Transcript of October 15, 2024 Chicopee City Council Meeting

     

 

    

 

RAW TRANSCRIPT: Chicopee City Council on October 15, 2024

This transcript has not been human edited and contains errors. It's accuracy should not be relied on without verification. It was created by extracting the audio from a video recording of the meeting, and processing that audio file with automatic speech recognition software.

The original video is available here: https://vimeo.com/channels/chicopeegovernment/1015033578


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[Speaker 2]
Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to call to order the October 15, 2024 City Council meeting to order. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

[Speaker 1]
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[Speaker 2]
And now a moment of silence for those who protect us home and abroad. Thank you. If everyone could just mute your phones, it would be appreciated.

Your cell phones, thank you. I believe our liaison for the school department, Sandra Perrette, is here this evening. Thank you for being here this evening.

Clerk, can you call the roll call?

[Speaker 8]
President Laflamme.

[Speaker 2]
Here.

[Speaker 8]
Roy.

[Speaker 2]
Here.

[Speaker 8]
Wagner. Here. Zagorowski.

Here. Arriaga.

[Speaker 4]
Here.

[Speaker 8]
Brooks. Here. Goff.

[Speaker 4]
Here.

[Speaker 8]
Belker. Here. Krampus.

Here. Chumsky. Here.

Kushain. Here. Labrie.

Here. Pina Costello.

[Speaker 2]
Here.

[Speaker 8]
Thirteen present.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Participating this evening on Zoom, we have Councilor Wagner and Councilor Shane Brooks. Okay.

In compliance with the Open Meeting Law, the City of Chicopee is broadcasting live and for future broadcasts this meeting on Chicopee TV. Is anyone in the audience or on Zoom taping or audio taping this meeting? Please state your name and reason for doing so.

I see there's no one here from the floor. Is there anyone on Zoom? Seeing none, we will move into the Mayor's remarks.

[Speaker 1]
Thank you, President Laflamme, esteemed members of the City Council. I have numerous orders for your consideration tonight. I'll start with Mayor's Order 1.

I order that the City Council accept the Federal Library Services and Technology Act grant in the amount of $5,000 from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners to the Chicopee Public Library. Said grant is accepted in accordance with Mass General Law, Chapter 44, Section 53A. As you can see from the background information, we have received this wonderful grant.

It's a Federal Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Any questions about the grant? No.

Counselor? Yes.

[Speaker 9]
Counselor? This is to provide material in different languages?

[Speaker 1]
Yes.

[Speaker 9]
Computers, books. Is this just in general just to interpret or to help them find information?

[Speaker 1]
It's my understanding it's going to allow us, if you see from the background information, us to reimagine, expand our world language collection. We'll be able to expand that collection.

[Speaker 9]
Okay.

[Speaker 1]
Any other questions? In many languages, if you would. Counselor Costello?

Counselor Mary Beth Pina Costello.

[Speaker 4]
Thanks, Mayor. I think this is a great opportunity. The library will also focus on, most importantly, community outreach and direct engagement with educators and social service groups.

So this is a terrific opportunity for the library to continue to do outreach into our community. Thank you, Mayor.

[Speaker 1]
Thank you. Any other questions or comments about Mayor's Order 1? Seeing none.

Thank you for your consideration. We'll move on to Mayor's Order 2. It's an appropriation of $30,613.35 to the following named account, the Human Resources Special Account for Indemnification of Police and Fire from the Available Funds and the Stabilization Account. As everyone knows, the City of Chicopee is self-insured, and these are the medical bills for our first responders. Any questions about Mayor's Order 2? Seeing none.

Thank you for your consideration. Mayor's Order 3. Mayor's Order 3 is the Housing Development Incentive Program, the HDIP, established under Mass.

General Law, Chapter 40V, which provides gateway cities with tools to develop market rate housing while increasing residential growth, expanding diversity of housing stock, and supporting economic development and promoting neighborhood stabilization in designated areas. The program provides two tax incentives to developers to undertake new construction or substantial rehabilitation of properties for lease or sale as multi-unit market rate residential units of housing. Whereas the HDIP requires a local option for real estate tax exemption, which is a TIE, on all or part of the increased property value resulting from the improvement, the increment, and if the developer is to receive state tax credit for qualified project expenditures, which are called QPEs.

And whereas the City Council of the City of Chicopee has supported the productive reuse of the property located at 22 Grove Street to create four units of market rate housing within the approved HDIP zone. Whereas RT Commercial LLC is investing over $700,000 in the property renovations of an 1890 Queen Anne-style house. Now, therefore, be it ordered, the City Council of the City of Chicopee, with the approval of the Mayor, hereby makes a binding commitment to enter into a TIE, or Tax Increment Exemption Agreement, with RT Commercial LLC.

And subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement, the tax increment exemption to be applied to the project premises as follows, and such below stated percentage shall be utilized in calculating the real property tax due with respect to premises for such respective fiscal year. And you'll see the increments go for the first fiscal year of 90% of the increase over the current assessed and taxed amount to where in the 10th year would be at 50%. It allows for the opportunity for them to develop the property.

To speak on behalf of this TIE and this HDIP program, our assessor, Laura McCarthy, is here if you have any questions. What we're actually referring to is the property referred to as the Red House, located behind Falls Pizza. It's been purchased by, like I had mentioned, RT Commercial LLC, and they have intentions to renovate it into something special.

[Speaker 3]
I would add that the base value of the property and the current assessed value of the property is $350,000. That was also the purchase price of the property one year ago. Any value that's added after that is the increase that we would be taxing and that would be applied on this order.

But the project is a mix of four residential units and commercial space on the first floor. So this increment would only apply to the increased value due to the residential units on the property. And as it's outlined, it's 90% is exempt for five years, and then it's on a scale of 80 down to 50% exempt for the remainder of five years.

[Speaker 2]
Councilor Ziagorowski.

[Speaker 7]
Mr. Mayor and Ms. McCarthy, the third item on there says 22 Grove Street. It should be Grove Avenue.

[Speaker 3]
Yes.

[Speaker 7]
It should be corrected. So in the minutes, make sure we change it to Grove Avenue.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Any other comments? Mr. Vice President. Mr. LaBrie.

[Speaker 8]
Just one question. The bottom line is we're still going to get our tax on a $350,000?

[Speaker 2]
Yes. Correct.

[Speaker 6]
Thank you.

[Speaker 2]
Anyone else?

[Speaker 6]
Thank you, Mayor and Laura, for bringing that out. This is a great opportunity again for some development, new development in the city. And Falls Pizza is right next door.

So this is going to enhance the neighborhood in the city. And hopefully this is going to spur other people to do likewise projects so that we can get more going in the city of Chicopee. Thank you.

Councilor Ziagorowski, second time.

[Speaker 7]
I serve on the TIF committee for approving this. And I know the property. It's going to be a positive thing for our city.

And I wholeheartedly hope the council approves all the items on it.

[Speaker 2]
Councilor Costello.

[Speaker 4]
Will this be the only incentive for any projects? Or are other projects being looked at for this type of creative incentive?

[Speaker 3]
I'm sorry. I'm not quite following you. Is this the only incentive for this project?

For even future projects. For this project?

[Speaker 4]
No, no.

[Speaker 3]
Other projects would be eligible for a housing development incentive program.

[Speaker 1]
They're taken, if I may, on a case-by-case basis, councilor. And reviewed. And in this particular case, the applicant had requested that we consider.

We put a committee together. The committee had come. Laura, you served on the committee.

And was George on the committee?

[Speaker 4]
George and Bob.

[Speaker 1]
And Bob.

[Speaker 4]
Yeah. What I'm hoping for is that this isn't the only project that we can do it in the future as well to be as creative. And it looks like it's going to be successful.

And that's why I'd like to see more.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Any other questions?

[Speaker 1]
Anyone on Zoom? Seeing none. Thank you.

And thank you for your consideration. I have some appointments for your consideration tonight. And I'll start with Mayor's Order 4.

You're hereby notified that this day I've appointed Tracy Hess of Chicopee as a member of the City Hall Phase 2 Building Commission. To which appointment I ask the confirmation of your Honorable Council. I know that Ms. Hess is here tonight. If you wanted to, I'm not sure if all of you had the opportunity to meet Tracy. Tracy has been dedicating her time. Also served on the, currently serving on the Library Commission.

The Central Library Project right here next door. And has been gracious enough to allow us, again, volunteering her time to serve on Phase 2 for City Hall. She's one of the appointments I'm allowed to on that Building Commission.

I believe that the City Council will be soon approving your members to Phase 2's Commission. Yeah, we'll be bringing them forward in the first week of November for the City Council to review. Thank you.

So, I know Tracy's here tonight. And I'm hopeful that you'll consider her for her appointment for Phase 2. Any questions about the appointment?

Anybody on Zoom? Seeing none. And thank you, Tracy, for being here.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you.

[Speaker 1]
Mayor's Order 5. To the City Council, you're hereby notified that I this day appoint Gia Lamothe of Chicopee as a member of the City Hall Phase 2 Building Commission. To which appointment I ask for the confirmation of your Honorable Council.

Ms. Lamothe has served also on Phase 1. And is also serving as my appointment on the Central Library Project on that commission. And has graciously decided that she would also volunteer her time.

Because how couldn't you? Look how beautiful this wonderful Phase 1 was. And I'm looking forward to Phase 2.

Thanks to the City Council and your approval of moving forward. So, I know that Ms. Lamothe is here. If you have any questions for her.

And again, I graciously ask for your appointment of her to the Phase 2 Building Commission. Any questions about the appointment? Nobody.

Nobody on Zoom. Seeing none. We'll move on to Mayor's Order 6.

You're hereby notified that this day I have appointed Cheryl Gelinas of Chicopee to the Council on Aging. To serve in such office expiring the first day of September of 2026. To which appointment I ask the confirmation of your Honorable Council.

Ms. Gelinas is a reappointment. She's been serving on the COA Board. And she has graciously accepted this opportunity to continue to serve.

And I'm hopeful that you'll consider her for reappointment on the COA Board. Any questions about Ms. Gelinas? Anyone on Zoom?

Seeing none. I say thank you for your consideration. Mayor's Order 7.

You're hereby notified that this day I have appointed Karen Russo, Ph.D. and R.N. of Chicopee to the Council on Aging. To serve in such office expiring the first day of September of 2026. To which appointment I ask the confirmation of your Honorable Council.

And Ms. Russo is also a reappointment. She has offered to continue to serve on the COA Board. And we're excited to have her for reappointment.

Any questions about Mayor's Order 7 and the reappointment of Mrs. Russo?

[Speaker 2]
Anyone on Zoom? Seeing none.

[Speaker 1]
Seeing none. Thank you for your consideration. Move on to Mayor's Order 8.

To the City Council. You're hereby notified that I have this appointed Stephen Mihalik of Chicopee to the Council on Aging. To serve in such office expiring the first day of September of 2026.

To which appointment I ask the confirmation of your Honorable Council. Stephen is also a reappointment. He has served for many years on the COA Board.

And is gracious and willing to continue to serve. Any questions about the reappointment of Stephen Mihalik? Anyone on Zoom?

Seeing none. Seeing none. Thank you for your consideration.

And Mayor's Order 9. To the City Council. You're hereby notified that I have this day appointed Claire Jem of Chicopee to serve on the Council on Aging.

In such office expiring the first day of September of 2026. And to which appointment I ask the confirmation of your Honorable Council. Claire is also a reappointment.

She's also the Chair. And any of the reappointments who are watching, I want to say thank you for your continued service on the COA Board. I will say that the River Mills Senior Center and the Council on Aging is thriving.

And you can just tell by the numbers and how wonderful it's received by our older adults. And I can actually start going there next year when I turn 55. So I'm excited.

[Speaker 2]
Mayor's Order 10. Is the City Council accept the amount of $8,022 for the Chicopee Council on Aging for senior meals? Motion.

Mayor's Order 11. Order the City Council accept the amount of $358 to the Council on Aging for senior programs and acceptance in Mass General Law, Chapter 44, Section 53A. Mayor, you have the floor.

[Speaker 1]
I just want to take one moment to recognize a public servant that is really no stranger to the City of Chicopee. And that's Chet Satella. I have received Chet's resignation letter on October 9th last week.

And I'll be working with President LaFlamme on scheduling a joint session of the School Committee and the City Council to obtain nominations to fill the vacant seat. And I'll be working on that intimately. Chet Satella is not just a member of the Chicopee School Committee, but he is also a friend.

And he was dedicated and devoted to the City of Chicopee school system, working on behalf of the students in the community. And we're going to miss him. I know that some of you know him personally.

And many of you have served many years with him in that capacity. He was the first member of his family to graduate from college, receiving his BA in education from St. Lawrence College. He obtained a master's in education from Elms College.

Chet has over 40 years' experience as a teacher. And he started his career at the Chicopee Public Schools at Bellamy, working as a school adjustment counselor and helping the most troubled middle school students in our system. And as a teacher, he took on after school duties and coached various sporting teams.

He always lent a hand in the community events at St. Patrick's and St. Stanislaus Church, the Chicopee Community Center, and director of the Summer Youth Employment Program and many other community activities. Chet was a devoted husband to his wife, Susan, who passed away in 2021, and his seven children, 16 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He served 20 years on the Chicopee School Committee, focusing on student achievement, school safety, financial responsibility, and also innovation.

We will miss his service, and we wish Chester well in his retirement from the Chicopee School Committee. Chet, if you're watching, it's been a pleasure and honor to not only know you, but to work with you and collaborate with you. I really do believe that our Chicopee School District is a world-class, you get a world-class education, and it's because of commitments of people like you.

