City Council - License Committee

City of Chicopee City Council License Committee APPROVED ON 5-3-2022 Members Shane Brooks, Chair Fred Krampits, Vice Chair George Balakier Mary Beth Pniak-Costello Derek Dobosz MINUTES February 24, 2022 The following are the minutes of a public hearing held Monday, Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 6:00 PM held in the Auditorium, 2nd floor, City Hall, 17 Springfield Street, Chicopee, MA 01013 and via Zoom. Members Present Brooks, Krampits, Balakier, Pniak-Costello, Dobosz Also Present Daniel Garvey (Associate City Solicitor), Chris Casali, Councilor Laflamme (arrived 6:10) The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM In compliance with the Open Meeting Law the Chairman asked if anyone in the audience was recording the meeting. Hearing none the meeting continued. ITEM #1 Application for a name change on a Class II and Auto Repair License from Guilbert’s Auto Care to Guilbert’s Auto Care, Inc. Applicant Eric Guilbert 409 Batchelor Street Granby, MA 01033 Eric Guilbert was present at the meeting. Mr. Guilbert stated that the business was always incorporated but was not reflected on the license. This application is to clear up that matter. Motion made by Councilor Krampits and second by Councilor Brooks to approve. Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable. ITEM #2 Application for an alteration of Class II and Auto Repair Licenses for a change in corporate officers. 1 Business Reliable Auto Sales & Service, LLC Address 74 Naomi Street Applicant Joseph J. Catania 47 Valentine Ter Agawam, MA 01001 Mr. Catania was not present at the meeting but did call to ask to continue this matter until the next meeting as he is out of town. Motion made by Councilor Krampits and second by Councilor Brooks to postpone to the call of the chair. Motion passed. ITEM #3 BE IT ORDERED THAT Murray Automotive, LLC, 102 Old Fuller Road, be called before the City of Chicopee License Committee and City Council to discuss the license (s) currently held by Murray Automotive, LLC including compliance with restrictions imposed upon any licenses held by Murray Automotive, LLC. The Council may modify, suspend, fine, or revoke any license held by Murray Automotive, LLC. Violations – too many cars, and cars parked too close to the road. Michael Murray was present via zoom. Councilor Dobosz stated there are violations with this property which include too many vehicles, cars parked too close to the road, junk vehicles or the appearance of junk vehicles on the property. Mr. Murray stated that a Buick was towed into his business and placed too close to the road but could not move it because he did not have keys to the vehicle for a month. Councilor Dobosz stated that the car was in a dangerous location. Councilor Dobosz stated that the last time this license was called in the license holder was instructed to install privacy slats in the fencing and to place the junk vehicles behind that fencing so that they are not visible. He continued that he witnessed junk cars in the front with missing headlights and were beat-up. Councilor Brooks stated that this business has been called in numerous times for the same violations. He also stated that the committee has worked with the license holder to elevate the problems but there are stronger sanctions that the Council could implement but don’t want to hurt small businesses. This business is becoming problematic for the City Council. Mr. Murray stated that he understands the City’s frustration. Councilor Dobosz asked that the license holder make a good faith effort to comply. Mr. Murray stated that it doesn’t help his situation when the construction workers are parking their vehicles at the end of their parking lot along the fence on both sides. He doesn’t have an issue with the construction workers parking on the road but the neighbors might think that the cars belong to his business which they do not. 2 Councilor Dobosz stated that he has visited the property after hours to get an accurate count and the property is still over 3 or 4 vehicles after hours. Motion made by Councilor Dobosz and second by Councilor Brooks to place on file and revisit in 60 days. Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable. ITEM #4 Minutes – December 13, 2021 Motion made by Councilor Krampits and second by Councilor Brooks. Motion passed. Councilor Pniak- Costello abstained. Meeting adjourned at 6:16 PM. 3