City Council

Minutes from the City Council Meeting on Tuesday May 20, 2025, at 6:30 pm irithe Auditorium are as follows: •• ' Laflamme, Frank N., President At-Large Councilor •· ,; ','' . • ·,, ' ·,,, ~,_! l ; _t, l i 1 Present Roy, Gerard (Jerry) A. At-Large Councilor Present Wagner, Timothy Joseph At-Large Councilor Absent Zygarowski, Robert J, At-Large Councilor Absent Arriaga, Abigail Ward 1 Councilor Present Brooks, Shane D. Ward 2 Councilor Present via Zoom Goff, Susan M. Ward 3 Councilor Present Balakier, George A. Ward 4 Councilor Present Krampits, Fred T. Ward 5 Councilor Present Shumsky, Samuel Robert Ward 6 Councilor Present Courchesne, William C. Ward 7 Councilor Present Labrie, Gary R. Ward 8 Councilor Present via Zoom Pniak-Costello, Mary Elizabeth Ward 9 Councilor Present Mayor's Orders briefing and announcements by Mayor Vieau or designee. On MO-1, to treat the catch basins and storm drains to curtail mosquito's. On MO-2, self-insured, medical bills for first responders injured on duty. On MO-3, getting closer to the completion of Phase 1. Lee Pouliot stated 2nd award for this fiscal year. Close out other projects and re-allocate the funds to other applicants. Have to expend by June 30 th . Going toward design and engineering of Phase 2. Councilor Shumsky stated know how crucial this project is. Timeline? Lee stated schematic and data collection. In 2026 city will be presented options for the scope of items. Then design and engineering. Probably looking at a year and a half to even begin construction. Councilor Balakier stated thank you for your hard work with this. Does it look like we are where we should be on this? Lee stated yes, the city is being very proactive on this. Trying to avoid a situation where the culvert fails. Would impact all the utility systems. On MO-4, unanimous by the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners to transfer. On MO-5, thank you to Florence Bank for their generosity. Love keeping events free for the general public. On MO-6, community partners stepping up to the plate. Sponsor and participated. Would like to do quarterly. Build on city pride. On MO-7, president of the Board of the COA interviewed. Helping with tech support at the center. On MO-8, Purchasing Director, part of the requirement of the building commission to be on the board. Mayor stated congratulate the Elms College students and families. Couldn't be more proud. Never forget Chicopee is here for them. Memorial Day is Monday. Vietnam Veteran's park in Willimansett they have a powerful ceremony. Vietnam Veteran's Plaza on Memorial Day. Public Input-Lisa Bienvenue, 34 Everett Street, good to hear all about the positive. Can't forget our to-do list. Councilor Zygarowski listed as absent on the minutes, makes you think about the seat. Under Mass General Laws when a vacancy occurs at any time shall be filled forth with, remainder of the unexpired term. Duty to us, the public. Councilor Zygarowski dedicated his life to serve. Fill the seat so the public can continue to be served. Julie L'Hereux, 58 Carew Street, thank Mayor Vieau for recognizing vets. Also those that died as a result of agent orange. Mary Beth Costello, 66 Voss Avenue, word in Fairview thank the DPW for the South Fairview sewer project. Ludlow Construction is doing a great job as is Tighe and Bond. Talk about the budget. First thing that is cut in the schools is the travel budget. Sue Nimchick, 362 James Street, questions, fascinating answers. Questions raised by councilors are shot down not even to go to committee. Are they going to stop asking questions? Who would want aspects of questions not probed. Budget, pushed. Point commend individuals bring up about the budget. Do we get our act together. No single individual is in power. Questions are vital especially at committee meetings. --Motion made by Councilor Krampits to close public input. Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent. C-1 Communication: none Minutes 5/6/25 City Council Meeting --Motion made by Councilor Shumsky to receive and approve the minutes of the 5/6/25 City Council Meeting. Councilor Shumsky stated self-explanatory. Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent. MO-1 Mayor's appropriation of One thousand eight hundred and 00/100 dollars ($1,800.00) to the following named account: Health Expense Account for Memberships from available funds in the Undesignated Fund Balance "Free Cash" account. --Motion made by Councilor Arriaga to receive and pass. Councilor Arriaga stated membership fees for storm drains. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent. MO-2 Mayor's appropriation of Twenty two thousand two hundred thirty three and 79/100 dollars ($22,233.79) to the following named account: Human Resources Special Account for Indemnifications of Police & Fire from available funds in the Undesignated Fund Balance "Free Cash" account. --Motion made by Councilor Pniak-Costello to receive and pass. Councilor Pniak-Costello stated for indemnification of police and fire. