List of mayors of Chicopee, Massachusetts explained

Post:Mayor
Body:Chicopee
Insignia:Seal of Chicopee, Massachusetts.svg
Insigniacaption:Seal of Chicopee
Incumbent:John L. Vieau
Acting:no
Incumbentsince:January 6, 2020
Type:Chief executive
Style:His/Her Honor
Member Of:School Committee
Residence:None official
Seat:Chicopee City Hall
Nominator:Non-partisan nominating petition
Appointer:Popular vote
Termlength:Two years
(1917-Present)
One year
(1891-1917)[1]
Constituting Instrument:Chicopee City Charter
Precursor:Chicopee Board of Selectmen
(1848-1890)
Formation:1891
First:George Sylvester Taylor
Salary:$122,000 (2023)[2]

The Mayor of Chicopee is the chief executive of municipal government in Chicopee, Massachusetts. The mayor's office oversees the enforcement of all laws and ordinances within the city, appoints and supervises a majority of appointed officials, and serves as an ex officio member of the Chicopee School Committee. Chicopee has a mayor-council government. Mayors of Chicopee are appointed through direct, non-partisan elections to a two-year term. The office has no term limits. The mayor's office is located in Chicopee City Hall in Chicopee Center.[3]

The current mayor of Chicopee is John L. Vieau.

History

Prior to 1891, Chicopee had no mayor. The town was governed by an open town meeting and a Board of Selectmen to oversee the day-to-day operations of the town. Chicopee received its city charter in 1890 and elected George S. Taylor, who took office in 1891. Under the charter, mayors were elected annually on the first Tuesday in December and took office on the first Monday in January. If the mayor's office was vacated, it was mandatory for an election to take place, with the President of the Board of Aldermen serving as acting mayor.

When the city charter was revised in 1897, the city council was changed to a unicameral system and the mayor no longer presided over city council meetings or acted with the council in declaring elections' winning candidates. Additionally, it was no longer mandatory to call a new election if the mayor's office was vacated within three months of a mayor's term ending. The revised charter came into effect in 1898.[4]

In 1938, the city's Franco-American Association endorsed holding non-partisan local elections.[5] Proponents argued that non-partisan elections would alleviate racial or ethnic bloc voting and party factionalism.[6] The city's first non-partisan elections were held in 1943.[7]

