new businesses open and we wish all our businesses success in 2021 and beyond. We have two subdivisions under active construction that are selling at a brisk pace, representing the fact that people want to live in Southwick. It is important to maintain a healthy balance of residential and business growth. Our single tax rate is attractive for businesses that want to start and expand here and the revenue that comes from our businesses supports critical services, including public safety, elder services, schools and public works. Continued investment in infrastructure and services ensures that we will remain a desirable community for work and play as well.

For several years, the town has bonded almost $3 million in road rehabilitation and paving and invested almost $800,000 in an alum treatment for the Congamond Lake. This treatment is meant to dramatically reduce the incidence of algae blooms that could close the lake for an entire season. We are also in active discussions with other businesses that may be looking to invest in Southwick and bring needed jobs and economic activity to the area.

It is going to take a while for the lingering effects of COVID-19 to resolve, but we are optimistic that we can come through 2021 stronger and better.

Karl Stinehart
Chief Administrative Officer
Town of Southwick