Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 4/24/2019
CHICOPEE – The city of Chicopee will have a new incident command post or mobile emergency operations center thanks to the approval of an appropriation by the City Council.
The council unanimously approved $48,000 to purchase a sever serve Ford F-150 truck that is equipped with communications equipment and a WiFi hotspot. It will be the primary vehicle for the city's Emergency Management Department and will support the Chicopee Police SWAT, Dive and Hostage Negotiation teams as well as the Fire Department response.
The truck could also be used to support municipal events such as the annual fireworks display, the Westover ARB air show and downtown events, according to a letter Glenn Joslyn, director of the Emergency Management Department to Mayor Richard Kos.
In his briefing to the council, Kos called the vehicle “a multi-tasker" and added he “anticipate the truck will get plenty of use.”
He called the request “proactive.”
The council also accepted a $36,968 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, which will be used for training for police officers in crisis resolution. The council was told Chicopee police were called to 728 crisis-related incidents last year in the city.
Another grant acceptance of $15,000 from the Secretary of State’s office will be going to the creation of a timeline memorial denoting the efforts made by the Commonwealth since 9/11.
Stephanie Shaw, director of the Department of Veterans Services wrote in the application for the grant, “Just outside of Westover ARB is a piece of land that was gifted to the city to be used for just these purposes. Our hopes are to create a space for families, veterans and military service members who may come to remember, honor and celebrate the service of their bothers and sisters in arms. ... We are currently recruiting and selecting a design team to bring our vision to fruition. With some basic elements that have been pre-determined including a service dog memorial a contemporary dog park, a picnic and playground space, a unique monument signifying and elaborating on the purpose of the space. Specifically through this funding request we are proposing a walking timeline through the park space.”
The budget for the new park may be between $60,000 and $70,000 and Councilor James Tillotson said that sum may not be enough. He believes the city should “tap into the dog lovers” for additional financial support for the dog park project, just as there was a public campaign to raise funds for the new senior center.
“I think there is a lot to be talked about,” Tillotson said of the project.
Kos noted the seven-acre parcel is still in the design process.
City Messenger Jean “Jay” Croteau announced to the council that he would be retiring on July 12.