CHICOPEE – In the wake of constituent complaints, the City Council discussed the implementation of group homes across the city during its July 5 meeting.

Ward 9 City Councilor Mary-Elizabeth Pniak-Costello said an array of complaints from citizens led her to advocate for a discussion regarding group homes in the Public Safety Committee. Originally, City Councilor At-Large Robert Zygarowski hosted a meeting on the subject matter in December 2021.

“I’ve been getting some calls and concerns from constituents in regards to group homes in the Ward 9 area,” said Pniak-Costello.
Most of the group homes located in Chicopee act as agencies regulated by the state, according to Pniak-Costello. The councilor said a public meeting will better inform the community about group homes’ operations throughout the city.

Ward 2 City Councilor Shane Brooks, who also works with group homes through his position as vice president at the Gándara Center, said there are no local ordinances that can preclude the presence of group homes. He explained that the state’s Health and Human Services Department sites group homes based on an overlay map that prevents an oversaturation in any area.

Brooks also advocated for group homes and their inhabitants to receive fair treatment in Chicopee.

“It is their right to be part of any community that an agency sees fit … I don’t think they are facilities, they are homes, really. All of these young and older people alike that have some sort of life challenge deserve to be immersed in a community,” said Brooks, who also suggested that the group home discussion includes other council committees.

Ward 8 Councilor Gary Labrie supported Brooks’ stance, arguing that the Police Department, the Building Department and the Health Department need to be included in ongoing discussions. Additionally, Labrie said an informational meeting would create better understanding between the city, group homes and the public regarding certain neighborhood infractions.

“I know I have at least five group homes in my ward, and I’ve had problems with three of them. … It can be very hard to take care of and the neighbors get frustrated, even though it is beyond our control. These people have a right to live there, [but] without disturbing the neighborhood, though,” said Labrie.

Ward 6 City Councilor Derek Dobosz said an informational meeting would not be a “pushback” against group homes. Instead, the meeting would address common complaints centered around the homes, including parking issues and other local ordinances.

As the council wrapped its discussion, Brooks stressed the importance of creating awareness and understanding of how group homes operate.

“It is something that we need to work extremely hard at having a better understanding of, because there are so many preconceived notions of who’s living in those neighborhoods and what the potential damage they can do is,” said Brooks.

Councilors ultimately decided that they will discuss group homes more extensively during the next Public Safety Committee meeting.