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Date: 8/17/2022
CHICOPEE – The City Council approved a series of mayor’s orders that provide infrastructure improvements for the Chicopee Fire Department during its Aug. 2 meeting.
Mayor John Vieau and Fire Chief Daniel Stamborski presented the items to the council. The requested improvements include $313,341 for the Fire Department’s Station Five on Church Street, $64,000 to the Fire Department’s Station Eight on James Street and $350,000 for the purchase of a new ambulance.
Funding for these projects derive from the $2 million the city set aside for capital improvements. The $2 million is originally from the $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that the city labeled as a standard loss.
“That money has now gone into our general fund and can be used for anything,” said Vieau.
Vieau stressed that the ambulance request is a necessary purchase due to the gradual degradation of the Fire Department’s current fleet. A country-wide shortage in vehicles and parts also places extra significance on the request, with the Fire Department still awaiting an approved ambulance order that was requested last year, according to Vieau.
“This is a need. It’s not a wish list item. We want to make sure that the Fire Department has the ambulances available when [residents] call,” said Vieau.
If approved, Stamborski expects the ambulance to arrive as late as two years from now, due to shortages. He also credited the hiring of a “phenomenal” mechanic for the department for keeping the current fleet of ambulances operational.
The Station Five request involves an underground diesel storage tank that requires removal and improvements to the station’s parking lot. Stamborski explained the critical need to address the tank, which is reaching its 24th year of use.
“We’re trying to head off any sort of leaks or potential environmental issues in the future. We feel that it would be the perfect time once a quarter of the parking lot is dug up to remove this tank to do proper drainage and repave the entire lot,” said Stamborski.
Additionally, Station Eight requires resurfacing improvements to a section of flooring, after a visitor to the Fire Department tripped over the uneven structure, according to Stamborski. The fire chief explained how the funding will make the flooring more functional.
“It’s slowly been delaminating. There’s been multiple repairs to it. … A concrete expert came in and estimated it for us. They have to grind it down and get it to adhere properly,” said Stamborski.
After brief discussion, the council approved each funding request in unanimous votes.
The City Council will meet again on Sept. 7.