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Date: 4/25/2023
CHICOPEE — The Chicopee City Council is seeking public interest in serving on the Anna E. Barry Building Commission.
Chicopee Mayor John Vieau asked the City Council to recommend five members to the Building Commission, which will be made up of 13 members. The members should have architecture, engineering or construction experience to assist in the design and construction process of the new elementary school.
Ward 1 City Councilor Joel McAuliffe nominated Joshua Clark.
Councilor at Large Robert Zygarowski nominated Steven Hawthorne
Ward 6 City Councilor Derek Dobosz nominated Normand Girouard. Dobosz then made a motion to keep nominations open until the next City Council meeting on May 2.
Council President Frank Laflamme asked anyone interested in serving on the commission to contact the City Council Office or your ward councilor/councilor at large.
Laflamme noted that the final decision will be made after reviewing resumes and narrowing down candidates.
Ward 3 City Councilor Delmarina López said there should be transparency with this process. She made an amendment to Dobosz’s motion that nominations close on May 2, but voting does not occur until the following City Council meeting. Without having time to review everyone’s resume, she said she is “uncomfortable” voting on this.
The Mayor’s Office Chief of Staff Michael Pise said the Building Commission needs to be appointed by June 2. Therefore, if the vote were to wait until the second meeting in May, he said there will not be another meeting before the June 2 deadline. He noted that the City Council is only making a recommendation to the mayor, not making an appointment.
López suggested calling a special meeting after the May 4 City Council meeting. By a vote of 9-2, the motion passed.