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Longmeadow voters once again say no to fiber through override

by | Jun 3, 2026 | Hampden County, Local News, Longmeadow

The exterior of the Longmeadow Community House once polls opened for the election on June 2.
Reminder Publishing photos by Peter Tuohy

LONGMEADOW — The unofficial election results are in for Longmeadow’s annual town election on June 2, which saw no contested races but did make an attempt at a Proposition 2½ override to continue the chance of a town-owned fiber internet network.

The ballot question was shut down in an overwhelming no vote, with 835 residents voting no against the 430 yes votes, according to the unofficial results.

Article 7 to approve $8.6 million for the network’s initial construction was voted against at the Annual Town Meeting on May 12 in a 374-270 vote. Town Manager Lyn Simmons said that the ballots had to be ordered before Town Meeting so they would arrive in time for early voting at the Select Board meeting on May 5.

A passing vote would have allowed the Select Board to decide whether to call a Special Town Meeting to vote on the borrowing authorization again, to include a borrowing authorization at the fall Special Town Meeting or not act on the ballot question at all.

Select Board member Vineeth Hemavathi and Matthew Casale stand outside with their signs.
Reminder Publishing photo by Peter Tuohy

In terms of the candidates, Select Board member Vineeth Hemavathi secured his uncontested race with 887 votes, granting him another three years.

There were three candidates for School Committee with three seats up for grabs. School Committee member Nicole Choiniere was reelected with 849 votes, with Matthew Casale and Bisrat Abebe sooned to be welcomed into the committee with 742 and 664 votes respectively. Each will serve three-year terms.

Antonietta Mongillo was the only candidate for the Planning Board and will serve a five-year term after receiving 764 votes.

Peter Tuohy
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