On Tuesday, October 2, 2018, the Chicopee City Council approved an order from Mayor Richard J. Kos to accept a $500,000 grant from MassDEP through the PVPC (Pioneer Valley Planning Commission) which will be used for construction costs for the sewer separation of Baystate and Clarendon Streets. This $500,000 grant from MassDEP will allow the City to eventually bond for a much lower amount than originally anticipated.

The total project cost will be approximately $5.7 million and will benefit nearly 100 homes in the areas of Baystate Road, Wellington Avenue, and Windsor Street in Aldenville and Clarendon Avenue in Willimansett.

In 2017 the City Council approved an appropriation request by Mayor Richard J. Kos for $1,000,000 which was taken from available funds in the sewer surplus account. The City was also awarded $687,500 in grant funds prior to this award.

Of the remaining City streets that need CSO work, the DPW has assessed these areas as having some of the worst sewers in the City. This project will separate sewers, some of which are in a great state of decay. There will also be improvements to water lines and road surface drainage with the hopes of eliminating sewer backups, which has been a constant problem in these areas.

“This additional financial support from MassDEP will continue to help with the monetary burden our City and rate payers are facing as we comply with the sewer separation Consent Decree,” Mayor Richard J. Kos.

“Receiving $500,000 this fiscal year from MassDEP and more than $600,000 last year covers a large percentage of the sewer separation portion of the Baystate/Clarendon project, which is a great benefit to the City and its rate payer,” said Acting DPW Superintendent Elizabette Botelho

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