Select Board Chairman Russ Fox surprises Lt. Gov. Karen Polito with Mrs. Murphy’s donuts as a gift. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
SOUTHWICK – Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito made a visit to Southwick Town Hall on Thursday afternoon in order to sign a Community Compact agreement with the town.
The Community Compact is a project that is a part of the Baker-Polito Administration, which officially came into effect when Gov. Charlie Baker signed his first Executive Order on January 23, 2015.
In the auditorium of the Southwick Town Hall, Polito announced that Southwick would be the 271st community throughout the commonwealth to have a Community Compact signed.
“This shows that this is a program working for all parts of the state,” said Polito.
Select Board Vice-Chairman Doug Moglin was pleased when he heard the town would be a part of the Community Compact.
“It really enables each town to pick a best practice that’ll help them most,” said Moglin.
Lt. Gov. Karen Polito signs the Community Compact in the auditorium at the Southwick Town Hall on Thursday afternoon. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
Along with the town’s Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart, Moglin delegated for the Community Compact to be used for an assessment of their town-wide IT (Information Technology) system.
According to Polito, Southwick will now have the chance for other grant opportunities, including the IT Grant Program.
Polito went on to say that legislation funds the Community Compact Program and understands each community’s concerns or ideas. Recently, the Municipal Modernization Bill has been passed to help improve any municipal regulations that have been outdated.
“The state will work with us and they’ll make the resources available,” said Stinehart. “This is something the commonwealth feels very strongly about.”
Sen. Don Humason, who represents 11 cities and towns including Southwick, commended Polito for the work she and her administration has done, as local officials have taken notice.
“Every single one of them has seen you and the Governor (Baker) come out, not just once or twice, but several times,” said Humason. “We welcome you back to Southwick, we’re so pleased.”
