Mayor presents $1.43 million appropriation for police and fire salaries tied to new contract

The mayor presented an appropriation of $1,426,745.79 to the City of Chicopee’s Police and Fire Department salary accounts under the agreement with MassCOPs Local #485, effective July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027. "We have been bargaining with the Police Department in good faith," the mayor said, adding the city needed to remain competitive to retain talent and to ensure public safety.

The request would be raised in the Fiscal 2025 tax levy and is intended to address entry-level pay and retention. The mayor noted the city has hired 65 patrolmen since taking office and characterized turnover as tied in part to pay: "It was a problem that we were not competitive… goal to keep the talent we have, want people to feel safe," the mayor said. The mayor also said the Fire Chief’s salary is tied to the highest-paid patrolman or firefighter, which is why the Fire Department figures into the appropriation.

The transcript presents the appropriation language as "Ordered that the sum of One million four hundred twenty six thousand seven hundred forty five and 79/100 dollars ($1,426,745.79) be and hereby is appropriated to the attached named Police and Fire Department Salary Accounts in accordance with the agreement between the City of Chicopee and the MassCOPs Local #485 effective July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2027. Said amount is to be raised in the Fiscal 2025 tax levy." The meeting record does not specify a mover, seconder, or vote tally for the appropriation.

If approved in a later recorded vote, the appropriation would implement the pay terms in the cited contract and adjust salary accounts as described. The record does not provide further implementation dates or budget-detail breakdowns beyond the total appropriation and the stated link to the MassCOPs Local #485 contract.

The meeting moved next to other appropriation requests and community announcements.