Town Manager's Newsletter - February 2023
Communication Survey: The Town of Longmeadow values communication with residents. We've created this short survey to help us improve the way we connect. Please visit www.longmeadowma.gov/CommunicationSurvey or scan the QR code to participate. We appreciate your input and look forward to hearing from you!
Cooley Brook Ecological Improvements - Resident Advisor Sought: Are you an avid user of Bliss and Laurel Parks? Do you have ideas on how to balance recreational needs with habitat preservation in our open spaces? The Select Board is soliciting applications for a Resident Advisor to serve on a Cooley Brook Core Team that will advise an upcoming, conceptual design project focused on the hydrological improvements of Cooley Brook. If you are interested in providing your perspective, please submit your application online via the form linked here: www.longmeadowma.gov/CooleyBrook. No technical expertise is required! Applications are due March 10, 2023 and candidates should expect to be interviewed at the March 20 Select Board meeting.
Bliss/Reynolds and Greenwood Pools: A contract was signed with AECOM for designer and consulting services in the amount of $70,599 for improvements to pool drainage at each facility. Work at each facility is broken down into 3 phases. Phase 1 is field survey, wetland delineation and permitting. Phase 2 is design development and bid plans. Phase 3 is construction phase services. At the May 2022 Annual Town Meeting, funding was approved for a pool liner and cover for Greenwood Pool. Both of these were put out to bid and we are on schedule for the end of April- begin May for the liner install. The cover will be installed when we close the pool at the end of the 2023 season. Greenwood pool is expected to open on time for weekend use at the end of May/early June and seven days a week at the end of June. The design and construction work for Bliss/Reynolds pool will not be done in time for the pool to open this 2023 summer season. We have been advertising for lifeguard openings for Greenwood pool and have received 5 applications of the needed 12 positions. We have also promoted the lifeguard certification course that will be held in East Longmeadow.
Comprehensive Pavement Management Plan: BETA engineering is working on the comprehensive pavement management plan. In the work they have done so far, they have discovered that the town was being underfunded by 9 miles of roadway per year. This is due to a mis-calculation in MassDOTs accounting of Longmeadow’s public roadways. This will add approximately $9k - $10k in additional Chapter 90 funds, which just about covers the cost of the BETA engineering work. Once the report is finalized, BETA will present the results at an upcoming Select Board meeting sometime this spring. As an add-on to the plan, the Town is having all of the parking lots incorporated into the rating matrix. This will be helpful information for project development and capital planning purposes.
Maple Center Shopping Plaza: During my January 3, 2023 Town Manager Report, I shared photos and an update on the cleanup efforts at the Maple Center shopping plaza. I am very pleased to provide these updated photos that show the basement area has been cleaned out. The architect and structural engineer have been on site and expect to have construction documents ready in approximately 30 days. The before and after photos are quite impressive.
Wolf Swamp Athletic Fields: Bids are due soon for construction of the flags and dugouts (CPA funding) with construction to be completed in April. The bleachers were ordered and have been delivered (ARPA funding). Painting the installation of ADA toilets will be done inside the Edgerly building. Additional ADA portable toilet units will be added outside in the spring. A storage unit will be ordered to go on the edge of the driveway to store equipment. A large tree fell in this area so DPW has a chainsaw training schedule in April that will clean up this tree while receiving training. Then the storage unit can be ordered and delivered. Benches and tables (ADA) have been ordered and delivered and will be installed closer toward spring. A bid for maintenance of the field is out right now to cover mowing, irrigation, and fertilizer etc… this first year. Job openings for Facilities Attendants have been advertised. Excitement is growing for use this spring season.
WestComm: The Architect and Project Manager have been selected and have been onsite at Salter College. They are taking measurements and preparing final design documents that can then be put out to bid for construction. At the current location in the Chicopee Police Department, WestComm cannot add any more communities. However, WestComm is planning a regional meeting with local officials to inform them on the benefits of joining WestComm. This meeting is scheduled for March. The onboarding process for a community can be lengthy so we plan to keep those conversations going while we work on the building construction so we could be ready to accept new communities when the building opens.
Winter Weather: While we have not had much winter weather this season, it is important to remember that sidewalks need to be shoveled and fire hydrants cleaned out. One of the unique features of Longmeadow is the walkability, please do your part to make the sidewalks safe by shoveling the snow.
Upcoming Topics and Events
Monday, March 6, 2023 - Town Manager FY2024 Budget Presentation at Select Board Meeting, 7 PM
Tuesday, March 7, 2023 - Town of Longmeadow Special Election, 7 AM - 8 PM, Longmeadow Community House
Monday, April 17, 2023 - Town of Longmeadow Municipal Offices - Closed
Thursday, April 20, 2023 - Annual Town Meeting Warrants delivered to residents.
Tuesday, May 9, 2023 - Annual Town Meeting, 7 PM, Longmeadow High School Gymnasium
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 - Annual Town Election
