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Chicopee officials say $50,000 Play Act earmark was forfeited after state emails were flagged as junk
Summary
City officials and councilors told the Parks and Recreation Committee that required forms for a state Play Act earmark were not returned; staff said about $50,000 in youth-sports funding was lost after state emails went to a junk folder. Committee members discussed clearer internal contact procedures for future earmarks.
Chicopee City Parks and Recreation Committee members were told Monday that the city forfeited roughly $50,000 in state Play Act earmark funds for youth sports after required forms were not returned.
"Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, some forms were not completed, and, unfortunately, we lost out on these funds," said Ben Shukka, a parks staff member, during the committee’s Oct. 6 meeting. Committee members said the state had sent multiple reminders that went unanswered.
The Play Act earmark was intended to help families pay fees for organized youth sports using a city-managed distribution method. Committee discussion and staff remarks described an initial plan in which the city would receive the money and…
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