City Council

Minutes from the City Council Meeting on Tuesday November 15, 2022, at 6:45 pm in the Auditorium are as follows: Laflamme, Frank N., President At-Large Councilor Present Roy, Gerard (Jerry) A. At-Large Councilor Present Tillotson, James K. At-Large Councilor Present via Zoom Zygarowski, Robert J. At-Large Councilor Present McAuliffe, Joel D. Ward 1 Councilor Present via Zoom Brooks, Shane D. Ward 2 Councilor Present via Zoom Lopez, Delmarina Ward 3 Councilor Present Balakier, George A. Ward 4 Councilor Present Krampits, Fred T. Ward 5 Councilor Present Dobosz, Derek Gregory Ward 6 Councilor Present Courchesne, William C. Ward 7 Councilor Present Labrie, Gary R. Ward 8 Councilor Present Pniak-Costello, Mary Elizabeth Ward 9 Councilor Present Public Input-Lisa Bienvenue, 34 Everett Street, want to speak about 350 Memorial Drive. Think it’s interesting decision that’s being fast tracked. Lot of questions in the mayor’s order that should have been answered before. After the RFP went out the need went from 20,000 sf to 30-80,000 sf to purchase. Only one building fit the description. There are regulations with the ESSER funds. Whole process with that, no document of provisional approval, hasn’t been discussed with the residents. Ordinance on Chapter 7 don’t know if that is what is on the Ordinance Committee report. Congrats to the Puerto Rican flag raising. Shows pride of community, change of demographics. --Motion made by Councilor Roy to return to the regular order of business after public input. Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. --Motion made by Councilor McAuliffe to receive and accept the minutes of November 1, 2022. Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. MO-1 Ordered that the City Council accept the donation in the amount of Five hundred and 00/100 dollars ($500.00) to the Chicopee Fire Department. Said donation is accepted in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Section 53A. --Motion made by Councilor Dobosz to receive, pass and the donation accepted. Councilor Dobosz stated an anonymous donor wanted to thank the Fire Department. They do an excellent job. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. MO-2 Ordered that the City Council accept the attached list of cash and in-kind donations in the amount of Five thousand one hundred thirteen and 35/100 dollars ($5,113.35) for the City of Chicopee Spooktacular Event. Said donations are accepted in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Section 53A and 53A ½. --Motion made by Councilor McAuliffe to receive, pass and the donations approved. Councilor McAuliffe stated self-explanatory. Motion passed through all stages by a roll call vote of 12 yes, 1 abstained. Councilor Pniak-Costello abstained. MO-3 Ordered that the City Council accept the FY’23 Council on Aging State Formula grant in the amount of One hundred seventy-eight thousand seven hundred sixty-four and 00/100 dollars ($178,764.00) from  the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to the Chicopee Council on Aging. Said grant is accepted in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Section 53A. --Motion made by Councilor Pniak-Costello to receive, pass and the grant accepted with a 2nd by Councilor Zygarowski. Councilor Pniak-Costello stated a grant to the COA to provide services and programs. Motion passed through all stages by a roll call vote of 12 yes, 1 abstained. Councilor Laflamme abstained. MO-4 Ordered that the City Council accept the two-year Federal Council on Aging Elder Transportation grant in the amount of Fifteen thousand and 00/100 dollars ($15,000.00) from West Mass Elder Care. Said grant for FY’23 will be Seven thousand five hundred and 00/100 dollars ($7,500.00) and it is accepted in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Section 53A. --Motion made by Councilor Krampits to receive, pass and the grant accepted with a 2nd by Councilor Zygarowski. Councilor Krampits stated a two-year grant, this is $7500 for this year to the COA for transportation program. Motion passed through all stages by a roll call vote of 12 yes, 1 abstained. Councilor Laflamme abstained. MO-5 Ordered that the City Council accept the donations in the amount of Five thousand one hundred eighty- five and 50/100 dollars ($5,185.50) to the Chicopee Senior Center. Said donations are for senior meals for the month of October, 2022 and they are accepted in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Section 53A. --Motion made by Councilor Roy to receive, pass and the donations accepted with a 2nd by Councilor Zygarowski. Councilor Roy stated money collected