The Chicopee City Council voted June 3 to confirm Gail Beaudoin as a commissioner of the Chicopee Housing Authority, a move the mayor sought to restore the authority’s quorum and enable it to conduct business.

Beaudoin, a long-time Chicopee resident and health-care professional, introduced herself at the meeting and said she wanted to support safe, secure housing for city residents. Betsy Partika Neri, executive director of the Chicopee Housing Authority, told the council the authority had not held a meeting since April because it lacked a quorum and needed the appointment to proceed with modernization contracts and payments above $50,000.

Some councilors urged the standard practice of referring appointments to committee for vetting. Councilor Wagner said he opposed suspending the rules on principle and preferred more committee review; Councilor Brooks and others argued the housing authority’s operational needs justified immediate approval. The council voted to suspend Rule 37 (allowing the council to act on the appointment without committee referral) and then approved the appointment.

The vote to suspend the rule passed by a roll call (11 yes, 1 no); the subsequent confirmation vote passed unanimously by those present. Councilors said the decision aimed to avoid further delays in tenant services and modernization projects while preserving the council’s ability to vet future appointments through committee when appropriate.

Beaudoin will join the Chicopee Housing Authority immediately; the council noted the law department and mayor’s office had reviewed the appointment prior to the vote.