Chicopee City Council Authorizes $16 Million in Water and Sewer Infrastructure Bonds

CHICOPEE -- April 21, 2026, Chicopee City Council unanimously authorizes more than $16 million in water and sewer bonds in a single night. The council voted 10-0 on four bond authorizations April 21, led by a $12.7 million appropriation for Phase 1 of a nitrogen reduction overhaul at the Water Pollution Control Facility at 80 Medina Street, required under a federal consent decree. DPW Superintendent Liz Batista told councilors the plant is currently exceeding EPA nitrogen discharge limits and that the 10-year compliance program will also cover aerator and primary tank upgrades. The city has secured $9.8 million in federal funding toward the project's $22.45 million Phase 1 total. The council also approved a $700,000 VAC truck bond, a $550,000 combined sewer overflow monitoring bond, and a $2 million bond for smart meter replacement in District 3 covering roughly 6,000 meters. A sewer rate increase taking effect July 1, 2026 was structured to cover the resulting debt service on all projects.