City Council

g 'L: V ;:-: D Minutes from the Special City Council Meeting on September 22, 2025, at 6:30 pm in the Auditorium are as follows: ,""""\t T ' / A •'\If" Ir'\ Laflamme, Frank N., President At-Large Councilor Prese'nt .1 . tJ,..'. '-.1 1 ' ~ 11~ Roy, Gerard (Jerry) A. At-Large Councilor Present Arriaga, Abigail Ward 1 Councilor Present Brooks, Shane D. Ward 2 Councilor Present via Zoom Goff, Susan M. Ward 3 Councilor Present Bala kier, George A. Ward 4 Councilor Absent Kram pits, Fred T. Ward 5 Councilor Present Shumsky, Samuel Robert Ward 6 Councilor Present Courchesne, William C. Ward 7 Councilor Absent Labrie, Gary R. Ward 8 Councilor Present Pniak-Costello, Mary Elizabeth Ward 9 Councilor Present Meeting was opened by Councilor Laflamme at 6:30. Public Input: Mike Pise, 33 Bonneville Avenue, thank the Council for requesting this meeting. Carissa Lisee state building inspector is the chair. Kate Lambert, principal of Barry School is present. Stan Kozikowski, former principal of Chicopee Comp and James Fiore of Cao lo and Bieniek architects. Appreciate you listening to the presentation. --Motion made by Councilor Labrie to close public input. Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Bala kier and Courchesne absent. Councilor Laflamme turned the floor over to Jim Fiore to present the options as discussed in the attached presentation. Councilors were able to ask questions after each proposal was discussed. Questions after the first proposal: Councilor Shumsky asked renovation of the old school will be 99 million to renovate but 104 million for a new school? Councilor Laflamme stated wait for questions like this one. Councilor Roy stated thought A2 were wetlands that we can't build on. Staying outside the soft buffer zone. Current park is the only place for new school or renovation. Low floor to floor height, six different levels in the building. Caris_sa Lisee stated look at the entirety of Garrity Grove. Pushed onto Peter Street. Have to go through Article 97 to swap out the land. Went from 12 to 4 alternatives. Requirement for MSBA. Councilor Arriaga asked renovating the building? Students, how will they be affected? Carissa stated w ill happen in phases, may need modular classrooms. If brand new building students stay till the completion of the new building. Councilor Labrie asked where will the kids be dropped off? There is a blue line, separates the school, park lines pickup, drop off all on the west of the building. Mercedes Street, exit Lagadia. Kate Lambert stated lots of discussion about parking. Side is not Peter Street, no space in current lot to park. Councilor Laflamme stated parking, have concerns, understand Holly & Brightwood, shou ld not be putting anyone in danger with parking. Need to solve that problem on those streets. Carissa stated on the plan there is a road that goes behind the school, parents will line up behind school busses in front. Plus parking lot. Jim stated will refine this as it goes along during th e design phase. Councilor Laflamme stated 99 million, does not include taking 4 houses or the swap of 5 acres of replacement land. Taking by eminent domain? Yes. Cari ssa stated cost s aren't represented because they haven't happened yet. Additional costs to be absorbed by the city. Jim stated has asked the Planning Department to look at O Thaddeus Street. Parkland needs to be accessible. If Parks Department is interested in taking on another site. Councilor Pniak- Costello stated the city is going to have to provide highway adjustment and sidewalks. Jim stated these are costs we don't have a handle on yet. Potential soft costs to the city. Carissa stated have to base on rough numbers until a choice is made. Jim stated let's move on to A4 a new two story on Garrity Grove. Councilor Roy stated outside the limit of work of the project. Carissa stated outside the school is not eligible for MSBA reimbursement. Councilor Labrie asked where will the tennis courts, and pickleball be? Will