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Laflamme elected council president; Shumsky wins vice president in Chicopee organizational meeting
Summary
At its Jan. 5, 2026 organizational meeting, the Chicopee City Council elected Frank N. Laflamme president and Samuel R. Shumsky vice president; both were sworn in by City Clerk Keith W. Rattell and the session adjourned at 11:55 a.m.
Chicopee City Councilors elected Frank N. Laflamme president and Samuel Robert Shumsky vice president during an organizational meeting on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.
The session opened at 11:45 a.m. in the City Hall Conference Room. Councilor Shane D. Brooks nominated Councilor Frank N. Laflamme for president. Councilor Joel D. McAuliffe moved to close nominations; the council approved the motion by unanimous roll call and then elected Councilor Laflamme by unanimous roll call vote.
The council then considered nominations for vice president. Councilor Jessica L. Avery nominated Councilor Abigail Arriaga; Councilor Joseph F. Pasternak III nominated Councilor Samuel R. Shumsky; and Councilor Susan M. Goff nominated Councilor William C. Courchesne. After the council approved procedures to conduct the vote, a roll call recorded each councilor's selection. Councilor Shumsky received eight votes; Councilor Courchesne received three votes; and Councilor Arriaga received two votes. The council declared Councilor Samuel R. Shumsky vice president.
City Clerk Keith W. Rattell administered the oath of office to Councilor Laflamme as president and Councilor Shumsky as vice president. Both officials thanked their colleagues.
A motion to adjourn, made by Councilor Samuel R. Shumsky, passed by unanimous roll call and the meeting ended at 11:55 a.m.
Why it matters: Organizational meetings set the council's leadership for the year and determine who will preside over meetings and committee assignments. The council completed its procedural business quickly and without recorded dissent.