for meals on wheels. Motion passed through all stages by a roll call vote of 12 yes, 1 abstained. Councilor Laflamme abstained. MO-6 Ordered that the City Council consider the School Committee October 19th request to purchase property located at 350 Memorial Drive for School Administration offices and the answers to these questions be obtained; 1) An assessment of the School Department administrative space and needs, 2) An appraisal of the property 3) The total cost of retrofitting to space for use as school administrative offices 4) The total annual maintenance cost including utilities, landscaping, and cleaning 5) A letter from the state allowing the use of ESSER monies given the School Department of $8.3 million for the purchase of administrative offices is allowed under ESSER fund use requirements. --Motion made by Councilor Labrie to receive and refer to the Finance Committee and Education Committee with a 2nd by Councilor Zygarowski (Councilor Laflamme left the room). Councilor Labrie stated on the first two bullets he would like to see outside professionals. Other bullets can be discussed at a public hearing. Councilor Balakier stated excellent questions, big issue in the city. Need more information before making decisions. Councilor Lopez stated want to see these questions but there are many more questions to be answered. Councilor Dobosz stated opposed to the purchase. Will oppose sending this to committee. Don’t believe they need that much space. Major purchase. Money could be used for elementary schools. Load of bs don’t believe in the best interest of the taxpayers. Councilor Pniak-Costello stated make sure all the right people are invited. Big decision costing millions of dollars. Students first. Councilor Brooks stated just signed a 5-year lease, still have 4 years left on a 5-year lease. Will there be an ask to offset the lease. There are additional questions. Chair of education came up with other unasked questions. Need to have a meeting or correspondence to head off questions. Need to have a meeting or correspondence to head off questions. Councilor Lopez stated reason why in favor of  referring is to get more information. Part of offsetting the lease is the taxes on the building. School should be prepared to answer all questions. Need information to make informed decisions. Councilor Dobosz stated clarification, a school committee member said the lease was up. School committee members told the news it was a no-brainer. Don’t agree this is necessary. When this comes back for a final vote would it need a super majority? Answer is yes. Councilor Krampits stated getting supplemental information would be helpful. Maybe pass the questions in prior to the meeting. Research could be done before the meeting. Councilor McAuliffe stated majority of members have serious questions. Is a reasonable request to have this looked at. More forward to make a decision based on fact. Motion to refer passed by a roll call vote of 11 yes, 1 no, 1 out of chair. Councilor Dobosz voting no, Councilor Laflamme out of chair. 7 A favorable Human Resource Committee report: Mayoral appointment of Edward J. Polchlopek to the Golf Commission to serve in such office expiring on the 1st day of November 2026. --Motion made by Councilor Tillotson to receive and approved this evening. Councilor Tillotson stated favorable report by committee. Outstanding candidate played golf all his life. Councilor Roy stated great addition to the golf commission, has all the credentials needed. Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. 8 A favorable Ordinance Committee report: Chapter 7 Ordinance Revisions. --Motion made by Councilor Tillotson to receive and approve the raises effective 1/1/2024. --Motion made by Councilor Tillotson to receive, pass group 1 salaries adjusted every 3 years by a sum of 3 years increase by union. --Motion made by Councilor Labrie to send group 1 salary paragraph to the Ordinance Committee. Councilor Tillotson stated haven’t had a raise in over 10 years. Councilor Pniak-Costello stated voting no on pay raise timing is not a good time. Inflation is at a 40 year high. Ran knowing the salary, can’t vote for this now. Councilor Roy stated have to disagree with Councilor Pniak-Costello talking about more like 15 years. Two thousand over a 15-year period. Councilors are worth every penny. Councilor Lopez stated will vote in favor, may not affect some of us if we do not get re-elected, want new blood in here. Might be difference for someone who may run or not. Not going into effect today. Salaries and inflation also should be taken into effect. Councilor Krampits stated