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Date: 8/11/2021
CHICOPEE – After hundreds of residents denounced a new Cumberland Farms proposal and the License Subcommittee hosted a heated meeting on July 26, the Chicopee City Council officially shot down the proposal at their Aug. 3 meeting.
The Cumberland Farms was set to be located along Grattan Street
According to the License Subcommittee, they denied the proposal due to increased traffic and public safety issues, the impact of entrances and exits on traffic flow, negative impact to street parking and the large size of the service station having a negative impact on the neighborhood.
The License Subcommittee denial was not binding or official, but it is rare that the City Council goes against their majority vote. This was proven when all City Councilors unanimously voted to officially deny the proposal.
Cumberland Farms Inc. requested a formal withdrawal before a denial.
“Please accept this letter on behalf of Cumberland Farms Inc. as a formal request to withdraw without prejudice regarding the application for a self-service station license and an application for a new license to store flammables and combustibles. After a hearing in front of the License Committee on Monday, July 26, it was clear that the neighborhood was in opposition of the proposal. It was also noted that the City Council typically grants applicants one withdrawal without prejudice as a matter of good faith. We would request such a courtesy,” stated Thomas Riley in a letter from Cumberland Farms Inc.
The City Council did not accept this request.
“We had a room full of people and they were extremely passionate about their neighborhood. There are many, many reasons why they were in opposition and the request for withdrawal I’m not going to support because there was just such strong opposition,” said City Councilor George Balakier.
Councilor James Tillotson agreed that the project was too big and would cause the area to become too congested. He said that the public made their voice heard.
“That was an issue where I haven’t seen that many people come out in a long time,” said Tillotson.
Councilor William Courchesne said that the Cumberland Farms proposal evoked a response from the community he has never seen.
“Even though it’s not in my ward, I have never received more phone calls and emails about a project about anything in my six years on the council. The showing up here in masses was phenomenal,” said Courchesne.
With the leave to withdraw denied and the motion to deny the application carried, the Cumberland Farms proposal has officially been defeated.
Those interested in viewing the City Council meeting in its entirety are encouraged to visit the ChicopeeTV Facebook page.