Select Board candidates share backgrounds, hopes for the Town

May 22, 2019 | Payton North
payton@thereminder.com

LONGMEADOW – The Annual Town Election is coming up for Longmeadow on June 11, and four candidates are running for two open seats on the Select Board for three-year terms. Reminder Publishing reached out to this year’s Select Board candidates: current Select Board Chair Mark Gold, current Select Board Clerk William Low, Jeffrey Mueller, and Marc Strange. The following is a lightly edited question and answer interview with the candidates.

Reminder Publishing: Please share your background and experience and how it relates to a position on the Select Board.

Gold: I have been a member of the Longmeadow Select Board since 2009.  Prior to that I served 10  years as a member, eight as chair, of the Longmeadow Capital Planning Committee.  During my tenure as a member of the Longmeadow Select Board, I have participated in budget preparation, union contract negotiations, water and sewer rate setting, and special projects like trash hauling contracts and water meter automation.  During my tenure I have learned about all aspects of town government operations and have used that experience and understanding to assure that town operations meet the expectations of residents.  I bring the balanced perspective on addressing issues that comes from the training and experience I gained through working for 34 years for a private sector corporation. I participated in the prior town manager hiring process as well as the negotiations with MGM that gave the town the second highest casino mitigation settlement in Western Mass.  I am the most experienced candidate running for the Select Board and will continue to apply that experience to addressing the issues before the town.

Low: I have a very eclectic background; BS in Biology (Botany emphasis) & chemistry minor, class B wastewater & class C water treatment licenses in Colorado, Class 7 wastewater Virginia license (I managed waste water treatment plants, started with my ability to run labs), over 30 years in the real estate industry. Maybe most importantly, I grew up in Longmeadow and have been back here for over 30 years.

Mueller: I am a student at Holyoke Community College with no experience in local politics. I am running for Select Board, not because I intend to win, but because it gives me an opportunity to talk about issues, which I feel are important to the future of Longmeadow.

Strange: Currently, I am the Director of Planning and Development for the Town of Agawam. In that role, I manage programs and policies that fall within the province of the Longmeadow Select Board. For example, my office oversees land use, planning, zoning, conservation, and renewable energy initiatives in addition to economic development. So, my professional experience translates seamlessly to Select Board duties. I am also an attorney with experience writing and interpreting state legislation, which also allows me to provide an informed opinion on state and local regulations. In sum, my background and experience make me a uniquely qualified candidate for the Longmeadow Select Board.

Reminder Publishing:  Why did you decide to run for the Select Board?

Gold: There’s still work to be done – work that I initiated and that I want to follow-through on.  I believe the Select Board is poised to take on issues that will have long-lasting impact on town residents; issues that will impact if or how the town changes to meet the demands of the looming Proposition 2 ½ tax cap.  I have long been a champion of finding new sources of revenue for the town, and reducing the cost of operations wherever possible, and would like to see those projects implemented. The Select Board needs members who have the experience of working outside the municipal arena. Municipal and government perspectives are available from our town employees.  The Select Board should represent citizens and experiences beyond municipal government. I believe that we need to preserve the character of Longmeadow as a residential, suburban community, and more importantly that we do that within the context of 21st century Massachusetts.  I’ve demonstrated I’m here for the long haul, having lived in Longmeadow for 42 years, and appreciate and respect the nature of the town and will work to maintain that nature.  Among the current Select Board and current candidates I am the only one who has the experience of working for a private corporation.  That experience continues to provide a perspective on issue resolution that is not available from others currently on, or who are candidates for, the Select Board. In addition to these reasons, I believe that members of the Select Board need to serve as a balance to our municipal officials.  Although the work with other Board members and town officials must be cooperative, there must also be a level of independence.  I believe town residents approve of the independence and balance I have brought to my role on the Select Board, making sure the actions taken by the town are the most appropriate, most effective, and most cost efficient.

Low: Actually, I had many people in town ask me to continue serving. I believe I bring a Longmeadow mentality to the decision-making.

Mueller: I decided to run for the Select Board because I believe that voter participation is a fundamental principle of democratic government. For me, this includes allowing all of our citizens to have an equal opportunity to vote, making our elections fair for all voters, and establishing forums so that citizens and candidates may participate in discussions on how to improve the community.

Strange: I believe in good governance. Good governance works for its residents. Good governance listens more than it speaks. Good governance prioritizes the town over individual agendas. In recent times, we have witnessed first-hand what happens when government officials don’t abide by those tenets. Our town becomes splintered and weakens, which negatively impacts all of us. We won’t all agree on every issue, but when government officials base decisions on the collective voice of the people and prioritize the town’s current and future well being, the town wins. In addition to my background and experience being a natural fit for a Longmeadow Select Person, I will embody the tenets of good governance.

Reminder Publishing:  What do you feel are the most important issues facing Longmeadow at this time?

