Longmeadow Select Board Tackles Tree Bylaw Revisions and Shaker Road Resurfacing Plans
- Meeting Overview:
At the recent Longmeadow Select Board meeting, discussions centered on revising the town’s tree bylaw to improve tree management and protect public trees, as well as addressing the dire state of Shaker Road with plans for an upcoming resurfacing project.
33:17The board’s deliberations on the tree bylaw underscored a need for clearer, enforceable regulations to manage and protect the town’s trees effectively. Members of the tree committee, including Catherine Qab, emphasized the importance of integrating the town tree manual into local bylaws, thereby facilitating the imposition of fines and more robust regulations for tree planting and removal in public spaces. This proposal aims to address gaps in current regulations, which some believe are insufficient for maintaining the town’s tree canopy.
The previous iteration of the bylaw faced public resistance, perceived as overreaching and complicated. To mitigate these concerns, the committee plans to simplify the bylaw. The goal is to protect town trees while fostering community engagement and understanding of the regulations. The board discussed the logistics and potential adjustments to make the bylaw less burdensome, particularly concerning construction activities near town trees. Ensuring compliance without imposing excessive requirements on homeowners was a priority, with the board aiming to balance tree preservation with community needs.
16:45In tandem with ecological concerns, infrastructure improvements were also a focus, particularly the condition of Shaker Road, which residents frequently cite as problematic. The board confirmed plans for a comprehensive road resurfacing project, which includes Shaker Road among others. This project, approved at the special fall town meeting in November 2024, is set to go out to bid soon, with work expected to commence in the spring and extend into the fall of 2025. The board acknowledged the constraints of existing funding, noting that the demand for road repairs surpasses the available resources.
The town annually allocates approximately $480,000 from state Chapter 90 funds and additional capital improvement funds to address the backlog of road repairs. Discussions highlighted the necessity of prioritizing roads that do not require immediate underground utility work, enabling more efficient use of limited resources. The board stressed the importance of community involvement and feedback, urging residents to report potholes to facilitate timely repairs.
Another topic was the appointment of Mike Barbieri as the new assistant town manager, following the departure of the former town manager. The board expressed confidence in Barbieri’s municipal experience and his contributions to town operations, including implementing electronic voting at town meetings and a new document management system. His appointment was part of broader staffing changes, with positions for administrative assistant and associate planner expected to be posted soon.
The meeting also touched on the implications of the Affordable Homes Act, requiring Massachusetts communities to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in single-family zoning districts. The planning board is currently reviewing a draft zoning bylaw revision to accommodate ADUs, with plans to present it at the annual town meeting in 2025. This law seeks to balance community needs with the state’s housing policies, allowing municipalities to set reasonable design standards while preventing restrictions on ADUs as rental units.
1:41:39The discussion on the stabilization fund policy amendments highlighted the need for prudent financial management, particularly regarding the use of interest revenue for capital projects. The board considered a proposal to amend the policy to allow interest revenue to supplement the next fiscal year’s capital or operating budget, contingent on meeting a 75% target balance based on audited figures. This approach aims to leverage the fund’s growth while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
16:45The board also explored operational budget discrepancies, specifically regarding the fire department’s staffing and the need for competitive wages. The necessity of maintaining safety and adequate staffing was emphasized, alongside discussions on the use of funds for capital improvements versus operating expenses. Concerns about the potential risks of relying on interest revenue for recurring expenses were noted.
Lyn N. Simmons
City Council Officials:
Thomas Lachiusa, Joshua Levine, Vineeth Hemavathi, Mark P. Gold, Dan Zwirko, Michael Barbieri (Administrative Assistant, Town Manager & Select Board Office)
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Committee:
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Meeting Date:
02/24/2025
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Recording Published:
02/24/2025
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Duration:
153 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Hampden County
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Towns:
Longmeadow
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