So thank you for all you've done for the city of Chicopee and our district. And I wish you the best in your retirement from the school committee. And that concludes my remarks.

Thank you for the consideration to all of those mayor's orders, and have a great meeting. Thank you.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you, Mayor. We will now move into public input. Public input is limited to three minutes or less.

Is anyone here in the audience here for public input? If so, state your name and address for the record, please.

[Speaker 5]
Lisa Bienvenu, 34 Everett Street. It will be a different school committee without Mr. Zatella on it. He's been in the system for a long time.

I hope he's doing well. You know, it's hard as we all get older, so I really do hope Mr. Zatella is doing well. This evening, listening to the litany of mayor's orders, it feels like Groundhog's Day.

We want to be forward-thinking in this city. We keep talking about how we want to be forward-thinking. But we are stuck in our ways of, this is how something is done.

[Speaker 4]
There really was no point to the last two mayor's orders when the mayor didn't read them about the Council on Aging, the donations, when those are going to be all re-read again when you actually vote on the mayor's orders and you discuss them. I keep saying that it doesn't seem to make a difference. I keep hoping that if you hear something long enough, but it was very interesting to hear about the tax information for that project on Grove Avenue.

You know, that would have been worth more discussion during the mayor's orders to explain to us in the city about the the break they're going to be getting on the taxes for that development than to have the rote of reading every mayor's order in order because that's what you were doing for the agenda when the mayor's briefing was separate and that's not the case now on your agenda. It just says mayor view so he really can talk about whatever he would like. You've given him that kind of carte blanche by just putting his name on the agenda so I'm not quite sure why it has to have that repetition.

You know, we we want to be we in order to be forward-thinking we have to look beyond what we always do and how we always do it because that's what's happening in the world around us. Chicopee is not an isolated nugget. We are operating in a bigger world and we have to acknowledge what's happening in the world around us and we have to be a part of that system and as long as we stay locked into how we've always done things as a community we are missing out.

Thank you.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Anyone else for public input?

[Speaker 5]
Good evening council members. Renee Rivard, A185 New Lalo Road. I have been picking up litter on the route that I walk since January.

I pick up two Walmart-sized bags of trash and I really could pick up more on my walk if I had the time. Every week I email the mayor and the city council members with my litter report. Cigarette butts, alcohol nip bottles, cups, fast-food wrappers, and snack wrappers make up the top of the list.

The council passed a retail plastic bag ban recently. Thank you very much. It's much appreciated and the mayor went into the schools to ask the kids to make a pledge not to litter.

That's fabulous but the litter continues. We need to do more and please don't say people don't care and close your eyes to the problem. People do care.

They thank me for picking up litter and you all care too but we can't expect Good Samaritans to pick up after others. It's not fair. Please don't take advantage of Good Samaritans.

I suggested a volunteer litter committee to research and come up with ideas to stop littering because back in the 70s, 80s, 90s, we didn't have this litter. What were we doing different then? Supposedly, the litter committee is to be discussed in the rules committee but it's not being put on the agenda.

I have inquired about this by email and by telephone with no reply. So I am here again asking for a litter committee so that we can get to work on solving this problem in Chicopee. Thank you very much for your time and your consideration.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Is there anyone okay?

[Speaker 3]
Sue Nimchick, James Street. Scoring notebook continues. Topic to know, K&OW versus NO.

You ever call 9-1-1 for the police? You do so because something needs to be communicated, to act it upon, to be of assistance, to be known. The council's number is 3-2-1.

Time is up for input or insight. And yet, things are to be known. Councillor Susan, Abigail, Tim, Marybeth have posed questions to be discussed, debated, investigated to find facts and answers to be known.

Response though, as it has been, I don't think we need to discuss that. The vote is NO rather than to know, K&OW, to be known. Request for data, monthly numbers, costs for example of the golf course.

And everyone wants that golf course to be successful. Yet the discussion was, I think we don't need it, the time involved, etc. And the vote was NO rather than need to know and to be known.

In other words, to act before the curve. If you've ever been up in the batter's box, you don't want to swing after the curve. At the committee meeting involved in the golf body, where the golf pro was very honest in revealing the constant of the golf course, I picked up on it right away.

It's the wear, tear and replacement, the cost. Has anyone noticed in Chicopee about these torrential downpours? Okay, and even in the same year periods or weeks of drought without rain, the impact on the course, the operation and increased costs of wear and tear and replacement, plus the additional costs of the frequency, what are the patterns, when does it occur, and also to track changes and such occurrences.

Because wouldn't anyone want the insight and the intelligent pursuit for successful operation and never to burden the taxpayer again with another two million red as identified by Councillor Susan. For all to be known, for the success patterns everything, ahead of the curve rather than after the curve, now rather than later. Why not all everything constant changes to be known rather than no response, particularly at committee levels and department levels.

And I could go on and on. But here's the thing, if no questions are posed or data is obtained, where the heck are we going? Like Lisa was saying, very good little talk input, what I'm trying to say is be ahead of the curve rather than after the curve because the cost and impact to people's lives in that, you can't get it back.

And as I'll end, as I usually do, three, two, one, time is up.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Thank you. Is there anyone else in the audience?

Is there anyone on Zoom for public input? Is there anyone on Zoom for public input?

[Speaker 19]
Mr. President.

[Speaker 2]
Councillor Wagner.

[Speaker 19]
Thank you, Mr. President. Timothy Wagner, 210 7th Street, Apartment 2R in Chicopee, Massachusetts.

[Speaker 2]
Tim, we're having a hard time hearing you. Your volume might be low or something.

[Speaker 19]
Hello?

[Speaker 2]
Yeah, we're having a hard time hearing if you could speak a little closer or something.

[Speaker 20]
Hello?

[Speaker 2]
Go ahead.

[Speaker 10]
Hello? Go ahead, Tim. All right, Tim Wagner, 210 7th Street, Chicopee, Massachusetts.

I'm hopeful that this council takes some pride in some of the items that it's passed recently, including the Burnett Road development moratorium. I hope that the residents of that ward feel much safer and happier at night knowing that it's having a massive impact or none whatsoever on speeding in general in Chicopee and the Burnett Road area. As the council may or may not know, there was a car accident within the last two weeks, again, right by my residence on McKinstry Avenue, one street over from me.

I hope that we're as committed to finding productive speedings or solutions to speeding in other parts of the city as we are in killing development in the name of public safety and other parts of the city. Thank you. Have a great rest of your meeting.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you, sir. Is there anyone else for public input on Zoom? Seeing none, I'll take a motion to close public input.

[Speaker 8]
Motion to close public input.

[Speaker 2]
Motion made and second to close public input. Roll call, please.

[Speaker 1]
President Laflamme?

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Roy? Yes. Wagner?

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Zagorowski? Yes. Arriaga?

[Speaker 20]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Brooks? Yes. Yes.

Salkeer?

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Frampitz? Yes. Kaczumski?

Yes. Cushing? Yes.

LaBrie? Yes. Sinea-Costello?

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
13 yes.

[Speaker 2]
And a motion passes. Clerk, is there any communications?

[Speaker 1]
No communications.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Is there any minutes?

[Speaker 1]
No minutes tonight.

[Speaker 2]
Okay, seeing there's none, okay, we'll go into Mayor's Orders.

[Speaker 1]
Mayor's Order 1. Order that the City Council accept the Federal Library Service and Technology Act grant in the amount of $5,000 from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners to the Chigabee Public Library. Said grant is accepted in accordance with Mass General Law, Chapter 44, Section 53A.

Councilor Arriaga?

[Speaker 12]
Motion that the Mayor's Order be received and passed through all stages in the written recommendation of the Mayor.

[Speaker 2]
Motion made and second the motion be received and passed through all stages on the recommendation of the Mayor. On the motion, please.

[Speaker 12]
This is a grant for the library to have literature in different languages for our growing community here in Chigabee, which I think is absolutely fantastic. It just shows how our community is changing and I'm just so happy to see something like this come to our library. I like to see it grow and I hope that so many people are able to use this.

[Speaker 2]
Councilor Costello?

[Speaker 7]
I support this. Again, as I had said earlier, this is community outreach that's done by the library. This is a very positive step involving the community and the educators with the library and enhancing our educational system.

Thank you.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Any other comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom?

Seeing none, roll call. President LaFlamme?

[Speaker 1]
Yes. Roy? Yes.

Wagner? Yes. Sigurowsky?

Yes. Arriaga?

[Speaker 16]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Brooks? Yes. Gough?

[Speaker 16]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Valkyr? Yes. Trampets?

Yes. Chumsky? Yes.

Cushing? Yes. Labrie?

Yes. Costello?

[Speaker 7]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
13 yes. And a motion passes. Order that the sum of $30,613.35 be hereby appropriated to the following, name the count. Human resource special account for indemnifications of police and fire. Set amounts be taken from the available funds in the stabilization fund.

[Speaker 2]
Councilor Costello?

[Speaker 7]
Motion that the mayor's order be received and passed through all stages on the written recommendation of the mayor.

[Speaker 2]
Motion made and seconded that the motion be received and passed through all stages on a written recommendation of the mayor. On the motion, please.

[Speaker 7]
This is again the account for the indemnification of police and fire account. This occurs on our agenda many times. Thank you.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Any comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom?

Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 1]
President LaFlamme?

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Roy? Yes. Wagner?

Yes. Sigurowsky? Yes.

Arriaga? Yes. Brooks?

Yes. Gough? Yes.

Valkyr?

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Trampets? Yes. Chumsky?

Yes. Cushing? Yes.

Labrie? Yes. Costello?

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
13 yes.

[Speaker 2]
And a motion passes.

[Speaker 1]
Whereas the housing development incentive program established by Mass General Law provides gateway cities with a tool to develop market rate housing while increasing residential growth, expanding diversity of housing stocks, supporting economic development, and promoting neighborhood stabilization in designated areas. The program provides two tax incentives to developers to undertake new construction or substantial rehabilitation of properties for lease or sale as multi-unit market rate residential housing. Whereas the HDIP program requires a local option real estate tax exemption on all or part of the increased property value resulting from improvements, the increment if the developer is to receive state tax credit for qualified project expenditures, and whereas the City Council of the City of Chicopee has supported the productive reuse of property located at 22 Grove Avenue to create four units of market rate housing within an approved HDIP zone, and whereas RT Commercials LLC is investing over $700,000 in property renovations of a 1890 Queen Anne style style house. Now therefore be it ordered by the City Council of the City of Chicopee with approval of the mayor hereby makes a binding commitment to enter into a tax increment exemption agreement with RT Commercial LLC and subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement tax increment exemption to be applied to the project premises is as follows as and such below stated percentage shall be utilized in calculating the real property tax due with respect to premises for such respective fiscal year.

First year 90%, second year 90%, third year 90%, fourth year 90%, fifth year 90%, sixth year 80%, seventh year 70%, eighth year 60%, ninth year 50%, tenth year 50%. Councillor Krampus.

[Speaker 6]
Motion that the mayor's order be received and passed through all stages on the written recommendation of the mayor and the program adopted.

[Speaker 2]
Motion may be seconded that the mayor's order be received and passed through all stages on the written recommendation the mayor adopted this evening. On the motion please.

[Speaker 6]
Yes as it was read the Housing Development Incentive Program HDIP this is to assist property owners who purchase well this particular property owner is the kind of the start of this program and essentially it's just help people that buy residential units and make the market rate apartments for residential multifamily residential units and what this does is since there's usually quite a bit of investment needed to remodel those places and essentially increase their value what this does is it offsets the taxes that would come from the increase in value to those properties we still would get the taxes for the base value let's say it was two hundred thousand and then there was seven hundred thousand dollars worth of work added the city would still get the taxes on the two hundred thousand and then as read off in the table you know there would be an increment in the deduction in the in the taxes for the for the essentially the five hundred thousand that's listed so and that would as the years go on eventually would hit a point where that tax credit or incentive would drop so this is a the start of this is one of the first ones in this program it's a it's a good start and we hope to see other properties take advantage of this in the future it is it does go through a review so it's not something that's automatic but it's you know we're glad to see that this one's moving forward thank you thank you concert Costello yeah

[Speaker 7]
I mean I'm a hundred percent supporting this it's a tool to develop market rate housing and it's going to increase our residential growth expanding diversity of housing stock so that's something that the City Council has been discussing for quite some time again like Councillor crampets indicated this is the first one of its kind but as I asked assessor McCarthy and Mayor view I'm hoping that this isn't the last time this creative way of producing more housing stock is done thank you again assessor McCarthy thank you next up

[Speaker 13]
will be consular cushion we also get tax revenue on the commercial part of the building so the only tax break they're getting is on the residential space so not only do we get the tax on the $350,000 assessment but whatever value that commercial space brings to so they're gonna get a little more revenue out of this than it was face value Contra Ballack here yeah I think mr.