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent. MO-3 Ordered that the City Council accept the additional Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) Fiscal Year 2025 Property Projects Program Advancement Grant in the amount of Forty five thousand and 00/100 dollars ($45,000.00) to the City of Chicopee. Said grant will supplement the initial DER award of One hundred thousand and 00/100 dollars to support Phase II of the Abbey Brook Revitalization Project 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. Councilor Kram pits stated additional money from DER, closed out other grants and applying to other areas where projects are still open. Design for phase 2. Councilor Pniak-Costello  stated will benefit the city for years to come. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent. MO-4 Mayor's appropriation of Thirty thousand and 00/100 dollars ($30,000.00) to the following named account: D.P.W. Wastewater Expense Account for Repairs to Equipment from available funds in the Sewer Surplus account. --Motion made by Councilor Roy to receive and pass. Councilor Roy read the backup letter. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent. MO-5 Ordered that the City Council accept the attached list of donations in the amount of Six thousand five hundred and 00/100 dollars ($6,500.00) from the Florence Bank 705 Memorial Drive Chicopee, MA to the City of Chicopee. Said donations are accepted in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Section 53A ½. --Motion made by Councilor Labrie to receive, pass and the donation accepted. Councilor Labrie stated for 5 events happening in the city. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent. MO-6 Ordered that the City Council accept the in-kind donation with a value of One thousand one hundred thirty and 25/100 dollars ($1,130.25) from the Home Depot 655 Memorial Drive Chicopee, MA to the City of Chicopee. Said donation will be used for the 2025 Clean Sweep-Clean City Initiative and it is accepted in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Section 53A ½. --Motion made by Councilor Balakier to receive, pass and the donation accepted. Councilor Bala kier stated clean-sweep, in kind donation. Well worth the acceptance. Thanks for helping out. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent. MO-7 To the City Council You are hereby notified that I have this day appointed Gini Mack 183 Silvin Road, Chicopee, MA 01013 to serve the Council on Aging as a board member as of May 6th , 2025, until May 6th , 2028. To which appointment I ask the confirmation of your honorable Council. *New Appointment --Motion made by Councilor Shumsky to receive and refer to the Human Resources Committee. Councilor Shumsky stated to serve on the Council on Aging. Motion to refer passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent. MO-8 To the City Council You are hereby notified that I have this day appointed, Allison Dauphinais, 1559 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104 to the Anna Barry School Building Commission, effective May 13, 2025. *New Appointment --Motion made by Councilor Courchesne to receive and refer to the Human Resources Committee. Councilor Courchesne stated take up in committee. Motion to refer passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent. MO-9 Ordered that the City Council accept the donations in the amount of Six thousand six hundred eighty nine and 00/100 dollars ($6,689.00) to the Chicopee Senior Center. Said donations are for senior meals for the month of April, 2025 and they are accepted in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Section 53A. --Motion made by Councilor Goff to receive, pass and the donation accepted with a 2 nd by Councilor Krampits. Councilor Goff stated donations from daily meals. Motion passed through all stages by a roll call vote of 10 yes, 1 abstained. Councilor Laflamme abstained. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent. 10 A favorable Human Resources Committee report: Mayoral appointment of Mark Willette as a member of the Veterans Grave Officer until the thirty-first of March 2030. --Motion made by Councilor Labrie to approve as the Veterans Grave Officer. Councilor Labrie stated experience with Military, extensive knowledge. Will be a benefit. Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent. 11 A favorable Human Resources Committee report: Be it Ordered that further nominations be taken this evening for the Library Board of Trustees, that Judith S. Chelte, Ph.D., be nominated and that nominations be closed. Any nominations will be referred to the Human Resources Committee for a public hearing. --Motion made by Councilor Labrie to receive and approved this evening. Councilor Labrie stated Dr. Chelte interviewed very well, will make a contribution. Councilor Pniak-Costello stated will make a tremendous contribution. Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent. 12 Be it Ordered that the Rules Committee meet to discuss the following Open Meeting Law Complaint 1. Filed by Lisa Bienvenue on 4-25-2025 regarding 3-31-2025 Special City Council Meeting --Motion made by Councilor Kramp its to receive and refer to the Rules Committee. Councilor Krampits stated will discuss in committee. Motion to refer passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent. 13 Be it ordered that the following Order shall be amended to add the following language: "An act relative to changing the two-year elected term for the Mayor of Chicopee to a four- year elected term" so it reads as follows: Be it ordered that a petition to the General Court, accompanied by a bill for a special law relating to the term of Mayor in the City of Chicopee to be