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Date: 1/11/2023
CHICOPEE – Mayor John Vieau and members of the City Council discussed the ramifications of the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s (MSBA) recent acceptance of Anna E. Barry Elementary School during their Jan. 3 meeting.
Background
Anna E. Barry is one of 10 recipients of the MSBA’s 2022 selections. Chicopee will receive up to 80 percent reimbursement toward the construction of a new school building or extensive renovations in place of Anna E. Barry’s aged facilities on 44 Connell St.
The City Council initially approved Chicopee Public Schools’ application submission to the MSBA on April 19, 2022. Both the council and School Committee toured the Anna E. Barry Elementary School space on March 14, 2022.
In his presentation to the council, Mayor John Vieau cited numerous issues with the space, including a sprinkler system that is not up to current code, an excess of asbestos that requires removal, single-pane windows that need replacements and outdated facilities.
“Barry School is a very antiquated and inefficient building. It has been deemed by our Maintenance Director [Scott Chapdelaine] that it could be necessary to replace this school building … Frankly, it needs replacement, renovation and modernization for a lot of facility systems,” said Vieau during the April 19, 2022 meeting.
The mayor also highlighted several inaccessible points within the school, such as the gymnasium located on the third floor. Other facets of the space, like the classroom unit ventilators, cannot be upgraded in their current condition.
Anna E. Barry Elementary School initially opened in 1963.
MSBA Update
Vieau presented the discussion topic to the council as a part of his mayor’s orders. The mayor shared that the city is now preparing to enter into its eligibility period with the MSBA.
“We are entering into the eligibility period … We’re going to explore population trends and many other things before decisions are made,” said Vieau.
Vieau said all current discussions regarding next steps are preliminary. He also shared that Garrity Grove is being looked at as a “potential site” for a new building, but more cemented updates will likely not come for a few months as they city looks into a variety of possibilities.
“It’s going to take some time … We’re moving forward and really excited about the opportunity. Things are going to start kicking off in April,” said Vieau.
Ward 9 City Councilor Mary-Elizabeth Pniak-Costello applauded Vieau and his administration for progressing with the MSBA process. As a former School Committee member, Pniak-Costello said the school department has been looking into ways to improve Anna E. Barry Elementary since 2015.
“This is something the School Committee has been discussing … I am glad your administration is very proactive and supportive of building a new Barry school,” said Pniak-Costello.
Ward 1 City Councilor Joel McAuliffe inquired as to if city leadership is considering consolidating schools within the new or renovated Anne. E Barry School.
“A new building, if we can contribute a little more, can house more students,” said McAuliffe.
Vieau said that suggestion is “taken into consideration.”
“We are going to explore that as well. There is going to be talk about the possibility of combining schools. We are going to explore everything before deciding what to build,” said Vieau.
Vieau also shared that the MSBA acceptance is the start of a lengthy process.
“It’s no secret these take a long time. I would say for the school to finally get a ribbon cutting, we are talking about five to seven years from today,” said Vieau.
The City Council will meet again on Jan. 17.