these be open outside school hours? Yes, would be parkland. Councilor Labrie stated people already complain about noise at night. Jim stated the final amendments would be up to the city. Councilor Shumsky stated where will we put all the students and administrators? Carissa stated renovations are more expensive. More to bring an older building up to cost. Not an easy task to do. Councilor Pniak- Costello stated learning area, is the learning area ADA compliant? Jim stated the entire project is compliant. Must meet ADA compliance. No way around it. Adhering to MAAB and ADA. Councilor Laflamme stated pickleball, basketball will they use Holly Street. Some put cars on the road, 20-25 cars, where would the block off be? Doesn't make sense. People live there. Think of the neighbors. Jim stated sometimes from security reasons. Councilor Laflamme stated they own homes, they should be able to live their lives too. This is the opportunity to solve the problems for t,he neighborhood. Taxpayers are part of both of them. Stuff we see every day. Jim stated B-3 Szetela combined school. New school at Szetela. Building design. One property taken, no house on the property. Neighborhood opposition. Granby Road traffic, 562 Granby Road. Bussing changes, demolish old school not covered under MSBA, community resources would be on the first floor. Councilor Pniak-Costello stated address the Granby Road traffic, lot of cars. Lot of 18 wheelers, downtown to Westover park, lot of speeding, legitimate concern. Street and pedestrian safety. They don't have a lot of crosswalks here. Jim stated traffic study is happening. Don't have the report yet. Couple potential solutions, rotary, forces everybody to slow down. Entry to the site would be from 562 Granby Road. Traffic engineers are studying this. New road to accommodate traffic to the new school. Over 200 cars, busses, minivans. Can get all vehicles on the site. Will the opening and closing happen at the same time? Kate stated they will remain at 8:30-2:38, four times the traffic will go through the area. Address at the school already. Traffic at Szetela with younger children has always been a problem. Kate stated under third grade needs to be dismissed to a grown up. Kids cross Grattan and Montgomery now. Most kids in the school are dismissed to a grown up. Drive through pick up procedure. Councilor Shumsky stated traffic study, how many days? Carissa stated authorized but the Engineers do the study. Councilor Shumsky stated water and sewer upgrades would be on the city. Carissa stated the MSBA reimbursement would only be for new building and demo, but only demo on current site. Councilor Shumsky asked if there could potentially be a solar discount. Jim stated solar power is only for the building usage. Carissa stated not enough to sustain the building itself. All needs to be electric now. Kate stated building the new school so that there isn't one side warmer or colder than the other. Jim stated 136 million in the pup phase. Councilor Shumsky stated transportation costs were 3.8 million in Fiscal 19, 12.6 million in Fiscal 26. Put a school behind one that is already there, one big complex. Who knows what inflation will do. Kate stated idea of redistricting has merit too. It was too late when we were applying. MSBA had to receive all the data. Trying to add Szetela, MSBA will not reimburse for Pre-K, that would be 32 million the city would have to absorb. Transportation piece, building with Pre-K qualifies, alone Pre-K doesn't. Pre-K may not be there. Big burden to ask the taxpayers to pay 32 million dollars. Transition of administration. Some got left behind. Carissa stated there is a process to get on the MSBA list, started a long time ago. Almost three years ago the commission was picked. Talked about redistricting, 32 million extra is a lot right now, process started at least 5 years ago. Jim stated not off the table yet. Councilor Shumsky stated appreciate all of your time. Councilor Brooks stated traffic