A total of 27 Chicopee city officials were sworn into public office during inauguration ceremony at Elms College. Watch video
CHICOPEE – As he was officially sworn in as mayor after a 10-year hiatus, Richard J. Kos talked about making improvements in public safety, education and economic development.
But, Kos said, from his experience he knows he cannot predict everything that will happen in the next two years.
“All I can promise you today are two words...honesty and integrity,” he said.
Kos was the last of 27 people sworn into public office during a Monday morning inauguration ceremony at Elms College. Also taking the oath of office were new Treasurer Marie T. Laflamme, new Collector Stanley Iwanicki and assessors Laura McCarthy and Victor Anop.
One new School Committee member, Dana C. Cutter was sworn in with eight incumbents, Chester J, Szetela, David Barsalou, Sandra A. Peret, Donald J. Lamothe, Mary-Elizabeth Pniak-Costello, Marjorie A. Wojcik, Deborah Styckiewicz and Sharon M. Nawrocki.
Of the 13 City Councilors, Gerard A. Roy, an at-large councilor; Adam D. Lamontagne; Gary R. Labrie and Shane D. Brooks are new to their seats. Also sworn in were Frank N. Laflamme, Robert J. Zygarowski, Frederick T. Krampits, James K. Tillotson, Timothy S. McLellan, William M. Zaskey, John L. Vieau, George R. Moreau and Gerry J. Roy, who represents Ward 9.
Following the inauguration the City Council met briefly and unanimously re-elected Moreau as its president and selected Vieau as vice president.
During the event Chicopee and Comprehensive high school bands performed together and choral groups from both schools performed different numbers.
Kos replaces Michael D. Bissonnette who served as mayor for the last eight years. Bissonnette and his wife, Erin Bresnahan, attended the ceremony.
Kos was sworn in by long-term friend and former law partner Judge Edward J. McDonough. City Clerk Keith Rattell read the oath of office for the other city officials.
During his speech, Kos talked about how having good schools, a safe city and a good cost of living with local services are all interconnected and vital in attracting businesses and jobs to the area. Businesses want to locate in an area with a well-educated work force.
“We must maximize opportunities we can offer to our students and our community,” he said, mentioning the possibility of creating a six-year high school program for post graduates and building a stronger connection with community colleges.
Kos promised to continue on-going projects such as the federally-mandated sewer separation and improving school buildings. He said he will do it with an eye on fiscal accountability and in consideration of what taxpayers can afford.
He also pledged better accountability within the police department, which is directly under the mayor’s control. Recently an examination by a former police lieutenant who is now a consultant showed a number of past problems with the department and described the atmosphere as a hotbed of “divided loyalties,“ mistrust and animosity.
“The activities of the Police Department going forward will be transparent and monitored,” Kos said.