CHICOPEE – With a previously relied upon private ambulance company departing from the area, the City Council has approved a new pilot program for Chicopee Fire Department’s ambulance services.

The item, which was introduced during Mayor John Vieau’s orders, appropriates $130,000 to add a third ambulance during peak hours. “It’s going to really help out during peak hours…I think this is a tremendous idea. We’re doing everything we can to keep the population here in the city of Chicopee safe,” said Vieau. The pilot program was conceived by Chicopee Fire Chief Daniel Stamborski, who developed this solution to address the sparce availability of paramedics and emergency medical technicians across the industry.

“Our industry unfortunately is experiencing the same type of difficulties as most businesses these days,” said Stamborski. He said the program came to be after consulting with fire deputies and analyzing WESTCOMM Regional Dispatch Center data. The fire chief then detailed how the added shift will be implemented, utilizing one of the city’s two back-up ambulances to run during 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. every day of the week.

Councilors At-Large James Tillotson and Frank Laflamme expressed their support for the item, noting the program as a vital way to meet public safety demands across the city. “This pilot program is the perfect time to do this and see how it goes,” said Laflamme. The motion was unanimously approved by the council and passed through all stages.

HERO pay bonuses

Ward 1 City Councilor Joel McAuliffe introduced an item to address HERO pay pandemic bonuses for municipal employees. The councilor, who shared that protesters were outside of City Hall to advocate for bonuses, constructed the motion so the mayor and Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) committee could consider the item. He also shared that the mayor has been working toward a resolution for HERO bonuses.

McAuliffe issued thanks to the essential employees who worked while most of day-to-day life was shutdown. “While we were on lockdown, they were not. They were making sure that while the world was stopped, the city continued to run,” said McAuliffe. The councilor recognized the sacrifices many of these employees made, revealing that 30 percent of municipal employees contracted COVID-19 over the pandemic.

Tillotson, who is also a member of the ARPA committee, expressed his support of the bonuses, but also asked what jobs constituted as essential workers. “Hopefully we can get a real list from the federal government,” said Tillotson in regard to what jobs constitute essential work. In response, Ward 7 Councilor William Courchesne argued that it shouldn’t be difficult to identify and reward essential workers across the community.

“If you don’t have a remote option and you have to go to work…that’s an essential employee. You had no option but to go to work if you wanted to continue to go to work,” said Courchesne. The motion was ultimately approved by the council.

Chicopee Country Club License

Laflamme introduced an item regarding a law department review of the Chicopee Country Club's liquor license. He stated that the private vendor hired by the golf course should have their own liquor license rather than a license owned by the city.

Councilor Courchesne and Ward 6 Councilor Derek Dobosz shared similar sentiments, with Dobosz stating that the city should not be responsible for what a hired private vendor does. “The city of Chicopee could be holding a great deal of liability for the contractor, and that just doesn’t make sense in this day and age,” said Dobosz. After discussion, the motion was approved by the council.