concerns. Fail to recognize another neighborhood. Not going to mitigate the speed on Granby Road. Only one side has a sidewalk. Three crosswalks, one is at a convenience store. Large amount of local students allowed to walk. Soft cost to this site far exceeds any other site. Five year moratorium on Granby Road. Don't think you can appease this area. Construction vehicles exit, day to day traffic, add construction vehicles. Traffic concerns can not be understated. Can't ever vote for a proposal that would add 32 million to the taxpayers. Look at every house in the ward. Money is coming out of pocket to pay the taxes. Don't support this site location. Councilor Arriaga stated thank you for your presentation. Least amount of impact on the children. Rather see a new building. Speak on behalf of the children. Councilor Lafiamme stated do live off Granby Road. Would there be a light there? Concern, line of site, required. Too many curves in the road. Every day Macek Drive people try to get out for a half an hour. Montgomery Street from the entrance to past the light on Granby Road. Will there be a catch base to get them out? At the end of the park there is a guard rail that opens up. Carissa stated no access to the property except from Granby Road. No entrance from Daniel Drive. Jim and Carissa stated this will go before City Council, Planning, Parks and SPRAC. Macek Drive would be gated. Granby Road has no sidewalks, only 4 th and 5th grade can walk alone. Granby Road is curved, lot of improvements. Councilor Lafiamme stated everybody speeds. How will you get all those cars, 200 out of that street? 197 kids there that need to be picked up. Councilor Lafiamme stated about public safety, if they do go with Szetela we have to pay for demolition. Carissa stated we still need to go through Article 97, before Article 97 was a law the school was built. If we don't stay with the Garrity Grove site we need to take out of Article 97. Councilor Pniak-Costello asked was this information presented to the School Committee? Jim stated based on the School Committee presentation. Councilor Pniak-Costello stated School Committee should be getting these presentations as well. Carissa stated there is a School Committee member on the Commission. Make recommendations to the Council and the School Committee. Special meeting where people can ask questions. Representing the students, teachers, and tax payers. Hope they get dialogue and presentation. Councilor Lafiamme stated met with the Mayor, we are the funding for this, lot of good neighborhood meetings. Quite a ways from doing the final. Probably have one more special meeting, don't want to wait till the last minute. Final will be with the School Committee and Council. Important we know, give answers. --Motion made by Councilor Arriaga to adjourn at 8:14. Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Balakier and Courchesne absent. ATTEST: Keith W. Rattell, City Clerk Massachusetts School Build in~ Authority September 22, 2025 CH ICOPEE PUBLI C SC HOOLS City Council Project Update ' Preliminary Design Program (PDP) 12 Design Alternatives Developed: Design Alternative Al: Base Repair Option at Barry ES (Required by MSBA to serve as a baseline model) • Design Alternative A2: Barry Only; 2-Story Addition/Renovation at Barry Elementary School Site . Design Alternative A3: Barry Only; 2-Story New Construction at Barry Elementary School Site Design Alternative A4: Barry Only; 3-Story New Construction Design Alternative Bl: Barry Only; 2-Story New Construction Design Alternative B2: Barry Only; 3-Story New Construction Design Alternative B3: Barry Only; 3-Story New Construction Design Alternative B4: Barry Only; 2-Story New Construction Design Alternative Cl: Base Repair Option (Requested by MSBA to serve as baseline model) Design Alternative Dl: Barry Plus Szetela; 2-Story Addition/Renovation Design Alternative D2: Barry Pl us Szetela; 3-Story Addition/Renovation Design Alternative D3: Barry Plus Szetela; 2-Story