Chicopee council approves downtown purchase for school administration, moves funds, accepts grants and donations

Chicopee City Council on June 2 approved the purchase of a downtown building to house the School Department’s administrative offices and passed several related budget and administrative items.

Mayor Vieau told the council the city is under agreement to buy the property and anticipates closing on July 10. The council approved an appropriation of $2,350,000 reallocated from previously borrowed funds toward the purchase, with councilors arguing the move will save rent and place administrative offices on a bus route and closer to families. Councilor Douglas P. Girouard said the purchase will save roughly $285,000 in rent for one year; Councilor George A. Balakier praised the building’s condition.

Council also approved two smaller Free Cash appropriations tied to the purchase: $10,000 toward closing costs and $20,000 to acquire furniture already in the building. Councilor Susan M. Goff said furniture from the current Dulong location will be redistributed to other city departments in need.

To preserve fiscal stability while Free Cash is certified, the council moved $2,000,000 into the Stabilization Trust Fund. Councilor William C. Courchesne described the transfer as a prudent replenishment of reserves.

The council approved $31,617.80 to the reserve for school special custodians to support summer programming; Councilor Joseph F. Pasternak said the appropriation follows prior reliance on cell-tower revenue for these programs. Scott Chapdelaine told the council cell-tower funds historically ranged between about $60,000 and $100,000 per year but will not continue indefinitely as some towers have been removed.

The Chicopee Police Department will accept a $7,800 FY2026 Bulletproof Vest Program grant from the state; Councilor Balakier described it as a state reimbursement program. The council also approved a partial abandonment of a flood-control easement affecting 45 Morgan Circle, accepted a $2,000 donation for Szot Park fireworks and a $50 library donation given in memory of Emily Partyka.

A routine reappointment of an assistant city solicitor was withdrawn for technical reasons and will be resubmitted. The council confirmed Joseph Martin’s appointment to the License Commission. The body also received a request to endorse the Chicopee Safe Streets 4 All Safety Action Plan; Councilor Mary Elizabeth Pniak-Costello framed the plan as part of ongoing Vision Zero work and the council endorsed it by unanimous vote. Patrick Collins noted endorsement helps projects become eligible for Department of Transportation funding.

The meeting ended with procedural approvals of minutes and routine referrals to committee. The council adjourned at 8:09 p.m.