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WEST SPRINGFIELD — Reminder Publishing is continuing its election coverage in West Springfield with another round of questionnaires.
The paper asked the same three questions to all of the at large Town Council candidates featured on the Nov. 4 ballot.
Due to the number of candidates, Reminder Publishing has split the coverage into two parts.
This week’s list of at large candidates includes incumbents Jaime Smith and Brian Griffin, as well as current School Committee member Diana Coyne. Next week’s edition will feature the other half.
Per usual, the candidates are listed in alphabetical order.
Reminder Publishing: What are some top priorities/issues you’d like to address on the West Springfield Council?
Coyne: My top priorities/issues include community safety, thoughtful infrastructure investment, and fiscal responsibility, anchored by my commitment to keep West Springfield a vibrant, attractive place for residents and businesses. With four years of annual budget cycle experience as a member of the School Committee, I am extremely mindful of the balance between taxes and spending. I have and will continue to make fact-based decisions with transparency to help residents understand issues and why decisions are made. West Springfield boasts a wonderful and unique quality of life, and I want to further contribute to enhance and ensure West Springfield’s bright future.
Griffin: West Springfield is entering 2026 with a clear focus on building a stronger, safer and more resilient community. From infrastructure upgrades to long-term financial planning, the town is balancing today’s needs with tomorrow’s opportunities.
Below are the top priorities I wish to address moving forward.
- Infrastructure & Roads:Ongoing projects include Piper Road, Birnie Avenue, Dewey Street improvements, while we continue to track progress to Riverdale Street and Memorial Avenue. As the Chairman of the Enrollment Advisory Committee studying Schools, we have learned that there are high needs for each of our elementary schools with the exception of the new Coburn School. The report of the committee will be presented to the Mayor, School Committee, Town Council, and more importantly to the entire community by the end of 2025.
- Fiscal Responsibility: We need to continue the course of action taken on each budget with an emphasis of controlling costs, limiting new debt, and funding capital projects through free cash where possible to protect taxpayers while still delivering needed services.
- Public Safety: We will need to continue the investment in our police and fire staffing and equipment. Our continued goal is to have both departments at full complement so that they can respond safely and effectively to community needs and reduce reliance on overtime. They are the best in the business!
- Schools & Education: Again, as Chairman of the Enrollment Advisory Committee, it has been my pleasure to work with the team of 13 members who each bring a tremendous perspective of the way forward with our elementary schools. The committee was formed in January 2025 and we have visited every elementary school, met with the administrators, and are working toward our commitment of reporting our findings by the end of 2025 or early part of 2026. To this end, the trigger of this committee being formulated was that of a petition of 2,700 registered voters who wished to preserve the neighborhood schools’ model, after Mittineague School was said to be decommissioned. So while the committee is studying long-term possibilities, short-term vision will have to be a part of our findings.
- Parks and Recreation: One thing that West Springfield has always had is a great Parks and Recreation Department. Their team is special and their programs are the best in the business. We will need to continue our effort to provide them the resources they need. From a standpoint of our fields, progress is being made to redesign the Mittineague Field’s, but a long-term goal of mine is to establish a state of art athletic complex.
- Broadband & Technology: Whip City Fiber has come into West Springfield for our broadband needs, given the cost of Comcast Wi-Fi. We need to continue to make sure that the build-out of the infrastructure and implementation into homes is on time and on budget.
Smith: Some top priorities are public safety and overall wellbeing for our community. We need to support our first responders as they support the residents each and every day. Keeping taxes manageable for those who live here as fiscal responsibility continues to be critical.
Lastly, maintaining and improving our town’s infrastructure to ensure safety, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
RP: What’s one or two things you think voters should know about you?
Coyne: As a West Springfield native, proud graduate of the WSHS Class of 1984 and Mount Holyoke College, I bring deep roots and personal investment to my work in the community. I am a wife and mother of two children (also WSHS graduates), and two cats.
My professional background spans over 25 years of business leadership, including expertise in budgeting, managing people and operations, and building successful relationships for national and global companies. Like many, I have lived through traumatic events, which have grounded me in resilience, service and giving back to others.
Griffin: I came to West Springfield some time ago as it was always an aspiration of mine to have my children grow up here. Since I was old enough to be aware, I was exposed to the culture of the West Side through the Knights of Columbus.
My dad was struggling with his health, and I was very active in youth sports, those families took me in like I was their own and quite frankly were a major reason why I was able to achieve great things in baseball. My public service is a direct connection to those families from West Side, who taught me the meaning of paying it forward. My only hope is that I have lived up to their standards set throughout my terms in office!
Smith: As a dedicated resident, I am committed to working collaboratively to ensure the continued growth, stability, and bright future for generations to come. I am approachable and always willing to listen with an open mind.
RP: In your eyes, how has the campaign been going?
Coyne: Throughout my campaign, I have been energized by conversations and interactions with community members. Every exchange is an opportunity to connect, listen, learn, refine my focus, and strengthen my commitment to the future of West Springfield. Remaining visible and actively involved in our community allows me to build relationships that foster new opportunities.
Guided by a sense of purpose, a drive for progress and a commitment to respectful partnership, I am prepared to bring proven leadership and community-first values to the West Springfield Town Council.
Griffin: The campaign is going well. My favorite part of campaigning and holding elected office in general, is having people hold me accountable, answering their questions, and knowing how to have a dialogue where we can disagree on things without being disagreeable.
Smith: My campaign is strong like in years past. It is challenging yet rewarding all at the same time. So many of us care deeply about each other and our town. We want the best in all we do, and we have to collaborate better to face our challenges and overcome the objections.