Gold: The most important issue facing Longmeadow is how we go about addressing the pending Proposition 2 ½ levy limit.  Even though that levy limit may not be reached in the next three years, we will be taking steps in this time that will impact the character of Longmeadow.  My approach to addressing the issue is to develop a long-term action plan that will continue to provide the level and diversity of services that residents have moved to Longmeadow to receive – whether that’s plowed streets, clean parks, top quality schools, or services to our older citizens.  Shifting costs from taxes to fees only defers the year in which the levy limit is reached.  What we need to do is lay the foundation for resolving the tax ceiling issue, by both finding non-tax revenue sources and lowering the cost of providing town services.  We must also be aware that Longmeadow is not exempt from the social issues of the 21st century, from drug addiction to our aging population.  As the demographics of the town continue to change, our government will need to adapt to provide services appropriate to today’s population.

Low: Definitely continuing to balance the budget, finding ways to cut expenses while maintaining the high level of service the residents are used to and deserve. Continuing to preserve open space and the unique new England character of the town.

Mueller: I would like to focus on two important issues. The first is an Open Town Meeting process that does not fairly represent the majority of residents. The second is the proposed construction of a potentially hazardous gas metering station in Longmeadow. What is problematic about our current Open Town Meetings is that very few voters attend. For example, a mere 1.2 percent of voters attended Special Town Meetings on Nov. 7, 2017 and Oct. 16, 2018. Typically, less than 5 percent of voters attend Town Meetings. Due to poor attendance, Open Town Meetings can be dominated by specific groups of people who are determined to make their voices heard over the voices of the rest of the town’s voters. The issues brought up at Town Meetings deserve to be voted on by as many townspeople as possible, not just by a small percentage of voters with a specific agenda. I propose that Longmeadow create a charter commission to examine the benefits of replacing Open Town Meetings with either ballot elections or Representative Town Meetings. I also propose that Town Meetings and Elections be held on a weekend when possible and that all residents receive notification by mail, text, and email. The second issue I’m concerned about is the safety of the proposed Tennessee Gas Pipeline project. At a recent hearing in Longmeadow, it was clear that Tennessee Gas was just going through the motions to get their gas metering station in place. It seems that the company is not considering the safety of this project for our community, and therefore the Select Board needs to take steps against this project. I suggest that we promote wind and solar energy rather than use of fossil fuels.

Strange: Replacing our Town Manager is paramount. We should begin the search process for Mr. Crane’s replacement as soon as practicable. The proposed installation of a natural gas pipeline meter station is equally important. Town Meeting approved a new zoning bylaw, which would heavily regulate the meter station, if installed, but we need to do more. The meter station would “blow off” excess gas pressure in a residential area and within a stone’s throw of Wolf Swamp Road School. The Wolf Swamp Road Fields and parking lot need improvement. Anyone who has driven, ran, or biked past the parking lot during an event understands the danger involved. Town Meeting voted in favor of this much-needed project. Our middle schools are antiquated and unsafe. Most importantly, though, our teachers can’t offer programming that other, more contemporary schools can. The reputation of school systems can be the most important economic development tool any town possesses. Longmeadow attracts educated, affluent residents because of our schools. Every year we get closer to hitting the tax levy ceiling. We need to continue to find ways to mitigate town costs while expanding commercial tax revenue sources. I’ve heard from some of the more senior town residents, who are concerned about being able to afford to continue living in town on fixed incomes. We need to explore every opportunity to make our services more efficient while exploring options to expand the tax base.

Reminder Publishing: Should you be elected, how do you plan to work to address the aforementioned issues over the course of your term?

Gold: I’m already contributing to addressing the tax ceiling issue.  The solution requires a combination of reducing expenses without reducing services, identifying and generating more revenue within the current restrictions.  Our town landfill and current DPW site can provide rental income to solar facilities.  A town owned Wi-Fi system would both generate new revenue and give improved Internet connectivity to residents. The purchase of street-lights, and the next step of converting our streetlights to high-efficiency LED lighting will provide the three to five-year budget relief that will allow for a more permanent resolution.  I also plan to take a leadership role in seeking fundamental statewide change to another looming issue that impacts our budget - adjusting public pension systems to reflect the realities of the 21st century.  Private industry has successfully protected current employees while shifting long term retiree costs, and those same approaches should be available to Massachusetts municipalities, least we find ourselves in the same situation as Detroit and other communities facing benefit bankruptcy.

Low: Consult with the task force studying the prop 2.5 issue; look closely at expenses, especially health insurance increases; continue registering, where appropriate, park and recreation land as we did for Bliss Park. Now that the town’s vote on the park are recorded in the Hampden County Registry, there will no longer be an issue when it’s looked at for other uses.

Mueller: If I am elected, I plan to discuss the aforementioned issues with the other members of the Select Board. I will ensure that they are aware of my views on these issues and that they understand the importance of acting on these issues.

