BOARD OF SELECTMEN
2005 TOWN REPORT
Greetings to the Citizens of
East Longmeadow,
2005
was a very exciting and busy year for the Board of Selectmen. The Board
convened 38 times for regular and special meetings and deliberated on hundreds
of matters on behalf of the town. Board members also met individually as
members of several town boards and commissions. The Annual Town Meeting was
held on May 2; and Special Town Meetings were held on June 20, August 15, and
October 17.
The
Board of Selectmen is privileged to work on behalf of the citizens of East
Longmeadow. The Board of Selectmen is the main policy making body of town government
and exercises budgetary and oversight responsibility for the following town departments:
Police; Fire; Clerk/Treasurer/Collector; Information Technology; Council on
Aging; Building; Veterans' Services and Town Accountant. The Board of
Selectmen also serves as the Board of Health.
Some
of the boards and commissions that the Board of Selectmen participated and were
represented on included: the Regional Boards of Selectmen, Personnel Policy
Board, Information Technology Committee, the East Longmeadow/Longmeadow Chamber
of Commerce, the Senior Center Study Committee, the School Building Committee,
and the Scantic Valley Regional Health Trust.
The
Board of Selectmen hired a new Police Chief in 2004. Douglas Mellis, a
well-respected law enforcement veteran in Western Massachusetts, was hired to
succeed Chief Paul Erickson. Chief Mellis began his career as an officer in
the City of Springfield, and served the citizens of Longmeadow and Hampden
before coming to East Longmeadow. A public ceremony welcoming him was held at
Birchland Park Middle School at the end of March. The ceremony was well
attended, with over 200 members of the public, local legislators, town officials,
law enforcement officials and members of Chief Mellis' family on hand.
The
Board of Selectmen hired a new Building Inspector in 2005. Dan Hellyer filled
the vacancy left by Tom DiMarzio, who retired in March. Dan is an East Longmeadow resident and is extremely
knowledgeable about the building trade. He served as Engineering
Chief for the Office of Military Cooperation Afghanistan in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom. Dan was the project manager for the construction of
hospitals and Afghan National Army Bases. Dan brings over thirty years of building
and construction experience to the town.
The
Board of Selectmen is appreciative of the input given to them by the community
at-large. Your suggestions and concerns are given thoughtful consideration and
are acted on as soon as possible. The Board of Selectmen encourages any
citizen to call or visit its office whenever in need of assistance. The Board
of Selectmen is located in Town Hall, 60 Center Square. The telephone number
to the office is (413) 525-5400 ext. 420. The Board of Selectmen can also be
reached via email to the Executive Secretary at: nbreault@eastlongmeadow.org.
