Chicopee City Council approves $2.76 million in capital spending, defeats parking special permit

CHICOPEE -- October 7, 2025, Chicopee City Council approves $2.76 million in capital and operational spending at October 7 meeting. The full 11-member council, meeting with Chief of Staff Mike Pease filling in for Mayor John Vieau, passed a $2 million road reconstruction appropriation for Old Fuller Road Extension, Whitten Avenue, Chester Street, and Wilson Avenue, a project eligible for Chapter 90 state reimbursement, along with $454,618.80 for six police patrol cruisers, $65,800 for a fire Training and Safety vehicle, $37,000 for a Ford Bronco for the EMS coordinator, and $116,000 for a building automation system at the DPW facility. The council approved $15,000 to complete a $43,999 tethered drone purchase for Emergency Management, with President LaFlam calling it essential because "it oversees a much more area" than battery-powered drones. A special permit to reduce parking at a Chicopee Street property from 21 to 18 spaces fell one vote short of the nine required, failing 8-3 after a councilor disclosed that neighborhood opposition at the original zoning committee meeting had been substantial. A special permit application for Cruise Control Towing at 78 West Street was referred to committee 7-2-2 after the city attorney confirmed prior litigation over a denied permit had been settled, requiring a new public hearing.