City Council
Regular MeetingChicopee, MA · May 29, 2025
Minutes
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Minutes from the Special City Council Meeting on Thursday May 29, 2025, at 6:3ct ~-~
in the City Hall Auditorium are as follows: "c-: I ii
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Laflamme, Frank N., President At-Large Councilor 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 via Zoom @ 6:45
Shumsky, Samuel Robert 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
President Laflamme called the meeting to order.
Public Input: Lisa Bienvenue, 34 Everett Street, thrilled to see you doing something right away.
Surprised to see the Mayor's term to be on this since it was referred to Rules Committee. Went
back and looked, in 2023 how this got put on the ballot. Will this still have to go for a binding
vote.
--Motion made by Councilor Shumsky to close public input. Motion passed by a
unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner, and Zygarowski, and Krampits absent.
1 Be it Ordered that the City Council vote to approve the selection of a person to fill the
vacant City Council At-Large position to serve until the next municipal election pursuant
to Article I, Section 7., Vacancies, in the City Charter.
--Motion made by Councilor Labrie to receive and fill the positon. Councilor Labrie stated
self-explanatory. Talk and decide if we want to fill. Councilor Pniak-Costello stated not in
favor of, not that many more months left. Will save money for the taxpayer. Have already
gone this far. If it was over a year I would vote for it. We have functioned without the
position being filled.
--Motion made by Councilor Shumsky to allow Councilor Laflamme to speak. Motion
passed by a roll call vote of 10 yes, 1 abstained. Councilor Laflamme abstained.
Councilors Wagner, and Zygarowski absent. Councilor Laflamme stated will vote on this,
not going on the ballot, will not cost the taxpayer. Councilor Brooks stated think we
should fill the position, what would Councilor Zygarowski have wanted. Could end up in a
deadlock vote. Still seven months. Almost two full months without a full representation.
Councilor Arriaga stated against this personally. Being an election year earn the voters
support, listen to the residents. Seven months goes by fast. Plenty can help residents.
Would give someone a step ahead. Councilor Shumsky stated voting no. Would give a
candidate an edge. An incumbent will have an edge. Budget hearings next month, takes
time to fully understand the position, six regular meetings up to the election. Unfair to a
person to be chosen. We are able to function at this capacity. Motion defeated by a roll
call vote of 1 yes, 10 no. Councilor Brooks voting yes. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski
absent.
2 Be it Ordered that the City Council adopt the following process to fill the City Council At-
Large vacancy; A) On June 3, 2025, the City Council will open nominations for the vacant
At-Large position. B) On June 17, 2025, the City Council will close nominations and
conduct a vote.
--Motion made by Councilor Labrie to defeat. Councilor Labrie stated issue is moot.
Motion to defeat passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and
Zygarowski absent.
3 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 Labrie to amend as read. Motion passed through all stages by
a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent.
--Motion made by Councilor Labrie to approve. Councilor Labrie stated open to the floor.
Councilor Pniak-Costello stated this is clear that the next annual municipal election in 2027.
Counselor Riley stated will be for the 2027 ballot. Councilor Goff stated going on the ballot,
what happens if it does not pass. Then it doesn't go through. Motion to approve passed by
a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Wagner and Zygarowski absent.
Adjournment:--Motion made by Councilor Krampits to adjourn at 6:55. Motion passed by a unanimous roll
vote. Councilors Roy, Wagner and Zygarowski absent.
ATTEST:
Keith W. Rattell, City Clerk
Agenda
Notice of Meeting
(to be filed in duplicate)
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Chapter 30A, Sections 18-25 of the
General Laws of a meeting of the:
City Council Special. Meeting
Name of the board, Committee, Commission, Authority, Etc.)
The meeting will be held at: Thursday, May 29th, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
The location of the meeting will be: City Hall Auditorium or via zoom (see
attached)
Full description of location: 274 Front Street, Chicopee, MA
The purpose of the meeting:
1. A vote by the City Council on whether to
fill the vacant At-Large position.
2. If the majority votes to fill the vacancy, the
following steps will be followed:
o On June 3, 2025, the City Council
will open nominations for the
vacant At-Large position.
o On June 17, 2025, the City
Council will close nominations and
conduct a vote.
