By KENNEDY GRIFFIN

(Greenfield, MA) Monday evening, Greenfield Mayor Roxann Wedegartner delivered the annual State of the City Address and was followed by City Council President Dan Guin who shared his remarks.

Mayor Wedegartner began with acknowledging the network of federal, state, and local leaders she works with and also recognized “one of Western Massachusetts’ great Congressional Representatives: Congressman John Olver, who passed away late last week,” with a moment of silence.

In looking back at 2022, the Mayor named projects like the $21 million fire station and the $20 million library, along with the new skatepark, that broke ground and said, “These projects are a testament to the willingness of Greenfield citizens to fund essential services that serve our city and surrounding communities.”

“Before we move on to 2023 I want to acknowledge one of last year’s biggest challenges that remains with us for the coming year. I speak now of the civil suit jury finding regarding our Police Chief, Robert Haigh, which is making its way through the state Appeals court as I speak,” the Mayor stated. “Make no mistake, I understand the gravity of the jury’s decision citing racial animus. Hearing those painful words as the basis of the jury award was not only devastating for me, but for the women and men of the Greenfield Police department, and for Chief Haigh. We cannot escape it; we can only move forward.”

Speaking of the plan for the future, the Mayor spoke of a “robust downtown redevelopment strategy focused on transformational change incorporating available and new housing, new infrastructure improvements, and retail and commercial opportunities. Here is where we merge our economic development, infrastructure, and housing efforts into a cohesive plan.”

The plan involves the sale of the Wilson’s Department Store building, upper floor redevelopment for housing and business purposes, the Main Street Improvement program, a parking management study, adding space for industrial development in the city, and the recently announced “Clinical & Support Options Wells Street permanent, supportive housing for chronically unhoused individuals.”

City Council President Guin followed the Mayor’s address and in his remarks he said, “I truly know I sit with 12 other Councilors that are serving to better the community that they call home. I certainly will not always agree with the Mayor nor will your council agree with each other. That diversity o opinion is what this country is based on. Difference of opinion working for a common goal.”

President Guin said in closing, “I know this council is working hard for Greenfield and what they believe is the right thing to do. In a time where they are criticized for things that are not in their control, it makes this a tough time to serve in a volunteer position. Rest assured we will continue to disagree with each other and stand up for our opinions, but they care and don’t ever say they don’t. There will be several seats open in this fall’s election I encourage anyone to step up that wants to try and make a difference.”

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Greenfield’s Mayor Roxann Wedegartner will be delivering the annual State of the City Address this evening, February 27th at 6:30 p.m. The City Council President Daniel Guin will follow with remarks.

This event will take place at the John Zon Community Center at 35 Pleasant Street in Greenfield and the public is invited to attend. Greenfield Community Television (GCTV) is planning to televise the event live on Channel 17 and online.