[Speaker 9]
president yeah this is a great tool this real estate tax exemption also known as a tie it's it has been used in other projects in the city this is one of the latest examples that we've used it for and has been said this is the developer this has anticipated rehabilitation cost exceeding 400,000 for market rate residential units ground floor commercial space potential for a breakfast cafe restaurant it's a ten-year situation with taxes but again this is helpful and hopefully as I mentioned earlier as in the mayor's briefing that other people will take forth and see that we have an option of taking care of real estate tax exemptions and maybe go forth with some other projects in the city that would help not only for example the housing shortage but also to help our tax base and commercial development in the city

[Speaker 2]
thank you thank you any other comments from the floor any comments from zoom

[Speaker 1]
seeing none roll call yes yes yes Brooks yes yes yes yes yes yes yes in a motion passes of a new appointment of Tracy Hess as a member of the City Hall

[Speaker 10]
phase two Building Commission consul Wagner I will respectfully not make a

[Speaker 2]
motion at this time okay thank you consul Roy yeah motion that the mayor's

[Speaker 15]
order be received the promotion take place and appointed this evening motion

[Speaker 2]
made second that the nomination for a Tracy has to be approved this evening on

[Speaker 15]
the motion please and the motion she's a dedicated individual she's well-known and I hope we can do any other comments from the floor

[Speaker 8]
concert labrie yes she's also on Tracy Tracy's also on the library committee and we'd like to suspend rule 10 number 38 so she won't have to go through human resources again because we've already had her there and you know for the library committee so I'd like to streamline it tonight and you know approve it thank you yeah motion to approve tonight oh yeah motion is

[Speaker 2]
suspend rule 10 number 38 motion made a second that we suspend rule 10 and use section 38 this evening for the nomination any other comments from the

[Speaker 1]
floor any comments from zoom okay no I mean call the amendment first to suspend the rule that will then we'll call the roll on the okay okay the first one will be to suspend the rules roll call okay president Laflamme yes Roy yes Wagner yes yes Ariaga yes Brooks yes yeah Val Kier yes Rampets yes Chomsky yes Labrie yes Castillo yes 13 yes and a motion passes Jerry's motion for the

[Speaker 2]
appointment motion me yeah he already made the point motion made in second that the appointment be approved this evening any other comments from the floor any comments from zoom seeing none

[Speaker 1]
president Laflamme yes Roy yes Wagner yes yes Ariaga yes Brooks yes yeah yes Val Kier yes Rampets yes Chomsky yes Labrie yes Castillo yes 13 yes and a motion passes next we have a new appointment of Gia Lamothe as a member of the City Hall phase two building commission

[Speaker 8]
Consul Labrie motion to receive the mayor's order and pass through all stages and appoint Gia tonight and suspend rule 10 number 38 if I can do

[Speaker 17]
that all in one rule 10 allows you to suspend rule 38 but I think they're

[Speaker 8]
separate so I have two votes yes okay so on a motion on a motion go ahead yeah Gia has been on the phase one committee City Hall construction and she's also on the library construction committee so she's also been to human resources and I don't want to send her there again tonight then she's done a good job and she's well known so I'd like to make a motion to suspend rule 10

[Speaker 2]
number 38 motion made in second to suspend rule 10 section 38 any other

[Speaker 1]
comments from the floor roll call yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes Chomsky, Cushane, Labrie, Castillo.

[Speaker 8]
Yes.

[Speaker 2]
And a motion passes.

[Speaker 8]
And a motion to approve Gia Lamott to the phase two building committee.

[Speaker 2]
Motion made in second that the new appointment of Ms. Lamott be approved this evening. Any other comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom?

Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 1]
President Laflamme?

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
McCoy? Yes. Wagner?

Yes. Zagorowski? Yes.

Arriaga? Yes. Brooks?

Yes.

[Speaker 20]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Talkeer? Yes. Krampus?

Yes. Chomsky? Yes.

Cushane? Yes. Labrie?

Yes. Castillo?

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
13 yes.

[Speaker 2]
And a motion passes.

[Speaker 1]
To the reappointment of Cheryl Gelinas as a member of the Council on Aging.

[Speaker 2]
Councilor Zagorowski.

[Speaker 11]
Motion that the mayor's appointment be, do you want this to go to, do we want to approve it this evening?

[Speaker 2]
No you can approve it tonight if you want, it's a reappointment.

[Speaker 11]
Okay. Motion that we okay the appointment of Jerry Gelinas to the Council on Aging.

[Speaker 2]
Motion made in second that we approve Ms. Gelinas to the Council on Aging. On the motion please.

[Speaker 11]
On the motion, it's a reappointment and usually when we look at a lot of the reappointments the parties involved have dedicated their their time to us and it's volunteering so I think we should appoint this tonight.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Any other comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom?

Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 1]
President LaFlamme? Yes. Roy?

Yes. Wagner? Yes.

Zagorowski? Yes. Arriaga?

Yes. Brooks? Yes.

Goff? Yes. Talkeer?

Yes. Krampus? Yes.

Chomsky? Yes. Cushane?

Yes. Labrie? Yes.

Castillo?

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
13 yes.

[Speaker 2]
And a motion passes.

[Speaker 1]
We have the reappointment of Karen Rousseau as a member of the Council on Aging.

[Speaker 2]
Councilor Bailiwick here.

[Speaker 9]
Motion that the Mayor's order be received. Passed through all stages on a written recommendation of the Mayor and the appointment be made this evening.

[Speaker 2]
Motion made in second that the Mayor's order be received. Passed through all stages on a written recommendation of the Mayor and the appointment approved this evening. On the motion please.

[Speaker 9]
On the motion, this is a reappointment of Karen Rousseau. She has a PhD. She has an RN.

She has experience and because this is a reappointment, I think we should make that reappointment approved this evening. Thank you.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Councilor Castillo?

[Speaker 7]
Yes, I agree with Councilor Bailiwick here. I think this appointment should be approved this evening. Dr. Rousseau has done tremendous service, volunteer service, for our city. She's spent, she has spent many years on the Council on Aging and she's a great asset. So, I thank her for her volunteerism.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Any other comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom?

Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 1]
President Laflamme?

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Roy? Yes. Wagner?

Yes. Mr. Garowski? Yes.

Arriaga? Yes. Brooks?

Yes. Goff? Yes.

Salkeer? Yes. Rampets?

Yes. Chomsky? Yes.

Cushing? Yes. Labrie?

Yes. Pena Costello? Yes.

Thirteen yes.

[Speaker 2]
And a motion passes.

[Speaker 1]
We have the reappointment of Steven Michalak as a member of the Council on Aging.

[Speaker 2]
Councilor Chomsky?

[Speaker 14]
Motion that the mayor's order be received and passed through all stages under written recommendation of the mayor.

[Speaker 2]
Motion may accept the order be received and passed through all stages under written recommendation of mayor. On the motion, please.

[Speaker 14]
This is the reappointment of Steven Michalak and he'll be serving on the Council on Aging, expiring on the first day of September 2026.

[Speaker 2]
Do you want to make the motion on that to approve him this evening?

[Speaker 14]
Yes, motion to approve this evening. For reappointment.

[Speaker 2]
Okay, so motion that the mayor's order be received and this appointment be approved this evening. On the motion again, please. You all set?

You all set, Sam? Yes. Okay, any other comments from the floor?

Any comments from Zoom? Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 1]
President Laflamme? Yes. Roy?

Yes. Wagner? Yes.

Mr. Garowski? Yes. Arriaga?

Yes. Brooks? Yes.

Yes. Salkeer? Yes.

Krampus? Yes. Chomsky?

Yes. Kushain? Yes.

Labrie? Yes. Castello?

Yes. Thirteen, yes.

[Speaker 2]
And a motion passes.

[Speaker 1]
The reappointment of Claire Jem as a member of the Council on Aging.

[Speaker 2]
Councilor Kushain. Motion may be seconded to the motion mayor's order be received and passed through all stages under written recommendation of mayor and the appointment approved this evening. On the motion, please.

Thank you. Any other comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom?

Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 1]
President Laflamme? Yes. Roy?

Yes. Wagner? Yes.

Mr. Garowski? Yes. Arriaga?

Yes. Brooks? Yes.

Salkeer? Yes. Krampus?

Yes. Chomsky? Yes.

Kushain? Yes. Labrie?

Yes. Castello? Yes.

Thirteen, yes.

[Speaker 2]
And a motion passes.

[Speaker 1]
Order that the City Council accept the donations in the amount of $8,022 to the Chigabi Council on Aging. Said donations are for senior meals for the month of September 2024 and are accepted in accordance with Mass General Act Chapter 44, Section 53A.

[Speaker 11]
Councilor Gough?

[Speaker 16]
Motion that the mayor's order be received and passed through all stages on the written recommendation of the mayor.

[Speaker 11]
Motion made and received and passed through all stages on the written recommendation of the mayor. On the motion.

[Speaker 16]
On the motion, donations received from daily meals for the seniors. Any other comments?

[Speaker 11]
Anybody on Zoom? Please call the roll.

[Speaker 1]
President Laflamme?

[Speaker 2]
Abstain.

[Speaker 1]
Roy? Yes. Wagner?

Yes. Mr. Garowski? Yes.

Arriaga? Yes. Brooks?

Yes. Gough? Yes.

Salkeer? Yes. Krampus?

Yes. Chomsky? Yes.

Kushain? Yes. Labrie?

Yes. Castello? Yes.

Twelve, yes. One abstention. Motion passes.

Order that the City Council accept the attached list of donations in the amount of $358 to the City Council on Aging. Said donations are for senior programming and are accepted in accordance with Mass General Act Chapter 44, Section 53A. Councilor Brooks?

[Speaker 18]
Motion that the mayor's order be received and passed through all stages on the written recommendation of the mayor.

[Speaker 11]
Motion made and the motion be received and passed through all stages on the order. On the motion.

[Speaker 18]
On the motion, just additional donations.

[Speaker 11]
Any other comments? Anybody on Zoom?

[Speaker 1]
Call the roll, please. President Laflamme?

[Speaker 11]
Abstain.

[Speaker 1]
Roy? Yes. Wagner?

Yes. Mr. Garowski? Yes.

Arriaga? Yes. Brooks?

Yes. Gough? Yes.

Salkeer? Yes. Krampus?

Yes. Chomsky? Yes.

Kushain? Yes. Labrie?

Yes. Castello?

[Speaker 11]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Twelve, yes. One abstention.

[Speaker 11]
And the motion passes.

[Speaker 1]
We have a favorable report from the Public Works Committee. Be it ordered that the Public Works Committee meet to discuss a tree on public property growing into a fence on private property at 245 Malcolm Street.

[Speaker 2]
Councilor Krampus?

[Speaker 1]
Motion.

Speaker 4]
That the favorable Public Works Committee report be received and placed on file tonight.

[Speaker 2]
Motion may be seconded that the favorable Public Works report be received and placed on file. On the motion, please.

[Speaker 4]
Yes, we had various departments here on this issue with the tree, which has kind of been resolved, but there was some issues with encroachment. So those departments are working on resolving that with the neighbor.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Any other comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom?

Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 1]
President Laflamme?

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Roy? Wagner? Yes.

Hrabowski? Yes. Arriaga?

Yes. Brooks? Yes.

Yes. Falkier? Yes.

Krampus? Yes. Chomsky?

Yes. Cushing? Yes.

Labrie? Yes. Castello?

Yes. And the motion passes.

[Speaker 6]
Motion, take number 18 out of order.

[Speaker 2]
Motion made in second that we take item number 18 out of order. Roll call, please.

[Speaker 1]
President Laflamme?

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Roy? Wagner? Yes.

Hrabowski? Yes. Arriaga?

Yes. Brooks? Yes.

Yes. Falkier? Yes.

Krampus? Yes. Chomsky?

Yes. Cushing? Yes.

Labrie? Yes. Castello?

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
And the motion passes. Item 18, we have a favorable report from the Human Resource Committee on the appointment of James Denny to the Water and Sewer Commission.

[Speaker 6]
Councilor Labrie? Motion to receive the committee report and appoint James Denny to the Water and Sewer Commission this evening.

[Speaker 2]
Motion made in second to receive the Human Resource favorable report and the appointment approved this evening of James Denny. On the motion, please.

[Speaker 6]
On the motion, James Denny came before the Human Resource Committee last Tuesday night. He interviewed very well. He has a lot of credentials.

He was former superintendent of the Water Department here, engineer. He'd be a great fit for this committee, so I highly recommend him this evening.

[Speaker 2]
Councilor Castello?

[Speaker 3]
Yes, I support this and I'm very thankful that Jim Denny has come to volunteer for our Water and Sewer Commission. He has tremendous experience in this field. Thank you, Jim, for coming to volunteer.

[Speaker 2]
Councilor Krampus?

[Speaker 4]
Yeah, just echoing those thoughts. I had a chance to work with Jim through the years when he was with the Chicopee Water Department. I think he'll make it out, do an outstanding job on the committee.

Thank you.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Any other comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom?

Any comments from Zoom? Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 1]
President LaFlamme?

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Roy? Wagner? Yes.

Browsky? Yes. Arriaga?

Yes. Brooks? Yes.

Goff?

[Speaker 10]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Valtier? Yes. Krampus?

Yes. Chomsky? Yes.

Cushing? Yes. LaBrie?

Yes. Senator Castello?

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
13 yes.

[Speaker 2]
And a motion passes.

[Speaker 1]
A favorable report from the Public Works Committee. Be it ordered that the Public Works Committee meet to discuss the status of the end of Stryber Drive, near 151 Stryber Drive, and a request to engineering to evaluate the safety of the dead-end street and the need for a sign to alert vehicles of the dead-end street.

[Speaker 2]
Councilor Krampus?

[Speaker 4]
Motion that the favorable Public Works Committee report be received and placed on file tonight.

[Speaker 2]
Motion made in second that the favorable Public Works Committee report be received and placed on file. On the motion, please.

[Speaker 4]
Yeah, there this was also was a discussion with the various department heads and there were some questions about the way the streets run through that area, about having a no outlet sign put in there, so there was some discussion that they were going to reach out to Councilor Pena Castello, so I'll turn it over to her if she has any comments on this. Thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Councilor Castello? I was contacted by a constituent on Stryber Drive in regards to this street that ends, and I can tell you it ends with a boulder. There's a boulder at the end of the street, and there's a discussion, do you put a no outlet sign because you can loop it to your left as you're going down Stryber Drive, or do you put an arrow and that's being worked on now?

