Historical Commission

Chicopee Historical Commission Voting Record and Minutes The Historical Commission of the City of Chicopee public hearing for Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 4:00 PM, in the Chambers Conference room, City Hall Annex and via Zoom. Meeting was called to order at 4 PM by Raymond Hoess-Brooks, Vice Chair of the Historical Commission. Historical Commission attendance: Member Present Absent Excused Joshua Clark, Chair X Ray Hoess-Brooks X Vice Chair Linda Menard-Mruk X Clerk Louise Osetek X Kathryn Gawron X Vacant Vacant Planning Staff attendance: Member Present Absent Excused Lee Pouliot, X Director James Dawson, X Development Manager Patrick Collins X Nick Kiser X Item 1: Presentation by Lee Pouliot on Phase II of the City Hall Rehabilitation Project. Lee is requesting a new letter of support from the Commission to send to the City Council. The Commission issued a Letter of Support to the State Historical Commission for the project in December of 2022. Notes: Lee Pouliot informed the commission that Phase II of the City Hall Rehabilitation Project would consist of internal finishes, lighting, walls, ceilings. It will also include office renovations as well as some office relocations. Offices that are visited most frequently by the public will be relocated to the first and second floors. The basement will house high density storage. The cost for this project is estimated at $ 20 million. Motion to approve a letter of support was made by Louise Osetek and seconded by Linda Menard-Mruk. Vote was 4-0 to approve. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Raymond Hoess-Brooks X Linda Menard-Mruk X Louise Osetek X Kathryn Gawron X Item 2: Presentation by Valley Opportunity Council on the redevelopment of the former Belcher School into 20- 25 apartments. VOC is requesting a new letter of support from the Commission. The last letter of support was issued in December of 2023. Notes: Valley Opportunity Council (VOC) director Steven Huntley explained that VOC has amassed $1.7 million in tax credits to help fund this project. VOC is hoping to break ground on this project in early spring 2024. The project consists of 25, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, and is expected to take approximately one year to complete. Ninety percent of the apartment units will be affordable units and ten percent will be market rate units. VOC can continue to apply for tax credits until a Certificate of Occupancy is obtained. Motion to approve a letter of support was made by Louise Osetek and seconded by Kathryn Gawron. Vote was 4-0 to approve. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Raymond Hoess-Brooks X Linda Menard-Mruk X Louise Osetek X Kathryn Gawron X Item 3: Update by Commissioner Clark on the report from Kevin Corridan of the City Law Department with regard to the rights of the Historical Commission concerning the Assumption Church rectory and the Holy Name Church. Notes: Due to Joshua Clark’s absence, this item was tabled. Motion to table the update to the April 9, 2024 meeting was made by Linda Menard-Mruk and seconded by Louise Osetek. Vote was 4-0 to approve. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Raymond Hoess-Brooks X Linda Menard-Mruk X Louise Osetek X Kathryn Gawron X Item 4: Minutes from December 12, 2023 Motion to approve the minutes of the December 12, 2023 meeting was made by Kathryn Gawron and seconded by Linda Menard-Mruk. Vote was 4-0 to approve. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Raymond Hoess-Brooks X Linda Menard-Mruk X Louise Osetek X Kathryn Gawron X Item 5: Discussion/New Business Notes: Raymond Hoess-Brooks discussed the Bellamy Association newsletter. He stated all of the information about the current status of the Bellamy House is contained in the newsletter. Item 6: Adjournment – Next regularly scheduled meeting is April 9, 2024. Motion to adjourn was made by Louise Osetek and seconded by Kathryn Gawron. Vote was 4-0 to adjourn. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Raymond Hoess-Brooks X Linda Menard-Mruk X Louise Osetek X Kathryn Gawron X Meeting adjourned at 4:25 PM