City Council approves new ambulance
Date: 1/18/2013
By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.comCHICOPEE — The City Council said yes to a new ambulance but sent a discussion about new trash barrels back to the Finance Committee for further consideration.
The council met on Jan. 15 and also approved a new series of ambulance fees, which City Councilor James Tillotson explained would not affect what residents pay for the city service but would increase the amount the city can bill insurance companies.
"We trying to collect every dime we can from the insurance company," Tillotson explained.
The council also approved an appropriation of $1.8 million as part of federally mandated repairs on the city's flood control system.
At the Jan. 10 Finance Committee meeting, City Council President George Moreau told
Reminder Publications, "This is the part where we have to look at outfalls along the river and a lot of them have to be repaired. There are a lot of pumps that have to be reworked to put them back in working order and a lot of incidental work that goes along with [these repairs]."
Of the new ambulance, Moreau commented, "This has come up in the past. We held off because of the fiscal cliff and the uncertainty with [Gov. Deval Patrick's] budget. So far we're not hearing any negative [about the budget] and so we're going to go forward with it."
He added, "There is a very important need for it."
In other action, the council approved $25,000 to be used to pay out-going department of Public Works (DPW) Superintendent Stanley Kulig as a part-time employee for the next six months. Kulig would assist in several projects (DPW) as well as help pick his successor.
City Councilor Robert Zygarowski announced the council would conduct a meeting with various city officials and the public on Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. on school safety precautions.
City Council Frederick Krampits' measure to restrict the discharge of firearms from "all shores, banks, and waters of the Chicopee River from the Deady Bridge to the Veterans Memorial Bridge" was approved to go to the Ordinance Committee to arrange a public hearing. A $300 fine has been proposed for a violation.
Debbie Gardner contributed to this story.
