By Max Eidelman

The City Council met last Thursday for their regular meeting. One of the first topics addressed was a commendation for Donna Joy of the City’s Personnel Department. Joy, after 34 years of service, is retiring. Ms. Joy briefly spoke, saying that it has been an honor to have worked for the city for such a lengthy period of time. As Ward 1 Councilor Matthew McLaughlin said, “Every city employee, including us, has had to go through her at one point.”

The Council also commended Daniel LeBlanc, who has led the city’s Community Corporation for 20 years, on his retirement. According to the formal citation, the City Council’s “affordable housing portfolio has increased tenfold” under LeBlanc’s leadership.

Among the topics discussed was the continuation of options for remote-participation once in-person meetings resume. The Council recognized that there has been “major increase in participation through Covid” in city meetings, and the Councilors unanimously agreed to preserve this option.

As Ward 4 Councilor Jesse Clingan said, having a remote option for participation is “imperative to having a robust and equitable conversation going forward.” He stated that as the reopening process continues, it will be interesting to see what sectors preserve the remote option. For the industries whose employees who have been fortunate enough to keep their jobs and work safely from home, maintaining the option for remote participation seems the sensible choice.

Councilor At-Large Mary Jo Rossetti summarized the High School Building Committee meeting that occurred March 15. Rossetti stated that the project is still in Phase 3, with asbestos-recovery underway. The completion date has been pushed out to May 2022.

Councilor At-Large Wilfred N. Mbah presented the city’s newly appointed Director of Racial and Social Justice, Denise Molina Capers. Capers introduced herself, saying she is eager to work with the Council. As stated on the city’s website, Capers’ career has focused on supporting civil rights and equity, diversity and inclusion, and empowering others to advocate on the issues that matter most to them. Mbah noted that the creation of this role is a “testament to the city’s continued commitment to dismantle systemic racism.”

Various other matters were approved by the Council to be further discussed and explored in future meetings. Among these was a resolution introduced by Councilor At-Large Kristen Strezo to implement a system for residents to be able to report hate crimes, should they unfortunately occur, via 311.

Another matter slated for further discussion will feature the Director of Parks and Recreation, who is to speak with the Council’s Committee on Open Space, Environment and Energy about the plan for reopening city parks and school playgrounds. As warmer weather and more readily available vaccines approach, such discussions were deemed prudent for the development of a safe return to outdoor activity.