EAST LONGMEADOW — Elected to another term, Town Councilor Connor O’Shea is looking for the council to continue the progress achieved in the previous three years.
During the June 4 election, O’Shea and challenger James Leydon were selected for the Town Council, beating out Guiliano Basile in a three-candidate race.
While discussing his goals, O’Shea told Reminder Publishing, O’Shea opined that the town was in a “good trajectory.” Acknowledging the “fair amount of work” to come, he outlined three main goals for the council in his coming term.
The first goal O’Shea highlighted was the need to review funding for roadway improvements, noting that costs were “astronomically” high and that the town needed to look for alternate ways to address these needs.
He also discussed the need for additional long range planning, referencing needed improvements to the police and fire department buildings in order to accommodate their operations. O’Shea emphasized that specific changes, such as whether to renovate or rebuild the buildings, needed to be discussed by the full council, but that it was an issue that he was interested in seeing brought forward during his term. He also stated that the location and land use for the properties should also be discussed.
Similarly, while the town has moved forward with updating East Longmeadow High School and Birchland Park Middle School, O’Shea noted that the elementary schools should also be supported.
Concerning initial priorities for the Town Council, O’Shea recommended that the council set “collective goals” in order to lay out a direction for the town. He thanked residents for their support during his reelection and emphasized that he was pleased about his coming term.
“It’s been a great first three years and I am looking forward to the next three years,” he stated.
O’Shea was first elected to the Town Council in 2021, he said. Currently employed as a software developer, he has a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems and is a lifelong resident.
Reminder Publishing also reached out to Leydon, but did note receive a response as of press time.
