Historical Commission

Chicopee Historical Commission Voting Record and Minutes The Historical Commission of the City of Chicopee public hearing for Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 5:30 PM, in the Department of Planning & Development and Conservation, 4th Floor, City Hall Annex, 274 Front St., Chicopee, MA 01013 and via Zoom. Meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM, by Raymond Hoess-Brooks Historical Commission attendance: Member Present Absent Excused Ray Hoess-Brooks X Chair Louise Osetek X Vice Chair Linda Menard-Mruk X Clerk Kathryn Gawron X Ronald Chimelis X Joseph Stadnicki X Lisa Hagar X Planning Staff attendance: Member Present Absent Excused Lee Pouliot, X Director James Dawson, X Development Manager Patrick Collins X Nick Kiser X Item 1: Welcome new Commission Members Joe Stadnicki and Lisa Hagar. 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 approved in December of 2024. This may be the final letter that the Commission has to review and approve for this project. Notes: Stephen Huntley, Director of VOC provided an update on the Belcher School Project. He explained that the tax credits will pay for a portion of the historical construction costs. Historically accurate double pane windows have been ordered. He expects construction to be completed in August of 2025. Upon completion the project will consist of 25 housing units of the 25, 23 will be affordable units. Stephen also explained that HUD sets the maximum rent for the affordable housing units. Motion to approve the letter of support was made by Linda Menard-Mruk and seconded by Ronald Chimelis. Vote was 7-0 to approve. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Raymond Hoess-Brooks X Linda Menard-Mruk X Louise Osetek X Kathryn Gawron X Ronald Chimelis X Joseph Stadnicki X Lisa Hagar X Item 3: Minutes from March 11, 2025 Motion to approve the minutes was made by Louise Osetek and seconded by Ronald Chimelis. Vote was 7-0 to approve. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Raymond Hoess-Brooks X Linda Menard-Mruk X Louise Osetek X Kathryn Gawron X Ronald Chimelis X Joseph Stadnicki X Lisa Hagar X Item 4: Discussion/New Business • May 13, 2025 - Lee Pouliot to discuss the Commission utilizing its $1000 budget to assist the National Register listing of the Uniroyal Property. • May 13, 2025 - Lee Pouliot has been invited to update the Commission on various City Projects - Cabotville, City Hall, Old Library etc. • May 13, 2025 - Ron Chimelis - Discussion about a school presentation on the history of Chicopee. Commissioner Chimelis discussed his vision for this project, and he will have an outline at the meeting. • Raymond Hoess-Brooks wants the historic section of Springfield Street identified. He would then like a letter sent to the property owners, informing them they own a historic property. Jim Dawson will have a map of this area for the May 13, 2025 meeting. • Lisa Hagar stated that grant money is available for cities and towns for the 250 th anniversary of the Revolutionary War programs. Raymond Hoess-Brooks stated that this would be information for the Chicopee Historical Society. Item 5: Adjournment – Next regularly scheduled meeting is May 13, 2025. Motion to adjourn was made by Joseph Stadnicki and seconded by Kathryn Gawron. Vote was 7-0 to adjourn. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Raymond Hoess-Brooks X Linda Menard-Mruk X Louise Osetek X Kathryn Gawron X Ronald Chimelis X Joseph Stadnicki X Lisa Hagar X Meeting adjourned at 6:10 PM.