Editor’s note: This is the final article of a three part series chronicling a total of 32 candidates running for Town Council. Candidates were profiled in alphabetical order by last name. Eleven candidates whose last names start with L through T are featured in this story.

EAST LONGMEADOW – Town Council candidates listed some of their top goals if elected, which include hiring a qualified town manager, creating long-range plans, and bringing new growth to the community.

Allen Loughman said he believes the charter was a “protest for change” and wishes to see “fresh blood” involved in the new form of government.

“It’s going to be a learning curve, but if we can get a mix of old blood and new blood I think we can make something good happen,” he noted. “I am not as experienced in government as those who have actually gone through this process before. However, while working to earn my [Bachelor of Arts] from the University of Hartford I took courses in political science, sociology, psychology, world history, world history, US and USSR history, and much more.”  

Loughman said he signed a petition to form the Charter Commission, but voted against the charter.

“To me the charter provides too much centralized power and a number of sections and articles which are vague or just not written well,” he explained. “However, nothing is perfect and these inefficiencies can be changed through amending the charter or enacting new bylaws.”

Loughman said he would not vote for any tax increases as a councilor and believes a town manager should be fiscally conservative.

He added the opioid crisis is an issue he wishes to fight in the community.

“While our issues may not be as large as say Springfield, it’s in our town and has affected friends of mine,” Loughman said. “I’ve spoken to [Police Chief Jeff Dalessio] about doing a possible turn in program where those who are in possession of narcotics can come in and get rid of them and in turn we can give them information on getting help.”

Eric Madison, who recently retired as Longmeadow’s Fire Chief and who has served on the Massachusetts Board of Fire Prevention Regulations, said he was “instrumental” in the adoption of a new model of fire code in the state.  

He is also a member of the Charter Commission and has served as chair of the Appropriations Committee during the past two years.  

“This experience gives me considerable insight to the town’s operations and finances,” he explained. “I also chaired two search and interview committees for the chief of Police in East Longmeadow. I believe these 36 years of experience in municipal and state government gives me considerable knowledge and skills in budgeting, municipal operations, an understanding of the laws and regulations that govern municipalities, and the knowledge to be productive and progressive in governing.”

Madison said he believes the charter provides the foundation for a “progressive and productive” form of government.

“It provides for a balance between representative legislation and citizen participation, while at the same time enabling our government to respond to the needs of the residents and to the modern demands on our government in a timely fashion,” he added.

He said he believes one of the biggest challenges facing the community is reaching the $25 per $1,000 of assessed value tax levy limit.

“If that happens, the potential effects would be devastating to the quality of life in East Longmeadow,” he noted.

Madison said he would advocate for long term financial planning, effective fiscal policies, maintaining infrastructure, and putting funds towards Other Post-Employment Benefits liabilities.

Kevin Manley, a newly elected selectman and retired captain of the Connecticut Department of Correction with 20 years experience in the field, said he was responsible for a large contingent of staff and supervisors.

“I have experience in contract negotiation, investigations, discipline, training and management,” he added. “ I earned a masters degree in public administration from American International College and I was recently elected to the Board of Selectmen where, although the time has been short, I’ve made an effort to educate myself on issues affecting the town and feel as though I’ve served the town with integrity.”

He said he believes the new form of government would help the community put “significant issues in the past.”

Manley said the council’s first priority should be to hire a qualified and properly vetted town manager.

“Additionally, I feel that the next priority is to hire a qualified and vetted director of Human Resources,” he noted. “This is a vital position to set standards for recruiting retaining and training our staff. Additionally they will be able to streamline processes across departments eliminating duplication of work and increasing efficiency.”

Erica McNamara, a property manager for a multi-family residential and commercial complex, said she’s qualified to serve on the council due to her work responsibilities.

“I am responsible for strategizing to increase revenue as well as devising, implementing and adhering to a budget for short term operational expenses and planning for long term capital investments,” she explained.

She said she believes the new form of government would deter the “promotion of private agendas.”

“Town Council will be responsible for restoring residents’ faith and trust in their local government,” McNamara noted.

She added she would advocate for a single tax rate to support local businesses and a lower tax rate for seniors, and a conservative fiscal budget that “ensures tax payer dollars are not being misappropriated.”

McNamara also said the creation of a centralized Human Resources office and the appointment of a qualified town manager are issues of which she would be in favor.

Louis Morabito, who has 20 years experience in the financial services industry, said he believes he would bring valuable skills such as experience in decision-making, managing a budget as well as communication and collaboration to the council if elected.

“More importantly, I have a desire and time to serve and be involved in the community,” he noted.

Morabito said he supported the new form of government and believes it is up to residents to elected a “fresh and unbiased council” that would have focus on the future of East Longmeadow.

