Increase in tax rate targets improvements

Date: 10/10/2014

CHICOPEE – After a detailed pitch from Mayor Richard Kos, as well as testimony made by various department heads, the City Council unanimously approved the creation of a $3 million capital improvement fund at its special meeting on Oct. 8.

A new tax rate approved by the council would add about $117 annually to the current tax bill for the average home in the city and would provide the money necessary to undertake a specific list of purchases and repairs.
   
Kos had developed the plan in reaction to a long list proved by his department heads. He then, in conference with many of the councilors, trimmed the list to what he thought were the essential items.
   
He said his tax increase “is respecting the taxpayer’s ability to pay.”
   
He stressed, “As a city we do have a responsibility to maintain our property and assets.” Kos added that some items on the list, such as three school roofs, actually might require an additional allocation if their condition is worse than first thought.
   
Kos said the roofs at Belcher School, Fairview Veterans Memorial Middle School and the Szetela School are in need of repair, perhaps replacement. The alarm system at Fairview is “antiquated” and the city’s insurance company is dictating the alarm system at the Bellamy Middle School be replaced.
   
School Superintendent Richard Rege said his department has been using state education funs to “keep putting Band-aids on these problems.” Rege added he will be sending a statement of intent letter to the Massachusetts School Building Authority seeking funding for new roofs, but reminded the councilors the Commonwealth has been generous to Chicopee in the past decade by funding two high schools and a middle school while other communities have received nothing.
   
There are four municipal pools that are leaking water, one so much it was closed this summer. The Fire Department is seeking a new pumper truck and Kos said the present one is out of commission so often, the Chicopee department has to rely on neighboring Springfield to lend them one if needed.
   
The Police Department has asked to replace six cruisers that have been in service since 2005. When asked by the councilors about his needs, Police Chief William Jebb quickly said a new headquarters, something that has been discussed in the city for years. Kos added a new public safety complex could run as high as $20 million.
   
The Department of Public Works requires both a rear packer garbage truck and a side packer garbage truck. The councilors were told the lead time necessary to order a new truck may be as long as a year.
   
The maintenance building at the city’s golf course also needs a new roof and the city’s website is in need of updating in order to prevent loss of data.
   
Kos said, “The city of Chicopee’s services are second to none but we need the equipment.”
   
Councilor James Tillotson said, “I don’t believe there is any wasted money here.”
   
Kos said that each of the items on the list would be sent to the council for their consideration and each allocation would require a two-thirds majority vote.
   
Tillotson said those requirements would give the council “another bite of the apple” and question each proposed use of the extra funds more carefully.
   
Councilor Shane Brooks said he thought the city should wait until its current free cash is certified by the state, estimated at about $6 million. Some of the items could be funded from the free cash, meaning any tax increase for the capital projects could be decreased.
   
Kos countered that there are known expenditures that will be paid for by the free cash, and in reality there is not as much of it as the councilors might believe. The free cash, with its present obligations, will “be like an ice cube on a summer day,” the mayor added.
   
Councilor Gerry Roy expressed his concern about the city’s stabilization fund and wondered why it could not be used to fund these projects.
   
In his presentation, Kos had stressed the estimated $12 million in stabilization funds should only be used for emergencies.
   
“To plan to use that money going forward is not financially prudent,” Kos said.