Councilor Lederman Chairs Virtual Town Hall on COVID Recovery

On Tuesday, May 25 the Springfield City Council’s COVID-19 Response Committee held a Virtual Town Hall to solicit testimony from residents and business owners regarding their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and to hear their ideas on how the city can best respond to their challenges as the focus on pandemic recovery begins.

Watch the full Virtual Town Hall above.

“I always say – never count the people of Springfield out, we’ll get up and surprise you. And that is exactly what we are going to do with this pandemic recovery,” said At-Large City Councilor Jesse Lederman, Chairman of the City Council’s COVID-19 Response Committee who moderated the forum, “The testimony shared with us during our Town Hall will help us formulate a strong and equitable recovery, and it is only the beginning. It is essential that our entire community be at the table for these discussions and the decisions that will be made in the weeks and months ahead.”

“With the release of the American Rescue Plan funding there is an opportunity to build a stronger Springfield than before the pandemic hit. We will need all hands on deck to determine the greatest needs in our communities and platforms like the COVID-19 Response Committee will help bring those voices to the forefront,” said City Council President Marcus Williams, who provided opening remarks at the forum, “Constructive discussion was on full display yesterday and I am hopeful the administration, Council, and residents can continue working together to determine how this funding will be expended.”

Participating in the forum in addition to Williams and Lederman were City Councilors Gumersindo Gomez, Michael Fenton, Melvin Edwards, Malo Brown, Victor Davila, Timothy Allen, Orlando Ramos, and Sean Curran. Also joining the forum was Chief Administrative and Financial Office T.J. Plante, Economic Development Director Timothy Sheehan, and Director of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Patrick Sullivan.

Residents testifying raised issues including access and affordability of housing, municipal infrastructure, labor needs in the health and human services sectors, creative economy initiatives, municipal broadband proposals, and more.

Residents and business owners who were not able to attend the event live are encouraged to e-mail testimony to City Councilor Jesse Lederman at JLederman@springfieldcityhall.com.