Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 1/8/2016
CHICOPEE – Mayor Richard Kos outlined the accomplishments of the last two years in office and provided a look at his priorities for the next two years.
Kos took the oath of office on Jan. 4 in a ceremony at the Elms College attended by more than 100 people.
He spoke of many projects that have been successfully undertaken and credited the success to “cooperation and collaboration.”
Kos said, “You may have noticed that a lot that has been done or that will be done involved the interactions of many. That is what should be noticed and what needs to be expected.”
Kos spoke of a string of accomplishments and said, “In City Hall, we will continue to implement e-permitting, maintain our new City Web site and continue social media communications, improve our free downtown Wi-Fi – Chi Fi – and work with our electric light department to pursue high speed internet for businesses and residents alike. Making it easier for all to know what is happening and for all to do business with the City.
“Later this month, our 12 recent hires in the Fire Department will join the ranks, enabling us to reopen the Aldenville Fire Station and more easily staff our department ambulance service.
“Later this week, 13 new police officers will be hired, attending the police academy shortly thereafter. We have the highest number of police officers in the city’s history; we will continue our efforts at accreditation. Arrest logs are being published and the police department is using social media to provide a steady source of information. Tasers have been deployed and high tech cameras are on their way.
“We have worked with state officials to reduce the homeless population in our city – down from 217 families to less than 20 families, and in one motel, not three.
“We will continue to work to make it easier to live in our city. The new Lyman Mills project, with 80 market rate apartments, is scheduled to break ground in March.
“The Valley Opportunity Council is purchasing and renovating the Kendall apartments downtown with $7 million in improvements. Closings have taken place with our three family owner occupied property grant program – turning three rental properties into three owner occupied homes – with more on the way!
“Dupont Middle School successfully opened.
“With our Career and Technical Education programs bursting at the seams – with waiting lists – relocation and expansion will be explored.
“The World is Our Classroom has been a wonderful experience for our fifth graders and there are more grades in the waiting. Link to Libraries will continue to expand in our schools.
He concluded, “We will continue to congratulate our high school freshmen as they become CPR proficient.”
Speaking of future endeavors, Kos said, “We will continue to fix things, whether it be parks and pools, school roofs, equipment or infrastructure. We will utilize the Community Compact to implement capital planning procedures.
“We will receive and pursue land fill options in the months to come. We will continue to work with both the Environmental Protection Agency and Mass. Department of Environmental Protection DEP to implement work schedules, which are both affordable and manageable to our City and to our residents. I am proud that the first two extensions – ever given to Chicopee – have been secured in the past year. We will continue to plan in ways that make both practical and financial sense.”
He also spoke of his work with the city’s State House delegation. “I will continue my efforts of collaboration with our Legislative delegation – whether it be pursuing new legislation or continuing their successful efforts in securing more state funding and grants. I thank them – specifically – for their help with a number of grants: over $3 million for the Kendall improvements; $2.6 million for our downtown infrastructure; $1 million for the military housing demolition and the recent $400,000 pool grant – to name just a few,” Kos said.
Kos thanked the voters for their support and said, “As I stand before you honored that you again placed your trust and confidence in me – I thank you. Thank you for believing in what is right and good – and for coming together today as we continue to make our way toward a better Chicopee.
“It’s only been two years – but a great two years – and I / we look forward to these next two.”