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Date: 11/20/2023
CHICOPEE — Many incumbent officials will return to their respective positions in the city while several newcomers are set to join in January 2024, following a highly contested municipal election.
The Chicopee City Council will welcome five new and eight returning members to its 13-person body.
Incumbent Frank Laflamme was the top at-large vote getter, receiving 5,409 votes.
Laflamme, also the City Council president, shared that he was “glad” to be one of the four at-large members elected.
Laflamme has served seven terms — a total of 14 years — on the City Council.
Throughout his campaign, Laflamme said he did not put out as many signs as he typically would, but instead spent the time meeting with community members. “The most important part is talking with people,” he shared.
Laflamme extended his gratitude to the Chicopee residents for voting for him. “I will do my best like if it was my first day on the job,” he said.
Laflamme shared that he will likely run for president again and hopes to continue working together with his fellow councilors to do what is best for Chicopee as a whole.
Incumbents Jerry Roy followed Laflamme with 5,255 votes, along with Robert Zygarowski, who received 4,993 votes.
Timothy Wagner claimed the fourth at-large seat, receiving 4,261 votes. He beat incumbent Ward 1 City Councilor Joel McAuliffe who ran at-large, receiving 3,510 votes, along with Sean Goonan, 3,058.
Upon learning of the results, Wagner said, “The first thing I felt was sort of numbness … [I was] humbled and honored.”
As this was Wagner’s first time running for City Council, he said he did not expect a turnout with more than 4,000 votes and described it as “shocking.”
To the residents of Chicopee, Wagner said, “I’m always available to answer any questions you have [and assist with] any constituent service you need.”
Throughout his campaign and still, he said he uses his “Three T’s,” which are trust, transparency and teamwork.
Wagner said that he is “excited” to get started and is looking forward to working with his at-large colleagues and ward counterparts.
Prior to running for City Council, Wagner served a two-year term on the School Committee.
Longtime Councilor at-Large James Tillotson did not run for reelection.
Incumbents Shane Brooks, George Balakier, Frederick Kramptis, William Courchesne and Gary Labrie ran unopposed and were reelected to their seats in Wards 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8, respectively.
School Committee member Samuel Shumsky ran unopposed for Ward 6 City Council, to replace Derek Dobosz, who did not seek reelection.
For Ward 1, Abigail Arriaga was elected with 570 votes, claiming victory over James Tanhauser Jr., who received 530 votes.
When asked about her initial reaction to the results, Arriaga recalled the relief she felt in the moment, following a “very long” campaign.
She shared that she started campaigning in the spring as she knew this was something she wanted. After spending several hours each day knocking on doors, she said, “Hard work really does pay off.”
Arriaga noted that she has already been in contact with several of her new council colleagues and is “eager” to work alongside and learn from them.
“I’m excited to get started,” she said.
To the voters in Ward 1, Arriaga said she wants to prove to them that they put their trust in the right person to lead Chicopee in a positive direction.
Arriaga will be replacing McAuliffe.
In Ward 3, Susan Goff beat Lucjan Galecki, with 457 votes, compared to 402.
Goff said she was “surprised” to win, as Galecki previously served in this position.
“I knew it would be close,” she said. “It was a good race.”
She went on to say, “I’m very excited to represent Ward 3. We have a lot of work to do.”
Goff thanked Ward 3 residents for their “vote of confidence,” and noted that she will always be available to listen to concerns and will work hard to make sure their voices are heard.
Her message to the other councilors is, “We represent the people who voted us in. Putting yourself out there is not easy. If we treat each other with dignity and respect, we will always reach a compromise for the good. I am new and I will make mistakes. I do what is right, not what is easy.”
Goff will replace incumbent City Councilor Delmarina López, who ran for mayor but was ultimately defeated by Mayor John Vieau.
Incumbent Ward 9 City Councilor Mary Beth Pniak-Costello was reelected with 767 votes, beating out John Paquette, Jr., who received 469 votes.
“I thought it was a decisive victory,” Pniak-Costello said. “I was very happy with the increase of percentage from the last election.”
In 2021, Pniak-Costello first ran against Paquette and won by a vote of 490 to 386.
She went on to thank the residents of Ward 9 for voting for her. “It is an honor to serve them,” she added.
Throughout her campaign, Pniak-Costello said she tried to be positive and never knock her opponent.
“I am not an advocate for negative campaigning. I wanted to have a positive campaign that focuses on my experience,” such as serving as a member on the Planning Board and Council on Aging, she said.
Pniak-Costello shared that she would continue to work hard, be transparent and be responsible.
“We [City Council] as a group work together to represent the city and move the city forward,” she added.
Pniak-Costello noted that this election is proof that there is positive change in Chicopee, as for the first time in many years, there will be three women on the council.
Reminder Publishing contacted Roy and Zygarowski for comment but did not hear back as of press time.
School Committee
All School Committee candidates ran unopposed and were ultimately elected.
This includes at-Large incumbent Susan Szetela-Lopes, along with David Barsalou, Jason Dout, Sandra Peret, Grace Schofield, Donald Lamothe, Douglas Girouard and Ronald Bernard being reelected to their seats in Wards 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9, respectively.
Deanna Rousseau was elected to the Ward 1 seat, which was vacated by Wagner.
Lastly, Carlton Sonny R. Brooks Jr. will fill the Ward 6 seat left open by Shumsky’s departure.
Additional results
Incumbents Victor Anop and Brian Suchy were both reelected to the Board of Assessors. City Clerk Keith Rattell said there are always three assessors, however, the terms are staggered.
Anop, who received the most votes, will serve a four-year term and Suchy will serve a two-year term. The third assessor is Laura McCarthy, whose term is not up yet.
Rattell was also reelected to another four-year term as clerk.
Ballot question
Aside from the races, voters had to answer a non-binding referendum question regarding changing the mayor’s term from two to four years.
The question was designed to gain the public’s perspective on the issue and the outcome would not result in any changes on their own. The proposed change, if eventually approved, would be effective at the next mayoral term beginning January 2026.
The results showed that 4,963 people were in favor of changing the mayor’s term and 3,319 were opposed.
With a 60/40 vote, Rattell said the City Council has some choices to make now, however, this question was solely based on curiosity.