Chicopee City Council approves retention bonuses for city employees

May 19, 2022 | Matt Conway
mconway@thereminder.com

Mayor John Vieau discusses retention bonuses for city employees.
Photo Credit: Chicopee TV

CHICOPEE – During prior meetings, Mayor John Vieau and the City Council discussed retention bonuses for city employees who worked during through the most difficult periods of COVID-19. After deliberation, the council voted to approve the retention bonuses during their May 3 meeting.

The vote appropriates $1.82 million from the free cash account toward retention bonuses. Employees who worked full-time during the past two years will receive $3,000, while employees hired before March 14, 2021, will receive $2,000 and employees hired afterward will receive $1,000, according to Vieau. Half of each figure are rewarded to part-time workers who qualify.

“We appreciate our employees, and we want them to know that. We’ve been through some tough times and times of uncertainty … The goal is to retain employees, we want to retain our talent,” said Vieau.

Vieau explained the process behind securing retained staff bonuses for their efforts. While he and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Committee originally considered utilizing ARPA funds, Vieau deemed the program’s stipulations as too limiting.

“We did look at the guidelines for essential worker pay. Frankly, they were very complicated … there were many complexities and difficulties with this program,” said Vieau, who noted that anyone who worked overtime or made over $83,000 would not receive a bonus under ARPA consideration.

Instead, the ARPA Committee transferred $10 million from the city’s $39.5 million in ARPA funds into the free cash account. “We are using those funds, which are now in our free cash account, to account for the retention bonuses,” said Vieau.

The mayor viewed the bonuses as a way to recognize employees “who really made a difference” during the coronavirus pandemic. The employees receiving bonuses include the Sewer Department, the Department of Public Works, the Water Department, the Police and Fire Departments and all other city employees.

The council expressed support for the initiative. Ward 3 City Council Delmarina Lopez stressed the importance of rewarding employees who sacrificed during the coronavirus pandemic. “We want to compensate employees who stayed with the municipality…I support this. I think it is important to give bonuses where bonuses are due,” said Lopez.

Ward 1 City Councilor Joel McAuliffe said he was “incredibly thrilled” to approve the item. McAuliffe explained that the bonuses thank employees for keeping the city running and remaining with the city.

“This is our way of saying thank you, but also saying thank you for still being here. The retention of employees has been incredibly difficult,” said McAuliffe.

The City Council approved the order in a unanimous vote.

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