Chicopee to accept $341,100 Gaming Commission mitigation grant for streetscape, bikeshare and police VR training

The mayor presented acceptance of a $341,100 FY2025 Massachusetts Gaming Commission Community Mitigation Fund block grant and described how the funds would be allocated across several municipal projects. The grant language in the record states the award includes $182,325 for Center Streetscapes Phase 2 (roadway surveying, engineering and design), $40,000 to relaunch and operate Valleybike Bikeshare in Chicopee, and $118,775 to the Police Department to purchase and obtain three years of service for an Axon virtual reality training system. The mayor said the grant is accepted in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Section 53A.

City Planner Lee Pouliot, introduced by the mayor, said the Massachusetts Gaming Commission requested multiple categories in the application and confirmed the proposals span public works (streetscape design), transportation (bikeshare) and police training. "They requested we have multiple categories; DPW, Police Department, Bikes, etc.," Lee Pouliot said.

The mayor also presented a corresponding appropriation from the Stabilization Fund to the Planning Special Account to cover FY25 grant costs. The meeting record does not include a recorded vote tally, mover or seconder for the acceptance or the appropriation in the provided segments.

If the acceptance and appropriation proceed through required council procedures, the allocations would fund surveying and engineering work for downtown streetscape design, support a local bikeshare relaunch and cover the stated hardware and service costs associated with the police VR training system.

The meeting proceeded to other items after the presentations.