The Chicopee City Council voted June 3 to accept Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 40, §71, clearing the way for the city to install school-bus violation detection cameras on city-contracted buses.

The vote authorizes the city to enforce violations by motor-vehicle operators who fail to stop for school buses when required, and council discussion noted the statute carries a $250 fine. Mayor (first reference) said the measure will improve student safety and that the cameras will be limited to detecting motorists who fail to stop when the bus stop arms are deployed.

Councilors praised the move as a long-sought safety step but asked for details before deployment. Councilor LaFlamme requested that the order be reviewed by the Public Safety subcommittee to resolve questions about the vendor selection, contract terms and the portion of any penalties that would come to the city. Councilor Schumski, who introduced the motion, said he had worked with the police and residents for months and favored the technology but wanted the committee to vet procedural issues.

The council’s action also referenced that the school‑bus contract will include equipment installation by a vendor on the state bid list; the mayor’s office said the contract language anticipates the equipment. The council voted to send the matter to Public Safety for a public hearing so members can review enforcement, fee distribution and operational procedures before cameras are installed.

Councilor Wagner asked whether the statute prescribes a fine schedule; the mayor’s office replied the statute includes a $250 fine. The council did not set a final implementation timetable at the meeting. The Public Safety subcommittee will hold a hearing to record testimony from police, school‑bus contractors and municipal staff and report back to the full council.

The measure is designed to make roads safer for students by creating an evidence-based method to enforce stop-arm violations; the council’s referral preserves oversight of contract and enforcement details prior to deployment.