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City Council passes spending measures

Date: 4/19/2013

By G. Michael Dobbs

news@thereminder.com

CHICOPEE — The Chicopee City Council loosened its purse strings on April 16, approving some spending proposed by Mayor Michael Bissonnette, but rejected others.

City Council Vice Chair Dino Brunetti reminded the audience at one point the decisions about spending had been discussed at a marathon Finance Committee meeting.

"I want the public to know we take the spending seriously," Brunetti said.

The councilors approved $980,000 to finish the conversion of the second floor of the Department of Public Works building on Baskin Drive into offices, a project started by students from Chicopee Comprehensive High School. The students, as City Councilor Jean Croteau Jr. explained, are qualified to do only so much of the project and professionals must finish items such as plumbing and heating and cooling.

Croteau said, "Having the students do the work is saving us thousands and thousands of dollars."

Councilor James Tillotson said that finishing the conversion would allow other city offices to move into the building, including the Department of Health, which would then free up additional space in the Public Safety complex. A new police headquarters has been discussed for the past several years and Tillotson said the elimination of the health offices from the current building should help.

"That should take care of their [the police force's] needs for several years," he said.

The council also approved borrowing $192,200 for an aerial truck to be used by the city's forestry workers. City Councilor Frank Laflamme noted the Forestry Department needs an aerial truck, which would ultimately save the city money. Currently, the city contracts to outside vendors for tree trimming and removal projects that require an aerial truck.

Tillotson expressed his opposition to the expense and said, "I think the liability and the workman's comp will be horrendous."

He added the city shouldn't add the truck until an inventory of the city's trees is completed. Croteau quoted the amount the city has paid to outside vendors and said, "You're going to spend this money one way or another."

City Councilor Charles Swider also opposed the purchase believing the city could put it off for a year.

The council also replaced an aging recycling truck. City Councilor Frederick Krampits explained the average life of such a vehicle was between eight and 12 years old.

He said, "Two or three are on the last legs."

The new truck will cost $270,000.

The DPW will get a new truck costing $34,300, but Fire Chief Stephen Burkott will not receive a new car, at least for the time being.

The truck will replace one that was purchased from the Chicopee Housing Authority and won't pass inspection, Krampits said.

Laflamme said that Burkott had originally asked for two vehicles, one of which was a four-wheel-drive Tahoe. The chief amended his request to just the $40,000 Tahoe for his use.

Tillotson opposed the purchase because he said the Tahoe is "a gas hog."

He then expressed frustration with how the council traditionally changes its mind if a department head speaks about a request.

"We don't hold our ground. We met like butter," he said.

Tillotson suggested a smaller vehicle such as a Ford Escape.

City Councilor Donald Demers responded to the remarks of other councilors that the fire chief needs a vehicle such as Tahoe to haul equipment.

Demers said, "They [fire chiefs] don't carry crap . It's a prestige thing."

The council approved $120,000 for the demolition of buildings at 25 Depot St., and at 1.5 Grape St. Tillotson noted that once the properties are sold, the city should recoup its investment in the demolition.

While the council approved $1.8 million to be spent on a new irrigation system at the municipal golf course, several of the councilors expressed concern on how to make the golf course profitable.

Tillotson said, "We need to figure out how to make the place pay for itself."

Swider said, "The [golf] commissioners have a tough task up there. The competition here is tremendous."

Councilor Robert Zygarowski spoke of a problem that money made at the course returns to the city's General Fund but should staying with the course to pay for the operation.

The council voted to change Mayflower Avenue, Roberts Pond Lane, Acker Circle, Acrebrook Drive, Andover Road and Mountainview Street into public ways. Krampits said the city's Engineering Department is evaluating private streets and requesting their conversion to public ways. This should boost the amount of highway funding the city receives from the state, he added.

The city's trash pickup will see not major changes thanks to two votes. A $93,000 packer truck was defeated as well as $850,000 for trash toters.

Brunetti said about the toters that he was "not in favor at this time, maybe later."

Councilor John Vieau said, "I do think it's something we need to think about in the future."

He added, "We doing a lot of spending tonight and we're at the limit."

Brunetti said the city "is kind of spoiled" about the amount and nature of what residents can put on the tree belt for pick-up, something that would change with the trash toters.

While the council approved a motion long advocated by Bissonnette of spending the money to remove the asbestos in the former library building, a step necessary for either redevelopment or demolition, it blocked the contract of Thomas Manley as the director of Information Technology for the city.

Brunetti said the issues are "the credentials of the gentleman and what we're paying."

Tillotson said the council never authorized pay rate, which goes from $95,000 to $99,870.

"I don't want to see our power depleted any more than it has been depleted," he added.

The council voted to ask the auditor to request a ruling from the state Department of Revenue if the mayor can take money from one line item and move it to another to fulfill a personnel contract that was not approved by the council.