Chicopee public meetings in 2021
14 substantive meetings from 2021, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council - Utilities Committee
The Finance and Utilities Joint Committee is discussing the dedication of city land as open parkland. The body is considering authorizing the Mayor to negotiate for compensation and carbon credits from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- Authorization for Mayor to negotiate compensation and carbon credits for Article 97 land protection
- Dedication of 6.27 acres (parcel 0294-00003) as Open Parkland
- Dedication of approximately 24 acres (part of parcel 0322-00041) as Open Parkland
City Council - Ordinance Committee
The Ordinance Committee is meeting to discuss changes to city codes regarding parking and fuel sales. Proposed measures include new parking restrictions on Benefit Street and regulations for gasoline retailers.
- Proposed resident-only parking on both sides of Benefit Street
- Proposed ban on selling gasoline to motorized recreational vehicles unless conveyed by a registered motor vehicle
- Requirement for bilingual warning signs at gas pumps prohibiting fueling of ATVs, mini-cycles, and dirt bikes
- Proposed $100.00 fine for retail dealers violating gasoline sale regulations
City Council - Ordinance Committee
The committee is considering an invitation to the PVTA to discuss moving a bus stop near 709 Grattan Street. The body is also reviewing several proposals to add or delete parking prohibitions, tow-away zones, and handicap parking spaces on Providence, Grattan, and Springfield Streets.
- Proposed relocation of PVTA Bus Stop ID 586 from 709 Grattan Street toward Marcelle Street
- Proposed parking prohibition changes on Springfield Street south of Magnolia Terrace
- Proposed deletion of tow-away zones on Providence Street near Grattan Street
- Proposed deletion of parking prohibitions on Grattan Street from the Lucky Strike crosswalk to Providence Street
- Proposed additions and deletions of handicap parking on Providence Street
City Council - Ordinance Committee
The Ordinance Committee is discussing revisions to city codes regarding vehicle use and parking. Proposals include new penalties for operating recreational vehicles on city property and restrictions on gasoline sales for such vehicles.
- Proposed Special Projects Manager position in Office of the Treasurer at $41,783.49
- Proposed fines for recreational vehicle violations: $500 for 1st offense, $1,000 for 2nd, and $1,500 for 3rd
- Proposed $100 fine for retail gasoline dealers selling fuel for unauthorized recreational vehicles
- Proposed DPW 48-hour tagging and 45-day holding period for street and sidewalk obstructions
- Proposed 'Parking Prohibited Anytime' on Streiber Drive (75 feet from Vadnais Street) and north side of Ranger Street
City Council - Ordinance Committee
The Ordinance Committee is reviewing a proposed amendment to City Code Chapter 64. The measure would establish requirements for contractors on municipal construction projects and those receiving tax relief to prevent wage theft and employee misclassification.
- Proposed Wage Theft Ordinance (Chapter 64)
- Requirement for contractors to verify they have not been debarred or found in violation of wage laws in the past five years
- Mandatory weekly certified payroll submissions to the City
- Proposed sanctions for non-compliance including work cessation, withholding payment, or liquidated damages of 5% of the contract value
- Requirement for contractors receiving tax increment financing or housing development exemptions to pay prevailing wage rates
City Council - Utilities Committee
The Utilities Committee will meet to discuss the new Director of Chicopee Electric Light. The body will also review the use of light poles for city signs and a new water meter system.
- Discussion of the new Director of Chicopee Electric Light
- Proposal to use light poles for city signs
- Discussion of the new water meter system
City Council - Ordinance Committee
The City Council is considering an ordinance to amend Chapter 7 of the City of Chicopee ordinances. This amendment updates annual salaries for various city officials and establishes pay rates for several new positions across multiple departments.
