CHICOPEE — During the Nov. 7 City Council meeting, the mayor’s orders included two separate appropriations, one to help with the Human Resources Department after its former director was terminated and another for an economic development director.
Chief of Staff Mike Pise filled in for Mayor John Vieau who was attending the Chicopee Comprehensive High School National Honor Society Induction Ceremony.
Mayor’s order number two was for the appropriation of $100,000 to the human resources expense account for special services from available funds in the Human Resources Salary Account.
Pise said the mayor’s order is a transfer and not an appropriation because it’s two vacant positions and the funds are available in the account.
The funds are from two vacant positions, including approximately $64,115 for a chief human resources officer/director and the remaining $35,880 for a senior generalist.
Stephen Zajchowski, former chief of human resources, was recently terminated as the result of two investigations conducted by retired judge Mary-Lou Rup, who is now senior counsel for Buckley Richardson and Gelinas law firm.
Pise read a statement from Vieau that said after the first investigation, a corrective action plan was prepared for the chief of human resources, but Pise read, “However within a matter of a few weeks, other serious issues developed which created a second investigation. The findings and recommendations of the second investigation necessitated a change in leadership.”
Vieau said he can’t go into any further details due to fact there are personnel issues but wrote more about why the $100,000 was needed.
He said, “We are asking for $100,000 in anticipation in engaging a consultant to not only assess the department but provide support to the mayor as he runs the department while seeking new leadership for that department. Obviously, this will take some time and we are asking for this conservative sum so we can be in good position to negotiate a contract and anticipate what the cost of these services might be over the next few months.”
The city will be issuing a request for proposal that will explore possible fee structures for the consultant responding with proposals.
The city has not been able to retain a human resources director for years with none staying more than 18 months and the city would like to take this time to look within the department.
Pise explained, “It’s anticipated the amount would be $100,000 over time. We’re not sure how long exactly it will take to fill the position but we want to make sure we get it right and do it correctly and have the consultant determine what is needed for that department.”
Vieau talked more about the funds and said, “In order to ensure that we are able to engage a vendor as soon as possible, it is of the utmost importance to identify available funds. It may turn out to be more or less once we get responses but the $100,000 is not necessarily for all the upfront fees and costs but contemplates potential fees incurred over time.”
Vieau is acting human resources director until that position is filled. The plan is to hire a consultant and potentially have an interim person fill that role.
The City Council approved the order by a vote of 10-2 after denying sending it to the Human Resources Committee for another look.
Another one of the mayor’s order was the appropriation of $73,000 to the mayor’s salary account for an economic development director.
Pise said this is a position that the City Council requested and “the mayor is happy to bring it forward.” In June, it was announced that the Finance Committee will soon meet to discuss and eventually recommend to Mayor John Vieau that the position of economic development director be added to the Planning Department.
Vieau told the City Council during a June 18 special meeting, the process to move the position to the Planning Department has been something his office has been working on for months and he has had collective conversations with the council regarding the need to fill the position.
At-Large City Councilor Timothy Wagner said he was in favor of this new position and filed it because Chicopee is in “dire” need of new growth.
He said, “I would like to offer my thanks to the mayor’s office for bringing this forward. It’s a position that we use to have and that I think is very badly needed. I wish for success in filling the role. I hope that this council can be open to some of the projects that this person, whoever that is, brings forward.”
The City Council unanimously approved the order, and the position will now be advertised.
