City Council

Minutes from the City Council Meeting on November 6, 2025, at 6:30 pm in the Auditorium are as follows: Laflamme, Frank N., President At-Large Councilor Present '' Roy, Gerard (Jerry) A At-Large Councilor Absent Arriaga, Abigail Ward 1 Councilor Absent Brooks, Shane D. Goff, Susan M. Ward 2 Councilor Ward 3 Councilor Present Present I Ti) Balakier, George A Ward 4 Councilor Present ' Kram pits, Fred T. Ward 5 Councilor Present ' l 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 Mayor's Orders briefing and announcements by Mayor Vieau or designee. On MO-1, Barbara Galindo stated $5000 for census, transfer to cover mailing of the census. On MO-2, Mayor stated reimbursement grant, digital equity. WiFi at Szot Park, accepted the grant award and didn't fund. Submitted a program. Award is $65,000 will install public WiFi at Szot Park and small scale at the library and Rivermills. On MO-3, Tim O'Shea explained the COLA base from $16,000 to $18,000, it's the right thing to do. COLA approved $18,000 will be the new base, 3%, each retiree would get $5 per year. Will be fully funded after next year, 2027 cleanup year, 2028 will be covered. On MO-4 the Mayor thanked Ken Goodrich, Spooktacular was spectacular. Free events. On MO-5, Mayor stated amazing events due to donations like this one. Mayor stated went to Monson to see the Lt. Governor will get money for Uniroyal infrastructure. Take a moment to congratulate the Chicopee High soccer team, they won 3-2 over Martha's Vineyard. Round 2 Saturday at Szot for the state championship. Comp football will be leaving Friday, having a send off rally at 2:20 at Comp. Go pacers/go colts. Congrats to all who were elected. Lets do it together. Public Input-Lisa Bienvenue, 34 Everett Street, like the Mayor, would like to congratulate everyone who was elected. Appreciate all who ran. Thank Clerk Rattell, the polls ran very professionally. First time four women will be on the Council, exciting. Provides a different viewpoint. Difficult election cycle nationwide. Citizens matter, overlapping circles. Citizens have a unique roll in our democracy. People want to be heard. Thankful for the food drive at city hall. Hard to aid from 1-4, have the library as a drop off point for food. Julie L'Hereux, 58 Carew Street, express support for all the people who worked for elections, concerns for Ward 5. Unaware of change until 2 days before, elevator was difficult. Looking for a change. What are we going to do with the homeless when it gets cold? Lot of people are homeless. Need to consider a location. --Motion made by Councilor Labrie to close public input. Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. --Motion made by Councilor Shumsky to allow City Clerk Rattell to speak. Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. Clerk Rattell stated the polling location for Ward 5 were told after the primary we would be back on the first floor. They have now rented the space. Moved to the third floor. The day before the election we were told we are back on the third floor. Presidential election there will be a line on the first and third floors. Spoke with Councilor Balakier and Councilor elect Pasternak to move things. Possibility to move Ward 4 to Dupont Middle School and Ward 5 to the Rivermills Senior Center. They are both city owned properties. Communications--none Minutes --none MO-1 Mayor's appropriation of Twenty-five thousand and 00/100 dollars ($25,000.00) to the following named account: Registrars Expense Account for Special Services from available funds in the Registrars Passport Revolving Account. --Motion made by Councilor Brooks to receive and pass. Councilor Brooks stated self- explanatory. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. MO-2 Mayor's appropriation of Sixty-five thousand and 00/100 dollars ($65,000.00) to the following named account: Planning Expense Account for Special Services from available funds in the Stabilization Fund. --Motion made by Councilor Goff to receive and pass. Councilor Goff stated will be replaced with grant money. For WiFi in Szot Park. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. MO-3 Be it Ordered by the City Council and approved by the mayor that under authority granted to them by Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 32, Section 103(J) inserted by Section 19 of Chapter 188 of the Acts of 2010, to increase the maximum base to $18,000.00, on which the cost of living adjustments are calculated, is hereby authorized. --Motion made by Councilor Courchesne to receive and pass. Councilor Courchesne stated raise the base from $16,000 to $18,000. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. MO-4 Ordered that the City Council accept the donation in the amount of One thousand and 00/100 dollars ($1,000.00) from the Center for Martial Arts located at 450 North Washington Street, Belchertown, MA to the City of Chicopee. Said donation will be used for the FY'2025 Spooktacular event and it is accepted in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Section 53A. --Motion made by Councilor Shumsky to receive and pass. Councilor Shumsky stated donation from the Center for Martial Arts. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. M0-5 Ordered that the City Council accept the donation of candy bags with a value of Forty and 00/100 dollars ($40.00) from Jpallets located at 241 Chicopee Street, Chicopee, MA to the City of Chicopee. Said donation will be used for the FY'2025 Spooktacular event and it is accepted in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 53Al/2. --Motion made by Councilor Balakier to receive, pass and the donation accepted. Councilor Bala kier stated donation of candy bags. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. 6 A favorable Ordinance Committee report: Be it Ordered that the Ordinance Committee meet to define what "overgrowth" is in Chapter 243-38 Overgrowth on land, --Motion made by Councilor Krampits to receive and sent back to the Ordinance Committee. Councilor Kram pits stated wasn't able to coordinate, wanted feed back from departments, Lisa Sanders defined overgrowth they use to site folks, Motion to refer passed by a unanimous roll call vote, Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. 7 A favorable Ordinance Committee report: Be it Ordained by the City Council that the Code of the City of Chicopee for the Year 1991, as amended, be and is hereby further amended as follows: Delete Chapter 169, Section 13 C And Insert in Place Thereof C. Cardboard boxes shall be knocked down, flattened or collapsed. If the accumulation of cardboard is such that it cannot be placed inside the recycling toter, the flattened cardboard may be stacked next to the recycling toter for pickup. Carboard may also be flattened and placed into another cardboard box for pickup. Said box of flattened cardboard not to weigh over 50 pounds. --Motion made by Councilor Kram pits to receive, 2nd and final reading, enrolled and ordained. Councilor Kram pits stated cardboard. DPW superintendent was in favor of revising the ordinance. Don't tie them up. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. 8 A favorable Ordinance Committee report: A proposed Ordinance adding to Chapter 260, Parking Regulations, Bell Street, 10 feet from driveway in front of 76 Bell Street, Parking Prohibited. --Motion made by Councilor Kram pits to receive, 2nd and final reading, enrolled and ordained as amended. Councilor Krampits stated amended in committee. Area is in favor. Councilor Balakier stated thank the Ordinance Committee constituent with special needs child. Help people get out of their driveway. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. 9 A favorable Ordinance Committee report: A proposed Ordinance adding to Chapter 260, One-Way Streets, Beauregard Court, Heading north towards Granby Road, One-Way Street. --Motion made by Councilor Kram pits to receive and placed on file. Councilor Kram pits stated discussion with Engineer and DPW. Put do not enter signs, try to put signs up to prevent people from entering. Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. 10 A favorable Ordinance Committee report: A proposed Ordinance adding to Chapter 260, Isolated Stop Signs, Baltic Avenue, At the intersection of Fair Street, Isolated Stop Sign. --Motion made by Councilor Krampits to receive, 2nd and final reading, enrolled and ordained. Councilor Kram pits stated Engineer felt it was warranted. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. 11 A favorable Ordinance Committee report: A proposed Ordinance adding to Chapter 260, Parking Regulations, Charpentier Boulevard, Westerly for a distance of 25 feet from Chicopee Street, Parking Prohibited. --Motion made by Councilor Kram pits to receive, 2nd and final reading, enrolled and ordained as amended. Councilor Krampits stated after discussion with Engineering was reworded. Councilor Courchesne stated thank Doug Ellis for helping with these with the compass. Motion passed through all stages by a roll call vote of 8 yes, 1 out of chair. Councilor Labrie out of chair. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. 12 A favorable Ordinance Committee report: A proposed Ordinance adding to Chapter 260, Bus Stops, Meadow Street, Southbound - Move 100 feet north, Bus Stop #563. --Motion made by Councilor Krampits to receive, 2nd and final reading, enrolled and ordained. Councilor Kram pits stated Engineer and PVTA reviewed, felt the move was warranted. Motion passed through all stages by a roll call vote of 8 yes, 1 out of chair. Councilor Labrie out of chair. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. 13 A favorable Ordinance Committee report: A proposed Ordinance adding to Chapter 260, Parking Regulations, Florence Street, Southeast Side - From Chicopee Street to a point 140 feet southwesterly thereof, Parking Prohibited here to corner. --Motion made by Councilor Kram pits to receive, 2nd and final reading, enrolled and ordained. Councilor Kram pits stated Engineer reviewed and felt it would work. Motion passed through all stages by a roll call vote of 8 yes, 1 out of chair. Councilor Labrie out of chair. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. 14 A favorable Ordinance Committee report: A proposed Ordinance adding to Chapter 260, Parking Regulations, Florence Street, Northwest Side - From Chicopee Street to a point 65 feet southwesterly thereof, Parking Prohibited here to corner. --Motion made by Councilor Krampits to receive, 2nd and final reading, enrolled and ordained. Councilor Kram pits stated Engineer reviewed, felt it was warranted. Goes with the previous order. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. 15 An unfavorable Zoning Committee report: Zone Change application from Res A to Res C for 0.4699 acres of property located at 143 Royal Street for the purpose of 2 family conversion to 3 family. Applicant: Brandon Behnk, 127 Prospect Street, East Longmeadow, MA 01028.  --Motion made by Councilor Bala kier to receive and the Zone Change denied. Councilor Bala kier stated in order to get the Zone Change need Planning approval. Planning denied. Properties are all Res A. Went with the will of the people and the ward Councilor. Councilor Shumsky stated Planning Department doesn't control the ADU. Councilor Pniak-Costello stated thank the committee, residents indicated wouldn't be a good idea. Dead end. Planning unanimously recommended denial. Councilor Shumsky stated ADU factor for this parcel. Nothing we can do if something does occur. Councilor Balakier stated the ADU is accessory dwelling units. Applicant can apply for ADU building permit. Commonwealth has. We are in favor of denying the Zone Change. Councilor Pniak- Costello stated concern for the ADU is separate. Motion to deny passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. 16 A favorable Zoning Committee report: Special Permit application under section 275-9 (L) (2) for the purpose of an amendment to the original Special Permit for a kennel license. Previously requested 4 pet French Bulldogs. Now requesting for a kennel license for 10 and under located at 25 Mayflower Avenue. Applicant: Brittany Morse, 25 Mayflower Avenue, Chicopee, MA 01013. --Motion made by Councilor Balakier to receive and approve the Special Permit application. Councilor Balakier stated permit runs with the applicant, in June came in for 4 dogs, now wants modification for 10 or under. Health Department and TJO approved. What will happen at this location, business model, facilitator of expensive show dogs. Felt this was the path for her. Neighbors were in favor. Case by case basis. Councilor Labrie stated normally would not allow 10 dogs in a neighborhood. Residents praised her. Lisa Sanders and TJO praised her. Special Permit she can be called in. In case a dog has a litter, wants to be in compliance. Councilor Shumsky stated kennel approved, case by case basis. Flying colors. No neighbor complaints. Councilor Brooks stated based on pictures we were shown she has one of the nicest houses, her dogs have treadmills. Takes this very seriously. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. 17 Be it Ordered that the Engineering Department evaluate the "No parking here to corner" signs at the intersection of Sanford Street and Hampden Street to consider extending it to a distance of 40 feet from the current location on both sides of Sanford Street. --Motion made by Councilor Brooks to receive and refer to the Ordinance Committee. Councilor Brooks stated call from a constituent too many cars parked in the 20 feet. Motion to refer passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. 18 Be it Ordained by the City Council that the Code of the City of Chicopee for the Year 1991, as amended, be and is hereby further amended as follows: Add to Chapter 260-37.1 Engine brakes prohibited. Add James Street - from the intersection of Prospect Street, heading west to the Syrek Street line.  --Motion made by Councilor Pniak-Costello to receive, 1st reading and refer to the Ordinance Committee. Councilor Pniak-Costello stated self-explanatory. Motion to refer passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. 19 An application for a NEW Home Occupation License at 269 Chicopee Street #1, Chicopee, MA 01013 for the purpose of doing on line car sales. The car's will be delivered to the Seaport from Action's. Ahmed Osman, 269 Chicopee Street #1, Chicopee, MA 01013. --Motion made by Councilor Brooks to receive and refer to the License Committee. Councilor Brooks stated take up in committee. Motion to refer passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. 20 An application for a NEW Special Permit under Section 275-51.1 of the Municipal Zoning Ordinance for the purpose of erecting a tent in front of our building at 603 New Ludlow Road for the purpose of greeting guests, providing church information, and facilitating brief community connection before and after services in order to create a safer environment inside the lobby by alleviating congestion of gathering congregants. Location of Property: 603 New Ludlow Road, Chicopee, MA 01020. Map & Parcel ID: 7790004. Name of Applicant: Jason Vann, Church of the Valley, 603 New Ludlow Road, Chicopee, MA 01020. --Motion made by Councilor Balakier 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 Roy and Arriaga absent. 21-22 2026 Class 2 License renewal: David Desmarais D/B/A Pioneer Auto Sales 168 New Ludlow Road Vitaly's Auto Sales 374 Chicopee Street --Motion made by Councilor Brooks to receive and approve with current restrictions. Councilor Brooks stated unless any concerns. Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. 23 2026 Class 3 License renewal: A-Truck Collision Service, Inc. 140-148 East Meadow Street --Motion made by Councilor Brooks to receive and approve with current restrictions. Councilor Brooks stated unless any concerns. Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. 24-25 2026 Auto Body License renewal: A-Truck Collision Service, Inc. 148 East Meadow Street Vitaly' s Auto Body 108 Meadow Street  --Motion made by Councilor Brooks to receive and approve with current restrictions. Councilor Brooks stated unless any concerns. Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. 26 2026 Auto Repair License renewal: Gallagher's Olde Fashioned Service, Inc. 1095 Chicopee Street --Motion made by Councilor Brooks to receive and approve with current restrictions. Councilor Brooks stated unless any concerns. Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. Councilor's Announcements Adjournment: Motion made by Councilor Pniak-Costello to adjourn at 7:36. Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Councilors Roy and Arriaga absent. ATTEST: Keith W. Rattell, City Clerk