CHICOPEE – A heated debate took place during the Chicopee City Council meeting when the topic of appropriating $86,000 to the Police Expense Account for Departmental Equipment was discussed on April 6.

The debated funds would be taken from the city’s Free Cash Account to allow gas masks, riot control canisters and other unidentified items to be purchased for the Chicopee Police Department. The new equipment would be used by the Crowd Control Team, a special unit being put into place in response to last summer’s nationwide protests, riots and events.

Councilor Joel McAuliffe proposed that the motion should be sent to a joint committee of Finance and Public Safety. McAuliffe said that the public should be given a chance to learn more information about this team, what specific equipment the money would be buying and why it is necessary.

“I’d like to have a greater explanation as to what exactly we are buying. In the Mayor’s Briefing it was mentioned that we have created a Crowd Control Team in response to some events over the summer and so I look at what has been listed here and I need some clarification,” said McAuliffe. “There’s no doubt that police have a very, very difficult job and I think Chicopee Police are dramatically underpaid, but I don’t think it’s a lot to ask just to take a look at this list, have an opportunity for public input and really be transparent.”

Many opposed this viewpoint and said they would insist on the motion being passed that night without opportunity for a hearing.

“I don’t want to delay the process anymore just in case something is to happen. I’d rather the Police Department have this gear,” said Councilor Lucjan Galecki.

Councilor James Tillotson agreed.

“I don’t see any reason to postpone it because the only thing that the public’s gonna get is what Councilor McAuliffe has in his hand. Those are the only items that they’re gonna talk about. Some of the items that they’re going to purchase are going to be probably never used, but if they’re necessary, they may be necessary,” he said.

Councilor Bill Courchesne said that he understood McAuliffe’s desire for transparency, but would still support the motion. His reasoning was that the Police Department “can’t and shouldn’t be expected to fully state everything they’re buying, doing or preparing for in case of emergency.”

Councilor Robert Zygarowski supported Courchesne’s reasoning.

“There’s certain things that the public would not understand and there’s certain things you don’t want out to the public. So if you want to know something about the expense of this equipment make an appointment, walk in and see the chief,” he said.

McAuliffe responded that he is not against supporting the police and allowing them to receive these funds, but he would first ask for this hearing. He said the public deserves to have a chance to learn more and offer input for funds being used in their city.

“I appreciate where my colleagues are coming from, but quite honestly, I think we’re comparing apples and oranges. This is not a debate about supporting police or not supporting police. This is a debate about transparency. I don’t believe in giving any department in the city of Chicopee a blank check. But to ignore that there is a desire from the public to have input on these kinds of things is something I can’t support,” said McAuliffe.

McAuliffe’s motion to move the order to a joint Finance and Public Safety Committee was denied. Only McAuliffe himself and Councilor Derek Dobosz were in favor of this.

To compromise, McAuliffe made a motion to allow the order to pass, but required that there still be a public hearing after its approval.

“I believe this would be a way to foster the dialogue I’m trying to accomplish, get it explained, but also get this order approved quickly,” he said.

In the end, McAuliffe’s second motion was also denied. The allocation of $86,000 to the Police Department was approved by the council with 11 yes votes and one abstained vote from McAuliffe.

During the meeting, position nominations were also approved.  Denise Przybylowicz was approved as a member of the Board of Registrars of Voters and Christina Loy was reappointed as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Four nominations for the newly developed Charter Review Commission were also approved. These approvals included Timothy Wagner, Al Picard, David Amo and Joshua Clark. The council asked for all nominations to the Charter Review  Commission be sent in by April 19.

The meeting ended with routine ordinances and license renewals.

Those interested in viewing the Chicopee City Council meeting in its entirety are encouraged to visit the ChicopeeTV Facebook page.