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Date: 4/27/2022
CHICOPEE – Changes to the city’s regional dispatch center and an infusion of cash to the city’s other post-employment benefits (OPEB) were approved during the City Council’s April 19 meeting.
Regional Dispatch
Mayor John Vieau presented an update to the city’s Western Massachusetts Emergency Communication Dispatch District (WESTCOMM) Regional Dispatch Center, which is seeking to develop a new location at the former Salter College space at 645 Shawinigan Dr. The Chicopee center currently operates in collaboration with East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Monson and Ware at 110 Church St. in Chicopee.
“They have reached the point where they want to go out for bid to redevelop the facility…They are looking forward to renovating the Salter College building,” said Vieau.
Assistant Department of Public Works Superintendent and liaison to the WESTCOMM committee John Beaulieu explained that other revisions were made from the regional dispatch agreement, which was originally formed in June 2017. Beaulieu shared that Monson and Ware represent the newest partners of the agreement.
When asked about the relationship between the interconnected communities, Beaulieu said there are “no complaints” with the current operation. During the time of the agreement, three of the communities involved initially left before ultimately returning to the regional arrangement, according to Beaulieu.
The WESTCOMM liaison also discussed the expansion opportunities a new facility will bring, including the potential involvement of up to 17 communities.
“Our hope at Salter is to get up to 17 [communities]…We are not taking anybody else on at this particular moment until we can get into Salter and do what we need to do,” said Beaulieu. Currently, the Salter location is utilized for police training, but the site will eventually be closed as the construction process begins.
Vieau stressed that the WESTCOMM operation continues to benefit the community. “When we joined into the regional dispatch, it has saved the city a tremendous amount of money…it has also provided us having three police officers per shift out on beat plus two firefighters,” said Vieau.
The council expressed support for the item. Ward 1 City Councilor Joel McAuliffe said he is pleased by the regional dispatch’s growth. “I’m pleased to see the number of towns that have joined…It’s been a huge success so far, so happy to see it continue to grow,” said McAuliffe.
Ward 6 City Councilor Derek Dobosz said the dispatch center is continuing to improve, but believes more updates are needed for the operation. “I do think there are some issues. It is getting better, but there are some issues with the dispatch center still,” said Dobosz, who suggested that the Public Safety subcommittee further review the operation.
The City Council approved the item in a unanimous vote.
OPEB Benefits
Vieau also discussed the appropriation of $1 million to the OPEB trust account. Prior to the City Council meeting, the mayor stressed that the retirement employee benefits account became a “huge liability” within the city.
“It’s been grossly underfunded for many years…this makes us stronger financially,” said Vieau in an interview with Reminder Publishing.
During his presentation to the council, Vieau said OPEB benefits include health, life and dental insurance for retired city workers. The mayor stressed the significance of catching up with the account’s existing costs, which estimate to around $286 million.
Treasurer Marie Laflamme said supporting the city’s OPEB account sends a strong message as the city continues to catch up with payments. “We are asking once again to put a $1 million in [the account] as we can and start showing our bond consol, who when we borrow, always look at this issue. They want us to start funding this,” said Laflamme, who said the city’s trust account estimates around $150 million.
The City Council approved the item in a unanimous vote.
The City Council will meet again on May 3.