List of mayors

Mayor Picture Term Party Notes
1 George Sylvester TaylorJanuary 5, 1891 - January 4, 1892[8] Republican
2 William W. McClenchJanuary 4, 1892 - January 2, 1893[9] Democrat[10]
3 Henry H. HarrisJanuary 2, 1893 - January 1, 1894Republican[11]
4 January 1, 1894[12] - January 7, 1895
5 Andrew W. Gale January 7, 1895[13] - January 6, 1896[14] Republican[15]
6 January 6, 1896 - January 4, 1897[16] Republican
7 George D. EldridgeJanuary 4, 1897 - January 2, 1899Democratic[17]
8 Denis MurphyJanuary 2, 1899 - January 7, 1901 Unaffiliated[18] Born in Cork, Ireland; First Irish mayor of Chicopee[19]
9 James H. Loomis January 7, 1901 - January 4, 1904[20]
10Charles A. Buckley January 4, 1904 - January 2, 1905[21] Republican
11 Albert E. TaylorJanuary 2, 1905 - January 6, 1908[22] Republican[23] Son of George Sylvester Taylor[24]
12 Joseph O. BeauchampJanuary 6, 1908 - January 4, 1909[25] Republican[26] [27] Born in Saint-Roch, Canada; First Franco-American mayor of Chicopee[28]
13 William J. Fuller January 4, 1909 - January 2, 1910[29] Republican
14 Samuel E. FletcherJanuary 2, 1910 - January 1, 1912Republican[30]
15 Frank A. Rivers January 1, 1912[31] - October 7, 1914Unaffiliated[32]
16 Rogette D. EarleOctober 7, 1914 - January 4, 1915Unaffiliated[33] [34] Board of Alderman President, Acting Mayor[35]
17 William J. DunnJanuary 4, 1915[36] - January 3, 1916Democrat
18 Daniel J. CoakleyJanuary 3, 1916[37] - January 5, 1920[38] Democrat[39] [40] [41]
19 James E. HigginsJanuary 5, 1920 - January 2, 1922[42] Republican
20 Joseph E. GriseJanuary 2, 1922 - January 4, 1926[43] Republican[44]
21 Michael I. SheaJanuary 4, 1926 - January 2, 1928[45] Democrat[46]
22 Henry CloutierJanuary 2, 1928 - January 4, 1932[47] Republican[48]
23 Anthony J. StoninaJanuary 4, 1932 - January 1, 1934[49] Republican[50] First Polish mayor of Chicopee
24 O'Neil DeroyJanuary 1, 1934 - January 6, 1936 Republican
(23) Anthony J. StoninaJanuary 6, 1936 - January 1, 1940
25 Leo P. Senecal January 1, 1940 - January 3, 1944 Republican[51]
26 Edward O. BourbeauJanuary 3, 1944 - January 7, 1952Republican[52]
27 Walter J. TrybulskiJanuary 7, 1952 - January 2, 1956Republican[53]
28 Walter M. GrockiJanuary 2, 1956[54] - January 4, 1960Republican
29 Edward A. LysekJanuary 4, 1960 - January 3, 1966Republican[55]
30 Richard H. DemersJanuary 3, 1966 - January 5, 1970 Democrat[56]
31 Edward J. ZiembaJanuary 5, 1970[57] - January 5, 1976Republican
32 Howard W. Redfern, Jr.[58] January 5, 1976[59] - January 2, 1978Democrat[60]
33 John P. MoylanJanuary 2, 1978 - January 7, 1980Democrat
34 Robert F. Kumor January 7, 1980 - January 2, 1984Democrat
35 Richard S. Lak January 2, 1984 - January 4, 1988Democrat
36 Joseph J. ChesseyJanuary 4, 1988 - February 28, 1997[61] Democrat[62]
37 Patrick E. WelchMarch 1, 1997 - July 7, 1997Democrat[63] [64] City Council President, Acting Mayor
38 Richard J. KosJuly 7, 1997 - January 5, 2004[65] Republican[66] Did not run for re-election in 2003
39 Richard R. Goyette January 5, 2004 - January 2, 2006Republican[67]
40 January 2, 2006[68] - January 6, 2014[69] Democrat[70] Lost re-election for 5th term
(38)Richard J. Kos January 6, 2014 - January 6, 2020[71] Republican
41 John L. Vieau January 6, 2020 - Incumbent