I do believe Engineer Ellis did recommend a no outlet sign. I believe Superintendent Batista recommended like an arrow, but I can tell you from personal experience, my husband is very low-key, very quiet guy. We took a ride there.

We almost hit the boulder. Almost hit the boulder. Something's got to be done there.

I did see some correction in regards to overgrowth, but there is a boulder that that's your morning, you go no further, and my husband kind of raised his voice a little, which surprised me and said something's got to be done.

[Speaker 2]
So there you go. Thank you. Any other comments from the floor?

Any comments from Zoom? Any comments from Zoom? Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 1]
President Laflamme.

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Roy. Yes. Wagner.

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Groski. Yes. Arriaga.

Yes. Brooks. Yes.

Yes. Stalkier. Yes.

Krampus. Yes. Chumsky.

Yes. Cushing. Yes.

Labrie. Yes. Pena Costello.

Yes. Thirteen yes.

[Speaker 2]
And a motion passes.

[Speaker 1]
We have a favorable report from the Public Works Committee. Be it ordered that the Public Works Committee meet to discuss the status of Anson Street.

[Speaker 2]
Councilor Krampus.

[Speaker 4]
Motion that the favorable Public Works Committee report be placed on file tonight.

[Speaker 2]
Motion made and seconded that the favorable Public Works Committee report be received and placed on file this evening. On the motion, please.

[Speaker 4]
Yeah, there was a discussion about this. There are other streets in the city that are going to be part of this program for basically updating our Chapter 90 list of accepted streets. And there's a series of streets that are on it and Anson is one of them.

So this is part of our ongoing process that is being funded. And hopefully at some point it will be added so that we can actually do work to the street. And that work would be paid for by Chapter 90 funds from the state.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Any other? Councilor Costello.

[Speaker 3]
Yes, the Anson Street is in my ward and several constituents have indicated that they are very happy with the fact that this work is being done. And I want to thank Councilor, excuse me, Engineer Ellis and Superintendent Batista for taking the initiative to get some of these streets accepted as a city street. Thank you.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Any other comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom?

Any comments from Zoom? Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 1]
President La Flamme. Yes. Roy.

Yes. Wagner.

[Speaker 3]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Groski. Arriaga. Yes.

Brooks. Yes. McAuliffe.

Yes. Valkyr. Yes.

Krampets. Yes. Komsky.

Yes. Kushain. Yes.

Labrie. Yes. Finnegan-Costello.

Yes. 13 yes.

[Speaker 2]
And a motion passes.

[Speaker 1]
We have a favorable report from the Public Works Committee. We had ordered that the Public Works Committee meet to discuss the status of 25 miles per hour on New Ludlow Road.

[Speaker 2]
Councilor Krampets.

[Speaker 4]
Motion that the favorable Public Works Committee report be received and placed on file tonight.

[Speaker 2]
Motion made and seconded that the favorable Public Works Committee report be received and placed on file. On the motion, please.

[Speaker 4]
Yep. This is to make it consistent for 25 miles per hour for the length of New Ludlow Road, because it does go up to 35 in some areas. This is set by the state Mass.

Department of Transportation. The city engineering department has been working with them and submitted an application to basically get that changed so it's reduced to 25 miles per hour, so it's consistent with the other speed limit through the city. So that is working its way through.

It's an ongoing process. Thank you.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Any other comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom?

Any comments from Zoom? Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 1]
President Laflamme. Yes. Roy.

Yes. Wagner. Yes.

Sigurowski. Arriaga. Yes.

Brooks. Yes. Goff.

Yes. Falkeer. Yes.

Krampus. Yes. Chomsky.

Kushain. Yes. Labrie.

Yes. Pena-Costello.

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
13 yes.

[Speaker 2]
And the motion passes.

[Speaker 1]
We have a favorable report from the Public Works Committee. Be it ordered that the Public Works Committee meet to discuss expanding sites for disposing of used needles.

[Speaker 2]
Councillor Krampus.

[Speaker 4]
Motion that the favorable Public Works Committee report be received and placed on file tonight.

[Speaker 2]
Motion made in second, the favorable Public Works Committee report be received and placed on file. On the motion, please.

[Speaker 4]
Yes, we had a meeting with our Director of Health, Lisa Sanders, about this. This had come up a couple of years ago and essentially was looking for an update on it, you know, to have something put in that area. Ms. Sanders explained that these areas where this would have, if it was going to be relocated or located, have to be monitored. So that, you know, means that, you know, that they just can't be put out and people to drop off. But there were some alternatives to, you know, having arrangements for the needles picked up, you know, at the residence or whatever, that there were various options that were proposed at the meeting. So, thank you.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Councillor Costello.

[Speaker 3]
Yes, I brought this issue to the Council's attention for the public hearing. Several of my constituents are concerned about the disposal of needles. What they don't want to see in regards to needle disposal, they don't want to see it thrown out in the trash.

And if we can expand it, we're not going to be able to, but they felt that if we could expand it, it's going to limit the amount of needles being disposed in our trash, on our streets, or whatever. So, that's basically the reason why I brought this to the Council's attention. Thank you.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Councillor Couchene.

[Speaker 8]
Just for the public's knowledge, so we do have a mobile needle exchange program. And that's for everything, not just for illicit drugs, but also for people who have insulin and things like that. Tapestry Health actually runs it.

It's actually a project that I started many years ago in the city. Luckily, the state took it and paid for it. But it is available to everybody.

It's a mobile van that'll come by and they'll call. And you can also call the health department. They'll come out and pick it up for you, too.

So, nobody has to throw it in the trash. There are multiple ways to get those disposed of properly.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Any other comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom?

Any comments from Zoom? Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 1]
President Laframboise. Yes. Roy.

Yes. Wagner. Yes.

Gorowski. Yes. Arriaga.

Yes. Brooks. Yes.

Scott.

[Speaker 3]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Falquier. Yes. Krampitz.

Yes. Chomsky. Couchene.

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
LaBrie. Yes. Ancostado.

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Thirteen yes.

[Speaker 2]
And the motion passes.

[Speaker 1]
Favorable report from the Human Resource Committee on the appointment of Eric LaPointe to the Parks and Rec Commission.

[Speaker 2]
Councilor LaBrie.

[Speaker 6]
Yes. Motion to receive the committee report and appoint Eric LaPointe to the Parks and Recreation Committee this evening.

[Speaker 2]
Motion made second the favorable human resources committee report be received and approved this evening. On the motion, please.

[Speaker 6]
On the motion, Eric interviewed very well also. He had 20 years of prior experience in the sports industry, some in the NBA, some in the NFL, I mean the NHL. And I recommend him highly for this position.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Any other comments from the floor? Councilor Costello.

[Speaker 3]
Yes, I want to thank Eric LaPointe for, again, offering to be a volunteer. He's very athletic. He's involved in the parks and the sports programs, and his family was always very involved and very active.

And so thank you, Eric, for taking the time to volunteer and make our city better.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Any other comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom?

Any comments from Zoom? Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 1]
President LaFlambe.

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Roy. Yes. Wagner.

Yes. Hrabowski. Yes.

Arriaga. Yes. Brooks.

Yes. Scott. Yes.

Salkeer.

[Speaker 9]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Krampus. Yes. Chomsky.

Yes. Cushing. Yes.

LaBrie. Yes. Pena-Costello.

Yes. Thirteen yeses.

[Speaker 2]
And the motion passes.

[Speaker 1]
Be it ordered that the rules and orders of the city council meeting shall be amended as follows. Delete 11C, any order, ordinance, resolution, or petition, or communication submitted to the city clerk after three o'clock on Thursday prior to the regular meeting of the city council shall be deemed a late file order.

[Speaker 2]
Councilor Ziagorowski.

[Speaker 5]
Ordered that the item that's before us, I just have to, I'm going to make an motion first that it be, order that we receive the order and for discussion.

[Speaker 2]
I'm sorry, motion made to what?

[Speaker 5]
To discuss this order.

[Speaker 2]
Motion made in second that the order be received and discussed this evening. On the motion, please.

[Speaker 5]
On the motion. I discussed this. I serve on the rules committee and I discussed this with our president that these items are no longer are acceptable as late files.

They don't come under the open meeting law because it has to be on the agenda. There is a provision for emergency situations in the open meeting law. We do not need to have a late file because it's deleted on number 19.

[Speaker 2]
Okay. Any comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom?

I'd like to speak on this for one second if I could.

[Speaker 6]
Motion to have president speak.

[Speaker 2]
Motion made in second to allow the president to speak. Roll call, please.

[Speaker 1]
President Laflamme.

[Speaker 2]
Abstain.

[Speaker 1]
Roy. Yes. Wagner.

Yes. Zagorowski. Yes.

Arriaga. Yes. Brooks.

Yes. Gough. Yes.

Falquier. Yes. Krampitz.

Chomsky. Yes. Kushain.

Yes. Labrie. Yes.

Pena-Costello. Yes. Twelve yes, one abstention.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. I just want to take a moment, as you know, things always revolve with the open meeting law and we're always looking at as well other counselors that bring things forward. But I want to thank, we had a meeting, a counselor, myself, our office, the city clerk in the law department.

I want to thank them for reviewing all this and checking all this out to make sure we're doing everything right and, you know, passing this this evening would be, you can send it to rules or you can pass it this evening. But the idea is, again, everything, I just want to make the point of everything keeps revolving over the open meeting law. So this is something that the clerk and I talked about and then we met with the law department for the next three.

They were reviewed by the clerk and the law department. Thank you. Okay.

Make a motion. We got to make a motion. Bob, what do you want to do?

I was going to make the motion.

[Speaker 5]
We've had a discussion on this in the rules committee when we did meet. We can either okay it tonight or put it back in the rules.

[Speaker 10]
Motion to send the item to the rules committee.

[Speaker 8]
You weren't recognized, counselor.

[Speaker 2]
Well, yeah, well, I can't see Tim's hand, but you want to make a motion, Tim?

[Speaker 10]
I'll make that motion, Mr. President.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Motion made a second to send to the rules committee. Roll call.

Oh, any, I'm sorry, any comments? I'm sorry. Apologize.

Counselor Cushane.

[Speaker 8]
Friendly amendment to approve this evening.

[Speaker 2]
Okay, so we. Mr. President. I'm going to, hold on.

I'm going to, I got a second down. Tim first. Motion made to second to send it to, to approve this evening.

[Speaker 10]
Now I can. Yeah, I'm fine with, there's no, as we've discussed many times, there's no secondary amendment necessary. I'll just withdraw mine, but I thought that I would propose something rather than the minute or too long sidebar that had been going on.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you, Tim. Okay, so hold on. Counselor Cushane, what's next?

Just the motion to approve this. Okay. Motion made a second.

Okay. Counselor Zygierowski.

[Speaker 5]
I think the best thing to do with this scene, we've already discussed it because of the late file problem and the open meeting lot. We should just delete it this evening.

[Speaker 2]
Okay, thank you. So there's a motion on the floor right now by Counselor Cushane. It was not second yet.

Yes, I second it. And then we're just discussing it. Any other comments from the floor?

Any comments from Zoom? Any comments from Zoom? So it's to approve this evening to delete it.

Roll call.

[Speaker 1]
President Laflamme.

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Roy. Yes. Wagner.

Yes. Zygierowski. Yes.

Arriaga. Yes. Brooks.

Yes. Goff. Yes.

Stalker. Yes. Krampus.

Yes. Chomsky. Cushane.

Yes. LaBrie. Yes.

Zinnia Costello.

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
13 yes.

[Speaker 2]
And the motion passes.

[Speaker 1]
Be it ordered that the rules and orders of the City Council meeting shall be amended as follows. Delete 11D at the regular meeting. Rule 11 must be suspended by two-thirds roll call vote for those members present and voting in order to be accepted and added to the voting in order to be accepted and added to the agenda.

The Chairman of the Rules Committee shall be called upon by the President when any rule must be suspended.

[Speaker 5]
Councilor Zygierowski. Motion that this order be filed and deleted this evening.

[Speaker 2]
Motion made is second that the item be received and deleted this evening. On the motion, please.

[Speaker 5]
The reason I feel it should be deleted, we do not need to have it late filed because of the deletion in number 19.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Any other comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom?

Any comments from Zoom? Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 1]
President LaFleur.

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Roy. Yes. Wagner.

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Hrabowski. Yes. Arriaga.

Yes. Brooks. Yes.

McCaw. Yes. Salkeer.

Yes. Krampus. Yes.

Chumsky. Yes. Cushing.

Yes. LaBrie. Yes.

Zinnia Costello.

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
13 yes.

[Speaker 2]
And the motion passes.

[Speaker 1]
Be it ordered that the rules and orders of the City Council meeting shall be amended as follows. Delete 40. The clerk to the City Council, City Clerk, or his designee shall take his or her seat prior to the mayoral briefing and shall record the minutes of the briefing and cause a tape recording of the briefing.

The briefing shall commence at 6.30 p.m. on the day of the City Council regular or adjourned regular meeting and include the time of the briefing started and the time the briefing ended. This recording will be kept in the City Clerk's office amongst all other records.

[Speaker 2]
Constable Zagorowski.

[Speaker 5]
Motion that this order be deleted this evening.

[Speaker 2]
Motion made in second that this order be received and deleted this evening. On the motion, please.

[Speaker 5]
On the motion, because of new concepts of what we're doing with the open meeting law and the mayor's briefing, that's why I want to see it deleted this time, this evening.

[Speaker 2]
Right. Any other comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom?

Any comments from Zoom? Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 1]
President LaFlamme.

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Roy. Yes. Wagner.

Yes. Hrabowski. Yes.

Arriaga. Yes. Yes.

Sitka. Yes. Alkir.

Yes. Krampus. Yes.

