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Date: 6/10/2020
CHICOPEE – In line with the governor’s guidance for the reopening of restaurants in the commonwealth, Mayor John Vieau has announced the application process for Chicopee restaurant owners who are eager to reopen after having been limited to take-out and/or delivery service since March 15.
Vieau had appointed a task force that have worked extensively to complete the following guidelines.
Restaurants will be allowed to reopen with restrictions in Phase 2, which has started June 8.
The following businesses will also be reopening:
• Childcare facilities and day camps
• Driving and flight school
• Funeral homes, with occupancy limits
• Higher education classes including post-secondary, vocational tech and occupation schools may allow students to complete required courses for graduation.
• Historical spaces may reopen outdoor facilities. No guided tours allowed nor can they host functions or gatherings.
• Hotels and other lodgings, though they may not host events, functions or meetings
• Outdoor recreation including pools, playgrounds and driving ranges
• Personal services, such as home cleaning, window washing, education tutoring and career coaching, with social distancing mandated
• Retail, with occupancy limits
• Sports: Professional teams may continue practices starting June 8, though no games or public admission is allowed. Youth sports and adult amateur leagues may resume as well.
• Warehouses and distribution centers
Chicopee restaurant owners should know the following about the application process:
• Application fees: waived
• Insurance: If all or a portion of a temporary outdoor dining area is proposed on public property or within public right-of-row (ROW), the establishment must provide a certificate of insurance evidencing commercial general liability insurance with minimum amounts of $1 million per occurrence/$2 million general aggregate. The city of Chicopee must be included as an additional insured and confirmed as such on the certificate of insurance. If alcohol is to be served the city requires liquor liability coverage of $1 million per occurrence with the city listed as additional insured.
• Permit timeframe: Any permit approved for temporary outdoor dining areas shall be valid through Nov. 1, 2020.
• Hours of operation: Food service with or without alcohol service will adhere to a 9 p.m. curfew. All outdoor dining to conclude at 10 p.m.
• Site plan sketch and written description: A sketch or scaled site plan showing proposed locations of temporary outdoor dining areas, site photos, and a written description is required with the application. If formal site plans are not available, utilize the city’s GIS Map Tool at https://hosting.tighebond.com/chicopeema_public/ to create an aerial image of the property to sketch on. See GIS instructions provided with this guidance.
• Inspections: Upon approval and prior to beginning service, a joint inspection will be coordinated with representatives from the following Departments: Health; Building; Fire; Police; and License Commission (if necessary).
Applications are to be submitted via email to Laurie Taillefer at: ltaillefer@chicopeema.gov. Questions regarding the application will be submitted to Lee Pouliot at: lpouliot@chicopeema.gov.