New Construction Preliminary Design Program (PDP) Physical Features Phasing Spaces Should Be Easily Modifiable and Adaptable Phasing Considerations Necessary Spaces Should Be Light-Filled, and Provide Views Outdoors Temporary Facilities/Classrooms Necessary Building Should Provide Opportunities to Emotionally Reset Expanded City Scope Building Should Celebrate Student Achievement Requires Replacement of Existing Park Amenities Building Should Provide Home Base for Roaming Staff Requires Additional Sidewalks and/or Traffic Calming Measures Building Should Support Community Needs Requires Additiona l Busing and/or Crossing Guards Building Should Support Robust Counselling Program Requires Property Acquisition Building Should Support Professional Development Building Should Support Learning Through Movement and Play Building Should Provide Outdoor Classrooms and Gardens Layout Should Maximize Time-On-Learning Aligns with Program Requirements Listed on the Initial Space Summary Table Safety & Security Layout Provides Clear Zones for Public and Academic/Private Programming Provide Welcoming but Secure Entry Sequence Preferred Schematic Report (PSR) 4 Design Alternatives to be Further Developed: ■.•.z:••••• . "filkb .. Design Alternative A2: Barry Only; 2-Story Addition/Renovation at Garrity Grove site Design Alternative A4: Barry Only; 2-Story New Construction at Garrity Grove site SZETELA ECC Design Alternative B3: Barry Only; 2-Story New Construction at Szetela Field site Design Alternative D3: Barry+ Szetela; 2-Story New Construction at Szetela Field site ■ Fully Supported 95' . . 61' 6% 6 ■ ru lf1Suppo,te d -11'-' • Fully Supported 12 · • ■ Fully Support ed .6 "( -61' % Partlolly Supported C Partially Supported C Partially Supported Partially Support~ ■ Not Suppo,te d A2 ■ Plot Supported A4 ■ Not Supported 88½ B3 ■ Plot Supporte d D3 Sl~i 821! 88'1. Preferred Schematic Report (PSR) 4 Design Alternatives to be Further Developed : ■:ij;•ii Design Alternative A2: Barry Only; 2-Story Addition/Renovation at Garrity Grove site Design Alternative A4: Barry Only; 2-Story New Construction at Garrity Grove site SZETELA ECC Design Alternative B3: Barry Only; 2-Story New Construction at Szetela Field site g@Sif!IFI .\ 14i@FFI04iifrl8 gil 801 19 1 Sl!@telo, 2 !stet i tJeuu €011ot1~etie11 ot!s1mtelo Fie ld oite 6 ■ full/ Svppo<ted !W 9 1' ■ Fully Supported ll .~ 61' ■ Fully Supported 6'' " O Pa1t1any Supported ~ Partially Supported 0 Pa,t;a11y supporte d ~ ■ 1101 Suppo<ted ~ 82~ A2 ■ Not Supported 82'o< A4 ■ Not Svpported ~ 88¼ B3  • -- . . . .,_ Recreational Garrity Grove Field Park . ~..:.~ .: - .,,, Outdoor ✓ ' · •· Play /..' • Outdoor Garrity Grove Site • Learning& 2-Story Addition/ Renovation Play I { ' I . 96,131 gsf 136 65,399 nsf; Program Space parking Outdoor\ spaces 1.47 Grossing Factor -.. . _ earning \ . N EB . , ■ 82% Fully Supported 9% Partially Supported ■ 9% Not Supported Cons: 82¾ Keeps school in its current location Requires Article 97 Action - la nd Swap (Min. 5.0 Acres) Fully supports 82% of key elements Potential Added of City Scope/Costs (Land Acquisition, Estimated Total Project Cost: $99,709,506 Improves traffic in neighborhood/ keeps traffic onsite Sidewalks, Busing, Etc.) - Not Eligible for Grant Barry demo. costs eligible for reimbursement Gymnasi um Undersized Reduced carbon footpri nt 2-Stories w ith 3 Levels (Existing Gym Above 2°" Floor) Compact footprint - Improved energy usage Phasing challenges Including lunch delivery during the Optimal solar orientation renovation phase. Desi n Alternative A2 Opportunity to Address Storm/ Sewer Issues Displacement of 4 families/ Cost of additional parcels  ,j ,,1--,_ ,_~ommunity Use & Security , __ I .... ...., ,. I ,I...._ ft .... I I """I ......... 1 1 4C40f ,' • NO ENTRY FROM PUBLIC ZONE I J¥ , PFlJv, l'v11c I , , o , , :.trf lo ' , "' , I NE I I /:!: I I I I ~ I -, I I ~ I t.. ~-J I ~ I -- -- t I Q. I I -..._ I ,. ...,I............ I ~ I I -................ I ~ I I -- / 14i I ' ................ ..., I O ,• I f --.J () 1- •- I ,' ,q- I -, , I • / i I 4C4Df11A, • - - I l •- - - •.,, CI .. 1 ..:. I PR1114 ....,. - - - - IC - - - - - ._, lONf /I / I , - - - _, 4TR1u,.,,, 1· ~ ,S' f2 I ,_ COMMUNITY-SHARED: 4C40f MicI -- / ._ __ I I ~ O / II .... - -- P/lfv,4 fJ I l ~ Gymnatorium • . - -- I I~ -!.flON - - !_,.. ~ ~ I M USIC - -_o c.. ·- ', I I :Z:!ft I ,- - •I t:"> "" ~ -.,' ..:J ....., (J ,___ j I §:::; I ) -- ~§ l.._ L,__l Q. I .J Design Alternative A2 FIRST FLOOR PLAN  >TA/ § -"=-1 j DEDICATED ENTRIES: I Pi1£4e ~ Main Entran<e / Office Pre-K / Community Center Rf-K ¢:::::, P/lf.l( lr,q/1 :f <l ~,· I I ,--;NEIGHBORHOODS: ! (2) Grade levels , (1) Shared Resource Room f!-_, GRADE LEVELS: , (3) General Classrooms ; (1) Special Education Clrm. 1Extended l earning Space ( (2) Small Group Roons ~--...: ... 1"~ • Design Alternative A2 FIRST FLOOR PLAN  ( ~ ~door , Pla_ y; : GarrityGrove • '-., ;- Park \ /. { / : -,• Outdoof Garrity Grove Site • • .-· Learning & _ 1,t Play 2-Story New Construction Tennis I , . 97,255 gsf Pickle l!a11 .... ·i ··':":'. • _ - • _ Baskii!l.all. ... pray· ••••,••,.,,_ !- • 66,888 nsf; Program Space ·,.. .. : Park & ,_ Recreational1 1.45 Grossing Factor ■ 82% Fully Supported - -...,.... _. . .•._P~ayground. ···-.Fiild ·, ■ 12% Partially Supported ■ 6% Not Supported PlOS: Cons: Keeps school in its current location Requires Article 97 Action - Land Swap (Min. 5.4 Acres) Fully supports 82% o f key elements Potential Added of City Scope/Costs (Land Acquisition, Estimated Total Project Cost : $104,284,031 Improves traffic in neighborhood/ keeps traffic onsite Sidewalks, Busing, Etc.) - Not Eligible for Grant Barry demo. costs eligi ble for reimbursement Displacement of 4 families/ Cost of additional parcels Compact footprint - Improved energy usage Optimal solar ori entation Opportunity to Address Storm/ Sewer Issues Design Alternative A4  I Community Use & Sec~rity \ • NO ENTRY FROM PUBLIC ZONE ;:-111 II' r.. -~r-. ~ •·\----"(:\- ~-L -\l\ =--___,_..- ' LOW ' \ \ r_ \ COMMUNITY- -, \ SHARED ( PUBLIC ZONE ...- ..-."'l- • ~.,- ~----~-... • COMMUNITY-SHARED:) ,------ I ~ I . STEAM / Maker Space ~~.. _ .. .- ~ -~ i ~ ~, - ' ---,- 1 \ -ACP.DENIIC / I FIRST FLOOR pRIVAiE zoNE Design Alternative A4  NEIGHBORHOODS: (2) Grade levels (1) Shared Resource Room MAIN GRADE LEVELS: ' ¢:::::, ENTRANCE SECOND FLOOR (3) General Classrooms (1) Special Education Clrm. ; , l~\ 1~ Extended learning Space !l '?3-4 _ _ ____ _ ., \ . (2) Small Group Rooms J'l' ~ ~ - . -~ .,•• •' • . PRE·l<. PRE : •j < PRE·K ¢:::::, ENTRANCE DEDICATED ENTRIES: Main Entrance/ Office Pre•K / Community Center/ Nurse EKINOERG~R1EH FIRST FLOOR Design Alternative A4 Szetela ECC Site 2-Story New Construction Barry-Only Solution N 97,351 gsf 66,888 nsf; Program Space Pros: Cons: EB 1.46 Grossing Factor Avoids Article 97 Impacts Neighborhood Opposition Removes School Traffic from Macek Dr Granby Road Traffic Concerns Fully Supports 88% of Key Elements Potential Added of City Scope/Cost s (Land Acquisition, ■ 88% Fully Supported Maximizes outdoor programming around School Sidewalks, Busing, Traffic Solution, Etc.) ■ 6% Partially Supported Minimized Phasing Barry Demolition Costs Not Covered by MSBA Grant ■ 6% Not Supported Opportunity to Address Granby Rd Traffic Keeps traffic onsite during queui ng times Estimated Total Project Cost : $104,220,466 Opportunity to Address Storm/ Sewer Issues Compact footprint- Improved energy usage Desi n Alternative B3 Optimal solar orientation Does not dis lace an residents 11 I I I I Community Use & Security ... • NO ENTRY FROM PUBLIC ZONE ROOF ...- - 0 w 0::: GYM COMMUNITY- < :c BELOW VI SHARED PUBLIC ZONE FIRST FLOOR SECOND FLOOR Design Alternative 83  TI Tl Tl IJ ·1 FAM. 'l I • " , I \ ROOF BELOW ~GRADELeveu:~· ~ (3) Gtneral Classrooms w3: 0 I!) ., J (I) Special fducatlon Clrm, GYM I;;~ BELOW Extended l.earnir« Space (21 Small Group Rooms CAFE BELOW ROOF BELOW FIRST FLOOR SECOND FLOOR Design Alternative B3