Mayor Kos today announced the approval of a request for authorization to the City Council for a comprehensive capital improvement bond totaling $13,430,063 to address major needs across the city.

The bond request targets needs with a useful life of greater than 20 years which includes:

$5.3 million for public safety complex improvements which include a combined dispatch center, a Police Department locker and shower area, and a combined training room with a police department and roll call space.

$3,812,063 for school roof replacement at Belcher and Fairview Veterans Memorial Elementary School's which were accepted into the Massachusetts School Building Authority's (MSBA) accelerated repair program and will be reimbursed to the City at 80%.

$2 million for the reconstruction of Ray Ash pool which will allow for the pool to be open in time for the summer season in 2017. The City has already received $400,000 in grants to contribute to this project.

$1,405,000 for flood control improvements which are required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the United States Army Corps of Engineers to maintain approved status with both agencies which allows residents in the flood plain to receive lower flood insurance rates

$500,000 to purchase a fire pumper truck which will replace an outdated 1995 model that is consistently breaking down due to its age.

$300,000 for the replacement of five new boilers at Chicopee High School which have been problematic since the building's opening and have outlived their warranty.

$113,000 to replace the boiler at Fire station No. 8 which has been leaking and is in need of replacement.

"Working together with the City Treasurer and Council we move to address these important needs in our City," said Mayor Kos. "Because of the lifespan of these projects it is appropriate to pursue bonding as the means for funding."

“If the requests are authorized by City Council, I will pursue the best borrowing options for the City and its taxpayers,” said City Treasurer Marie Laflamme.

“These projects are important ones which we should address,” said President Vieau. “I look forward to taking up this request at our next meeting so we can move forward to do just that.”

City Council approved the request at their April 19, 2016 meeting.