SPRINGFIELD – Acting Mayor Brian Sullivan, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse met with Lt. Governor Karyn Polito in City Council Chambers Tuesday and signed community compacts with each of the city leaders. Also present were State Representatives Aaron Vega of Holyoke and Benjamin Swan of Springfield.
The community compact is a voluntary, mutual agreement entered into between the Baker administration and individual cities and towns of the Commonwealth. By entering a community compact, a community agrees to implement self-selected best practices. As part of this partnership, the Commonwealth agrees to fulfill a set of commitments and works to provide assistance for a community based on their chosen best practice.
Each city focused on different areas in its compact. Springfield chose job growth and retention, IT infrastructure and early education. Sarno said Springfield just received a big pre-school expansion grant, and is focusing on a public and private partnership with the YMCA, Square One and Head Start.
Morse said Holyoke will work on a 5-year capital plan for its municipal budget.
“When I took office four years ago, we inherited budget practices that were pretty archaic,” Morse said.
He said the city will be focusing internally on working together better, and externally on education, housing and jobs.
Sullivan said Westfield will focus on economic development, and energy and environmental efficiency.
“We’re trying to figure out where Westfield fits in our region,” Sullivan said.
When Sullivan was introduced, he received a round of applause on his recent election as mayor.
“I appreciate the expertise of these mayors, and the Lt. Governor for coming out and knowing who we are,” he said.
“It’s important to breed cooperation between various cities in the area,” said Rep. Benjamin Swan. “Legislators enjoy seeing cooperation and collaboration between communities.”
Polito said cities and towns that sign the community compact get “bonus points” from the Commonwealth.
“It’s all about preparing communities for success,” Polito said. “You choose what you want to accomplish.”
“You’re doing your part, we’re going to do our part,” Polito said, pledging resources to help communities achieve “great schools, safe neighborhoods, plenty of jobs and opportunities.”
Polito then signed the community compacts and shook each mayor’s hand.
Westfield City Advancement Officer Joe Mitchell said that signing a community compact doesn’t necessarily mean you’re eligible for a grant.
“We definitely wanted to focus on economic development,” Mitchell said, adding that work on the community compact had begun in May. “Whatever assistance the state can lend us in that arena would be greatly appreciated.”
Mitchell said that when applying for a grant from the state, Westfield will now be able to say they have signed the Community Compact.
“If you are a partner with the Commonwealth in this program, it’s going to put you in a better position for grant opportunities,” he said.
