Town Manager's Newsletter
December 2022
Eastern Hampden Shared Public Health Services (EHSPHS)
Since the start of 2022, the EHSPHS team has coordinated and executed 20 immunization clinics across all four communities including multiple clinics to provide vaccination to our homebound residents. They have offered various immunizations including Covid-19 primary vaccinations, Covid-19 boosters, both high dose and regular influenza vaccines, and the pneumococcal vaccine to our public school faculty, high school students, our fellow municipal employees, and those within the community. This totals over 800 vaccinations since January 1, 2022; more than double the previous year! Moving forward, they are hoping to offer vaccination clinics that are even more accessible, such as drive-through clinics, and hope to add even more vaccinations, like the shingles vaccine, to the list we currently offer.
Police Department
Officer Paul Barry will be assigned to the Detective Bureau effective January 1, 2023. There were three interested candidates, all possessing impressive skills and abilities. Officer Barry's experience, dedication and work ethic were recognized as qualities consistent with those required for this specialized role. Chief Stocks made the assignment. This change in the Detective Bureau is to fill the upcoming vacancy created by Detective Keith Pellerin leaving to join the FBI in early January.
Fall Special Town Meeting
The Attorney General's Office has approved the charter related changes, Articles 21 (Housing Authority) and 26 (General Code charter change). We are waiting for approval of the bylaw changes before eCode can launch.
Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB)
In the Eversource Reliability project filing with the EFSB, the Town has filed a petition to intervene. A copy of the filing and updates on the matter can be found here.
JCC and Adult Center
As a result of the fire at the JCC in November, the JCC is closed. The Town of Longmeadow reached out to offer help and support. I am pleased to say that the team at the Adult Center and the JCC have partnered to offer JCC members use of the Adult Center through the end of January.
Maple Center Shopping Plaza
Demolition has started at the Maple Center Shopping Plaza. The cleanup is expected to take 2-3 weeks. After that, the structural engineers will be onsite to reassess what can remain and be reused and what will need to be removed.
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