CHICOPEE – As communities continue the effort to overcome COVID-19 obstacles, the City Council accepted Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds during their Nov. 16 meeting.

Mayor John Vieau discussed the acceptance of the ARPA grant, which will bring in $39,536,150 to Chicopee. The mayor shared that he, Chief of Staff Michael Pise, Councilor At-Large James Tillotson and Ward 4 Councilor George Balakier make up the ARPA Committee, with each sharing the responsibility of reviewing projects for grant spending consideration.

“The ARPA Committee met today … We’ve created a process of overview. We take in proposals and requests, we then submit them once they get approved by the committee to projects under consideration and then we continue to track the projects as they get funded,” said Vieau. The mayor explained that he will also be meeting with mayors at a conference next month to discuss how other districts are utilizing their ARPA funds.

Tillotson detailed the preliminary discussion that has occurred during ARPA Committee meetings. Among primary issues, the councilor said the committee has discussed sewer and water infrastructure improvements, sidewalk repairs and pay bonuses for essential workers. “We’re still looking at it issues and working at it, but we’re coming close to taking care of what we’ve been doing,” said Tillotson. Balakier shared optimism that the committee will receive additional funds from the $1 trillion infrastructure deal that President Joe Biden passed on Nov. 15.

After discussion, the Chicopee City Council accepted the ARPA fund grant in a unanimous vote.

DPW Infrastructure Improvements

Vieau addressed four Department of Public Works (DPW) infrastructure improvements during his mayor’s orders, asking for three of the orders to be sent to the Finance Committee due to their potential applicability for ARPA consideration. “[By using ARPA funds], that way we won’t put the burden on our taxpayers and be able to pay for these items,” said Vieau.

DPW Superintendent Elizabette Batista discussed the four orders, which include a $200,000 new flood control levy gate for the Chicopee River, $200,000 for meters, support equipment and $25,000 for improvements to the water security plant.

The other order, a $100,000 rebuild of a DPW dump truck, was recommended by Batista to be passed through all stages due to the rising cost of stainless steel. The DPW superintendent said the rebuild of the truck will allow it to stay in operation for an additional 20 years. “For that price, we ought to take advantage of it now, because if we wait it will just get more expensive,” said Tillotson.

Vieau spoke about the city’s goal to modernize the city’s water system, including the implementation of monthly billing and advanced equipment. While other districts average an annual water loss between 12 and 15 percent, the mayor shared that Chicopee remains at the forefront in water efficiency, enduring a 3 percent loss last year.

After discussion, the council ultimately approved each item.