- Salary increases for Mayor (up to $122,000.00), Assessors (up to $77,227.00), and Treasurer (up to $92,000.00)
- Establishment of hourly rates for Group 4 positions including Library, Engineering, Highway, and Parks departments
- Pay rates for Pandemic Response roles: Nurse ($40.00/hr) and Lead Nurse ($50.00/hr)
- Compensation structure for Police Chief and Fire Chief to maintain parity between department heads
- Effective date of July 1, 2021
City Council - Ordinance Committee
The Ordinance Committee will discuss downtown grants and the bike loop with the Planning Director. The body is also considering several ordinances regarding parking prohibitions, stop sign installations, and a development moratorium on Burnett Road.
- Proposed one-year moratorium on business, commercial, or industrial development on Burnett Road from the Ludlow/Chicopee line to New Lombard Road
- Proposed $500 fine for violations of Chapter 260-16
- Proposed parking prohibitions on Exchange Street, Center Street, Springfield Street, and Trilby Avenue
- Proposed isolated stop signs at Ash Street/Center Street, Honey Lane/Basil Road, and Atkins Street/Prospect Street
- Discussion with Planning Director regarding downtown grants and the bike loop
City Council - Ordinance Committee
The Ordinance Committee is considering updates to noise regulations near hospitals and nursing homes. The meeting also includes several proposals to prohibit parking on various city streets.
- Requirement for Director of Public Works to report annual revenue from clothing receptacles
- Proposed addition of excessive vehicle revving to prohibited noises
- Expansion of 'zone of quiet' distance from 300 feet to 500 feet near medical facilities
- Prohibition of horn use and high-speed driving in quiet zones
- Multiple parking prohibition changes on Chicopee Street, Empire Street, State Street, Armanella Street, Woodlawn Street, Taylor Street, and Cooney Place
City Council - Ordinance Committee
The Ordinance Committee is considering changes to city codes regarding utility terminations and dog license amnesty. The body is also reviewing a new permit system for used clothing receptacles and the creation of three pandemic response positions.
- Proposed change to allow water service termination for any customer with unpaid water, sewer, or storm fees
- Dog license amnesty program through April 30, 2022, forgiving past license and late fees
- New $200 annual permit fee for used clothing receptacles with fines up to $200 for violations
- Creation of Pandemic Response Clerk ($15/hr), Nurse ($40/hr), and Lead Nurse ($50/hr) positions
City Council - Ordinance Committee
The Ordinance Committee is discussing the adoption of a home rule petition for a recall provision and the establishment of a Charter Review Commission. The body is also reviewing commercial vehicle exclusions on two streets.
- Adoption of a home rule petition for a recall provision in the City Charter
- Establishment of an 11-member Charter Review Commission to meet every ten years
- Commercial vehicle exclusion on Pendleton Avenue from Memorial Drive easterly to Honeysuckle Drive
- Commercial vehicle exclusion on the entire length of Honeysuckle Drive
City Council - Ordinance Committee
The Ordinance Committee is discussing updates to Chapter 7 regarding city official and employee pay rates. The meeting also includes proposed changes to parking prohibitions and time limits on several city streets.
- Proposed salaries for Mayor ($122,000), Treasurer ($92,000), and City Clerk ($77,500)
- Proposed Law Department salary increases, including City Solicitor to $67,500
- Proposed Human Resources Assistant Director salary of $58,881.60
- Parking prohibition changes for Cherryvale Street, Monroe Street, Naomi Street, Ward Street, Tenney Street, and Charbonneau Terrace
- Proposed 30-minute parking limit on Monroe Street (North side) Monday-Saturday, 8 AM-5 PM
City Council - Utilities Committee
The Utilities Subcommittee is meeting to discuss the Charter. The committee will also review minutes from July 30, 2020.
- Discussion regarding the Charter
City Council - Education Committee
The Education Subcommittee and the Board of Health are requested to meet to plan inspections for air quality, filters, and ventilation in all city schools. The committee will also review minutes from April 20, 2017.
- Proposed meeting between Board of Health and Education Subcommittee regarding school air quality, filters, and ventilation