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Council approves $125,000 for emergency boarding and security of Cabotville mill; city to lien costs
Summary
The council authorized a $125,000 transfer from free cash to pay for boarding and security at the condemned Cabotville mill at 165 Front Street, with the city placing a lien to recoup costs from the property owner when the sale closes.
The Chicopee City Council approved a $125,000 appropriation Tuesday to board and secure the First Floor of the condemned Cabotville mill at 165 Front Street after the property owner stopped paying court‑ordered security costs.
Mayor (acting) and Building Commissioner Frank Boron told the council the city has a legal obligation under state law and the building code to secure large, vacant mills and that the current owner has not maintained security. Boron said boarding the First Floor and switching from 24/7 security to a daily one‑hour check by a private security firm would meet code requirements in the near term. Boron said the city received three bids to board the building, ranging from $95,000 to $300,000, and selected the $95,000 bid.
Boron described the ongoing security charge as about $25 per day for the daily check, and estimated the level of daily visits would cost the city “just under $10,000 a year” if sustained. Councilors asked whether the city can recoup the cost; the mayor and staff said the city will place a lien to recover boarding and security expenses and will seek payment at the time of any property sale or closing. The transcript notes $78,000 in fines assessed to date.
Councilor Schumsky and others emphasized the public safety rationale, citing regional mill fires and the risk of catastrophic damage if the mill were breached. The council also heard that a prospective buyer has submitted a special permit application and retained design engineer VHB, steps city staff said would increase the likelihood of a timely sale.
The council voted to appropriate $125,000 from the city’s undesignated fund balance (free cash) to a building special account for emergency demolition/security; roll call was 12‑yes, 1‑no (Councilor Wagner voted no). Staff said boarding can begin within about two weeks once contracts are executed and that daily security checks will be documented in reports to the building department.
