Chicopee approves $203,000 to restart AMI water-meter program, switch meters and adopt cellular read technology

The Chicopee City Council approved a $203,000 appropriation for engineering services and purchase of water meters to restart the city's advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) program and move to cellular communications and Badger meters.

The superintendent of water works told the council the prior Honeywell implementation had not worked out and that staff tested about "100 meters with cellular service, and it had really great, data collection and response." She said the city plans to purchase Badger meters and upgrade software; a new consultant will prepare an install contract so the city can direct-purchase meters and proceed without rebidding the meter purchase. "This is gonna be an install contract to get us back on track. Hopefully, we'll have everything installed over a 3 year period," she said.

Councilors asked about access to private properties. The superintendent said contractors will coordinate customer access to replace modules or retrofit existing meters; the contractor will handle customer interfacing with city representatives present. The plan includes retrofitting existing Honeywell modules where possible by installing a cellular module to consolidate data into a single location.

Council discussion emphasized the goal of monthly billing and more accurate data collection. The council approved the appropriation by roll-call vote; the funding comes from the city's water surplus account and is intended to cover engineering and equipment to restart the AMI rollout.