Chicopee committee adopts resolution supporting state auditor—s review of state legislature

The City of Chicopee Human Resources & Communication Committee on May 18 approved a resolution expressing support for the Massachusetts State Auditor—s effort to audit the Massachusetts State Legislature. Councilor Samuel Shumsky moved to approve the resolution and Councilor Susan Goff seconded; the minutes record a roll-call vote and mark the motion as passed.

The resolution, as entered into the record, states that "transparency, accountability, and public trust are fundamental principles of effective government" and that the Chicopee City Council "hereby expresses its support for the ongoing efforts of the Massachusetts State Auditor to audit the Massachusetts State Legislature." The resolution directs that a copy be transmitted to the Office of the State Auditor, the Chicopee legislative delegation, the governor and leadership of the Massachusetts House and Senate.

Councilor Shumsky first moved to close public input on the item; Councilor Goff seconded, and the motion was recorded as passed before the adoption vote. After the resolution was approved, the committee took two additional routine actions: it approved the minutes of its April 16, 2026 meeting (moved by Councilor Mary Beth Pniak-Costello, seconded by Councilor Susan Goff) and then moved to adjourn (moved by Councilor Shumsky, seconded by Councilor Goff). Each of those motions is recorded in the minutes as having passed on roll call.

Votes at a glance - Resolution supporting State Auditor audit (Item 1): Moved by Councilor Samuel Shumsky; seconded by Councilor Susan Goff; motion recorded as passed on roll call. The minutes list Councilors Susan Goff, Samuel Shumsky, Joseph Pasternak III and Mary Beth Pniak-Costello as voting in favor and list Joel McAuliffe as absent in the meeting header; the minutes do not record any "no" or "abstain" votes for the item. - Approval of April 16, 2026 minutes (Item 2): Moved by Councilor Mary Beth Pniak-Costello; seconded by Councilor Susan Goff; recorded as passed on roll call. - Adjournment (Item 3): Moved by Councilor Samuel Shumsky; seconded by Councilor Susan Goff; recorded as passed on roll call.

The resolution cites the Office of the State Auditor and names Diana DiZoglio in connection with that office; it frames the audit as a measure to strengthen public confidence and ensure efficient use of taxpayer dollars. The minutes do not record any substantive debate or opposing statements on the resolution. The meeting was convened in the City Hall auditorium at 6:00 PM, per the minutes heading, and the document records adjournment at 5:38 (the minutes do not explain the time discrepancy). The committee also listed Tim Reilly, City Associate Solicitor, as present in the minutes.

What happens next: The minutes show that a copy of the resolution is to be transmitted to the Office of the State Auditor and to state and executive leaders as specified in the resolution text; the minutes do not record any additional scheduling or follow-up tasks related to the audit itself.