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Date: 12/18/2015
CHICOPEE – Acknowledging the city’s water supply needs a redundant line in case of emergencies, the City Council authorized a bond for $11 million.
During the mayor’s briefing, Department of Public Works (DPW) Superintendent Jeffrey Neece told the council that passage of the bond was “critical” in order to qualify for State Revolving Fund monies that could reduce the city’s obligation.
The funding will pay for a redundant 30-inch water main as well as add a chemical feed to disinfect the water. The pipe would run from Burnett Road to the Memorial Drive Chemical Feed Redundancy and Disinfection Upgrade at the Water Treatment Plant.
The council also passed a mayoral order to use $562,372 from the Charter Cable Grant funds to remove all of the stained glass windows from City Hall, secure the openings with Plexiglas and box and store the windows until they can be repaired. The funding would also remove some of the stonework that requires repair from the City Hall tower.
Lee Pouliot, director of the Planning Department, explained to the councilors the state has given the city a waiver to fast track the bidding process for this job. He said all of the stained glass would be removed, not just the large window in the front of the building as all of the windows are showing signs of instability.
Pouliot added the bidding process should take two weeks and then two to three weeks would be needed to completed the removal of the windows and install the temporary replacements.
Councilor Gary Labrie asked about whether or not the tower is “out of plumb.” Pouliot said he had not been told about any such concerns and added a general structural report on City Hall would be completed and released next month.
Councilor James Tillotson asked about the estimated cost to upgrade City hall, and Pouliot said that information should be in the report as well.
The council also approved the purchase of necessary DPW equipment. A street sweeper ($242,730) will be added to the three the city already has. Councilor John Vieau said of the three street sweepers the city has one is 15 years old and another is inoperable.
Two dump trucks will be purchased at a cost of $410,000. Councilor Frederick Kampits noted the trucks will be fitted with snow plows in order to be more versatile. Two front loaders were also authorized at a cost of $398,685.
Councilor James Tillotson noted the council had “vetted the equipment very carefully” during a meeting of the Finance Committee.
Council President George Moreau was honored by his colleagues on what was his last council meeting. Presented with a plaque noted his decades of service to the city in elected office, Moreau thanked his fellow councilor for their support “in good times and in bad.” He added this council was “one of the best groups I’ve worked with.”