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An Open Letter to East Longmeadow Residents

April 8, 2020 |

On behalf of the East Longmeadow Town Council, I hope you are staying safe and healthy amidst the current health crisis.  The purpose of my letter is to keep you up to date on your local government and to assure you that, as much as possible under the current orders from Governor Baker, our Town leaders are conducting business.

Under the present COVID-19 circumstances Mary McNally, Town Manager, Fire Chief Paul Morrisette (Emergency Management Director), and Aimee Petrosky, Health Director manage the day to day issues related to the virus.  To that end, a daily virtual conference call is held with all department heads including Gordon Smith, Superintendent of Schools, and a representative from MEMA.

Entering the first full week of April, our town buildings remain closed, schools are closed, our Library is closed, and the Council on Aging has paused all activities except our Meals on Wheels program.  In spite of these closures, all town departments operate on a skeleton crew working modified hours to conduct the essential business that require a physical presence.  Work continues and our dedicated employees are putting their ‘best foot forward’ to deliver the services that we’ve all taken for granted in the past.  DPW workers continue their effort to maintain our highways and infrastructure.  Those of you with school children know that our educators have turned face to face instruction into virtual learning and do their very best to deliver quality learning opportunities for their students.  Our Library and Recreation Department personnel are developing plans to keep children engaged as well.

One of the by-products of additional time at home is a noticed increase in trash accumulation and removal.  To assist you with this challenge our transfer station on Somers Road will be open so that you may bring your excess trash there with no fee for the immediate future.

As elected officials we will conduct our bi-weekly Town Council meetings, beginning on April 14, in a virtual format in order to address all matters that normally come before us.   Our Finance Subcommittee has begun its work to develop a fiscally responsible FY21 budget and our Capital Planning Committee is reviewing our town’s capital needs in order to submit a FY21 Capital Plan.  As before, your Council members are available to you by email and you can access us directly through the Town’s website.

In the meantime, please continue to practice the safety measures that have been recommended to all individuals.  Be well.

Respectfully,
Kathleen Hill
President
East Longmeadow Town Council

On Behalf of Councilors:
Michael Kane, Vice–President
Donald Anderson
R. Patrick Henry
Thomas O’Connor
Ralph Page
Marilyn Richards

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