City officials have debated eliminating one seat from the School Committee for at least 10 years.
Ward 4 School Committee member Michael J. Pise waves to voters in Chicopee's 2005 election.CHICOPEE – A long-term School Committee member who announced he would not run for re-election in Ward 4 has taken out papers to run for an at-large seat on the board.
Michael J. Pise said he continues to be interested in the School Committee, but his main reason for running is to make it easier if city officials and voters want to eliminate the at-large seat.
“I wouldn’t challenge any action if they wanted to remove that seat,” he said.
City officials have a long history of debating removing an at-large seat from the 12-member committee.
The committee originally had 11 members but the mayor was added as chairman in the mid- to late-1990s, creating an even number board. Recently it deadlocked 6-6 when it tried to select a vice chairman, sparking new debates about eliminating one of the two at-large seats.
Pise said the debate has come and gone for a decade. In at least three instances, the committee debated it when the seat became vacant, but found people who wanted the job.
The most recent discussion came after member Susan A. Lecca died in November. The committee voted 9-0 to leave her seat vacant temporarily and ask voters in November if they wanted to permanently eliminate it.
When a joint meeting of the School Committee and City Council was held to discuss the position, the group took nominations and selected retired educator John F. Mruk for the seat.
Mruk said he will not run for re-election. Pise said, if elected, he could resign if voters decide any time in his four-year term to eliminate the seat.
“It’s up in the air and I think a charter commission should study it and do what the voters want,” he said.
A charter commission would be assigned to review all city regulations and propose changes. Voters decide on a referendum question if they want to form a commission and at the same time elect candidates to it.
Pise said he does not believe there is enough time to get the issue resolved and a question on the ballot for November. The deadline to place a question on the ballot would be in September.
There also continues to be interest in the seat. College student Joel D. McAuliffe has also taken out nomination papers to run for the at-large seat on the committee. He also took out papers for mayor.
Pise said he originally decided against running in Ward 4 because he felt it was time for someone new to take the job. He has held the seat for about 20 years.
“I think I am being true to what I said before. Ward 4 residents have an opportunity to run for the seat,” he said.
Pise is one of about 20 people who have already taken out nomination papers to run in November. Papers are due Aug. 2.
Incumbents interested in running for City Council are: Dino A. Brunetti, Ward 1; Charles M. Swider, Ward 2; John L. Vieau, Ward 3; Frederick T. Krampits, Ward 5; Timothy McLellan, Ward 6; George R. Moreau, Ward 7; Donald G. Demers, Ward 8; and James K. Tillotson, Frank N. Laflamme and Robert J. Zygarowski, all at-large. Newcomers who have taken out papers are: David Amo, Ward 6, and David Schryvar, Ward 8.
Incumbents who took out papers for School Committee are: Adam D. Lamontagne, Ward 1; David G. Barsalou, Ward 2; Deborah A. Styckiewicz, Ward 5; Susan A. Lopes, Ward 6; and Donald J. Lamothe, Ward 7. Newcomers who have taken out papers are Trina House, Ward 1, and Sandra A. Peret, Ward 4.
Incumbent Virginia Roback has taken out papers for assessor.