will support, going back to being on the council for many years. Declined a couple years ago. Takes politics out of it when it’s tied with the union contracts. Don’t expect private sector job to go 20 years without a raise. Understand Councilor Pniak-Costello but tying into contracts takes out politics. Councilor Labrie stated another motion, this is just for the raises, for this it has been 14-15 years without raises. Council been without raises. Spend about two tenfold of gasoline. Don’t get reimbursed for. Councilor Dobosz stated will vote for pay raises. Will definitely vote for. The 2nd part called the ethics commission, haven’t heard back. Councilor Tillotson stated issues with this. Don’t disagree with public input, have a problem tying to admin contract. Approve money with the contract. Misnomer saying politics is not involved. Would like to postpone the 2nd part, not being accused of shenanigans. No other community does it this way. Postpone. Not tied to anything, not tied to admin at all. Public would never know when we’re getting a raise, postpone or defeat. Look at it again. No rush on paragraph 2. Councilor Labrie stated agree with Councilor Tillotson on this, no rush, won’t take effect until 2024. Send back to Ordinance. Councilor Roy stated haven’t all these people received raises? Councilor Lopez stated will vote no to send back. Councilor Pniak-Costello stated wasn’t a member was at the meeting, transparency. Want public to know what the raises are. Will there be tied to contracts? Union members pay union dues. Great conversation that night. Councilor McAuliffe stated will be shocked if the ethics commission would allow this to stand. Open to raises tied to gep. Believe in fairly compensated officials. About equity. Make sure all can afford to serve in office. Councilor Courchesne stated don’t think piggybacking on union. Not getting representation, need to put into charter not ordinance. Motion to receive and approve raises passed through all stages by a roll call vote of 12 yes, 1  no. Councilor Pniak-Costello voting no. Motion to refer group 1 salary paragraph to the Ordinance Committee passed by a roll call vote of 12 yes, 1 no. Councilor Lopez voting no. 9 Be it ordered that Councilor Dobosz be authorized to hold a public hearing regarding the Williams Park Contamination dispute. --Motion made by Councilor Dobosz to receive and refer to the Utilities Committee. Councilor Dobosz stated originally wanted to hold a meeting private between the constituents and department heads. Three homes were affected, trying to find a time to meet. Filing the order for the hearing so we can meet at night. Both the city and the residents want to meet, just can’t find the time. Hope residents can get questions answered. Motion to refer passed by a roll call vote of 12 yes, 1 no. Councilor McAuliffe voting no. 10 Be it ordered that the Utilities Subcommittee meet with Eversource to discuss issues on Burnett Road. Motion made by Councilor Dobosz to receive and withdrawn. Councilor Dobosz stated the at large councilors were contacted. Business can’t get connection, trying to use a 50-year easement. City will not take a position on this. Motion to withdraw passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. 11 Be it ordered that the Public Safety Committee meet to discuss ambulance services. --Motion made by Councilor Dobosz to receive and refer to the Public Safety Committee. Councilor Dobosz stated constituent questions. Excellent fire department, ambulance commission does an excellent job. Towns half our size have 3 ambulances. Fire department is doing the best they can, think this is an issue we need to start discussing. Hope it’s not blocked-in committee. Councilor Pniak-Costello stated agree with Councilor Dobosz about ambulance services. As the city continues to grow, we need to keep up with services. As things change, we need to stay on top of this. Councilor Zygarowski stated listened to you say we have one of the greatest ambulances and fire departments in the area. Councilor Dobosz stated shortage of ambulances. Pull the logs, other communities are called to help us. There is a problem with the lack of ambulances in the City of Chicopee. Councilor Roy stated the problem is manpower. Can’t get regular fire fighters, need the manpower. Many years ago, had one ambulance. Councilor Zygarowski stated agree, remember when there was one ambulance. Manpower and the cost of equipment. Mayor and the Chief need to be a part of this. Councilor Courchesne stated have you asked the Chief? Never saw an ambulance from another city. We have 5 private ambulances in the City of Chicopee. --Councilor Laflamme asked for permission to speak on this. Motion passed by a roll call vote of 11 yes, 2 no. Councilors Roy and Lopez voting no. Councilor Laflamme stated in favor of referring, made a call to the chief today, get mutual aid by the state. Part of the state system. He is confident of what we have on order and backorder. Motion to refer passed by a roll call vote of 10 yes, 3 no. Councilors Roy, McAuliffe and Brooks voting no. 12 Be it ordered that the Public Works Committee meet to discuss comfort stations and restrooms in City parks. --Motion made by Councilor Pniak-Costello to amend to read Recreation Committee. Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. --Motion made by Councilor Pniak-Costello to refer to the Recreation Committee. Councilor Pniak- Costello stated residents have concerns. Want to thank Councilor Dobosz for the suggestion of sending to the Recreation Committee. Motion to refer passed by a unanimous roll call vote. 13 Be it ordered that the Public Safety Committee meet to discuss public safety and traffic issues on James Steet, the east side of Memorial Drive and the West Side of Memorial Drive. --Motion made by Councilor Pniak-Costello to refer to the Public Safety Committee. Councilor Pniak- Costello stated several residents calling with safety issues on James Street. Traffic increasing, lots of residents on both sides. Motion to refer passed by a unanimous roll call vote. 14-15 2023 Class 1 License renewals: Bob Pion Buick-GMC, Inc. 333 & 345 Memorial Drive Metro Motors of Chicopee, Inc. 650 C Memorial Drive --Motion made by Councilor Brooks to receive and granted with current restrictions. Councilor Brooks asked if there were any concerns. No concerns. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. 16-25 2023 Class 2 License renewals: Baskin’s, Inc. 118 Lorraine Street Broadway Auto Shop, Inc. 376 Broadway Chuck’s Auto Sales, LLC 58-78 West Street Fairview Auto Salvage 781 Ludlow Road Guilbert’s Auto Care, Inc. 1422 Granby Road J.F. Wegrzynek, Inc. d/b/a Jan’s Auto Service 1737 Donohue Road Geno’s Auto Service, Inc. d/b/a Geno’s Auto Sales 121 memorial Drive Rockrimmon Auto Parts and Recycling, Inc. 551 Center Street Unique Auto, Inc. 40 Prospect Street Unique Motors, Inc. 1021 Memorial Drive --Motion made by Councilor Brooks to receive and granted with current restrictions. Councilor Brooks asked if there were any concerns. No concerns. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. 26-28 2023 Class 3 License renewals: Fairview Auto Salvage, Inc. 781 Ludlow Road Pasterczyk’s Welding & Repair Shop, Inc. 1738 Donohue Road Rockrimmon Auto Parts and Recycling, Inc. 551 Center Street --Motion made by Councilor Brooks to receive and granted with current restrictions. Councilor Brooks asked if there were any concerns. No concerns. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. 29 2023 Auto Body License renewal: Chuck’s Auto Service, Inc. d/b/a Chuck’s Auto Body 58-78 West Street --Motion made by Councilor Brooks to receive and granted with current restrictions. Councilor Brooks asked if there were any concerns. No concerns. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. 30-38 2023 Auto Repair License renewals: Bob Pion Buick-GMC, Inc. 333 Memorial Drive Broadway Auto Shop, Inc. 376 Broadway Euro Glass & Frame Automotive 164 Chicopee Street Gallagher’s Olde Fashioned Service, Inc. 1095 Chicopee Street Guilbert’s Auto Care, Inc. 1422 Granby Road Matta Brothers Service Station, Inc. 817 Front Street Metro Motors of Chicopee, Inc. 650C Memorial Drive Town Fair Tire Centers, Inc. 886 Memorial Drive Yankee Glass, Inc. 450 New Ludlow Road --Motion made by Councilor Brooks to receive and granted with current restrictions. Councilor Brooks asked if there were any concerns. No concerns. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. 39-42 2023 Auto Body/Auto Repair License renewals: Ernie’s Automotive 18 Old James Street J.F. Wegrzynek, Inc. d/b/a Jan’s Auto Service 1737 Donohue Road Geno’s Auto Service 25 Sheridan Street Unique Motors, Inc. 1021 Memorial Drive --Motion made by Councilor Brooks to receive and granted with current restrictions. Councilor Brooks asked if there were any concerns. No concerns. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. 43 2023 Auto Detail License renewal: Metro Motors of Chicopee, Inc. 650C Memorial Drive --Motion made by Councilor Brooks to receive and granted with current restrictions. Councilor Brooks asked if there were any concerns. No concerns. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. ATTEST: Keith W. Rattell City Clerk