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Date: 9/29/2021
CHICOPEE – Discussions centered around improvements to essential workforce equipment during the Chicopee City Council meeting on Sept 23.
Mayor John Vieau introduced these topics during his Mayor’s Orders. Four of his orders addressed upgrades within the Fire Department, including appropriations for $140,000 toward the purchasing of turnout gear for firefighters, $70,000 for a generator, $80,000 for a new vehicle and $575,000 for a Fire Pumper. Fire Chief Daniel Stamorski addressed the need for equipment upgrades, noting that some of the equipment is reaching their expiration date as an influx of new employees are set to join the department over the next year.
The generator has proven to be particularly challenging, as Stamorski revealed that the technology runs into problems during the department’s weekly tests. “That generator is over 30 years old … it’s outlived its useful life,” said Vieau. The City Council ultimately sent each motion for the Finance Committee to further discuss.
Vieau also introduced a $275,000 order for the purchase of a new ambulance. Councilor At-Large Frank N. Laflamme explained the addition would be a critical one due to one of the vehicles inccurring a high-mileage rate. “The ambulance is very important … I don’t want to play around for the care of residents in the city,” said Laflamme. Currently, Chicopee has two backup ambulances, but Stamorski revealed that both are often utilized due to high demand.
The fire chief shared that the ambulances have responded to 5,815 calls over this year. “They run pretty much 24/7 and accumulate mileage very fast,” said Stamorski, who said the city has four ambulances currently in service. Due to the demand for ambulances, the council approved the order through all stages based on the mayor’s recommendation.
A series of Department of Public Works (DPW) infrastructure improvements became the next topic of debate. The Mayor’s Orders included the purchase of two crew cab pickups for $90,000, $50,000 for a replacement sander, $80,500 for a dump truck and $308,000 for a sideloader.
Ward 9 Council member Stan Walczak stressed the importance of up-to-date equipment. “I’m happy to see the parks department get some [vehicles] once in a while…I know the parks has a lot of responsibilities,” said Walczak. The council approved the replacement sander through all stages, while sending the other orders through to the Finance Committee for more information.
Vieau concluded his orders by providing a few updates. He said there has been a steady, but high rate of COVID-19 cases, with the 20 to 40 population and young children being most susceptible to the virus. At the time of the meeting, Chicopee had incurred 320 active cases of COVID-19. The mayor also shared that Chicopee’s current vaccination rate is in the mid-50 percent range, which he deemed one of the lowest rates in the state. “If you haven’t taken the vaccine, please do. It’s the only way we are going to get rid of these masks,” said Vieau. He explained that the city is advocating with local parishes, providing vaccine clinics, and utilizing a “Vax Bus” to provide vaccines on the go.
The mayor also shared a correction regarding the issue of police pay, which became a central point of conversation during the Sept. 7 City Council meeting. While an original figure of $38,000 to $40,000 was shared as police officer’s starting salary, Vieau said the number was out of date, with the starting salary currently being about $48,000.
He stressed the importance of providing fair pay to police as the city works on establishing a new, three-year contract with law enforcement. “It’s something that I believe in … the people here in Chicopee love their Police Department,” said Vieau.
During the City Council meeting, the council members made a unanimous decision to restore parking and remove the barriers at the Center Loop bike path. The bike lane has generated strong backlash during its two months of operation, with At-Large Council member James Tilloston calling for the barriers to be removed as soon as possible. “This didn’t work out…most of us got more calls on that issue than most issues. We would like to see it pass this evening and implemented immediately,” said Tilloston. The mayor has seven days to veto the order, but the council agreed the removal was unlikely to be disputed.
The Chicopee City Council meets again on Oct 5.