CHICOPEE – Protections for two parcels on Slate Conservation land near Burnett and Slate Road were examined during the Chicopee City Council meeting on Oct 5.

Before the item was discussed by the council, Mayor John Vieau shared his views on the issue. He recommended that the council approve the item for subcommittee discussion, stating his intentions to have a presentation during that meeting to address false speculation about Slate Conservation. “There has been no intention of ever not having that park’s parcel be conservation land. That’s never been said,” said Vieau, who also shared he would not veto the item if passed.

The meeting’s public input session featured several voices regarding the issue. Mary Hayner, a member of the Slate Conservation Area Alliance, stated that the area needs immediate action after years of promises did not result in protections from Article 97 of the Amendments to the Mass. Constitution. “Promises are not enough, we need action,” said Hayner. Four other citizens shared Hayner’s sentiments, voicing their desire for protections to be approved during the meeting over concerns that the land could eventually be used for business development.

Ward 6 Councilor Derek Dobosz, who suggested the item, detailed the storied history behind the Slate Conservation land. While most assume the land is state park land, he shared that the land is owned by the city. Dobosz explained the land would remain owned by Chicopee if the item is passed, but the protections would prevent any development for inquiring businesses. “Everyone wants this land placed in a conservation…there’s really no reason not to pass this tonight,” said Dobosz.

The council member also countered the mayor’s claims about honoring the conservation land. He speculated about a land swap that has been discussed through three mayor administrations, which would trade parcels of the Slate land to a state park in return for state park land to add to Slate Road business development. He theorized that the land exchange would lead to the development of an Amazon warehouse, citing the proposal of a leased 1.4 million square foot warehouse around Slate Road and the nearby availability of 400 Amazon trucks as reasons for his theory.

City Council members shared mixed sentiments about Dobosz’s proposal. Ward 1 Councilor Joel McAuliffe and Ward 7 Councilor William Courchesne supported immediate approval of the land preservation, with McAuliffe citing the residents passionate support as a reason to support the initiative.

On the other hand, At-Large Councilors Frank N. Laflamme and James K. Tillotson supported sending the item to the finance subcommittee. Laflamme detailed the delicate process needed to make sure that the land conservation is done correctly. “I want to do what’s right for you, but I also have to follow the rules,” said Laflamme. He consulted City Solicitor Marshall Moriarty on the issue, with the attorney sharing that city leaders need to agree on the land’s state before final approval is made.

The City Council ultimately approved for the Slate Conservation land item to be sent to the finance and joint-utilities subcommittee in a 7 to 3 vote.

Vieau also offered an update on COVID-19 during his mayor’s orders. He said Chicopee holds a 55 percent vaccination rate at the time of the meeting, which he viewed as one of the lowest in the state. “Vaccines are available, they’re safe, and it’s the right thing to do,” said Vieau.

In contrast, the mayor revealed that 81 percent of the 65 and older population are vaccinated, along with 86 percent for those with at least one dose. Vieau revealed booster shots are starting to become available for those who qualify, with shots beginning to be offered starting Oct. 14 through the Council on Aging at RiverMills Center.

To confront the growing vaccination rate disparity, Vieau shared that he’s “aggressively,” starting a second campaign for vaccine advocacy. He shared that the city is in discussion with Baystate Medical Center, the Mass. Vax Bus and Holyoke Health Center to develop mobile vaccination centers. The traveling services would go to neighborhoods throughout the city to provide vaccines for those who haven’t received one, according to Vieau.

The Chicopee City Council will meet again on Oct. 19.