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Date: 2/7/2019
CHICOPEE – Expenditures for the Police Department and on-going improvements to the city’s wastewater systems were among the highlights at the City Council meeting on Feb. 5.
The council approved $300,000 for the disposal of sludge at the Waste Water treatment Plant.
Councilor Frank Laflamme explained the 17 year-old sludge processing centifuge requires control system repairs. The Board of Sewer Commissioners has requested the funding to dispose of the sludge until the machine can be repaired.
Another $250,000 was allocated for the on-going Combined Sewer Overflow work. Councilor Stan Walczak said he was happy to see the work proposed, as would assist eliminating sewer back-ups in the South Fairview section of the city where it is a problem.
Tighe & Bond will be hired for a $20,000 study to develop a plan to remove aluminum from the city’s wastewater, as mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Funding for $92,183 for new software for the Police Department was unanimously approved.
Police Chief William Jebb explained to Mayor Richard Kos in a letter, “This technology will allow the Police Department the synopsis and searching of pre-recorded video/imported video for rapid analysis and viewing.”
Councilor William Courchesne noted Chicopee has more than 200 cameras set up at key locations and added, “This is exciting stuff for the city.”
The councilors approved a new chemical spreader for the golf course costing $52,249.
Councilor Robert Zygarowksi said, “I know it’s early, but golf season is right around the corner.” Walczak said with the investment in turf treatment chemicals made by the course, a new spreader is essential. The current machine is 30 years old, Courchense noted.
An aerator and seeder for the gold course was also approved at $18,835.
The library was granted an allocation of $25,000 to address water damage at the library and funding the repairs not covered by insurance, Councilor Jim Tillotson explained.
The council also approved another temporary re-appointment of Elizabeth Botelho as the acting supervisor of the Department of Public Works for no more than 60 days starting Jan. 31.
Kos wanted continuity through winter months and once the winter is over the council expects a search will be undertaken to find a permanent replacement for Jeffrey Neece whose contract was not renewed by Kos, Tillotson said.
Tillotson also invited the public to the intervew of Andrew Vernon, a candidate for the position of MIS Director/Cheif information Offcier at 6 p.m. Feb. 12.
Council President John Vieau recognized members of the Boy Scouts of Troop 138 who attended the meeting and thanked the scoutmasters who were in the audience.