Notes and References

  1. Web site: City of Chicopee, MA Charter . ecode360.com . 29 April 2023.
  2. Web site: Chapter 7 Ordinance Revisions . ecode360.com . City of Chicopee . 13 April 2023 . 3.
  3. Book: Historical Records Survey . Inventory of Town and City Archives of Massachusetts No. 7. ~ Hampden County Vol. V ~ Chicopee . 1939 . Work Projects Administration . Boston, Mass. . 59–60.
  4. Book: Historical Records Survey . Inventory of Town and City Archives of Massachusetts No. 7. ~ Hampden County Vol. V ~ Chicopee . 1939 . Work Projects Administration . Boston, Mass. . 61.
  5. News: Franco-Americans favor non-partisan election bill . 1 December 2023 . Springfield Daily News (Springfield, Mass.) . MassLive/Newsbank . 9 March 1938.
  6. News: Nonpartisan bill heavily favored in city hall hearing . 1 December 2023 . Springfield Daily News (Springfield, Mass.) . MassLive/Newsbank . 19 March 1938.
  7. News: Primary system to be explained . 1 December 2023 . Springfield Daily News (Springfield, Mass.) . MassLive/Newsbank . 22 September 1943.
  8. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1892 . 1893 . George V. Wheelock, Printer . Chicopee, MA . 2.
  9. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1893 . 1894 . George V. Wheelock, Printer . Chicopee, MA . 9.
  10. News: Jendrysik . Stephen . One-year terms made for interesting mayors . 11 October 2022 . The Republican (Springfield, MA) . MassLive . 31 December 2014.
  11. Web site: Kestenbaum . Lawrence . Harris, G to I . The Political Graveyard . 11 October 2022.
  12. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1894 . 1895 . George V. Wheelock, Printer . Chicopee, MA . 9.
  13. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1895 . 1896 . George V. Wheelock, Printer . Chicopee, MA . 11.
  14. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1896 . 1897 . George V. Wheelock, Printer . Chicopee, MA . 11.
  15. Web site: Kestenbaum . Lawrence . Galbreath to Gallaeur . The Political Graveyard . 11 October 2022.
  16. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1897 . 1898 . George V. Wheelock, Printer . Chicopee, MA . 9.
  17. Book: A Souvenir of Massachusetts Legislators . 1893 . Rockwell and Churchill . Boston, MA . 110.
  18. News: State and Municipal Topics . 20 April 2023 . The Republican (Springfield, Mass. . 10 December 1899 . 4.
  19. News: Jendrysik . Stephen . Irish immigrant Denis Murphy helped build, govern Chicopee . 4 April 2023 . The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) . MassLive . 9 June 2010.
  20. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1904 . 1905 . E.S. Jacobs, Printer . Chicopee, MA . 13.
  21. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1905 . 1906 . E.S. Jacobs, Printer . Chicopee, MA . 13.
  22. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1908 . 1909 . L. Warren Paltz & Co., Printers . Chicopee, MA . 13.
  23. News: Jendrysik . Stephen . 3 generations of Irish family patrolled Chicopee’s streets . 16 August 2024 . The Republican (Springfield, MA) . 29 September 2022.
  24. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1905 . 1906 . E.S. Jacobs, Printer . Chicopee, MA . 13.
  25. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1909 . 1910 . L. Warren Paltz & Co., Printers . Chicopee, MA . 13.
  26. News: Defeat Beauchamp Chicopee Republican Caucuses?search_terms Fuller defeats Beauchamp . 20 April 2023 . The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) . 13 November 1907 . 7.
  27. News: is Elected?search_terms Beauchamp is elected . 20 April 2023 . The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) . 11 December 1907 . 7.
  28. Book: Brault . Gerard . The French-Canadian Heritage in New England . 1986 . University Press of New England . Hanover, NH . 9780773505377 . 147.
  29. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1910 . 1911 . L. Warren Paltz & Co., Printers . Chicopee, MA.
  30. News: is Nominated at the Chicopee Caucuses. Defeats Frank A. Rivers by 80 Votes - Jameson?search_terms Fletcher is nominated . 20 April 2023 . The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) . 10 November 1909 . 9.
  31. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1911 . 1912 . L. Warren Paltz & Co. Printers . Chicopee, MA . 13.
  32. News: Ludwig to be a candidate . 20 April 2023 . The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) . 20 November 1911 . 10.
  33. News: Mayor Rivers wins again . 20 April 2023 . The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) . 10 December 1913 . 1.
  34. News: Dunn elected by 5 . 20 April 2023 . The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) . 9 December 1914 . 1.
  35. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1914 . 1915 . L. Warren Paltz & Co. Printers . Chicopee, MA . 13.
  36. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1914 . 1915 . L. Warren Paltz & Co. Printers . Chicopee, MA . 13.
