Cities wait for Washington's decision

Date: 1/14/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



CHICOPEE The question isn't just how much cities the size of Chicopee are going to receive in the still debated federal economic stimulus bill, it's how the money is going to get to them.

Mayor Michael Bissonnette explained to Reminder Publications that communities with more than 50,000 people get federal funds directly through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) awards and that would be preferred to state governments controlling the federal dollars.

Bissonnette is afraid that federal dollars sent to Beacon Hill for disbursement would be "Boston-centric."

Chicopee is one of the few communities in the state that has been participating in a planning effort sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The plan details public works projects that each participating municipality has ready to go when federal funding is available. The plan began last November at which time Chicopee had some $70 million in projects ready. Now, Bissonnette said, the city has about $120 million.

Gov. Deval Patrick asked last week for communities to send in their "wish lists" as part of the planning process for the allocation of the federal money when it comes, Bissonnette added.

The planning by Chicopee officials would allow quick implementation once the funding is in place, he added.

"I get [the projects] out to bid in May and have people working by June," Bissonnette said.

The planning is an effort to "jumpstart" the local economy by completing much needed infrastructure projects. The mayor noted that municipalities are still waiting six months after passage of federal funds earmarked for home foreclosure relief.

The projects Chicopee has in place include a new senior center, a new public safety center, the redevelopment of the Uniroyal/Facemate properties, a new fire station for downtown Chicopee, various road repair projects and the renovation of the former Chicopee High School.

Bissonnette said what has aided the city in this process is that many of these projects were already in the planning process.

"We had stuff in the pipeline," he said.

Although the city is ready to spend the money, Bissonnette cautioned about its arrival.

"We may not see any money," he said. "It's so far up in the air."

And he is realistic about the effect such federal funding would have.

"People shouldn't make any mistake about it. This is a short term solution," he added.