Senator Gomez presents $60,000 for Center Cleanup Project

Dec. 3, 2021 | Matt Conway
mconway@thereminder.com

State Sen. Adam Gomez speaks on the importance of revitalizing the city.
Reminder Publishing photo by Matt Conway

CHICOPEE – As the city continues to revitalize its downtown community, state Sen. Adam Gomez presented Chicopee with a $60,000 grant for the Center Cleanup Project during a ceremony on Nov. 19.

The MassDevelopment grant will allow the city to implement mini trash compactors around the Chicopee River, Chicopee Center and parks throughout the community. Mayor John Vieau spoke at the ceremony, encouraging all citizens to be a part of cleaning the community. “Taking pride to the next level is having pride in your community and in your property. We need all of you to help with that process,” said Vieau, who aspires for this project to make Chicopee one of the cleanest cities in the state.

After wrestling with the impacts of COVID-19, the mayor viewed the grant as a critical component to developing Chicopee and the downtown’s economic viability. “COVID may have put everything on pause for 20 months, but we’re moving forward. Our goal is to make downtown something special,” said Vieau. He also spoke to the importance of receiving grant funding for this project, sharing that the gifted funds will allow the city to lessen the responsibility on taxpayers.

In his address, Gomez discussed his efforts to make cleaning projects like this a paramount part of his agenda. “Making sure these areas are clean is easy to support,” said Gomez. After sharing his experiences growing up around the Chicopee and Connecticut Rivers, the senator shared his hopes that the project will cleanse walking trails, historical sites and retail spaces throughout the city.

After representatives from state Sen. Eric Lesser and state Sen. John Velis shared the two senators’ support from the project, Ward 2 and City Council President Shane Brooks highlighted the essential role downtown has for the community. “The downtown to any community is the center of its vitality,” said Brooks.

Ward 1 Councilor Joel McAuliffe, Executive Director of the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce Julie Copoulos and Department of Public Works representatives were also in attendance.

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