Council refers addiction treatment zoning rule to planning
The Chicopee City Council sent a disputed addiction-treatment zoning ordinance to the Planning Board after members split over its scope. Councilor Cushane filed the measure, arguing a proposed rehab conversion of the former Wilmanston Nursing Home East needs more outdoor "green space" to work.
Select Board · Meeting of September 3, 2026
CHICOPEE — The Chicopee City Council sent a disputed addiction-treatment zoning ordinance to the Planning Board after members split over its scope. Councilor Cushane filed the measure, arguing a proposed rehab conversion of the former Wilmanston Nursing Home East needs more outdoor "green space" to work. Councilor Brooks, citing 30 years in the recovery field, said the draft would disqualify existing licensed recovery homes, calling it "literally like a legal Titanic." Councilor Arriaga agreed she could not support it as written.
Separately, the council approved $835,441 in retroactive pay tied to a new UFCW Local 1459 contract across six mayor's orders, all passing 13-0, and rerouted a $59,296.58 non-union raise funding request to the Finance Committee rather than approve it outright. The council also accepted an $87,500 state gaming-mitigation grant and opened the meeting with a tribute to former 44-year City Treasurer Ernest "Ernie" LaFlam Jr.
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Source: the Select Board meeting of September 3, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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