Historical Commission

Chicopee Historical Commission Voting Record and Minutes The Historical Commission of the City of Chicopee public hearing for Tuesday, May 13, 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 5:32 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: Lee Pouliot - Discussion regarding the Commission utilizing their $1000 budget to assist the National Register in listing the Uniroyal Property. Notes: Lee Pouliot explained that the utilization of the Historical Commission’s $1,000 budget will enable the developers to show support from the city for inclusion on the National Register. Representatives from J. Jeffers, the developer, explained the scope of the project via ZOOM. The Uniroyal Project proposal includes 400+ affordable and market rate apartments, 6,000 square feet of commercial space, and create approximately 244 jobs. Motion to allow the use of the $1,000 budget was made by Lisa Hagar and seconded by Kathryn Gawron. 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 J. Jeffers representatives also requested a letter of support for the project to allow them to apply for state and federal tax credits. J. Jeffers will also use an Underutilized Properties Grant for Concept & Design work, Mass. Infrastrucrure Grants and Mass. Works Grants Motion to issue the letters of support was made by Kathryn Gawron and seconded by Lisa Hagar. 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 2: Lee Pouliot – Update on various City Projects – City Hall, Cabotville, Old Library, etc. Notes: Lee Pouliot gave an update on the: Brisa (Singing Bridge) Project in Chicopee Falls located to the left of the Senior Center: It is a three-phase project: (The residential phase of construction was moved to Phase 1 because of funding availability.) • Reuse of the warehouse space as a restaurant, offices and conference center. • Construction of an indoor sports complex. • The residential component will be a steel framed 8-story complex. (105 planned living units) Old Chicopee Library Conversion: • The library restoration project is about two months behind schedule because of structural issues with an outside brick wall that had to be reconstructed. • ARPA money is being utilized for this project, thus far the bond money has not been used. • Upon completion the old library building will become a multi-functional space to be used by the city and partners in the community. City Hall Renovation: • Currently in Phase 2 of a multi-phase project. It is scheduled to be a 36-month project • The former City Council Office will become the Facilities Office • Registrars of Voters office will remain in its current location • The former Mayor’s Office and City Clerk’s Office will become a confidential conference space. Cabotville: • Silverbrick is the current owner. • Potential new owner has a mill conversion proposal before the City Council Zoning Sub-Committee. • Taxes are not currently up to date. Congregational Church on Springfield Street • The new owner is planning to continue to use it as a church, once structural issues are addressed. • Plans to rehab the rectory which was damaged by fire. Item 3: Ronald Chimelis – Discussion regarding a school presentation on the City of Chicopee. Mr. Chimelis to provide an outline at the meeting. Notes: Ronald Chimelis presented an outline of a proposed lesson on the history of Chicopee with two options. After the discussion Commission Members agreed that both options should be included. The lessons will be offered to all schools in Chicopee. Mr. Chimelis plans to have a draft of his lesson ready for review by the September 9, 2025 meeting. Item 4: Minutes from April 8 and 22, 2025 Motion to approve the minutes was made by Louise Osetek and seconded by Kathryn Gawron. 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 5: Discussion/New Business • Jim Dawson to provide the Commissioners with a map of the Springfield Street Historic District – At the April 8, 2025 meeting Raymond Hoess-Brooks discussed the identifying the section of Springfield Street within the Springfield Street historic District. He brought up the idea of sending a letter to the residents of that portion of Springfield Street. This would be a courtesy to inform the residents that they reside in the district and what is involved if they want to perform work on their building. This item was continued to the June 10, 2025 meeting. • Wren Wood presented a proposal for three walking tours of the Springfield Street Historic District. The tours would be held on July 11, 18, and 25, 2025. They would begin at 7:15 PM , last about 45 minutes and include 4-5 homes. The Historical Commission Members supported Mr. Wood’s proposal. Mr. Wood will return in June with further details. Item 6: Adjournment – Next regularly scheduled meeting is June 10, 2025. Motion to adjourn was made by Linda Menard-Mruk and seconded by Louise Osetek. 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 6:53 PM.