City Council to start process to fill Board of Health

CHICOPEE – City Council President George Moreau said the council would begin the process of filling the vacant position on the Board of Health at its Jan. 20 meeting now that a change in the city charter has been made.

As one of his last acts in office, Gov. Deval Patrick signed into law two home rule petitions that changed the city charter. The first bill eliminated two charter provisions that established city residency requirements for the holders of most city offices. Currently, only the superintendent of schools, city solicitor and city engineer are exempted from these requirements.

Under the second bill, the Chicopee Board of Health can now have a nurse or a physician’s assistant serve on the board, while before only a physician could serve. The charter stipulates that one medical professional be on the board.

Only two people are serving on the board at this time.

Although state law mandates the mayor as the appointing officer for the board, the city’s charter gives that responsibility to the city council.

Moreau said councilors would suggest nominees who will then be discussed in committee.

Speaking about the two changes, Mayor Richard Kos said, “I appreciate the efforts of our legislators and councilors as we work together to address the needs of our city with the terms of a charter that was approved in 1897.”

State Rep. Joseph Wagner noted, “I am happy to support the city in moving these two matters forward. These modest changes promote efficiency for the city and its taxpayers without altering the fundamental structure of our municipal government.”