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Date: 2/1/2018
CHICOPEE – It was the municipal equivalent of a preview of coming attractions.
The City Council received a $27.2 million list of future capital expenses from Mayor Richard Kos at a special meeting on Jan. 30 and while councilors spent the better part of two hours questioning the individual items, Kos said the list represented about one-quarter of the expenditures recommended by the city’s department heads.
The items will come up for vote in future meetings.
At one point in the conversation, City Councilor James Tillotson expressed concerns the city could not purchase the items on the list without affecting the tax rate. Tillotson said that with up-coming raises for municipal employees, the city budget might not be able to cover all of the expenses.
Kos assured him that everyone in the room shared his concern and that no one wants to increase the tax burden.
Councilor Gary Labrie spoke of “sticker shock” and said, “We never talked about this much money before at one time.”
The list includes two multi-million items: $4 million for the continued renovation of the Public Safety Complex and $16 million for structural work at City Hall. One million dollars was requested for additional demolition work at the former Uniroyal building.
Kos explained that some of the items would be paid for through the city’s free cash while others would be bonded.
Other items on the list include a log/brush truck for $207,869; a pumper fire truck for $530,000; repairs to the Fire Station #3 on Cabot Street, $300,000; five marked police cruisers, $227,569; three unmarked police cruisers, $96,980; a metal jet boat, $74,163; the replacement of the artificial turf field at Chicopee High School, $500,000; $600,000 for two fabric roof structures; $861,000 for three side-loading garbage trucks; and the repaving of tennis courts, $300,000.
The log/brush truck inspired questions from a number of councilors starting with Frank Laflamme about whether or not the city actually need such a vehicle. Department of Public Works (DPW) Superintendent Jeff Neece assured the council such a vehicle is needed to adequately address trees that have fallen and need to be removed as well as the transportation of brush out of the city for proper disposal.
When Laflamme asked if a used log truck was available he was told the DPW had looked at that possibility and none were available.
The two fabric roof structures would be used as garages for DPW vehicles, Neece explained. DPW personnel could erect them themselves and they could be moved if necessary. The structures would allow portable heaters to be used to keep the vehicles warmer in the winter, which aids in their longevity, the councilors were told.
Kos reminded the councilors the use of artificial turf cuts down on lawn expenses such as fertilizing and cutting, but needs to be replaced every 12 years or so. The turf at the Chicopee High School field is heavily used and worn turf presents a safety hazard.
Kos also told the council the alternative for the Public Safety Complex would have been a new building, which had been estimated at $35 million. The total cost for the renovations will be about $9 million.
“What would we do with the old one, “ Kos asked the council if they had approved a new building. “We’re still marketing the old library.”
Kos also gave the councilors a list of road improvement projects that will come before them soon for approval. He said that last year not as much roadwork was accomplished as could have been so he would like the council’s approval earlier in the year.
“It’s a great time to go out to bid [on road work] so people can go out to work in April,” Kos said.