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Date: 1/4/2022
CHICOPEE – With cities across Hampden County cracking down on illegal dirt bikers, the Chicopee City Council passed an ordinance to ban gas sales for unlicensed recreational vehicles during their Dec. 21 meeting.
The activity of illegal dirt bikers generated ongoing discussion throughout the year. After the summer season included excessive speeding and an assault of a citizen during a July 6 incident in Springfield, Chicopee Mayor John Vieau, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Former Interim Holyoke Mayor Terence Murphy, Springfield Ward 8 City Councilor Orlando Ramos and Chicopee Ward 7 City Councilor William Courchesne met for an Aug. 16 press conference. Each stressed the significance of limiting illegal dirt biker incidents through tangible reform and united effort from the three communities.
The Springfield City Council passed an ordinance banning fuel sales to illegal dirt bikers during its Nov. 15 meeting, while Holyoke continues discussion on the issue in their City Council meetings. In Chicopee, councilors have highlighted the issue during Ordinance Subcommittee meetings, with Interim Deputy Chief Jeffrey Gawron and Courchesne playing an integral role in the formation of the ordinance.
After weeks of preparation, the Dec. 21 meeting marked the final vote to ban fuel sales for motorized recreational vehicles that are not registered with the state. Councilor At-Large James Tillotson acknowledged that the ordinance is not a perfect fix for the ongoing issue, but said the ordinance will play a crucial role in maintaining safety. “We think it’s a step in the right direction. If it saves one life, then it was worth it,” said Tillotson.
Courchesne then spoke about the process behind the making the ordinance a multi-community effort, stating the importance of presenting a united front in combating the issue. “The reason I convened the task force between the other cities is because we have to work together…We’re sharing this problem, so the goal is to push [illegal dirt bikers] away, not bounce back and forth [between communities],” said Courchesne.
The councilor also stressed that the ordinance will be put in place with safety as the primary concern, as gas station owners will not be fined if they are threatened to sell fuel. “Nobody is going to be fined $100 for issuing gas to somebody they felt threated by,” said Courchesne. Ward 6 Councilor Dobosz backed Courchesne’s stance, noting the success the ordinance has had limiting illegal dirt bike riders in communities like New Haven.
Ward 5 Councilor Frederick Krampits said he agrees with the premise of the ordinance, but still shares concerns that penalizing gas stations owner might be an unjust solution. “This ordinance penalizes the owner of the gas station, and really my feeling on is it should be the person getting the gas that should be penalized,” said Krampits.
After lengthy discussion, the City Council passed the ordinance in a 12-1 vote. Tillotson said it will take some time to integrate the ordinance as signs will be implemented at each gas station across the city.