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Monthly Archives: January 2024

T.J. Plante

Springfield CAFO Selection Picks up Speed This Week amid Other Top Departures…

Springfield faces a string of vacancies and turnover atop several city agencies. Just this month, the heads of the Elder Affairs, Police, School and Veterans Services departments have announced their retirements. One major office may have informally kicked off this transition last year, but it could see an appointment soon: a successor to former Chief Administrative & Financial Officer T.J. Plante.

Sarno Akers

Analysis: Sarno Choice to Lead Springfield’s Finest Could Turn the Page…Maybe…

One could not chuck a rock in Springfield without hitting someone praising Mayor Domenic Sarno for choosing Lawrence Akers to be the next Police Superintendent. The incumbent super Cheryl Clapprood praised the choice. Longtime frenemy Michael Fenton, now City Council President, hailed Akers. Even frequent Sarno critics the Bishop Talbert Swan and at-large councilor Tracye Whitfield feted the move.

Springfield City Council

Fenton Doles out Committee Slots for the 2024 Council Year…

UPDATED

Newly (re-)installed Springfield City Council President Michael Fenton has released committee assignments for the body’s 2024 session. Aside from accounting for new members, the allocation of seats and chairs was not a radical departure from 2023. Still, the choices reflect the balance and tone Fenton is trying to strike with his return to the dais.

Springfield Race is Over, but the Campaign Finance Refs Still Reviewing the Tape…

UPDATED 1/11/24 11:41AM for additional information:

The mayoral race in Springfield may be long over and the victors have taken the oath. That, however, does not mean the work of campaign finance regulators have finished their work. Rather, several issues with Mayor Domenic Sarno’s campaign records had remained outstanding per auditors with the Massachusetts Office of Campaign & Political Finance.

Springfield

Take My Council, Please: A Most Deliberative Body in the New Year…

SPRINGFIELD—The City Council’s first meeting of 2024 quickly morphed into an opportunity for councilors to quench their inquisitive thirst for a wide range of departmental libations. Although in attendance for fairly mundane items, department representatives faced a barrage of questions. In at least case, a police gang suppression grant, it was councilors first chance to raise the record homicide count last year.