Chomsky. Kushain. Yes.

LaBrie. Yes. Pena-Costello.

[Speaker 3]
Yes.

[Speaker 2]
And a motion passes.

[Speaker 1]
Being ordained by the City Council that the Code of the City of Chigubi for the year 1991 as amended being hereby further amended as follows. Add to Chapter 260-37.1, Engine Brakes Prohibited. Add Chigubi Street at a point 300 feet northerly to Prospect Street.

[Speaker 2]
Councilor Kushain.

[Speaker 8]
Motion that the ordinance be received, take its first reading, and be sent to the Ordinance Committee for a public hearing.

[Speaker 2]
Motion made to second the order to be received, take its first reading, and sent to the Ordinance Committee for a public hearing. On the motion, please.

[Speaker 8]
I got this one late from a bunch of neighbors down in that area, so I'm going to leave it up to the City Engineer to reinterpret my language and make it proper.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Any other comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom?

Any comments from Zoom? Seeing none, roll call. Councilor Zagroski.

[Speaker 5]
Through the Chairman to Councilman Kushain. Is this the same as jakebreaking? Yes.

The same thing, okay. It just wasn't worded that way I was concerned.

[Speaker 8]
Yeah, jakebreaks is slang, it's not a law, so it has to be engine brakes. Yeah.

[Speaker 5]
All right, thank you.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Any other comments? Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 1]
Councilor Flanagan.

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Roy. Yes. Wagner.

Yes. Hrabowski. Yes.

Arriaga. Yes. Brooks.

Yes. Koff. Yes.

Valcchier. Yes. Krampus.

Yes. Gumski. Kushain.

Yes. LaBrie. Yes.

Pinia Costello.

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Thirteen yes.

[Speaker 2]
And the motion passes.

[Speaker 1]
Be it ordered that a certified ADA compliance officer be added to the site plan review and SPRAC inspectors. This item to be referred to the zoning committee.

[Speaker 2]
Councilor Costello.

[Speaker 3]
Motion that the order be received and the item be referred to the zoning committee and I would like to make an amendment also to the disability commission for a public hearing.

[Speaker 2]
Motion may be seconded. The order be received. Sent to the zoning committee and the disability commission for a public hearing.

On the motion please.

[Speaker 3]
Yes. There's been discussion in regards to several constituents about compliance in regards to our disabilities guidelines and laws. Recently I believe a department did receive some negative reports in regards to some disability issues.

So what I'm doing is trying to respond to the needs of the constituents and to put this on the zoning committee and disability commission for a public hearing so we could have an ADA compliance officer employed by the city and review disability issues. Thank you.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Any other comments from Councilor Belichick?

[Speaker 9]
Yeah. Thank you. I received a call from Councilor Mary Beth at 8 46 in the morning to talk about this.

[Speaker 3]
I didn't realize it was that early.

[Speaker 9]
I wasn't sure what you were going to say. So I said I better take this call. So we broached the subject here and I listened to her and her feelings seemed to be that by having the certified ADA compliance officer she felt a little more comfortable by having someone with the certification.

So I think if we have this in zoning we'll get some input also from engineering, also from our planner, just to see to make sure people are on the same page before we would really perhaps send this into something like ordinance, for example. So I think we need to have just a little further discussion with this. Okay.

In your public hearing. Yep.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Thank you. Any other comments from the floor?

Any comments from Zoom? Councilor Zyguralski.

[Speaker 5]
Through the chair to Councilor Paniak. Who do you want invited to this meeting? I think that's important because you should have the engineer there, the DPW superintendent, and planning department also.

[Speaker 3]
Okay. That's a great idea, Councilor Zyguralski. I appreciate your expertise and your experience, but that's a good idea to invite the other departments that are crucial in regards to ADA compliance.

Thank you.

[Speaker 5]
I say that because I'm on the zoning committee and I think it would be beneficial to get all involved in this.

[Speaker 3]
Great idea, Councilor Zyguralski.

[Speaker 2]
Councilor Cushion.

[Speaker 8]
So then you would have to invite planning too, because as far as I know every single department has to abide by ADA rules. Otherwise, contracts aren't ever going to be approved in the state because they won't pass the mustard of the inspection of the state level or the city level for ADA compliance. So planning has a big part in that too, I'm sure.

So he probably needs to be there too so we can find that we are actually doing everything that we're supposed to do.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Any other comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom?

Any comments from Zoom? Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 1]
President Laflamme.

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Roy. Yes. Wagner.

Yes. Zyguralski. Yes.

Arriaga. Yes. Brooks.

Goff. Yes. Salkir.

Yes. Krampus. Yes.

Stumski. Yes. Hussain.

Yes. Labrie. Yes.

Castello.

[Speaker 2]
Yes.

[Speaker 1]
Thirteen yes.

[Speaker 2]
And the motion passes.

[Speaker 1]
Whereas the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has long recognized the importance of recycling and reducing waste through bottle bill program, and whereas the current five cent deposit on beverage containers has been effective in promoting recycling and reducing litter, whereas small alcohol bottles known as nips are significant source of litter and environmental pollution, whereas increasing the deposit to 10 cents for nips will further incentivize recycling and reducing of litter, whereas the Massachusetts Senate has already passed an amendment to modernize the bottle bill, which includes increasing the deposit to 10 cents, adding nips to the list of containers eligible for a deposit, and whereas the increase is projected to lead to 3.1 billion additional containers being recycled each year in Massachusetts, significantly reducing emissions and saving cities and towns on waste management costs. And now, therefore, be it resolved that the Chigabee City Council supports the implementation of a 10 cent deposit on nip bottles to promote recycling, reduce litter, and protect the environment.

Be it further resolved that the Massachusetts Statehouse encourages all citizens to participate in the bottle bill program and support the increased deposit on nip bottles. Be it finally resolved that copies of this resolution be sent to the State Delegation, the Governor, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and all relevant legislative committees.

[Speaker 2]
Thank you. Counselor Chomsky.

[Speaker 7]
Thank you, Mr. President. And thank you, Keith, for reading this long one. I apologize in advance for the other two.

So, yeah, I put, oh, you make a motion.

[Speaker 2]
Motion made to approve this evening. Motion made a second to approve this item this evening. On the motion.

[Speaker 7]
So this is something that I work with President Aflam, Vice President Zagorowski, and Counselor Gary Labreon, because as we all know, litter is an issue in the city, and I'm trying to find creative ways to work together to try and combat this problem. Nip bottles are something that we see a lot of in the city, and there's not much that I don't really agree with the concept of banning them. But I do agree with the concept of probably putting a 10 percent deposit on them so we can recycle them.

The goal of this is to hopefully have people in the community who engage in cleaning up the city and in partnership with the Clean City Initiative from Mayor View's office to hopefully have people go collect these, recycle them, and they can get a dime back for each one they put in. So I'm hoping that I can have the support of this council and my colleagues to help clean up the city. Thank you.

[Speaker 5]
Counselor Zagorowski. I have a couple of questions. Through the chair to Councilman Chomsky.

One, two, three, four. The fifth item on their order says the Massachusetts Senate has already passed it. Do you have any idea where it stands in Boston now?

[Speaker 7]
I do not. I was not able to get a hold of our state delegation to ask them about this between personal conflicts.

[Speaker 5]
I think this is a good idea because I'm on it as a sponsor. And, you know, we had Mrs. Rivard, I think, this evening talk about litter up in Fairview and various parts of the city. So this would help it.

It's no guarantee because we can have every law in the books, but they got to be enforced. You know, I just, I just, where's the Senate in pushing this? That's all.

[Speaker 7]
Well, I'm hoping that this resolution will show support from the Chicopee City Council that we support them in their efforts to help clean our streets, our neighborhoods and our public spaces.

[Speaker 5]
I think it's a good idea. Otherwise, I would not have sponsored it with you and everybody else. Thank you.

[Speaker 2]
Councilor LaBrie.

[Speaker 6]
Yes. The bottle bill was put in January 1st, 1983 and at five cents. So I know they've been discussing it in the state about going up to 10 cents.

But if we don't do something like putting a 10 cent deposit on a nip, they could do away with nips. There's been things, you know, floated around that they won't sell nips, they'll ban nips. And that would hurt some of these package stores and liquor stores.

And it would also put out more, you know, pint and half pint size bottles out there. So instead of having nips being thrown out the window, they'll be throwing out half pints and pints. So, you know, I'm for this.

It's a recommendation. I know they've been working on it. So by the city of Chicopee being, you know, the size.

(Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai. Go Unlimited to remove this message.)

[Speaker 12]
We are, I think they'll take it seriously, this resolution.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. Councilor Belich, here's next.

[Speaker 9]
Yeah, thank you, Mr. President. Yeah, this is a very interesting concept and I'm hopeful that this goes through with our support. Anything to help keep the city clean, I think it's a great idea and I'm in favor of this and I hope it goes through and we can do something about it.

Thank you. Thank you. Councilor Costello.

[Speaker 4]
Yes, last year, Councilor Dobas was very concerned about trash and he took the leadership role and indicated maybe we should have a ban on NIPS or a conversation in regards to NIPS. But nothing ever took place. So I just wanna let people know that this individual idea has been discussed in the community based on Councilor Dobas' leadership to have a conversation in regards to the status of NIPS.

I'm going to support this because I agree that we've gotta do something with the NIPS bottles. I remember when the idea came out from Councilor Dobas, Councilor Balakir was very gracious and very thoughtful and intellectual and indicated that it's disgusting to have the bottle NIPS all over the city. I remember you said that and I'll never forget it and I appreciate your wisdom.

[Speaker 3]
Councilor Sharp.

[Speaker 4]
I support this.

[Speaker 3]
I'm sorry. Go ahead.

[Speaker 4]
But I wish that we had done something with more conversations earlier. Because there was an idea proposed in regards to the NIPS but we have to do something about trash. And Councilor Balakir was 100% correct in regards to his analysis and this is a step to try to deal with the trash, to try to deal with the mess that the city is experiencing in regards to cleanliness.

So I do support this. Thank you.

[Speaker 5]
Next will be Councilor Schumske then Wagner. Yes, thank you. I just wanted to say something in response to what Councilor Debris said about the pints in the courts.

But the concern I have with banning NIPS and I'm not really, I'll be honest with you, I'm not really for that for one particular reason. I know NIPS you can get a buzz and you can get drunk off of but you drink a pint, you're more likely and more apt to get a OUI, get into an accident or kill someone or yourself. And I really do believe that, I mean, you can do the same off of NIPS but the pints really are more concerning because of the alcohol percentage in them.

Thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Councilor Wagner.

[Speaker 6]
Thank you, Mr. President. I'll support this, however, reluctantly. For anyone who doesn't know, I actually did do some research into the bill and reference in this resolution.

Currently it is, it has also been passed by the house. A version of it has been passed by the house and it's currently sitting in conference committee. Now that was at the end of their summer session and not being a member of the legislature, I'm not too privy to their rules.

So it might not still be alive. They may have to reintroduce it, et cetera, et cetera. I'm just not privy to those rules or familiar with them.

The second thing that I'd like to mention is that Connecticut did enact a 10 cent deposit on NIPS water bottles, soda cans, et cetera, et cetera. They've seen very marginal, if any, increase in the amount of returns or amount of water that's decreased. So other areas of the country have done it, but the evidence is somewhat iffy on if it'll actually achieve what we're hoping to achieve.

I'm all for this sort of an incentive. Certainly, I think it could prove useful in a city like Chicopee, but I'm just not certain that it'll have the intended effect. Thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you, sir. Any other comments from the floor? Councilor Roy.

[Speaker 10]
I'm in favor of this concept. I think it's a good start. Hopefully it'll work.

If not, at least we've done something. But I would like to make a point that it's not 10%, it's 10 cents, just to make that clear, because they're not all born equally.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. Any other, Councilor Zagorowski.

[Speaker 1]
Yeah, I listened to all the comments on this, and being a former police officer, I have some, I think it's a good idea. It's a proven fact that driving under the influence does come about because of these small nips and pints, or whatever you call them. The people that drive drunk, and I'm gonna say it point blank, they don't care.

They'll buy a quarter if they have to, if they want a drink. So this is, and one of the reasons probably it was not done earlier, I can't remember, I can't give you the exact date, but I've been on public safety, oh God, 21 years, I think it is now, on this council. And I think that was brought up several times about the bottle bill and this included.

I think the Senate and House at the time, let's face it, the businesses will be against this. I guarantee it, they will be. But we gotta think of the safety of the Commonwealth of Mass and our city.

So I think the change of attitude is happening more so today than it was maybe 10, 15 years ago. I wish I knew the exact time that I think this was worked on at one point. So the four of us that put this together, we're hoping that maybe this is the time now.

We're in different modern times. People are more aware of, people are not drinking as much as they were. Some still are.

I see the nips on the roadways. I see them every place you go. I was at the track of Byzant Park a couple weeks ago, and I found nips on the side there.

So they're still using them. Whether or not 10 cents will do it, I don't know. But we gotta start somewhere like Councilman Roy said.

It's better than not doing anything at all. So we have tried. I remember when Dobez filed this.

What happened to the order, I don't know. I'd have to go in our archives to see what happened to the vote. Nobody knows.

But this has been discussed many years gone by and it never went anyplace. Because I'm convinced that it didn't go anyplace because the House and Senate didn't approve it. This shows that we're concerned and maybe pushing this a little more.

Even if it's been approved by the House, it's up to the Senate to approve. I said when we filed this, this should be something the state is doing, not us. It should be statewide.

So hopefully with us pushing it, and I commend Councilman Dobez when he did it, but I don't know what happened to it. I can't answer it. So hopefully this will pass tonight and send it to our senators in the State House to show that Chicopee is, it's not only the drinking, it's the litter of these bottles.

