THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
MAYOR DOMENIC J. SARNO
HOME OF THE BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME
Friday, April 16, 2021
Dear Councilor Justin Hurst:
Your Facebook post concerning an event you were organizing for a community cleanup at Acom
‘Street Park was recently brought to my attention. It is unfortunate that I need to write this response
to your false claims and blatant lies that according to you “the city is attempting to put every barr
in place possible to prevent the community from cleaning their own park.”
‘As you very well know, request of these natures are usually directed to the appropriate city
departments for review. In this ease the Parks Department and in our efforts as we continue to
deal with defeating this COVID-19. Coronavirus pandemic to our Office Health and Human
Services - for a COVID-19 public health and safety plan for review so that a super spreader does
not occur.
Also, specifically in this case where you claim the city is trying to hinder a city councilor from
taking these actions. 1 must counter these ¢
1. The property in question was already initially cleaned up
2. Working with and upon the request of the Boys and Girls Club Family Center,
Neighborhood, and working with Ward 4 City Councilor Malo Brown, a master plan to
revitalize the area in question was put into place pre-COVID-19
3. Inever asked nor did Park Department officials ask you to be charged for this volunteer
cleanup event
‘Again, there is a permit process that needs to be filled out for all particular info, and
communication and coordination aspects. In addition, Councilor Hurst, after checking in with the
Parks Department, it appears that you just submitted your COVID-19 public health and safety plan
today, the day before the event, for review.
Your claim that the Department of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management, per my input,
is charging you $696.97 to hold this event is a blatant lie at best and nothing more than a political
publicity stunt at worst. After inquiring about these claims with the Parks Department it was
City of Springfield + 36 Court Street » Springfield, MA 01103-1687 + (413) 787-6100discovered that, no one from the Parks Department filled out these cost expenses and that you
yourself inputted these numbers ~ in the section that clearly states ‘Parks Dept. Use Only”. In
addition, I have been told that when an employee from the Parks Department tried to catch up with
you after you dropped off your park permit, they tried to return the check to you and you refused
to take it.
In closing, Iam asking myself, do you really want to do good for the community and neighborhood
or just manufacture another made-up controversy/conflict for self-political attention to cover the
fact that you did not follow the proper permitting and COVID-19 public health and safety plan
accordingly and in a timely fashion. Just plain ridiculous.
Respectfully,
yee 6
Domgxte J. Sarno
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