FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CHICOPEE – Mayor Richard J. Kos has filed an order with the City Council at the request of City Clerk Keith Rattell for the allocation of $139,000.00 dollars from available funds in the “Free Cash” account to purchase new voting machines for the City.

These new machines will replace the ones currently used by the City which are 24 years old (1994). The current machines are no longer being produced, and the parts to repair them are becoming scarce.

Early estimates for the new machines were approximately $200,000.00. However, the City went out to bid for the new machines and the winning bid came in $61,000.00 below the original estimate.

City Clerk Keith W. Rattell said, “The contract will be awarded to Election Systems and Software which is the same system the City has utilized since 1994, so transitioning to the new software and equipment should be relatively seamless.”

Election Systems and Software serves 42 different States with over 100 million voters tabulating on their machines. “We will continue to provide honest and secure elections for the residents of Chicopee. After sampling approved vendors that provide such service in Massachusetts, I was particularly impressed with the safety and security of this system and at this price it is a win/win for the citizens of Chicopee”, said Rattell.

“Secure and accurate elections are what we all expect and what we will be able to continue providing with this new equipment”, said Mayor Richard J. Kos.

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