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Select Board ratifies DPW labor deal, authorizes water agreement extension and approves appointments and licenses
Summary
At its Sept. 2 meeting the Longmeadow Select Board ratified a three‑year DPW collective bargaining agreement, authorized the town manager to sign a seventh amendment to the Springfield Water and Sewer supply agreement, adopted amended Select Board rules of procedure and approved multiple appointments, one‑day liquor licenses and a street closure.
The Longmeadow Select Board on Sept. 2 took several procedural and operational actions: it ratified a collective bargaining agreement with the Department of Public Works union covering fiscal years 2026–2028, authorized the town manager to sign a seventh amendment to the Springfield Water and Sewer supply agreement, adopted updated select board rules of procedure, approved multiple committee appointments, granted one‑day liquor licenses and approved a block‑party street closure.
DPW collective bargaining: Town Manager Lynn Simmons summarized a memorandum of agreement negotiated with the DPW union covering FY '26–FY '28. The agreement includes a 2 percent cost‑of‑living adjustment for FY '26 and a revised pay scale intended to improve recruitment and retention. Simmons told the board the town will place a warrant article on the November town meeting to fund the pay‑scale adjustments because the amount is over and above previously budgeted collective bargaining funds. The board voted to ratify the agreement in open session.
Springfield water supply agreement: The board reviewed a routine renewal (seventh amendment) of the town’s water supply agreement with the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission. Town staff said the amendment is essentially a renewal of existing terms; town staff and the board discussed the possibility of working with neighboring communities to pursue a fuller revision of the longer agreement. The board authorized the town manager to sign the seventh amendment on the town’s behalf.
Select Board rules and liaison assignments: The board discussed and then adopted updated Select Board rules of procedure that reflected changes the board had discussed in June. Members also reviewed and adjusted liaison assignments for a number of regional and local committees, appointing members to bodies that include the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, PVPC/MPO and the Western Massachusetts regional health trust.
Appointments, one‑day licenses and street closure: The board appointed multiple residents to town committees and commissions (audit committee, conservation commission, DEI committee and others) and approved one‑day liquor licenses for the Longmeadow Adult Center Community Fund and other organizations. The board also approved a street‑closure application for a block party on Winona Place scheduled for Sept. 6.
What this means: The DPW agreement and water agreement authorization aim to stabilize essential services and staffing; the hires and appointments fill volunteer posts on town committees; the select board rules and liaison assignments implement board governance changes the members previously discussed.