filed in the General Court with an attested copy of this order, be and hereby is, approved under clause (1) of section 8 of article 2 of the amendments to the constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, so that the attached legislation be adopted precisely as follows, except for clerical or editorial changes of form only: An act relative to changing the two-year elected term for the Mayor of Chicopee to a four- year elected term Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows: SECTION 1. At the next annual municipal election in the City of Chicopee, and at such election in every fourth year thereafter, the Mayor shall be elected by the qualified voters of the City voting in their respective precincts. The Mayor shall be elected by ballot and shall hold office for four years from the first Monday in January following the election at which they were elected, and until a successor is elected and qualified. SECTION 2. Chapter 144 of the acts of 1917 is hereby repealed. SECTION 3. So much of the charter of said City and of the amendments thereto as is inconsistent herewith is hereby repealed. SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon its acceptance by a majority of the qualified voters of the City of Chicopee, present and voting therein at the state election in the current year. --Motion made by Councilor Krampits to amend to read an act relative to a 2 year term changed to a 4 year term for Mayor and approved. Councilor Krampits stated feedback from State Rep. Arriaga. No changes, just adding a title. Councilor Shumsky stated President Laflamme and the office staff have been trying to get this through. Councilor  Courchesne stated amend section 4 to read 2028, should not be in the current year. Counselor Corridan stated Legislature can amend but if there is a time issue have to be sent to committee. --Motion made by Councilor Courchesne to refer to the Rules Committee. Councilor Courchesne stated can we amend on the floor? Not fair to the public. Motion to refer passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent. 14 Be it Ordered that the Water Resource Committee meet to discuss the status of water rates. --Motion made by Councilor Pniak-Costello to receive and refer to the Water Resource Committee. Councilor Pniak-Costello stated spoke to Superintendent Batista about the water rates. Person in public input asked. Following up on public input. Motion to refer passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent. 15 A proposed Ordinance adding to Chapter 260, 260-34 D - Do Not Block the Box, Broadway, Southbound across its intersection with Reuben Avenue, Do Not Block the Box. --Motion made by Councilor Balakier to receive, 1st reading and refer to the Ordinance Committee. Councilor Balakier stated situation on Broadway across from St. Patrick's Church. Busy street, course of action, trying to help these people out. Motion to refer passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent. 16 An application for a NEW Special Permit under Section 275-52(8)3 of the Municipal Zoning Ordinance for the purpose of installing a driveway and storage shed on a vacant lot. Location of Property: 0 Cherryvale Street, Map & Parcel ID: 0759-00005. Applicant: Tara & Douglas Furkey, 38 Cherryvale Street. --Motion made by Councilor Bala kier to receive and refer to the Zoning, Planning, Building, and Engineering Departments. Councilor Balakier stated take up in committee. Motion to refer passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent. 17 An application for a NEW Special Permit under Section 275-36(() of the Municipal Zoning Ordinance for the purpose of constructing a duplex behind the rear walls of neighboring residential structure. Location of Property: 0 Montgomery Street next to 92-94 Montgomery Street. Map & Parcel ID: 0230-00033. Applicant: Erik Govoni, 92 Montgomery Street. --Motion made by Councilor Bala kier to receive and refer to the Zoning, Planning, Building, and Engineering Departments. Councilor Balakier stated take up in committee. Motion to refer passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent. 18 An application for a NEW Special Permit under Section 275-53(8)(14) of the Municipal Zoning Ordinance for the purpose of: Kennel license for 4 pet French Bulldogs. Location  of Property: 25 Mayflower Avenue, Chicopee, MA 01013. Map & Parcel ID: 0122-00009. Applicant: Brittany Morse, 25 Mayflower Avenue, Chicopee, MA 01013. --Motion made by Councilor Bala kier to refer to the Zoning, Planning, Building, License and Health Departments. Councilor Balakier stated take up in committee. Motion to refer passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent. 19 An application for NEW Zone Change from Business A to Res. A for 0.402 acres of property located at 0 Prospect Street #Lot lB. Parcel ID: 0688-0026A for the purpose of single family home. Petitioner Name & Address: DCL Construction, 187 Nelson Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. (David Labrie). --Motion made by Councilor Balakier to receive and refer to the Planning Board and Zoning Committee. Motion to refer passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent. Councilor's Announcements Adjournment:--Motion made by Councilor Arriaga to adjourn at 7:27. Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent. ATTEST: Keith W. Rattell, City Clerk