Historical Commission

Chicopee Historical Commission Voting Record and Minutes The Historical Commission of the City of Chicopee public hearing for Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 4:00 PM, in the Chambers Conference room, City Hall Annex and via Zoom. Meeting was called to order at 4:02 PM by Joshua Clark, Chair of the Historical Commission, via Zoom. 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: (Tabled from March 12, 2024) 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: Commissioner Joshua Clark provided an update to the Commission. Commissioner Clark reminded the Commissioners that the Historical Commission has a demolition delay in its bylaws, but the City of Chicopee has no such provision. Commissioner Clark stated that Attorney Kevin Corridan of the City’s Law Department explained that if the Massachusetts Historical Commission states if a property is within an historic district a demolition delay is possible. However, if the property is outside of a designated historic district there is no demolition delay. While Chicopee has an Historic Commission an Historic District Commission is a different and separate entity. Chicopee currently does not have any Historic District Commissions. The question remains, can the Historic Commission assume the duties of an Historic District Commission if there is none in place? Lee Pouliot offered to check with Mr. Corridan to determine if this is possible. City Planning Director Lee Pouliot stated the Urban Land Development will be conducting a survey of the Holy Name Church property on South Street in late April of 2024. He requested two Historical Commission Members sit in on the meeting. Linda Mruk and Raymond Hoess-Brooks volunteered to represent the Historical Commission. Item 2: Minutes from March 12, 2024 Motion to approve was made by Louise Osetek and seconded by Kathryn Gawron. Vote was 4 in favor, 0 opposed and 1 abstention. Joshua Clark abstained since he was not in attendance at the March 12, 2024 meeting.  Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Joshua Clark X Raymond Hoess-Brooks X Linda Menard-Mruk X Louise Osetek X Kathryn Gawron X Item 3: Discussion/New Business • Discussion regarding the RiverMills Senior Center Landscape. The discussion was tabled to May 14, 2024 since neither COA Director Sherry Manyak nor Facilities Director David Rice were in attendance. Lee Pouliot will formally request they be in attendance on May 14, 2024. • Commissioner Clark noted that the Commission has two vacancies. He stated that this issue has been brought to the attention of the Mayor. Item 4: Adjournment – Next regularly scheduled meeting is May 14, 2024. Motion to adjourn was made by Raymond Hoess-Brooks and seconded by Linda Menard-Mruk. Vote was 5-0 to adjourn. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Joshua Clark X Raymond Hoess-Brooks X Linda Menard-Mruk X Louise Osetek X Kathryn Gawron X Meeting adjourned at 4:23 PM