SPRINGFIELD—A new calendar year also means a new municipal year here. The only formal order of business in the new year was the installation of the Council President. At-large Councilor Jesse Lederman had already secured the votes for a full term as President in 2023. Yet, this is no ordinary municipal year.
The year 2022 has come and gone with much affecting the City of Springfield. As a part of the commonwealth, nation and world, it felt inflation, the war in Ukraine, national political contests and the state’s own elections.
In its last meeting of 2022, the Springfield City Council tackled a tight, straightforward agenda with few fireworks. The items were almost all financial, save an ordinance to raise the pay of councilors, school committee members and the mayor.
SPRINGFIELD—Last week the City Council enacted legislation to create a process to install speed humps along side streets that have become speed corridors. As the nation faces a spike in reckless driving—in ever heavier cars—road safety has begun to gain new salience.
SPRINGFIELD—Fitfully, the City Council continues to come back. On Monday, the municipal legislature held its first regular meeting in chambers since the COVID-19 pandemic virtualized Springfield government.
LUDLOW—In what may be the least climactic open Democratic gubernatorial primary in half a century, on Tuesday Attorney General Maura Healey became her party’s nominee to succeed outgoing GOP Governor Charlie Baker.
Confirming the suspicions of political navel-gazers in the 413, Governor’s Councilor Mary Hurley announced she would not seek reelection in 2022. Jeffrey Morneau announced he was in. However, he will not be alone in the race. Springfield City Councilor Michael Fenton will enter the race on Wednesday.
This week Springfield City Council President Marcus Williams released his committee assignments for the municipal legislature. It comes days after beginning his second year atop the Council and his fourth term as the Ward 5 Councilor.
After 15 years leading the Springfield Law Department, City Solicitor Ed Pikula is filing a motion to withdraw—metaphorically. The longtime city lawyer will retire this year.
SPRINGFIELD—This week the City Council revisited a troubled revision to a drive-through special permit that had hit the skids earlier this year amid an abutter’s complaints. The item has still not achieved passage amid a sluggish review. Frustratingly, the once-complaining neighbor has been MIA, leaving councilors to straighten things out alone with the applicant.