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Managing Editor CHICOPEE A neighborhood meeting for the Meadow Street area drew over 100 people and stirred much emotion on Tuesday. The subjects of reoccurring flooding and sewer back-ups in the area and the move of Lorraine's Soup Kitchen to the neighborhood drew different reactions. While the residents who are affected by the problems caused by an inadequate sized sewer listened quietly to the explanation by city officials, the critics of the relocation of the soup kitchen were quite vocal. Mayor Michael Bissonnette and Department of Public Works head Stan Kulig explained the flooding problem was the result of rainwater pushing sewage through a pipe that is too small. Kulig said city officials have been aware of the problem for years, but have also been looking for funding for years. Thanks to a state grant, the city now has hired the engineering firm of Tighe & Bond to complete the design work for the fix. Kulig said the reconstruction would include the installation of a new sewer line down McKinstry Avenue six feet in diameter. He estimated the cost of such a project at $1.5 to $2 million. To finance the project, the city has applied to the state for a low interest loan, he explained, but "that process takes time." He said a rough timeline of the project would be the design work would take the rest of this year and if the city is put on the approved list for the loan, the project could go out to bid next year. Construction could then begin. The worst-case scenario, he said, would be the project wouldn't be done until 2010. The reconstruction of the sewer line would be part of the city's alleviation of its combined sewer overflows, which is mandated by the federal government, Bissonnette said. About 30 people who are affected by the flooding were given the opportunity to give Kulig and other officials the details of their problems. The meeting then turned to the issue of the relocation of the soup kitchen. Bissonnette called Lorraine Houle, the founder and manager of the soup kitchen and emergency food pantry as "one of the most important people in Chicopee," which drew considerable applause. Jerry Roy, president of the soup kitchen's board, explained the pantry must move as it has been evicted. The board looked at four or five possible locations including a market in downtown Chicopee and a church but nothing was deemed suitable. When Calloway Golf donated the property opposite its Meadow Street plant, Roy said, "There was a door opened to us and we took it." Bissonnette said, "I'm not crazy about this idea, either. I had another suggestion." Bissonnette had wanted the soup kitchen to go into the former Perkins School in Willamansett and work in collaboration with the Valley Opportunity Council. This idea was rejected. The mayor added he does want to see the soup kitchen move out of downtown as part of his efforts to revive the area. One resident questioned why the soup kitchen couldn't be moved into the former Chicopee High School. Bissonnette said the building is still considered a school and when he checked with the School Department he learned federal rules concerning funding wouldn't allow a private non-profit entity to use the space. The new building would have 15 to 16 parking spots and no off street parking would be allowed. Roy said the food pantry would be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. five days a week only to Chicopee residents. There is one meal served five days a week from 4:45 to 6:30 p.m. To give an idea of the use of the kitchen, he said the meal that day had drawn 131 people and 15 cars. Most of the people partaking in the meal walked to the kitchen's present location on Center Street. Bissonnette reminded the residents the Planning Board has already said the building proposed for the location is "in compliance with all zoning rules." Parking and traffic concerns were voiced by several residents who believe the proposed site of the soup kitchen is too small for its use and that people will be parking in the narrow side street creating a public safety hazard. Resident Michael Parent questioned the effect the soup kitchen will have on property values. Assessor Laura McCarthy said, that on average, property values in the city have declined 1.5 percent and the streets around the location are consistent with that figure. She said her office would monitor the area after the soup kitchen is built, but that generally she hasn't seen residence's values decrease due to the business it is near. Bissonnette said the purpose of the meeting was for the residents to learn first hand about the soup kitchen's move and to raise questions about it. Members of the soup kitchen board handed out a flyer at the meeting detailing the number of contributions toward the construction of the building. At this date those contributions include the land, building materials and professional services from a wide variety of businesses. A formal fund raising drive will be launched in about a week. People interested in participating should contact Houle at 592-9528. | ||||||
