City Councilor Brian Griffin talks to City Council President Sean Powers and the community about the impact the departing councilors had on the board and the town.
Photo credit: West Side Media
WEST SPRINGFIELD — During the West Springfield Town Council meeting on Dec. 15, Town Council members praised the departing members for their public service.
City Council President Sean Powers and Vice President Brian Clune both did not run for reelection this fall.
Clune specifically said that, after 12 years on the council, he wanted to give a newcomer the chance to serve.
At Large Town Councilor and former police officer Daniel O’Brien will also not be returning to the Town Council after unsuccessfully running for mayor against William Reichelt.
Town Councilor Brian Griffin talked about Powers and his commitment to the council and the town.
“I know you’re not going to say it, and I know you’re humble but I know that you’re leaving us, you’re leaving public life for now, but it has been one of the most enjoyable experiences that I’ve had over the last many years, serving with you. On behalf of myself, the Griffin family, the Powers family has a long legacy of public service in this town,” Griffin stated.
According to Griffin, Powers’ father helped write the town’s charter, and his family has had a long history of serving West Springfield.
“The Powers family has had many, many years of public service, but it’s been a privilege and an honor to serve with you personally,” Griffin stated, “You have brought an immense amount of intelligence to this board. The fact that you are a lawyer by trade helps us a lot as well. I couldn’t go without telling you that because you’ve touched my heart in many ways and we’re going to be friends forever, but you’re going to be sorely missed by me.”
Town Councilor William Forfa reiterated the sentiments of Griffin when talking about Powers and what he meant to him personally, as well as to the council.
“This is my first time going around on the council, and one of my first introductions was to [Powers] to help me adapt and how to run my position as councilor. Without that, it would have been just a mad chase round and round and round. In your young years and everything like that, you’ve been able to take this old guy and teach him a few lessons about the decorum and about the certain things that have to go on, otherwise it would have just been a raging maniac up here,” Forfa said, “You’ve added a lot of perfection to the decorum with how things should be run here, and it should be used as an example for everyone.”
Griffin also acknowledged the departure of Clune before also mentioning the departure of O’Brien.
“Another public servant for many, many, many, many decades in this community,” Griffin said, “Whether it’s protecting us from harm or meeting someone in the street and helping them, or constant help to so many people in this town, countless families. To councilor O’Brien and his family, thank you for your participation in public service. It has meant a lot to the town, and you will be missed.”
Powers briefly reflected on his time on the council and discussed his decision to step away.
“I will miss this council very much,” Powers said, “Since I came, it’s kind of the only thing that’s been constant every other week. It wasn’t easy to make the decision, but I appreciate all the kind words and your friendships over the years. I appreciate the town of West Springfield for still liking me after eight years, I think. Thank you all very much, really, I mean that.”
Griffin and incumbent Town Councilors Jaime Smith and Forfa were both reelected, while newcomers James Welch, Diana Coyne and David Sypek were also elected by residents to serve the town on the council.
