CHICOPEE – The city is apparently in violation of its own ordinance specifying the number of police dogs it can have.

Mayor Richard Kos and members of the City Council discussed the number of canine officers as part of an appropriation of $38,860.90 at the Feb. 19 meeting.

In a letter to the mayor, Police Chief William Jebb wrote the funding would pay for “the purchase of the dogs, all related equipment and the schooling need.”

A city ordinance specifies there should be just two dogs, although the department currently has three dogs. Kos said the Police Department is looking to add two more.

Councilors spoke about the need to change the ordinance and some expressed surprise the city is in violation of itself.

Kos said that after speaking with police officers he has learned “having a canine is an unbelievable resource.” He added he has been told a canine officer often is worth at least two human officers.

Kos said the goal would be to have a canine available at every shift. “We estimated that five is a pretty good number. I may come back for more,” he told the councilors.

The council ordered the mayor’s order to go to the Finance Committee where there could be a hearing to change the ordinance. Councilor Fred Krampits said such a meeting would happen in the next several weeks.

The council approved an allocation of $127,500 for the final structural design of a 12-bay metal vehicle storage building that would be built at 677 Meadow St.

The garage would be used for Department of Public Works (DPW) vehicles. The indoor storage is expected to lengthen the working life of the vehicles, several councilors said.  

“We’ve been at this for over a year, a year and half and we need to make a decision,” Councilor James Tillotson said of the lengthy discussions about the building.

In a letter to Kos, the Acting Superintendent of the Department of Public Works, Elizabeth Botelho, wrote with the approval of the funds she anticipated construction would take place in the summer and fall.

The council also approved the appointment of Michael O’Neill as the director of Golf. Councilor Stan Walczak noted the new programs O’Neill has brought to the municipal course.

“This is a gentlemen who really knows how to run a golf course,” Walczak said.

O’Neil’s appointment would expire on Feb. 28, 2022.

The council also approved the appointment of Andrew Vernon as the new MIS/Chief Information officer for a term that would expire on March 3, 2022.