EAST?LONGMEADOW – The East Longmeadow Town Council met on July 10 to reorganize the council officers and for an update on town happenings through the Town Manager’s report.

The Town Council reorganized its officers per Article 2 Section 3 of the charter. Kathleen Hill was nominated President of the Town Council, and Michael Kane as Vice President. Following their nominations, Kathleen took over from former President Kevin Manley.

During the Town Manager’s report, Town Manager Denise Menard thanked everyone who worked toward the successful 4th of July celebrations in town, including the fireworks, carnival and parade.

She explained that the fireworks were delayed because the technicians arrived to the site late, and in the process of setting up the fireworks, they placed them too closely. The fire marshal told the technician that the fireworks were too close together, to which Menard said the technicians said, “it’s too late now.” The Fire Marshal explained that it wasn’t too late, and had the technicians redo the wiring and move the fireworks the proper distances away.

At the end of the day, Menard said, the fireworks were spectacular, the carnival had great weather for the most part, and, as usual, the 4th parade had good attendance.

On Sept. 9 there will be a military family appreciation day in Heritage Park. Menard explained that she hopes this will be the first military appreciation day of many in East Longmeadow. She shared that she had been asking Veterans’ Services Director John Comerford about what the town could do to provide more outreach to East Longmeadow Veterans.

The military family appreciation day will be a picnic–style event, with Big Y donating all of the food. Menard said the disabled veterans van would be at the event, as well as the veteran’s center bus and the Lions’ eye mobile. In addition, Menard has talked to the Recreation Department about having a bounce house for children.

“We expect to have a lot of information for the veterans to be able to do more than what we’re doing now,” she said.

In August, both Menard and Town Accountant Sara Menard plan to present the Council with the town’s five–year plan.

Menard reminded the Council that National Night Out will take place on Aug. 7.

Finally, she updated the Council that the town’s “ambulance operation” is “progressing smoothly.” Menard stated that patients are reporting that they’ve been transferred efficiently and correctly.

“It’s a credit to all East Longmeadow leadership that this is going off the way it is,” she shared.

To watch the full Town Council meeting for yourself, go to ELCAT’s YouTube page, ELCAT01028 or head to this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwCKeNwO2Lw&t=610s.