CHICOPEE – In a brief meeting on May 5 the Chicopee City Council approved an appropriation of $287,420 for free cash to pay the snow and ice removal.

Councilor Frank Laflamme explained the city only allocates $100,000 for snow removal every year and then will make up the difference with an allocation. Laflamme explained that private plowing cost $95,288, overtime was $94,323, salt was $191,905, and sand cost the city $5,872.

Laflamme added this was one of the lowest amounts to keep city streets clean because of the small amount of snow this season.

The council also approved for the mayor to prepare a document that would sum up the cleanup and redevelopment activity of the former Facemate Property for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, accord to Councilor James Tillotson. He explained the report, which would also go the Hampden County Registrar of Deeds, would define the limitations of the property for further development.

“Now we can market the property and the owner will know what his limitations are and what he may have to do to comply,” Tillotson added.

The council also voted to accept $76,170 in a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance FY20 Coronavirus Emergency Supplement Funding to the Chicopee Police Department.

Councilor Robert Zygarowski explained the police department applies every year for this grant, but this year the funds are to be used for “various equipment” needed by the police for the pandemic.

They also approved $62,000 to pay for 45 new semi-automatic rifles that would be replacing 10 year-old weapons, plus support equipment for the Police Department.

The next city council meeting was moved to May 19 because of the special election that will be conducted on May 19.