Chicopee meeting approves $292.45 towing claim after resident says snow left him stranded

At a City of Chicopee claims meeting on June 11, councilors approved a $292.45 claim from Angel Centeno, who said he was stuck in the snow after following police instructions.

The claim was presented during the meeting called to consider claims and accounts; meeting officials said it was in compliance with the open meeting laws of the City of Chicopee. Meeting staff reported receipt of dispatch logs and paperwork from Centeno, and a councilor moved to approve the towing reimbursement.

Centeno, who identified himself as Angel Centeno of Chicopee, told the meeting he "followed all the instructions that were given to me" and that he had provided the required paperwork. Meeting staff said the dispatch log stated an officer had said the council would pay for the tow.

Councilors present voted to approve the claim. Roll-call responses recorded in the meeting indicate Councilor Penny Costello, Councilor Tomsky, Councilor Abigail Arriaga and Councilor Malakir voted yes. The motion was moved and seconded during the meeting and the claim was approved.

The meeting record contains inconsistent notations of the claimant's address: the agenda or clerk read the claim as coming from "4439 Oakville Grove," while Centeno stated his address during his remarks as "439 Oldfield Road." The claim amount was recorded in the meeting as $292.45.

The meeting proceeded afterward to routine business, including approval of minutes and adjournment.