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Date: 10/5/2022
CHICOPEE – Following recent concerns about overgrown property in Chicopee Center, Mayor John Vieau said he is dedicating extensive focus toward reaching a new standard of cleanliness in the city.
“My goal is for Chicopee to be one of the cleanest cities in Western Mass., and we’re going to start right here with City Hall,” said Vieau in an interview with Reminder Publishing.
The mayor’s comments follow recent complaints aired during the Sept. 20 City Council meeting. City Council President Frank Laflamme and Ward 2 City Councilor Shane Brooks issued a request for a Public Works Subcommittee meeting with Vieau and Department of Public Works Director Elizabette Batista to discuss concerns around litter and overgrowth.
The request follows constituent concerns brought to Brooks and Laflamme about the condition of Chicopee Center. Laflamme advocated for the establishment of long-term solutions for ensuring clean conditions across the entire city.
“We need to look towards a long-term process to clean the city … we’ll never get caught up until we get it under some type of control,” said Laflamme.
In response, the mayor shared that an assortment of initiatives are already in development. Vieau plans to reestablish the city’s Problems Property Committee – which meets regularly to address residential and commercial properties that are attributing to an unsanitary environment. The committee will include Vieau, representatives from the Building and Health departments, Laflamme and Batista.
“We are creating a process that’s going to be fair and consistent for everyone,” said Vieau.
Another project created by the mayor’s office aims outreach efforts toward children. Vieau shared that the city started a Clean City Contest that asks students to come up with a flyer to market the city’s emphasis on cleanliness. The winner of the contest will receive a pizza party hosted by the mayor.
Vieau aspires for the city to lead by example in ensuring cleanliness. He stressed that the city is working to restore all city-owned properties to satisfactory conditions, both in the properties’ exteriors and interiors.
Additionally, the mayor is in the process of hiring a facilities director after the school department decided to end their joint facility contract with the city. Once hired, the facilities director will work to emphasize preventive maintenance and proactive measures to ensure proper conditions.
“Being reactionary because someone complained to have certain areas cleaned is not what we want to do,” said Vieau.
As for Chicopee Center, Vieau shared that the city is incorporating new trash cans and will continue to sweep the center on a weekly basis.
“I want people to pull into Chicopee Center, see City Hall and be proud of it,” said Vieau.
The movement also ties in with extensive renovations that occurring within City Hall. The city completed Phase One of the renovation back in December 2021 – a process that included interior upgrades to the building’s floors, ceiling, stained glass windows and technological tools. Phase Two will focus on the City Hall’s exterior and expects to go out for bid next year, according to Planning Director Lee Pouliot.
Reflecting on the variety of initiatives, the mayor hopes these projects inspire a “contagious” sense of community pride and emphasize the importance of community participation.
“I’m proud of this city and I’m trying to promote that pride,” said Vieau.