Kos has online ‘chat’ with residents on variety of subjects
Date: 1/16/2015
CHICOPEE – Mayor Richard Kos participated in his second on-line “chat” with city residents on Jan. 12 answering questions and addressing issues for an hour.
Joel McAuliffe, communications and special projects manager for Kos, told Reminder Publications the mayor’s goal is to have such a session on a monthly basis. So far, the date for the chat for February has yet to be set.
The following is a transcript of the conversation:
When is the Old Chicopee High School/Middle School supposed to open?
Good afternoon everyone. The plan is for old Chicopee High to be ready this August for the start of school. Fontaine Bros. are under contract to accomplish that timetable. Looking forward to the finished product.
I realize this may not be a major priority for the city but as a citizen who uses the pools in town every summer with my children, what is going to be done about the Ray Ash pool? Also, rumor has it that the Fairview pool is also in huge disrepair. Our pools are a huge asset and many families use them. Please spend the money and fix them. The state pool in Meadow Street is being worked on. Why can’t Chicopee do the same?
We have four old pools in need of major repairs, which under Massachusetts law require an architect to review and recommend needed work. The architect has been engaged and has begun their review. The work may range from simply caulking to complete rebuilding. We set aside $500,000 with council approval in anticipation of the possible scope. We will work with our park commission to prioritize.
How are you addressing the increase in violent crime within the city, outside of using the Chicopee Police Department? Also, with all the reports of gun related crimes, how are you as mayor attempting to ensure general safety for the families of Chicopee?
Meet regularly with the police chief, work to maintain full complement (hired six veterans last years and seven new candidates last week), have met with the new district attorney who promises to work closely with our law enforcement. While there may appear to be more crime it may be the result of more transparency by our police department. Recent stats actually show a two percent decrease in crime. The reported home invasion last week occurred between known parties and was not random. This is an important ongoing issue for me.
My question Mr. Kos: are you going try get the Chicopee Fest back again or no or maybe try brings some rides to the park for three days?
These are usually privately run events, and we are working with our parks commission to screen all viable proposals. We were pleased with the success of the Kielbasa Festival last summer.
New year, any new plans for revitalizing the center or the city as a whole?
We are working to improve parking in the downtown as early as this spring, ways to improve downtown Internet connectivity are in the works, and working with the Chamber will continue to bring people to downtown events. As for the city as a whole, improvements are coming to Westover, and we are awaiting the results of the UMass study of Memorial Drive who engaged our city councilors.
What is being done about the illegal parking happening on Percy St. by St. Joan of Arc school by parents during drop off and pickup times at the school? The school only acts on the issue for about a week, and then it goes back to not caring about blocked traffic and access for municipal vehicles like fire trucks or ambulances. It’s even worse when there is snow on the ground.
The Police Department has been made aware of this issue and are working to enforce regulations. We will monitor the efforts.
Chicopee would really benefit from a community garden. What are the chances of establishing such a program?
Our new city planner has raised this opportunity with me and is researching our open space issues and how this may be done.
Why are the side streets not being cleaned up (after a snow storm) like they had been the past eight years I’ve lived in Chicopee?
I had instructed our Department of Public Works (DPW) Superintendent when I took office that when given the choice, to always do more and not less when it come to public safety and our public convenience. Hills and main roads are usually sanded/salted first, starting at 4 a.m. this past week for instance. Given the number of private plows we hire to join our city forces, occasional issues do arise, and I ask that you bring them to the attention of the DPW or my office when that happens.
What is the latest status on the Willimansett Bridge?
The new contractor is scheduled to be done this July and all reports have the work on time or ahead of schedule. Much thanks needs to go to [State] Rep. Wagner who worked with the state to expedite bringing this contractor on board after the previous bankruptcy situation. Can’t wait for the finished product!
Who’s your favorite city councilor?
It’s a family of 13 with whom I am proud to work with on a regular basis.
How many firefighters and police is the city hiring this year?
We interviewed and hired seven new police officers last week and anticipate, based upon planned retirements and vacancies, more hirings this spring in both departments.
Thank you for the transparency. One more question from me if you do not mind. Are there any plans for rebuilding within the dead areas of the city, the old vacant warehouses and such down by the police station?
Private property is difficult. However, we continue to meet and make ourselves available to pursue or create options. The Uniroyal property near the Safety Complex is owned by the city. We continue to pursue all grants for cleanup and demolition and the city council is currently reviewing a request by me for $185,000 to preserve the former Administration Building on Grove Street for possible future development before it deteriorates beyond the point of being saved.
That will complete the time for this chat tonight. Thanks for taking an interest in our city We tried to answer as many questions online as we could. Remember if you ever have a comment, question, issue or concern, you can call my office at 594-1500.
