I have been a resident of Longmeadow for 34 years. My children went through the school system and I now have two grandsons in the preschool program. I am concerned that unnecessary spending in other areas will take needed funds from the schools.

I recognize the need for a new DPW facility, and I think the Grand Meadows property is a good location. I do have a problem with tearing down a perfectly good pre-engineered steel building to replace it with another pre-engineered steel building. I am very familiar with that building, having been involved with it when I was a commercial real estate broker with Macmillan and Son, and later having several claims there as an insurance adjuster.

That building had a fire in it about 20 years ago and it was stripped down to the structural steel and completely rebuilt. The roof and exterior walls probably have thirty years of warranty left just on the finish. The building can easily be adapted to the needs of the DPW at a small fraction of the cost of building a new one. Garage doors can be installed almost anywhere. The HVAC, insulation, plumbing and electrical are in place.

The building is energy efficient. There are offices in place.

At the town meeting, Curt Freedman, who is a knowledgeable, reasonable person, suggested renovating the existing building. Select Board Member Mark Gold said the building was evaluated and could not be used. This is simply not the case. The inside is clear span and can be adapted for almost any use. I would be happy to donate my time to help oversee the renovation of the building. I know we could have a state of the art facility and save the town at least $15 million dollars. I won't vote for the debt exclusion and I urge all of the other voters in Longmeadow to reject it as well.

Peter Chapin Judd
Longmeadow