  37. Web site: City of Chicopee . City of Chicopee, MA Charter . chicopeema.gov . ecode360.com . 20 April 2023.
  38. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1920 . 1921 . L. Warren Paltz & Co., Printers . Chicopee, MA . 11.
  39. Book: 1925-1926 Public Officials of Massachusetts . 1925 . Boston Review . Boston, MA . 135.
  40. News: Coakley Mayor of Chicopee . The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) . 16 December 1915 . 4.
  41. News: Chicopee G.O.P. picks Higgins . 20 April 2023 . The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) . 13 November 1919 . 11.
  42. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1921 . 1923 . L. Warren Paltz & Co., Printers . Chicopee, MA . 13.
  43. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1926 . 1926 . L. Warren Paltz & Co., Printers . Chicopee, MA.
  44. News: Donnell Rally Tonight . 16 August 2024 . The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) . Newsbank . 2 September 1922 . 3.
  45. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1927 . 1928 . L. Warren Paltz & Co., Printers . Chicopee, MA . 13.
  46. News: Chicopee elects Dr. Shea mayor, crushing machine candidates under ballots . 21 April 2023 . The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) . 2 December 1925 . 1.
  47. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1931 . 1932 . New England Press, Inc. . Chicopee, MA . 15.
  48. News: Jendrysik . Stephen . Forging a path for Poles, women . 11 October 2022 . The Republican (Springfield, MA) . MassLive . 22 March 2017.
  49. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1934 . 1935 . New England Press, Inc. . Chicopee, MA . 13.
  50. Web site: Kestenbaum . Lawrence . Massachusetts Delegation to the 1932 Republican National Convention . The Political Graveyard . 11 October 2022.
  51. Book: Public Officials of Massachusetts: 1920 . 1920 . Boston Review . 277 .
  52. News: Hoffman . Sam . Doubtful Democratic City Committee here will figure in the election . 26 April 2023 . Springfield Daily News . Newsbank . 29 April 1961.
  53. News: Jendysik . Stephen . Chicopee's mayors include many a lawyer . 22 April 2023 . The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) . Newsbank . 20 August 2020.
  54. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1956 . 1957 . Allied Printing . Springfield, MA . 26.
  55. Book: Howard . Richard . Public officials of Massachusetts 1943-44 . 1944 . Commonwealth of Massachusetts . Boston, Mass. . 216 . 23 April 2023.
  56. Book: O'Neill . Edward . Mills . Wallace . Public Officers of the Massachusetts General Court 1979-80 . 1980 . Commonwealth of Massachusetts . 128 . 22 April 2023.
  57. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1970 . 1971 . n.p. . 15.
  58. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1975-76 . 1976 . 5.
  59. Book: City of Chicopee . Municipal Register for 1975-76 . 1976 . n.p. . 17.
  60. News: Briere . Glenn . Hub councillor 'stump' area . 2 December 2023 . Springfield Union (Springfield, Mass.) . MassLive/Newsbank . 13 May 1976.
  61. News: Greig . June . Chessey serves final day in office . 11 October 2022 . The Republican (Springfield, MA) . 1 March 1997.
  62. News: Turner . Ford . Chessey backs Silber, Blasts Question 3 . 22 April 2023 . The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) . Newsbank . 22 October 1990.
  63. News: Bonin . Michael . Bellotti, at city rally, promises to bring change, not division . 2 December 2023 . Springfield Union News (Springfield, Mass.) . MassLive/Newsbank . 15 August 1990.
  64. News: Kendra applauds Welch's road plan . 2 December 2023 . Springfield Union News (Springfield, Mass.) . MassLive/Newsbank . 30 April 1997.
  65. News: Walsh . Etta . Oaths, offices taken anew - 37th Chicopee mayor sworn in . The Republican (Springfield, MA) . 6 January 2004.
  66. News: Greig . June . Chicopee candidates cite goals - Asselin touts experience in finance, economic needs . 21 April 2023 . The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) . Newsbank . 22 June 1997.
  67. News: Appleton . John . Candidate thanks Romney . 21 April 2023 . The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) . Newsbank . 9 October 2003.
  68. News: Walsh . Etta . Chicopee given 'new beginning' . The Republican (Springfield, MA) . 3 January 2006.
  69. News: DeForge . Jeanette . Chicopee inauguration scheduled for Jan 6: Richard Kos as mayor and 4 new city councilors to take oath . 11 March 2023 . The Republican (Springfield, MA) . MassLive . 26 December 2013.
  70. News: Walsh . Etta . Bissonnette plans mayoral challenge . 21 April 2023 . The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) . Newsbank . 1 July 2005.
  71. News: Johnson . Patrick . New Chicopee Mayor John Vieau plans charging forward from day 1; shouts 'I want to get to work!' . 11 March 2023 . The Republican (Springfield, MA) . MassLive . 6 January 2020.