They're all over the place. I find these nips all over. And you're still gonna get people to drink it and throw them away.

Thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. Any other comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom?

Any comments from Zoom? Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 2]
President LaFleur.

[Speaker 3]
Yes.

[Speaker 2]
Roy. Yes. Wagner.

Yes. Zagorowski. Yes.

Cariaga.

[Speaker 13]
Yes.

[Speaker 2]
Brooks. Yes. Goff.

[Speaker 13]
Yes.

[Speaker 2]
Valkyrie. Yes. Krampus.

Yes. Chumsky. Yes.

Kushain. Yes. LaBrie.

Yes. Pena Costello. Yes.

13 yes.

[Speaker 3]
And a motion passes. And I'll write this up and have our office send this out for this one. Thank you.

Thank you.

[Speaker 2]
Whereas the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is committed to environmental conservation and waste reduction through effective recycling programs. And whereas the current bottle bill has proven successful in reducing litter and promoting the recycling of beverage containers. And whereas water bottles can constitute a significant portion of beverage container waste and are often found in public spaces contributing to environmental pollution.

And whereas implementing a 10 cent deposit on water bottles will incentivize consumers to return and recycle these containers reducing litter and environmental impact. And whereas increased recycling rates for water bottles will conserve natural resources, reduce landfill waste and save municipalities on waste management costs. And now therefore be it resolved that the Chigaby City Council supports the implementation of a 10 cent deposit on water bottles to enhance recycling efforts, reduce litter and protect the environment.

Be it further resolved that the Massachusetts State House encourages all citizens to participate in the bottle bill program and support the inclusion of water bottles in the deposit system. Be it finally resolved that copies of this resolution be sent to the state delegation, the governor, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and all relevant legislative committees.

[Speaker 3]
Councilor Chomsky.

[Speaker 2]
Motion to approve this evening.

[Speaker 3]
Motion made second that the resolution be approved this evening, item number 25. On the motion please.

[Speaker 5]
This is the same thing as the last item just in regards to water bottles and I'm hoping to.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. Any other comments from the floor? Councilor Costello.

[Speaker 4]
I just have a question. Did the state senate also approve this as well?

[Speaker 5]
This is part of the bottle bill, yes.

[Speaker 4]
Okay, so then this also is approved by the state senate. So basically what we're doing is we're endorsing what the state senate has already done.

[Speaker 3]
Yes ma'am.

[Speaker 4]
Okay, thank you.

[Speaker 3]
They're working on it. Councilor Gough.

[Speaker 7]
I just, I love Google. I just Googled it and it said on June 25th, Massachusetts senate voted to modernize the bottle bill, adding non-carbonated beverages, wine and spirits to the list of containers of eligible bottle deposits and increasing the deposit amount from five to 10 cents. So it also includes the water bottles and wine bottles and non-carbonated beverages.

So I really think this is good to endorse it all.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. Anyone, any other comments from the floor? Councilor Bailiwick here.

[Speaker 9]
Yeah, thank you, Mr. President. Again, I'm in favor of this proposal. I think it's a great idea.

Again, if it eliminates any trash in the city and helps beautify the city, I'm in favor of it. Thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Any other, Councilor Costello.

[Speaker 4]
Yes, I'm gonna also endorse it because not only is it gonna benefit with our endorsement the city, but the entire state as well. The state is now taking action as Councilor Gough indicated as of June 25th of this year. And by endorsing the state Senate, we're letting the state know that it's not only time to clean up Chicopee, but also to clean up the state of Massachusetts.

Thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. Any other comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom?

Any comments from Zoom? Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 2]
President Laflamme?

[Speaker 3]
Yes.

[Speaker 2]
Roy? Yes. Wagner?

[Speaker 3]
Yes.

[Speaker 2]
Browsky? Yes. Arriaga?

Yes. Brooks? Yes.

Gough? Yes. Falkier?

Yes. Krampus? Yes.

Chomsky? Yes. Kushain?

Yes. Mabry? Yes.

Senator Costello? Yes. 13 yes.

[Speaker 3]
And the city council will send out the letter.

[Speaker 2]
Okay, whereas the Commonwealth of Massachusetts recognizes the importance of recycling and reducing waste through its bottle bill program, and whereas the current five cent deposit on beverage containers has been effective in promoting recycling and reducing litter, whereas increasing the deposits at 10 cents for bottles and cans will further incentivize recycling and significantly reduce litter, and whereas an increase in the deposit will lead to higher recycling rates, reduce environmental pollution, and save cities and towns on waste management costs, whereas modernizing the bottle bill to reflect current environmental and economic needs is crucial for the continued success of Massachusetts recycling initiatives, and now, therefore, be it resolved that the city of Chicopee City Council supports the implementation of a 10 cent deposit on bottles and cans to promote recycling, reducing litter, and protect the environment. Be it further resolved that the Massachusetts State House encourages all citizens to participate in the bottle bill program and support the increased deposit on beverage containers. Be it finally resolved that copies of this resolution be sent to the state delegation, the governor, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and all relevant legislative committees.

[Speaker 3]
Councilor Shumski?

[Speaker 5]
Motion that this resolution be approved this evening.

[Speaker 3]
Motion made and seconded. Resolution item number 26 be approved this evening. On the motion, please.

[Speaker 5]
Same course as the last two, and I also want to say thank you to our city clerk for reading these.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. Councilor Zagorowski?

[Speaker 1]
Yeah, just with regards to these three, I think these are three positive things for the city of Chicopee, and if you notice in the package we got, Mr. President, at the last page, it says, Chicopee City Council, with all our names, endorsing us. I think when you do the letter, it should show the Senate and the House that we're serious about this and send a copy with all our names on it.

[Speaker 3]
That is the plan.

[Speaker 1]
Just want to make sure.

[Speaker 3]
Yeah, we're gonna, I will, I had to wait on each one so that we can. Okay, that's what I'm bringing up. Thank you.

Thank you. Okay, any other comments? Councilor Krampus?

[Speaker 8]
Yeah, I mean, I support these, the three, but the reality is is that the price of water, soda, everything else is gonna go up by, if you buy a six-pack of soda, it's gonna go up by another 30 cents, and I know in times of inflation and shrinkflation and all that, it does hurt. I support it, but the reality is, your beverages are gonna go up because of this. It may not, 30 cents may not seem like a lot of money, but if you buy a six-pack of soda or a case of water, every couple of weeks, that price goes up.

Yes, you can retrieve it by bringing it back, but just be aware when you go to the store, it's gonna be a little more expensive. Thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Money in the bank. Councilor Cushion was next.

[Speaker 11]
I think you hit the nail on the head. If the price goes up and people can't afford it, they're gonna return and they get their money back. So you're the, what you said is a detriment is actually probably gonna cause this thing to work because if it hurts that much in your pocket, you're gonna return them to get their money back because if you don't, then it didn't hurt so much.

Councilor Bailik here.

[Speaker 9]
Yeah, thanks, Mr. President. Again, favorable comments. I'm in favor of this.

Great idea. If we can keep the city cleaner and the state ultimately cleaner, that's a home run. Thanks.

[Speaker 3]
Councilor Zygorowski.

[Speaker 1]
Yeah, just to say something about what Councilor Crampett said. What isn't going up in our country? Everything, the price of everything.

Fred, all you gotta do is go food shopping and find out how much it goes up. I'm alone now in my house with my son and since Pat, he's not around, I know what I gotta spend and I don't believe it and I feel bad for it, but we have to do something and this is a start of getting trash off the streets. You're never gonna solve it a million percent, but again, everything has gone up and it's gonna continue to go up too, Fred.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you.

[Speaker 1]
Okay, thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Any other comments from the floor? Oh, Councilor Wagner.

[Speaker 6]
Thank you, Mr. President. In regards to all the councilor's comments about will this work, won't this work, just bear in mind that yeah, it will be an increased cost of living to consumers, including all of us here because I'm pretty sure we all do grocery shopping, but let's temper expectations here. We all have a good head for what should happen, but the reality is in states that have upped their bottle deposits, it hasn't necessarily shown the same effect that they'd like to have that we'd like to see.

So let's just temper our expectations, let's be realistic about it, but let's make the effort.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you, sir. Any other comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom?

Any comments from Zoom? Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 2]
President LaFlamme. Yes. Roy.

Yes. Wagner. Yes.

Cigarowski. Arriaga. Yes.

Crooks. Yes. Goff.

Yes. Falkier. Yes.

Krampus. Yes. Chumsky.

[Speaker 3]
Yes.

[Speaker 2]
Cushane. Yes. Labrie.

Yes. Finia Costello. Yes.

13 yes.

[Speaker 3]
And the motion passes.

[Speaker 2]
Okay, next we have a petition from Eversource Gas. Hereby request that it be granted a location and permission to install and maintain 1,090 feet of six inch and two inch MP plastic gas main on Lidwood Drive, Greenwood Terrace.

[Speaker 3]
Councilor Goff.

[Speaker 7]
Motion that the order be received and referred to the Utility Committee for its first reading and public hearing.

[Speaker 3]
Motion made and second that the order be received, sent to the Utilities Committee for public hearing and its first reading. On the motion, please.

[Speaker 7]
This is to install gas lines on Sherman Avenue, Davenport Street, Northwood Street, Mellon Street, quite a few streets.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you, any other comments?

[Speaker 9]
I think that's order number 28. I think we're at 27.

[Speaker 3]
Number 27, so.

[Speaker 9]
Sorry.

[Speaker 7]
Pardon me? Oh, I'm sorry. This is to install gas mains on Linwood Drive.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. And Greenwood Terrace. Any comments from the floor?

Any comments from Zooms? Any comments from Zooms? Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 2]
President LaFlambe.

[Speaker 3]
Yes.

[Speaker 2]
Roy. Yes. Wagner.

[Speaker 3]
He's off.

[Speaker 2]
Zagorowski. Yes. Arriaga.

Yes. Brooks. Yes.

Scott. Yes. Thalker.

Yes. Krampets. Yes.

Chomsky. Yes. Cushing.

Yes. Labrie. Yes.

Pena Costello. Yes. 12 yes.

And the motion passes. We have a petition from Super Source Gas of Massachusetts hereby request that it be granted a location and permission to install and maintain 4,950 feet of two inch plastic gas main on Sherman Avenue, Davenport Street, Northwood Street, Mellon Street.

[Speaker 3]
Councilor Gough.

[Speaker 7]
Motion that the order be received and referred to the Utilities Committee for its first reading and public hearing.

[Speaker 3]
Motion may, second, the order be received, sent to the Utilities Committee for its first reading and a public hearing. On the motion, please.

[Speaker 7]
This is to install public gas main on Sherman Avenue, Davenport, Northwood, and Mellon Street.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you, any comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom? Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 2]
President Laflamme. Yes. Roy, Wagner, Zagorowski.

Yes. Arriaga. Yes.

Brooks. Yes. Thalker.

Yes. Krampets. Yes.

Chomsky. Yes. Cushing.

Yes. Labrie. Yes.

Stephanie Costello. Yes. 12, yes.

[Speaker 3]
And the motion passes. Councilor Arriaga. We're done.

[Speaker 13]
Oh, all right. Just remember, it's starting to get cold out. Check on your neighbors, stay warm.

The Chukbe Spooktacular's actually coming up. I can't believe it's almost that time. So, hope to see everybody there.

Be safe, watch your kids. It's getting dark out earlier, and have a good night.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. Councilor Costello.

[Speaker 4]
Yes, I'd like to remember Ethel Kennedy, who passed away October 10th. She was 96 years old. She was a mother, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother.

And she certainly was a leader for the people that don't have voices, and people that don't have seats at the table. Thank you. Thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Councilor Krampets.

[Speaker 8]
Thank you to Chet Satella for all his years of public service. He will be missed, but I'm sure he'll still remain active to a degree. Happy Halloween, and be careful when you're participating in the various Halloween activities, including Spooktacular and different events that go on, Trunk and Treat and stuff like that at various places.

And then also, election is coming up Tuesday, November 5th, so please remember to go out and vote. No matter what your opinions are, the important thing is to actually go and vote, because just complaining about it doesn't do anything. So, thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Council Wagner's up. Councilor Roy.

[Speaker 10]
Yes, Halloween is just around the corner. Drive responsibly. Kids will be out there in the dark in their costumes, and a lot of them aren't reflective.

So, be aware of your surroundings and theirs. And we've got Spooktacular coming up on the 24th. Hope you all can be there and enjoy yourselves at a city-run program.

And this is your city. Take pride in it. Thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. Councilor LaBrie.

[Speaker 12]
Yes, I just wanna reiterate that Halloween is coming up. Please be aware. Children in the road, children crossing the road, parents, please go with your children.

Make sure everybody has a light, and have a happy and safe Halloween. Thank you. Thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Councilor Zygorowski.

[Speaker 12]
You sure?

[Speaker 1]
I just gotta say, remember, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I mean, most of us, some of us have wore pink in honor of this. I forgot last meeting to wear pink, but I did tonight in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you.

[Speaker 1]
Also, I'm gonna talk to the public relations officer about, I wanna see if on the report, I didn't get it this month for the police department report, but I'm gonna see if I can get an added in there, how many drunk drivers are arrested in Chicopee. I don't get that in my report. I'm gonna ask.

I don't know if legally I can, but I'll speak to him about that. And I'll also be aware, Halloween's there. Believe it or not, there's some older kids who'll be drinking.

Unfortunately, it won't be orange juice or apple cider. So beware of motor vehicles if you're with your kids out in the street. And if you see something, say something.

