Chicopee City Council holds budget hearing; departments tentatively approved, questions raised on health insurance and staffing

The Chicopee City Council held a public budget hearing on June 24 in the City of Chicopee Auditorium to review department-by-department spending plans for fiscal 2026. Council President Marie LaFlamme called the meeting to order and, after public input, the council heard presentations and took roll-call votes to tentatively approve most department budgets.

Why it matters: the hearing set the framework for a formal vote at a special meeting. Councilors and residents raised recurring concerns about budget transparency, unfilled positions, and steep increases in the city’s medical insurance costs — issues that could influence final budget decisions and future council oversight.

Public comment opened the hearing. Lisa Bienvenue told the council, “Let’s be transparent because I haven’t seen it so far,” urging earlier and clearer public review of budget details. Sue Nimchick criticized the timing of the hearings as “Groundhog Budget Week,” saying residents and staff need more time and more substantive questions earlier in the process.

Department presenters summarized the mayor’s proposed budget line by line. Joe Martin, commissioner of the License Commission, told the council he had “nothing to report” beyond what the submission…