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Date: 1/5/2018
CHICOPEE – The City Council approved allocating $1,280 million from the capital stabilization fund for a new aerial platform truck for the Fire Department at its Jan. 2 meeting.
Fire Chief Dean Desmaris spoke of the need to replace its 1995 aerial platform truck. Although it still can be used, Desmaris said there is “play” in the movement of the apparatus.
The chief urged action from the council as the company that manufactures the truck would take “a substantial amount of time to build.”
He doesn’t expect to sell the truck, but rather hold it in reserve and put it at Station Eight.
Kos emphasized that paying cash for the new truck helps the city at a time when there are other projects, such as the renovation of the Public Safety Complex, that will require bonding.
Kos said the recent assessment of free cash might lead some people to think the city is “flush,” there are issues, such as improvements to roads and sidewalks, which require attention from the city.
“By no means are we living high,” Kos added.
The Council also approved an appropriation of $157,463 to supplement the interest payments of two water main projects.
Kos added the city is still working with the Massachusetts Department of Environment Protection and the Environmental Protection Agency for approval of the city’s proposed long-term water and sewer plan.