Call the police department, call any one of us. We can't solve the problems of the world, but I realize that Councilman Wagner painted sort of a picture of gloom, but you know what, if we looked at every order with gloom and doom, we wouldn't do anything here. That's what our job is, to at least try.

And this is a first step with that bottle bill. I could go on with that all the time, but we'll let it go for now. Thank you.

I'm getting the times up from the president.

[Speaker 3]
Councilor Bailiwick here.

[Speaker 9]
Yeah, thanks, Mr. President. Dovetailing some of my fellow councilor's comments, it's getting darker sooner. Please be careful driving.

Watch for kids crossing streets. Kids are still out on bicycles when it's in daylight. Halloween is coming up, as again, what was referenced by fellow councilors.

To be careful, be cognizant of it, be safe. Spectacular is on October 24th. And finally, because of the holiday schedule, trash is gonna be picked up on Friday in Ward 4 this week, thank you.

Thank you. Councilor Shumsky.

[Speaker 5]
Thank you, Mr. President. I first want to wish everyone a happy Halloween. Be careful, be safe.

And I also want to recognize my old colleague, Chet Zatella. I used to sit right next to him. I had the distinct honor and privilege of doing so.

He is a dear friend, and I got to know the whole family really well. And I really wish him the best in his retirement. I'll remember a lot of stuff, and those memories will stick with me for a long, long time.

I also want to remember and remind everyone to go out and vote on election day. This election is very important. And like Councilor Crampett said, even if you disagree with someone, just still respect them for their opinion.

And I also want to say something in regards to something that was said earlier tonight about Burnett Road. I would appreciate if certain councilors would stop attacking and demeaning residents up in that area, the one that I represent, because we should all treat all residents with respect and dignity. And we need the city to work together, not divide the wards to fight against one another.

That's why we have councilors to bring wards together and to bring the city together. So I look forward to working with each and every one of you in the future, but I just would appreciate that comments like that not be made about certain parts of the city. Thank you.

Councilor Cushing.

[Speaker 11]
I do wish Chet well. Chet's kind of like my hero for having that many daughters and surviving. That's amazing.

And so he deserves recognition for that alone. I want to thank the Facilities Department for lighting up the purple lights back there for Domestic Violence Month. We all lost somebody very special to us, to domestic violence.

So we'll keep her in our thoughts.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. Councilor Gough.

[Speaker 7]
I'd like to thank everybody that came out to 99 Restaurant and especially the mayor for taking a pie in the face. The turnout was amazing. And the money raised in just an hour and a half was amazing.

I don't have the final total yet, but when I do, I'll announce that.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. Councilor Brooks.

[Speaker 14]
Yeah, I'm guilty of hitting the mayor with a pie.

[Speaker 3]
Yeah, I saw that.

[Speaker 14]
Yeah, it was $800 we raised for the Boys and Girls Club and it will be money well spent. Thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. And I just want to take a moment to speak about, mention something that was mentioned in public input. It was mentioned in public input regarding the mayor's orders.

And a particular resident that spoke on it, I think two weeks ago to last, or maybe no time before that, she had mentioned that we do not have to mention everything on the agenda that the mayor brings forward. But I feel, I talked to a lot of people and people watch this. They don't know what's on the agenda.

Some of us have that idea. So I respectfully did some of the things she asked. I didn't, I brought the mayor's orders that I had.

I brought them forward and I just read them and I moved on to the other one, because I agree we are going to debate it. But I think the people know what the mayor is bringing forward. And I think it also helps the residents to know that we get donations and this from people, maybe give them an idea to do the same.

So I think it's just important just to say for the amount of time, yes, we do it all the time, but what is 10 seconds, 15 seconds to let the people know the remainder of the orders, in my opinion. And I'm going to continue to do that. But I agree with her that we don't need to explain everything on it because it's going to come forward.

So that's why I just read the orders and I'm going to tend to continue to do that. Thank you. I'll take a motion to adjourn.

Motion made a second to adjourn, roll call.

[Speaker 2]
President Laflamme. Yes. Roy.

Yes. Wagner. Yes.

Zagorowski. Yes. Arriaga.

Yes. Brooks. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Salkeer.

Yes. Krampus. Yes.

Chumsky. Kushain. Labrie.

Yes. Finnegan-Costello. 12 yes.

[Speaker 3]
And a motion passes.

[Speaker 12]
We are, I think they'll take it seriously, this resolution.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. Councilor Belich, here's next.

[Speaker 9]
Yeah, thank you, Mr. President. Yeah, this is a very interesting concept and I'm hopeful that this goes through with our support. Anything to help keep the city clean, I think it's a great idea and I'm in favor of this and I hope it goes through and we can do something about it.

Thank you. Thank you. Councilor Costello.

[Speaker 4]
Yes, last year, Councilor Dobas was very concerned about trash and he took the leadership role and indicated maybe we should have a ban on NIPS or a conversation in regards to NIPS. But nothing ever took place. So I just wanna let people know that this individual idea has been discussed in the community based on Councilor Dobas' leadership to have a conversation in regards to the status of NIPS.

I'm going to support this because I agree that we've gotta do something with the NIPS bottles. I remember when the idea came out from Councilor Dobas, Councilor Balakir was very gracious and very thoughtful and intellectual and indicated that it's disgusting to have the bottle NIPS all over the city. I remember you said that and I'll never forget it and I appreciate your wisdom.

[Speaker 3]
Councilor Sharp.

[Speaker 4]
I support this.

[Speaker 3]
I'm sorry. Go ahead.

[Speaker 4]
But I wish that we had done something with more conversations earlier. Because there was an idea proposed in regards to the NIPS but we have to do something about trash. And Councilor Balakir was 100% correct in regards to his analysis and this is a step to try to deal with the trash, to try to deal with the mess that the city is experiencing in regards to cleanliness.

So I do support this. Thank you.

[Speaker 5]
Next will be Councilor Schumske then Wagner. Yes, thank you. I just wanted to say something in response to what Councilor Debris said about the pints in the courts.

But the concern I have with banning NIPS and I'm not really, I'll be honest with you, I'm not really for that for one particular reason. I know NIPS you can get a buzz and you can get drunk off of but you drink a pint, you're more likely and more apt to get a OUI, get into an accident or kill someone or yourself. And I really do believe that, I mean, you can do the same off of NIPS but the pints really are more concerning because of the alcohol percentage in them.

Thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Councilor Wagner.

[Speaker 6]
Thank you, Mr. President. I'll support this, however, reluctantly. For anyone who doesn't know, I actually did do some research into the bill and reference in this resolution.

Currently it is, it has also been passed by the house. A version of it has been passed by the house and it's currently sitting in conference committee. Now that was at the end of their summer session and not being a member of the legislature, I'm not too privy to their rules.

So it might not still be alive. They may have to reintroduce it, et cetera, et cetera. I'm just not privy to those rules or familiar with them.

The second thing that I'd like to mention is that Connecticut did enact a 10 cent deposit on NIPS water bottles, soda cans, et cetera, et cetera. They've seen very marginal, if any, increase in the amount of returns or amount of water that's decreased. So other areas of the country have done it, but the evidence is somewhat iffy on if it'll actually achieve what we're hoping to achieve.

I'm all for this sort of an incentive. Certainly, I think it could prove useful in a city like Chicopee, but I'm just not certain that it'll have the intended effect. Thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you, sir. Any other comments from the floor? Councilor Roy.

[Speaker 10]
I'm in favor of this concept. I think it's a good start. Hopefully it'll work.

If not, at least we've done something. But I would like to make a point that it's not 10%, it's 10 cents, just to make that clear, because they're not all born equally.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. Any other, Councilor Zagorowski.

[Speaker 1]
Yeah, I listened to all the comments on this, and being a former police officer, I have some, I think it's a good idea. It's a proven fact that driving under the influence does come about because of these small nips and pints, or whatever you call them. The people that drive drunk, and I'm gonna say it point blank, they don't care.

They'll buy a quarter if they have to, if they want a drink. So this is, and one of the reasons probably it was not done earlier, I can't remember, I can't give you the exact date, but I've been on public safety, oh God, 21 years, I think it is now, on this council. And I think that was brought up several times about the bottle bill and this included.

I think the Senate and House at the time, let's face it, the businesses will be against this. I guarantee it, they will be. But we gotta think of the safety of the Commonwealth of Mass and our city.

So I think the change of attitude is happening more so today than it was maybe 10, 15 years ago. I wish I knew the exact time that I think this was worked on at one point. So the four of us that put this together, we're hoping that maybe this is the time now.

We're in different modern times. People are more aware of, people are not drinking as much as they were. Some still are.

I see the nips on the roadways. I see them every place you go. I was at the track of Byzant Park a couple weeks ago, and I found nips on the side there.

So they're still using them. Whether or not 10 cents will do it, I don't know. But we gotta start somewhere like Councilman Roy said.

It's better than not doing anything at all. So we have tried. I remember when Dobez filed this.

What happened to the order, I don't know. I'd have to go in our archives to see what happened to the vote. Nobody knows.

But this has been discussed many years gone by and it never went anyplace. Because I'm convinced that it didn't go anyplace because the House and Senate didn't approve it. This shows that we're concerned and maybe pushing this a little more.

Even if it's been approved by the House, it's up to the Senate to approve. I said when we filed this, this should be something the state is doing, not us. It should be statewide.

So hopefully with us pushing it, and I commend Councilman Dobez when he did it, but I don't know what happened to it. I can't answer it. So hopefully this will pass tonight and send it to our senators in the State House to show that Chicopee is, it's not only the drinking, it's the litter of these bottles.

They're all over the place. I find these nips all over. And you're still gonna get people to drink it and throw them away.

Thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. Any other comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom?

Any comments from Zoom? Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 2]
President LaFleur.

[Speaker 3]
Yes.

[Speaker 2]
Roy. Yes. Wagner.

Yes. Zagorowski. Yes.

Cariaga.

[Speaker 13]
Yes.

[Speaker 2]
Brooks. Yes. Goff.

[Speaker 13]
Yes.

[Speaker 2]
Valkyrie. Yes. Krampus.

Yes. Chumsky. Yes.

Kushain. Yes. LaBrie.

Yes. Pena Costello. Yes.

13 yes.

[Speaker 3]
And a motion passes. And I'll write this up and have our office send this out for this one. Thank you.

Thank you.

[Speaker 2]
Whereas the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is committed to environmental conservation and waste reduction through effective recycling programs. And whereas the current bottle bill has proven successful in reducing litter and promoting the recycling of beverage containers. And whereas water bottles can constitute a significant portion of beverage container waste and are often found in public spaces contributing to environmental pollution.

And whereas implementing a 10 cent deposit on water bottles will incentivize consumers to return and recycle these containers reducing litter and environmental impact. And whereas increased recycling rates for water bottles will conserve natural resources, reduce landfill waste and save municipalities on waste management costs. And now therefore be it resolved that the Chigaby City Council supports the implementation of a 10 cent deposit on water bottles to enhance recycling efforts, reduce litter and protect the environment.

Be it further resolved that the Massachusetts State House encourages all citizens to participate in the bottle bill program and support the inclusion of water bottles in the deposit system. Be it finally resolved that copies of this resolution be sent to the state delegation, the governor, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and all relevant legislative committees.

[Speaker 3]
Councilor Chomsky.

[Speaker 2]
Motion to approve this evening.

[Speaker 3]
Motion made second that the resolution be approved this evening, item number 25. On the motion please.

[Speaker 5]
This is the same thing as the last item just in regards to water bottles and I'm hoping to.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. Any other comments from the floor? Councilor Costello.

[Speaker 4]
I just have a question. Did the state senate also approve this as well?

[Speaker 5]
This is part of the bottle bill, yes.

[Speaker 4]
Okay, so then this also is approved by the state senate. So basically what we're doing is we're endorsing what the state senate has already done.

[Speaker 3]
Yes ma'am.

[Speaker 4]
Okay, thank you.

[Speaker 3]
They're working on it. Councilor Gough.

[Speaker 7]
I just, I love Google. I just Googled it and it said on June 25th, Massachusetts senate voted to modernize the bottle bill, adding non-carbonated beverages, wine and spirits to the list of containers of eligible bottle deposits and increasing the deposit amount from five to 10 cents. So it also includes the water bottles and wine bottles and non-carbonated beverages.

So I really think this is good to endorse it all.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. Anyone, any other comments from the floor? Councilor Bailiwick here.

[Speaker 9]
Yeah, thank you, Mr. President. Again, I'm in favor of this proposal. I think it's a great idea.

Again, if it eliminates any trash in the city and helps beautify the city, I'm in favor of it. Thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Any other, Councilor Costello.

[Speaker 4]
Yes, I'm gonna also endorse it because not only is it gonna benefit with our endorsement the city, but the entire state as well. The state is now taking action as Councilor Gough indicated as of June 25th of this year. And by endorsing the state Senate, we're letting the state know that it's not only time to clean up Chicopee, but also to clean up the state of Massachusetts.

Thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. Any other comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom?

Any comments from Zoom? Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 2]
President Laflamme?

[Speaker 3]
Yes.

[Speaker 2]
Roy? Yes. Wagner?

[Speaker 3]
Yes.

[Speaker 2]
Browsky? Yes. Arriaga?

Yes. Brooks? Yes.

Gough? Yes. Falkier?

Yes. Krampus? Yes.

Chomsky? Yes. Kushain?

Yes. Mabry? Yes.

Senator Costello? Yes. 13 yes.

[Speaker 3]
And the city council will send out the letter.