3. Discussion and vote of the Home Rule
Petition titled "An Act relative to changing
the two-year elected term for the Mayor of
Chicopee to a four-year elected term."
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Signature
Mayor
Title
May 22, 2025
(to be completed by signing authority)
EZ: :~1 ~twd, 'tHneZakceived by Date and Time ~e~~ec;t..~y z G r.
the City Clerk's Office the City Cieri< s Office
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The City of Chicopee City Council special meeting will be held on May 29, 2025 at the City
of Chicopee City Hall Auditorium located at 27 4 Front Street, 3rd Floor, Chicopee,
Massachusetts at 6:30 p.m. and via Zoom. The items to be discusses include the agenda
items listed below.
Public Input
C-1 Communication:
1. Ordered that the City Council vote to approve the selection of a person to fill the
vacant City Council At-Large position to serve until the next municipal election
pursuant to Article I, Section 7., Vacancies, in the City Charter.
2. Ordered that the City Council adopt the following process to fill the City Council At-
Large vacancy;
A) On June 3, 2025, the City Council will open nominations for the vacant At-
Large position.
B) On June 17, 2025, the City Council will close nominations and conduct a
vote.
3. Ordered that upon recommendation of the City Council President, the City Council
remove from the. Rules Subcommittee, discuss, and vote on the Home Rule Petition
titled "An Act relative to changing the two-year elected term for the Mayor of
Chicopee to a four-year elected term."
Adjournment:
Special Meeting of the City Council, Thursday, May 29 th , 2025 6:30 p.m.
City of Chicopee is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 869 9021 2486
Passcode: 371399
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! l [ :1 lJ
City Hall· Market Square • 17 Springfield Street • Chicopee, MA 01013
May 22, 2025
TO: Frank Laflamme
City Council President
FROM: Mayor John L. Vieau
RE: Special Meeting May 29th at 6:30 pm
Dear President Laflamme:
As requested, the Special Meeting of the City Council is called for:
1. A vote by the City Council on whether to fill the vacant At-Large position.
2. If the majority votes to fill the vacancy, the following steps will be followed:
o On June 3, 2025, the City Council will open nominations for the vacant At-Large position.
o On June 17, 2025, the City Council will close nominations and conduct a vote.
3. Discussion and vote of the Home Rule Petition.titled "An Act relative to changing the two-year
elected term for the Mayor of Chicopee to a four-year elected term."
These will be the only items on the agenda for the Special Meeting.
If you have questions, please let me know.
Very truly yours,
D?1vL
<1o'i:;n L. Vieau
Mayor
CC: City Council
Keith Rattell, City Clerk
UZca.me:::wa •·--·w 1,.:wwww1,-•..,,.~ . ~ ·- ~
CffY OF C.-'ICO ' EE fvJA"OR'S o :: ,::1cE
413.594.1500 I mayorvieau@chicopeema.gov I www.chicopeema.gov
Frank N. Laflamme
President
City Councilor At-Large
City Council
May 21, 2025
Mayor John Vieau
City Hall
274 Front Street
Chicopee, MA 01013
Dear Mayor Vieau:
The City Council has been working closely with the Law Department for the past several weeks to
develop a process that aligns with the City Charter to fill the vacant At-Large position on the City
Council. We are now prepared to move forward and respectfully request that you call a Special
Meeting of the City Council on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 6:30 PM in ~he Auditorium, pursuant to
Section 13 of the City Charter.
The agenda for this meeting will include the following items:
1. A vote by the City Council on whether to fill the vacant At-Large position.
2. If the majority votes to fill the vacancy, the following steps will be followed:
• On June 3, 2025, the City Council will open nominations for the vacant At-Lar~e
position
• On June 17, 2025, the City Council will close nominations and conduct a vote.
3. Discussion and vote of the Home Rule Pe.titian titled "An Act relative to changing the two-year
elected term for the Mayor of Chicopee to a fo1,1r-year elected term."
Thank you in advance for your assistance in this important matter.
Sincerely,
City Hall - 274 Front Street- Chicopee, Massachusetts 01013
Tel.: (413) 594-1435 -Fax (413) 594-1438 E-Mail
flaflamme@chicopeema.gov
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