He added his priorities as a councilor would be to ensure a state-of-the-art school system for residents, well policed neighborhood, and “best in class” town services. He would also advocate for finding ways to bring business growth to the community.

Thomas Morrissette, who has served on the Planning Board and Board of Selectmen in the past, said he believes he’s qualified to serve on the council due to his experience in contract negotiations and managing town budgets.

“I have also served on several search committees and assorted planning and zoning sub-committees,” he noted. “Also, my experience as a relator for the last 26 years has honed my negotiation and listening skills.”

Morrissette said he believes new leadership on the council would be “far more responsive” to resident concerns.

“With professional management will come efficiency and better financial control,” he added.

He said hiring a town manager as well as setting policies and procedures would be paramount tasks for the new council.

Morrissette said he believes the council should take advantage of “new found” community involvement and continue to build excitement in local government to create an “even more vibrant community.”  

Thomas O’Connor, a member of the Charter Commission and chair of the Capital Planning Committee, said he also has a 30-year corporate career, which includes roles as manager of people, departments, and facilities.

“As a versatile business professional I have extensive leadership, vendor management skills with a major strength in identifying process improvement opportunities,” he noted. “Other competencies that I believe will help me include contract negotiations and developing cost benefit analysis and budgets.”

O’Connor said he would advocate to stabilize the town’s tax rate and ensure that taxpayer money is being spent wisely.

He added he would also like to help develop a long-range capital plan to deal with aging structures and a long-range community development plan to ensure that East Longmeadow is growing commercially and residentially.

O’Connor said he would like to help develop council procedures to ensure that the council work with residents for the town’s best interest, “not self interest.”

Stephen Plifka, a resident of 13 years, said he has experience working on an executive board for a local union.

“I negotiated contracts and settled grievances,” he noted. “I believe these skills will be useful in the position of town councilor. I will add a positive open minded perspective to this new form of government.”

He said he believes the town had “outgrown” its form of government and change was inevitable.

“The new form of government will be a process that will encounter growing pains and bumps in the road, but I am hopeful that we can move forward to make this a great place to live, work, raise our families, and enjoy everyday life in East Longmeadow,” Plifka said.

If elected, he said he would strive to bring more accountability to town departments.

“It is good fiscal practice to scrutinize all expenditures, no matter how large or small,” he explained. “For example, the fact that other area towns have built new high schools in recent years does not necessarily mean that we should follow suit and add more burden to the taxpayers.”

Lawrence Rinaldi, who has a background in business management and has volunteered with local organizations for years, said he has also managed various retail stores with “skillful leadership, training, communication, and budgeting responsibilities.”

He added he strongly supported the charter because he believes the town needs a change. 

“I’m running because change in our government format is not enough,” he explained. “We need new blood; new beginnings.”

If elected, Rinaldi said he would advocate for communicating with residents to give them a voice in town government.

“The end of our Town Meetings meant an end to a direct voice in town affairs,” he noted. “I have been in contact with the [Information Technology] (IT) Department about setting up an email system with direct response from the citizens.”

He added he would also stand up against anyone attempting to alter zoning bylaws that would change East Longmeadow’s “small town” aesthetic.

Russell Sabadosa, who owns two businesses, said he would bring “proven communication and management abilities” to the council if elected. He also has a background as a former manager, engineer, and tenured professor.

“These skills, experience, available time and passion for public service make me a strong candidate to serve on the Town Council,” he added.

Sabadosa said he hopes the new charter would live up to its potential by improving accountability, bringing consistency of policies to town departments, and providing strategic planning to East Longmeadow.

He added the council should look at taxes in the community and ensure “they are equitable for both residents and businesses.”

Sabadosa said he would also advocate for a 10-year capital plan that would extend beyond the current five-year plan, which would involve “carefully prioritizing” the needs of the town as a whole.

Gregory Thompson, who has served on the School Committee for the past eight years, said he’s gained experience with budget development, policy implementation, and chief executive hiring, during that time.

“I also feel that because I’ve been involved in our local government, I have an in-depth perspective on how each department has run in the past and how efforts may be combined to create greater efficiency throughout the town,” he explained.

Thompson said he believes the new form of government would improve operations in the town.

“To me, it makes sense to have a full-time administrator to be able to oversee the business of the town, both on a day-to-day basis on a long-term planning perspective,” he added.

If elected to the council, Thompson said he believes the first project for the legislative body should be to create a complete assessment of all budgets and operations of town departments.

“In hiring and coordinating with a good town manager, it will be crucial that we all have a good understanding of what is actually going on in each department so we may ensure that East Longmeadow continues to improve its services while working within our existing budget constraints [and] that we taxpayers get the most out of our town government,” he said.

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