Strange: We should start now in our quest to find a new Town Manager. And I’m not sold that the town should spend $30,000 on a search firm. We know what we need – a relationship-builder and a strong leader, who is pragmatic and inclusive. Time is of the essence regarding the proposed meter station at Longmeadow Country Club (LCC). The town should explore options for creating a zoning amendment that would prohibit meter stations from being sited in residential zones and within a certain distance from homes and schools. With apologies to our friends at LCC, allowing a meter station in a densely residential area and close to an elementary school is not the best option for our kids, our families, and our town as whole. Funding for the Wolf Swamp Field improvements will appear on the ballot. Town Meeting already approved funding. Regarding the middle schools, we should continue to submit statements of interest with the hopes that the state will agree to review our situation and provide funding. Again, our schools are Longmeadow’s most powerful economic development tool. We should explore ways to mitigate town costs as we approach the tax levy ceiling. I also support capping the town’s annual tax increase at 2 percent to mitigate the impact on our more senior residents with fixed incomes. We also need to generate more tax revenue and I look forward to having those discussions as a member of the Select Board.

Reminder Publishing:  What are your thoughts on how the Select Board is currently running? Is there anything you would work to change if you could?

Gold: Like all other organizations, the Select Board’s performance is very good in some areas and needs improvement in others.  What I learned early in my tenure on the Select Board is that each member is but one of five votes.  To achieve change requires a majority of the board working together.  Over this past year as chair, I have implemented some policies that I believe have improved the Board’s response to the issues facing the community, the more important of which was to review an issue at one meeting before voting on it at the next.  This change gave time for citizen input.  This past year we also set an agenda that added to the work plan of the Town Manager.  We committed the town to addressing issues raised by citizens (park registration, library operations, Williams Rd. speed bump) as well as those items that we wanted to advance (streetlight purchase, DPW building and the new Adult center). I would like to see the Select Board continue to set an agenda for change that goes beyond ongoing town operations.  A more formal process for follow-up needs to be adopted that will formalize the process begun this year of working issues to resolution.

Low: The Select Board has been, mostly, on the right side of voters issues this past year. However, we often spend an unnecessary amount of time on issues that are not that complicated. I will press the board to be more focused on resolving issues in a timelier manner. Finally, the board needs to do more to address voters’ issue, not their own addenda’s.   

Mueller: I do not have a strong opinion on how the Select Board is currently operating, but it is important to point out that I would use the position of Selectman to promote the idea of creating a charter commission to make the Town Meeting process more representative for the people of Longmeadow.

Strange: I am a little concerned that the Town Manager’s relationship with the Select Board had an impact on his decision to move onto to Concord. The community of municipal management professionals statewide is relatively small, and people talk. Communities receive reputations. My fear is that the best Town Manager candidates will perceive Longmeadow as a troublesome fit. From my perspective, the Select Board meetings – at least of late – appear to be a jousting match between the Chair and the Town Manager. I’d like to see a more collaborative relationship amongst the Select Board members themselves and between the Select Board and the Town Manager.

Reminder Publishing:  Why should the residents of Longmeadow vote for you?

Gold: Over my tenure on the Select Board I’ve demonstrated behaviors that should be in all Select Board members.  I do the homework required to thoroughly review every issue before the board.  I will get out and review the location where a new streetlight is being requested, or where a culvert needs to be replaced.  I understand the operations and numbers behind the operations. I have the experience to make the decisions that support town operations and residents in a consistent manner.  Institutional memory, whether in budgeting or liquor license hearings, has proven to be important in the actions of the Select Board – particularly with a new Town Manager entering town. I apply a balanced judgment to the actions I take on the Select Board.  I realize I can’t please every resident in each decision, but my balanced judgment has proven itself over the past 10 years to provide the best response for the most residents.  I have, and will continue to, vote to minimize the tax impact of town programs consistent with maintaining the character of the town.  I continue to bring to the Select Board a view of town management that supplements the training of our municipal professionals by incorporating my experience in both my professional work and my work on the Select Board.  

Low: I’m a long-term resident and grew up in Longmeadow. My daughter grew up here and went through the town school system, through 9th grade. I’m not sure anyone running can say this, even those that have lived here a long time. I believe this gives me a unique perspective on what are the important issues for voters, and what positions they want me to take on their behalf.

Mueller: The residents of Longmeadow should vote for me because I believe our townspeople deserve a greater say in political matters. I will attempt to give greater legislative power to the townspeople by advocating for replacing Open Town Meetings with either Representative Town Meetings or direct ballot votes.

Strange: I am qualified and I want to help. My professional background and experiences lend themselves to providing a strong, informed voice on the Select Board. And I care about our town. I’ve been involved with our schools and youth sports as a volunteer for years. I do that because I want to help. I would ask Longmeadow voters to vote for Marc Strange on June 11th so I can continue to help.

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