[Speaker 2]
Okay, whereas the Commonwealth of Massachusetts recognizes the importance of recycling and reducing waste through its bottle bill program, and whereas the current five cent deposit on beverage containers has been effective in promoting recycling and reducing litter, whereas increasing the deposits at 10 cents for bottles and cans will further incentivize recycling and significantly reduce litter, and whereas an increase in the deposit will lead to higher recycling rates, reduce environmental pollution, and save cities and towns on waste management costs, whereas modernizing the bottle bill to reflect current environmental and economic needs is crucial for the continued success of Massachusetts recycling initiatives, and now, therefore, be it resolved that the city of Chicopee City Council supports the implementation of a 10 cent deposit on bottles and cans to promote recycling, reducing litter, and protect the environment. Be it further resolved that the Massachusetts State House encourages all citizens to participate in the bottle bill program and support the increased deposit on beverage containers. Be it finally resolved that copies of this resolution be sent to the state delegation, the governor, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and all relevant legislative committees.

[Speaker 3]
Councilor Shumski?

[Speaker 5]
Motion that this resolution be approved this evening.

[Speaker 3]
Motion made and seconded. Resolution item number 26 be approved this evening. On the motion, please.

[Speaker 5]
Same course as the last two, and I also want to say thank you to our city clerk for reading these.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. Councilor Zagorowski?

[Speaker 1]
Yeah, just with regards to these three, I think these are three positive things for the city of Chicopee, and if you notice in the package we got, Mr. President, at the last page, it says, Chicopee City Council, with all our names, endorsing us. I think when you do the letter, it should show the Senate and the House that we're serious about this and send a copy with all our names on it.

[Speaker 3]
That is the plan.

[Speaker 1]
Just want to make sure.

[Speaker 3]
Yeah, we're gonna, I will, I had to wait on each one so that we can. Okay, that's what I'm bringing up. Thank you.

Thank you. Okay, any other comments? Councilor Krampus?

[Speaker 8]
Yeah, I mean, I support these, the three, but the reality is is that the price of water, soda, everything else is gonna go up by, if you buy a six-pack of soda, it's gonna go up by another 30 cents, and I know in times of inflation and shrinkflation and all that, it does hurt. I support it, but the reality is, your beverages are gonna go up because of this. It may not, 30 cents may not seem like a lot of money, but if you buy a six-pack of soda or a case of water, every couple of weeks, that price goes up.

Yes, you can retrieve it by bringing it back, but just be aware when you go to the store, it's gonna be a little more expensive. Thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Money in the bank. Councilor Cushion was next.

[Speaker 11]
I think you hit the nail on the head. If the price goes up and people can't afford it, they're gonna return and they get their money back. So you're the, what you said is a detriment is actually probably gonna cause this thing to work because if it hurts that much in your pocket, you're gonna return them to get their money back because if you don't, then it didn't hurt so much.

Councilor Bailik here.

[Speaker 9]
Yeah, thanks, Mr. President. Again, favorable comments. I'm in favor of this.

Great idea. If we can keep the city cleaner and the state ultimately cleaner, that's a home run. Thanks.

[Speaker 3]
Councilor Zygorowski.

[Speaker 1]
Yeah, just to say something about what Councilor Crampett said. What isn't going up in our country? Everything, the price of everything.

Fred, all you gotta do is go food shopping and find out how much it goes up. I'm alone now in my house with my son and since Pat, he's not around, I know what I gotta spend and I don't believe it and I feel bad for it, but we have to do something and this is a start of getting trash off the streets. You're never gonna solve it a million percent, but again, everything has gone up and it's gonna continue to go up too, Fred.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you.

[Speaker 1]
Okay, thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Any other comments from the floor? Oh, Councilor Wagner.

[Speaker 6]
Thank you, Mr. President. In regards to all the councilor's comments about will this work, won't this work, just bear in mind that yeah, it will be an increased cost of living to consumers, including all of us here because I'm pretty sure we all do grocery shopping, but let's temper expectations here. We all have a good head for what should happen, but the reality is in states that have upped their bottle deposits, it hasn't necessarily shown the same effect that they'd like to have that we'd like to see.

So let's just temper our expectations, let's be realistic about it, but let's make the effort.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you, sir. Any other comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom?

Any comments from Zoom? Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 2]
President LaFlamme. Yes. Roy.

Yes. Wagner. Yes.

Cigarowski. Arriaga. Yes.

Crooks. Yes. Goff.

Yes. Falkier. Yes.

Krampus. Yes. Chumsky.

[Speaker 3]
Yes.

[Speaker 2]
Cushane. Yes. Labrie.

Yes. Finia Costello. Yes.

13 yes.

[Speaker 3]
And the motion passes.

[Speaker 2]
Okay, next we have a petition from Eversource Gas. Hereby request that it be granted a location and permission to install and maintain 1,090 feet of six inch and two inch MP plastic gas main on Lidwood Drive, Greenwood Terrace.

[Speaker 3]
Councilor Goff.

[Speaker 7]
Motion that the order be received and referred to the Utility Committee for its first reading and public hearing.

[Speaker 3]
Motion made and second that the order be received, sent to the Utilities Committee for public hearing and its first reading. On the motion, please.

[Speaker 7]
This is to install gas lines on Sherman Avenue, Davenport Street, Northwood Street, Mellon Street, quite a few streets.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you, any other comments?

[Speaker 9]
I think that's order number 28. I think we're at 27.

[Speaker 3]
Number 27, so.

[Speaker 9]
Sorry.

[Speaker 7]
Pardon me? Oh, I'm sorry. This is to install gas mains on Linwood Drive.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. And Greenwood Terrace. Any comments from the floor?

Any comments from Zooms? Any comments from Zooms? Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 2]
President LaFlambe.

[Speaker 3]
Yes.

[Speaker 2]
Roy. Yes. Wagner.

[Speaker 3]
He's off.

[Speaker 2]
Zagorowski. Yes. Arriaga.

Yes. Brooks. Yes.

Scott. Yes. Thalker.

Yes. Krampets. Yes.

Chomsky. Yes. Cushing.

Yes. Labrie. Yes.

Pena Costello. Yes. 12 yes.

And the motion passes. We have a petition from Super Source Gas of Massachusetts hereby request that it be granted a location and permission to install and maintain 4,950 feet of two inch plastic gas main on Sherman Avenue, Davenport Street, Northwood Street, Mellon Street.

[Speaker 3]
Councilor Gough.

[Speaker 7]
Motion that the order be received and referred to the Utilities Committee for its first reading and public hearing.

[Speaker 3]
Motion may, second, the order be received, sent to the Utilities Committee for its first reading and a public hearing. On the motion, please.

[Speaker 7]
This is to install public gas main on Sherman Avenue, Davenport, Northwood, and Mellon Street.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you, any comments from the floor? Any comments from Zoom? Seeing none, roll call.

[Speaker 2]
President Laflamme. Yes. Roy, Wagner, Zagorowski.

Yes. Arriaga. Yes.

Brooks. Yes. Thalker.

Yes. Krampets. Yes.

Chomsky. Yes. Cushing.

Yes. Labrie. Yes.

Stephanie Costello. Yes. 12, yes.

[Speaker 3]
And the motion passes. Councilor Arriaga. We're done.

[Speaker 13]
Oh, all right. Just remember, it's starting to get cold out. Check on your neighbors, stay warm.

The Chukbe Spooktacular's actually coming up. I can't believe it's almost that time. So, hope to see everybody there.

Be safe, watch your kids. It's getting dark out earlier, and have a good night.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. Councilor Costello.

[Speaker 4]
Yes, I'd like to remember Ethel Kennedy, who passed away October 10th. She was 96 years old. She was a mother, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother.

And she certainly was a leader for the people that don't have voices, and people that don't have seats at the table. Thank you. Thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Councilor Krampets.

[Speaker 8]
Thank you to Chet Satella for all his years of public service. He will be missed, but I'm sure he'll still remain active to a degree. Happy Halloween, and be careful when you're participating in the various Halloween activities, including Spooktacular and different events that go on, Trunk and Treat and stuff like that at various places.

And then also, election is coming up Tuesday, November 5th, so please remember to go out and vote. No matter what your opinions are, the important thing is to actually go and vote, because just complaining about it doesn't do anything. So, thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Council Wagner's up. Councilor Roy.

[Speaker 10]
Yes, Halloween is just around the corner. Drive responsibly. Kids will be out there in the dark in their costumes, and a lot of them aren't reflective.

So, be aware of your surroundings and theirs. And we've got Spooktacular coming up on the 24th. Hope you all can be there and enjoy yourselves at a city-run program.

And this is your city. Take pride in it. Thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. Councilor LaBrie.

[Speaker 12]
Yes, I just wanna reiterate that Halloween is coming up. Please be aware. Children in the road, children crossing the road, parents, please go with your children.

Make sure everybody has a light, and have a happy and safe Halloween. Thank you. Thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Councilor Zygorowski.

[Speaker 12]
You sure?

[Speaker 1]
I just gotta say, remember, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I mean, most of us, some of us have wore pink in honor of this. I forgot last meeting to wear pink, but I did tonight in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you.

[Speaker 1]
Also, I'm gonna talk to the public relations officer about, I wanna see if on the report, I didn't get it this month for the police department report, but I'm gonna see if I can get an added in there, how many drunk drivers are arrested in Chicopee. I don't get that in my report. I'm gonna ask.

I don't know if legally I can, but I'll speak to him about that. And I'll also be aware, Halloween's there. Believe it or not, there's some older kids who'll be drinking.

Unfortunately, it won't be orange juice or apple cider. So beware of motor vehicles if you're with your kids out in the street. And if you see something, say something.

Call the police department, call any one of us. We can't solve the problems of the world, but I realize that Councilman Wagner painted sort of a picture of gloom, but you know what, if we looked at every order with gloom and doom, we wouldn't do anything here. That's what our job is, to at least try.

And this is a first step with that bottle bill. I could go on with that all the time, but we'll let it go for now. Thank you.

I'm getting the times up from the president.

[Speaker 3]
Councilor Bailiwick here.

[Speaker 9]
Yeah, thanks, Mr. President. Dovetailing some of my fellow councilor's comments, it's getting darker sooner. Please be careful driving.

Watch for kids crossing streets. Kids are still out on bicycles when it's in daylight. Halloween is coming up, as again, what was referenced by fellow councilors.

To be careful, be cognizant of it, be safe. Spectacular is on October 24th. And finally, because of the holiday schedule, trash is gonna be picked up on Friday in Ward 4 this week, thank you.

Thank you. Councilor Shumsky.

[Speaker 5]
Thank you, Mr. President. I first want to wish everyone a happy Halloween. Be careful, be safe.

And I also want to recognize my old colleague, Chet Zatella. I used to sit right next to him. I had the distinct honor and privilege of doing so.

He is a dear friend, and I got to know the whole family really well. And I really wish him the best in his retirement. I'll remember a lot of stuff, and those memories will stick with me for a long, long time.

I also want to remember and remind everyone to go out and vote on election day. This election is very important. And like Councilor Crampett said, even if you disagree with someone, just still respect them for their opinion.

And I also want to say something in regards to something that was said earlier tonight about Burnett Road. I would appreciate if certain councilors would stop attacking and demeaning residents up in that area, the one that I represent, because we should all treat all residents with respect and dignity. And we need the city to work together, not divide the wards to fight against one another.

That's why we have councilors to bring wards together and to bring the city together. So I look forward to working with each and every one of you in the future, but I just would appreciate that comments like that not be made about certain parts of the city. Thank you.

Councilor Cushing.

[Speaker 11]
I do wish Chet well. Chet's kind of like my hero for having that many daughters and surviving. That's amazing.

And so he deserves recognition for that alone. I want to thank the Facilities Department for lighting up the purple lights back there for Domestic Violence Month. We all lost somebody very special to us, to domestic violence.

So we'll keep her in our thoughts.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. Councilor Gough.

[Speaker 7]
I'd like to thank everybody that came out to 99 Restaurant and especially the mayor for taking a pie in the face. The turnout was amazing. And the money raised in just an hour and a half was amazing.

I don't have the final total yet, but when I do, I'll announce that.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. Councilor Brooks.

[Speaker 14]
Yeah, I'm guilty of hitting the mayor with a pie.

[Speaker 3]
Yeah, I saw that.

[Speaker 14]
Yeah, it was $800 we raised for the Boys and Girls Club and it will be money well spent. Thank you.

[Speaker 3]
Thank you. And I just want to take a moment to speak about, mention something that was mentioned in public input. It was mentioned in public input regarding the mayor's orders.

And a particular resident that spoke on it, I think two weeks ago to last, or maybe no time before that, she had mentioned that we do not have to mention everything on the agenda that the mayor brings forward. But I feel, I talked to a lot of people and people watch this. They don't know what's on the agenda.

Some of us have that idea. So I respectfully did some of the things she asked. I didn't, I brought the mayor's orders that I had.

I brought them forward and I just read them and I moved on to the other one, because I agree we are going to debate it. But I think the people know what the mayor is bringing forward. And I think it also helps the residents to know that we get donations and this from people, maybe give them an idea to do the same.

So I think it's just important just to say for the amount of time, yes, we do it all the time, but what is 10 seconds, 15 seconds to let the people know the remainder of the orders, in my opinion. And I'm going to continue to do that. But I agree with her that we don't need to explain everything on it because it's going to come forward.

So that's why I just read the orders and I'm going to tend to continue to do that. Thank you. I'll take a motion to adjourn.

Motion made a second to adjourn, roll call.

[Speaker 2]
President Laflamme. Yes. Roy.

Yes. Wagner. Yes.

Zagorowski. Yes. Arriaga.

Yes. Brooks. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Salkeer.

Yes. Krampus. Yes.

Chumsky. Kushain. Labrie.

Yes. Finnegan-Costello. 12 yes.

[Speaker 3]
And a motion passes.