Mayor John Vieau is sworn in for his fourth term as mayor of Chicopee.
Photo credit: ChicopeeTV
CHICOPEE — Recently elected officials were officially sworn in on Jan. 5 to serve their respective roles within the city.
The ceremony started with an invocation for the elected officials from Fr. Brad Milunski from St. Stanislaus School.
The ceremony was dedicated to the late At-Large City Councilor and retired Chicopee Police Officer Robert “Bob” Zygarowski who passed away last March. His son, Ryan, attended the ceremony.
During his speech, Vieau stated, “It felt right to dedicate today’s ceremony in honor of your dad, my colleague and my dear friend, Councilor Robert Zygarowski. Bob proudly served the city of Chicopee for 51 years honor, valor and integrity. The true epitome of public service. May he rest in peace.”
The Chicopee High School jazz band also had multiple performances throughout the ceremony.
Mayor John Vieau was sworn in for his fourth term while newly elected or re-elected city councilors and School Committee members were also sworn in.
Photo credit: ChicopeeTV
City Clerk Keith Rattell administered the oath of office to City Treasurer Marie Laflamme, City Assessors Laura McCarthy and Brian Suchy. Newly elected City Collector Sandra Peret was also officially sworn in to office.
City Councilors that were sworn in included Frank Laflamme, Jerry Roy, Joel McAullife, Jessica Avery, Abigal Arriaga, Shane Brooks, Susan Goff, George Balakier, Joseph Pasternak lll, Samuel Shumsky, William Courchesne, Douglas Girouard and Mary-Beth Pniak Costello.
School Committee members who were sworn in included Robert Cantin, Deanna Rousseau, David Barsalou, Jason Dout, Diane Trela, Grace Schofield, Carlton Rene Brooks Jr., Rafael Nazario Jr., Susan Constance Lemieux and Ronald Bernard.
Mayor John Vieau opened his speech like he always does by exclaiming, “It’s a beautiful day in Chicopee.”
While congratulating Marie Laflamme, McCarthy, Suchy and Peret, Vieau also talked about working with familiar and new faces on both the School Committee and City Council.
He stated, “I look forward to working with both of you as groups. I just want us to continue striving to be the best Chicopee that we can be.”
As he prepared for the inauguration ceremony, Vieau said he reflected on his first three terms and the family and friends he has gained over the years.
“Whether it’s campaign races to get here or navigating the work along the way, you need a team and my team began with family and friends and it’s grown into something very special,” Vieau stated. “So, to the members of team Vieau, the inaugural committee, I just want to say thank you.”
Vieau highlighted that with the direction of today’s economy and families feeling the pressure of inflation, Chicopee was recently recognized by a “prominent, national publication” as one of the most affordable cities to live in in Massachusetts.
“That’s something with should all be very proud of,” Vieau stated.
During his previous terms, Chicopee has maintained its stabilization fund and continued to earn one of the highest bond ratings in the region. Vieau said the city always looks at creative ways for funding opportunities like grants, earmarks and innovative partnerships.
“While other communities pursue proposition 2 ½ overrides, Chicopee funded its 2026 budget below the levy limit,” the mayor stated. “My goal has been and it will remain the same and that is continue progress at the pace that we can all afford and to keep the city of Chicopee affordable.
Vieau also pointed out other accomplishments during his previous terms including Chicopee’s low electric rate, Crossroads Fiber, reactivating the Central Library into the Hub at Market Square, securing a permanent home for the school’s administration offices, restoring the Abbey Brook at Frank Szot Park, upgrades at Sarah Jane Sherman Park, completing phase two of city hall renovations, the implementation of a real time information center and working towards a new Anna Barry Elementary School.
Vieau concluded, “To grow you need economic development, you need good jobs and you need great people and my goal is to retain talent, attract opportunity and to ensure that Chicopee becomes the envy of Western Massachusetts but remember this, Chicopee is also a pillar of not only Western Massachusetts but the entire commonwealth of Massachusetts. This city is something very special and it’s because all the people here in this room and all those who work here.”
