On Thursday, November 8th, 2018, The Chicopee City Council accepted a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) totaling $9,825.00 to help offset 50% of the costs associated with the purchase of equipment for two (2) electric charging stations to be located at the RiverMills Senior Center.
The Chicopee City Council also approved a financial order from Mayor Richard J. Kos for the appropriation of $32,785.50 to cover installation costs, along with the City’s 50% match for the purchase of the equipment.
The Senior Center is looking to replace its older fleet of cars with new electric vehicles as an ongoing effort by the City to not only become more sustainable, but promote progress in the form of integrating newer, more efficient technologies. Doing so aligns with Chicopee’s initiative to reduce the carbon footprint of the City as part of the Green Communities designation received in 2017.
The location of these charging stations will be near the end of the Chicopee Canal & Riverwalk as well as near the $22 million assisted living facility which is currently under construction.
The Green Communities designation aims to help strengthen local economies while reducing costs to create a more equitable place where people can live, work, and play by allowing the City to access various levels of State funding to offset the cost of energy related projects.
“We thank the Commonwealth for their assistance as Chicopee continues to take further steps as part of its Green Communities designation,” said Mayor Richard J. Kos.
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