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Date: 2/8/2022
CHICOPEE – The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Committee continued discussion on utilizing the federal funds during their Feb. 1 meeting.
Mayor John Vieau started the meeting by announcing a recommendation to appropriate $10 million toward next year’s free cash account. He described the decision as a move that will reward flexibility to the city as the funds would not be limited toward ARPA-related issues. ARPA Committee member and Councilor At-Large James Tillotson echoed the mayor’s sentiments, stressing the appropriated funds as a potential avenue to solve different problems throughout the city.
The mayor’s recommendation was unanimously approved by the committee.
Community Development Administrator Kathleen Lingenberg discussed her research in using the funds toward reinforcing community policing. While she discovered the project would not be ARPA eligible, she noted the endeavor as a project that can be supplemented from the additional general funds.
Vieau agreed that increasing policing remains paramount for Chicopee. “We are committed to community policing,” said Vieau. He stressed that building positive relationships between the police and the public is paramount as the department continues to build toward a full complement of officers.
Merit pay bonuses also became a central topic for discussion. Instead of tiering merit pay based on job status, the mayor discussed a more balanced distribution of funds. “I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge all of the employees hard work…Our goal here in Chicopee is to retain talent,” said Vieau.
Chief of Staff Michael Pise also suggested the idea of offering a pay bonus to vaccinated workers within the city. While the city’s discussions were speculations, Tillotson viewed the idea as a promising way to encourage vaccinations. “I think it’s an incentive, money talks,” said Tillotson.
Department of Public Works (DPW) Superintendent Elizabette Batista stressed that infrastructure repairs should be an essential aspect of ARPA funds. She discussed the South Fairview sewer project, piping repairs and the expansion of current DPW projects as key areas needing funding support.
The ARPA Committee further discussed avenues of economic development and supporting nonprofits. Vieau said that growing jobs and training employees remain top goals of his, sharing that his administration remains focused on getting private companies that will infuse viable new positions into the city. The committee also shared their intentions to use ARPA funds to support nonprofits like the Polish Center and the Boys and Girls Club of Chicopee, who requested funds from pandemic-caused losses.
The ARPA Committee will meet again on Feb. 22.