2010 Town Report - Town of Ludlow

BOARD OF SELECTMEN
2010 once again provided a fiscal challenge to the Town of Ludlow as our local aid from the state was
reduced from the previous year’s amount. This required cooperation from all town boards, departments,
unions and employees to prepare a municipal budget for fiscal year 2011 which was austere while still
maintaining a high level of services to all residents of Ludlow.
In March, the Board appointed Justin Larivee to serve as the Building Commissioner. Ludlow voters reelected
Aaron Saunders to a 2 nd term and elected newcomer Jason Barroso to positions on the Board of
Selectmen
In May, U.S. Marine Sgt. Joshua D. Desforges was killed while supporting combat operations in
Afghanistan. Thousands of Ludlow residents paid their respects to our fallen hero and his family by lining
the streets of the funeral procession.
The state legislature passed anti-bullying legislation in May and an anti-bullying committee was formed
consisting of town officials, school officials, civic leaders, and volunteers.
The large baseball filed at Whitney Street Park was named the Louis “Lou” Casagrande Baseball Field
during a ceremony held at the Park which featured Mr. Casagrande, his family, and hundreds of youth
baseball and soft-ball players.
June 25 th marked the re-opening of the John F. Thompson Memorial Pool following completion of a $2
million renovation. Also in June, Ludlow Reservoir extended its hours of public access thanks to the diligent
efforts of the Friends of the Reservoir.
The town acquired property at Park Place in an effort to expand downtown municipal parking and parking
for the Hubbard Memorial Library. HAP was awarded a $4.1 million grant to renovate the Stevens
Memorial Building into 28 units of senior housing.
In October, the town was awarded a $3.7 million Mass Works grant to be used for infrastructure
improvements along State Street and First Avenue as part of the Ludlow Mills Redevelopment project. The
efforts of Representative Thomas Petrolati and Senator Gale Candaras are greatly appreciated.
In December, the Board approved a fundraiser sponsored by the Ludlow Rotary Club and Ludlow resident
Keith Ouellette. A horse-drawn sleigh carrying Santa Claus and his elves travelled throughout the town and
collected Toys to benefit the Marine Corp’s Toys for Tots program. All toys were donated to the program in
memory of Sergeant Joshua Desforges. Carolers from Ludlow High School sang, and a Christmas tree was
lit, on the steps of Town Hall.
This past year I have been honored to serve as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. I would like to thank
our Town Administrator Ellie Villano and the staff at the Selectmen’s Office – Beverly Tokarz, Denise
Tomlinson, and Lori LeDuc. They have made my job much easier and they are truly an asset to the town.
Respectfully submitted,
William E. Rooney, Chairman
Ludlow Board of Selectmen
11