Chicopee eyes recall provision following councilor’s offensive statements
Updated Jan 22, 2021;
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CHICOPEE The City Council is beginning the process to add a recall amendment to the charter in reaction to a councilor’s online comments that sparked protest and public calls for him to resign.
Council President Shane D. Brooks proposed writing a recall amendment and having it adopted through home rule petition, which would need the approval of the council, the mayor and the state Legislature.
At the same time, Councilor Joel McAuliffe filed an order to have the nearly 125-year-old charter completely reviewed. The City Council sent both proposals to the ordinance committee this week for further discussion.
Chicopee Council pledges study of proposed salary increases calling pay of mayor, other elected officials ‘very low’
Updated Jan 21, 2021;
CHICOPEE – The City Council voted to further study a proposal to raise annual salaries for elected officials by amounts ranging from $37,000 to $6,500, even though one member urged them to defeat it immediately because of the financial stress the COVID-19 pandemic had put on many constituents.
A year ago, Mayor John L. Vieau said he asked the Human Resources Department to do a salary study after the issue was discussed during the last election. Because of the pandemic and other problems, it only came back recently with recommendations to boost the salaries of the mayor and other elected officials, none of whom have seen a raise in nearly 13 years.