Housing issues discussed during regional mayor’s forum

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – Mayors from seven communities gathered Friday morning at the Log Cabin to discuss the major issues facing cities and towns in western Massachusetts.

The event was a wide-ranging conversation at the Log Cabin talking through the challenges their communities face in the year ahead and beyond.

“The mayors of our area here are good friends and we work together. but we share a lot of the same issues,” said Springfield Mayor Sarno.

The forum opened with each mayor detailing the biggest challenges facing their communities putting the range of the mayoral office in full display. For the most part, the same issues were top of mind for each city, housing the number one.

All these communities are short on units of all kinds, for sale, for rent, new construction, affordable, low-income, and market rate. Each situation is colored by each town’s demographics, size, and location.

Among the other top issues include the impacts of the migrant crisis, school district funding, the end of ARPA funds, and climate resiliency.

Chamber’s Annual Mayors Forum

• Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno
• Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia
• Chicopee Mayor John Vieau
• Agawam Mayor Christopher Johnson
• Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra
• Westfield Mayor Mike McCabe
• West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt

These mayors are happy to have the relationships that they do as they navigate these issues, particularly during budget season.

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Duncan MacLean is a reporter who has been a part of the 22News team since 2019. Follow Duncan on X @DMacLeanWWLP and view his bio to see more of his work.

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