Dear Friends and Constituents of Ward 7 and the City of Springfield,
As summer continues and COVID numbers go down, we continue in our phased reopening. Our citizens (yes all of you) have brought the numbers down by wearing masks, social distancing, washing hands, being smart, and using judgment. I feel that the resilience of humanity is showing through all of our hard work and dedication. Another critical issue is covered in this newsletter -- updates on how the city is responding to racism discussions across America. Please read on.
All the Best,
City Councilor Tim Allen
COVID-19 Updates
Springfield, MA COVID-19 Data as of July 6th
As COVID-19 numbers continue to go down we have moved into Phase III in the City of Springfield. There are currently no cases at Mercy Hospital and only a few at Baystate Medical Center. Here in Massachusetts, we have done a great job following the guidance of the CDC and we have kept the cases to a very low level.
As you see on the news, there are places in the country where the trend is very different than that above. As they say, the virus can be brought back to scary levels if people get too loose about the guidance. Avoid large crowds and wear your mask. Use good judgment. We control much of this is we are smart and disciplined. Nice job to all of you and thank you. Let's root for that vaccine.
Springfield Public Schools Updates
There are no final decisions on the return to school plan. Schools are working hard on whether to bring students back and how to bring them back. It is a tough summer of planning for school administrators.
On the state level, a "Return-to-School" Working Group is helping to develop a K-12 fall restart and recovery plan. The working group has been meeting since early May, and plans will be released as they become available.
The City of Springfield is currently inPhase III of the Commonwealth's reopening plan. The graphic above is from the City of Springfield's website.
The following businesses will be eligible to reopen subject to industry-specific rules regarding capacity and operations:
Movie theaters and outdoor performance venues;
Museums, cultural and historical sites;
Fitness centers and health clubs;
Certain indoor recreational activities with low potential for contact;
Professional sports teams, under the authority of league-wide rules, may hold games without spectators
To see the full four-phase approach to the reopening plan for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts go here https://bit.ly/3eNepdP.
2021 City Budget
Budget Overview
The 2021 city budget was approved on Tuesday, June 30. Mayor Sarno submitted a budget of $728.6M. This is a 5.3% increase over the 2020 city budget. Breaking that increase down -- the city budget increase was 1.6%, and the school budget increase was 7.4%. However, many city departmental budgets decreased for 2021.
The main reason for the city's increase in budget is a change in pension payment from $43M to $47M, which increases every year.
Two Budget Cuts proposed and passed by the City Council
1 The police overtime budget was cut by $200k.
2 $800k was cut from the Facilities Budget for the rental of a new shooting range for the police. However, the 2021 contract was already signed (the City Council did not know about it before). The current shooting range in the police headquarters on Pearl Street is outdated, inflexible, and potentially unhealthy because the lead stays in the environment. The new rental is in the former Smith and Wesson property on Page Boulevard. (Police have to be certified twice yearly for their shooting. Certain officers have to be certified monthly).
City's Response to Discussions on Racism Across the United States
More Alternative to Violence Police Training - There is more emphasis on training for the police - particularly on de-escalation strategies, community outreach, and alternate ways of problem solving.
A new department is being created in Health and Human Services. This department will be named "Office of Racial Equity". Helen Caulton-Harris is writing the current objectives for the department and as well as job descriptions for positions.
The police body camera program is in the process of implementation The city purchased 511 body cameras and over the next several months, almost all officers will be wearing the cameras. Outstanding implementation issues include: When they are turned on, what happens when the shift is over, how is the data stored and reviewed, and others.
In Closing - A Note from Tim Regarding Nathan Bill's
Recently there had been concerns expressed on social media that Nathan Bill's Restaurant had posted a dress code that seemed to be racist. A protest was scheduled for Saturday, July 18 at the restaurant. I was concerned and hoped for a different way to handle this situation. So last week I called various people in hopes to work together to resolve the issue. Sister Cindy Matthews of Holy Cross Parish also helped to contact people.
I worked with Tara Parrish of the Pioneer Valley Project to organize people. I reached out to Robbie Gossman of Nathan Bill's Restaurant. On Friday a group of us met at South Congregational Church to discuss the situation: Councilor Justin Hurst, Councilor Tracye Whitfield, Reverend Talbert Swan, Tara Parrish, Robbie Gossman, Sister Cindy and myself. Everyone was respectful, receptive and open. Robbie issued an apology. His apology was accepted. Robbie also agreed to fund the Black Lives Matter banner to be painted downtown. The meeting was very successful.
The next day the demonstration took place. We all spoke. We talked of how we had gathered to talk and work together. And we hoped to continue to come together. We celebrated with a lunch at Nathan Bill's, compliments of Robbie.
- Tim
If you need anything, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at electtimallen@gmail.com or
413-427-4650.