HATFIELD — Voters at town election Tuesday will decide a three-year seat on the Select Board in a race between incumbent Diana Szynal, president and CEO of the Springfield Regional Chamber, and Luke Longstreeth, co-owner of a Hadley landscaping business and a Hatfield Fire Department captain.

The only contested election on the ballot, both candidates are citing the need to pursue economic development to bring in new revenue and to make decisions on infrastructure improvement projects and municipal spending.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Memorial Town Hall, with the ballot also containing votes on both a Proposition 2½ tax-cap override to fund 24 hours a day fire and ambulance coverage, though this measure failed at annual Town Meeting, and a $3.37 million Proposition 2½ debt-exclusion override to pay for capital improvement projects at the public schools.

Luke Longstreeth

Interest in town politics and getting more involved in Hatfield affairs, while offering a new perspective from a younger generation, is spurring Longstreeth, 33, to run for Select Board. He currently serves on the Conservation Commission and the Comprehensive Plan Committee.

“Leadership and community service has always been a big part of my life,” says Longstreeth, who was class vice president while at Smith Academy and earned Eagle Scout rank in Boy Scouts.

A sixth-generation resident who says he has no intention of leaving town, describing himself as “Hatfield through and through,” Longstreeth is co-owner of Four Seasons Property Management in Hadley, which has 34 employees handling landscape design. He also runs Mountainside Maple Farm, Hatfield’s first sugaring operation.

From his professional background, Longstreeth has an expertise with contract writing.

“It’s constantly managing money, and I think that’s something I can really bring to this town,” Longstreeth said.

He also wants to offer a “fresh set of eyes” and do deep dives into projects and initiatives. With no children in the school system, Longstreeth said he can play a role in objectively looking at the school system, one of the oldest but smallest in the state, and whether embarking on a different approach for education is needed.

“Does it make sense to continue to spend money on nostalgia,” Longstreeth said.

“I think that the town really does give a lot to residents for their tax dollars, however I think there are ways we can improve our spending, and also get more for what they are contributing,” Longstreeth said.

A Pantry Road resident, Longstreeth is suggesting forming a business development committee to try to attract businesses and reduce the burden on homeowners. This committee could examine what businesses look like, whether they are mixed use and where they should go. He supports more development on the Routes 5 & 10 corridor and understands that development there should be different from what is in the historic town center.

As a resident who has been vocal about the time it has taken to complete the water and sewer line extension project on Routes 5 & 10, bringing forward concerns from residents, he would examine contracts related to infrastructure improvement projects.

“How can we better oversee these projects so that they’re not lasting four, five or six years, and really creating a large impact to our community,” Longstreeth said.

Longstreeth said he wants to make Hatfield a better place and set the groundwork for the future.

“I want to help steer development, in a positive way that makes sense,” Longstreeth said. “I feel like I can bring positive change, and help get things accomplished.”

Diana Szynal

Starting her public service 37 years ago working at Hatfield Town Hall, and working for 16 years as district director for 1st Hampshire District state Rep. Peter Kocot, Szynal, 58, is looking to extend her 12 years serving as a Select Board member, a span that ran from 2000 to 2006 and resumed in 2019.

“I will continually work to take every step possible to make sure Hatfield remains a great place to live, to work and to do business,” Szynal said.

President and CEO of the Springfield Regional Chamber, and former executive director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, Szynal said her extensive work in and connections throughout the business communities in Hampshire, Hampden and Franklin counties are an asset to Hatfield.

“That demonstrates that I am committed to all aspects of creating a vibrant and thriving economy in our region, and it gives me a very unique insight into how Hatfield can best take advantage of its own special attributes,” Szynal said.

She also notes that for five of the past six years on the Select Board, she has earned the confidence of her colleagues by being chairwoman, a role that often means more work.

Szynal said she understands the huge demands on the town budget, such as the potential needs of a public safety complex, how to promote and preserve what she calls the town’s “small, but sacred school system” and dealing with DF Riley Dam.

“We can meet these challenges with thoughtful and innovative solutions,” Szynal said.

But Szynal cautions that raising taxes is not the right approach, but instead there can be new revenue found. She cited her recent effort to push for more state Chapter 90 roads money from the state by testifying in person at a legislative hearing at the State House, indicating how she brings a broad understanding of the legislative process.

An example of this growth of the tax base could come through the Routes 5 & 10 extension of water and sewerlines, understanding there has been inconvenience for those who live along that road, but this will pay dividends for Hatfield, both from new businesses and getting homeowners off septic tanks to protect the aquifer. The project costs were borne by the state, including extra money that state Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, secured.

“Ultimately, that puts us in a position to bring in more business and continue to develop that corridor,” Szynal said.

A Straits Road resident, Szynal said she repeatedly has given credit to residents for their patience and perseverance with that project, and that oversight and leadership from the Select Board made it a reality.

“I consider (the project) a feather in the cap of the Select Board,” Szynal said. “It’s a real testament to the Select Board and how we can manage crises.”

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com