Meet the candidate: Joel McAuliffe running for at-large city councilor seat in Chicopee
CHICOPEE — Joel McAuliffe, a familiar name in Chicopee, is running for City Councilor At-Large.
The 33-year-old previously served as the councilor for Ward 1 for six years between 2018 and 2024 and later ran for state representative to replace Rep. Joseph Wagner, who was first elected in 1991.
Now, McAuliffe, who is director of career and technical education at the Holyoke Public Schools, is hoping to secure one of four open at-large seats.
His name will be on the ballot with six other candidates.
Ahead of Tuesday, Nov. 4, The Republican reached out to all candidates for the opposed City Council and School Committee seats to answer a short questionnaire.
Each council candidate was asked the same four questions. A different set of four identical questions was sent to the candidates for School Committee.
Over the next several days, The Republican will be publishing the candidates' answers to the questions in print. Find more candidates and responses at masslive.com/topic/election .
Name:Joel McAuliffe
Age:33
Address:192 Mountainview St., Chicopee, MA 01020
Profession:Director of Career and Technical Education, Holyoke Public Schools
Position Running For:Chicopee City Council At-Large
Introductory statement: "I'm a former City Councilor and educator who has dedicated my career to public service. I've served our city as a mayoral aide, legislative aide in the Massachusetts State Senate, and three-term City Councilor — delivering real results for our community. On the Council, I led efforts to modernize city government, improve public safety, and invest in education and infrastructure.
Today, as the Director of Career and Technical Education at Dean Technical High School in Holyoke, I'm preparing our next generation for careers and helping build a skilled local workforce. Chicopee has lost more than 85 years of experience and institutional knowledge on the council at a time when that experience matters most. I bring the proven leadership and institutional knowledge to get things done on day one. I'm running to strengthen public safety, drive economic growth, and ensure Chicopee remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family," he said.
Question #1: What is the biggest problem in the city and how would you address it?
Public safety and quality of life are Chicopee's top priorities. We must continue proactive efforts that keep our neighborhoods safe while addressing the root causes of crime, like education and workforce opportunity. By strengthening community policing, supporting first responders, and creating pathways to stable employment, we can make Chicopee safer and stronger. When residents feel secure, our neighborhoods thrive, businesses grow, and families choose to build their futures here.
Question #2: The City Council always struggles to keep taxes low while providing needed services and making advancements. How specifically will you balance the three?
The only way to sustain and expand city services is through increased revenue and reduced expenses. As a management professional, I know how to make government more efficient and responsible. That means growing our tax base by attracting new businesses and development, so rising costs don't fall solely on residents. Smart growth, fiscal discipline, and strategic investment will allow Chicopee to remain affordable while continuing to improve and expand the services our residents depend on.
Question #3: The housing crisis continues to take a toll on residents and those who want to move to the city. How should the city attack the problem?
We must turn long-vacant properties like Cabotville, Lyman Mills, and Uniroyal into the kind of housing people want. This isn't just about housing, but economic development, too. These developments can bring thousands of new residents downtown, strengthen local businesses and stabilize school enrollment, which has declined sharply in recent years. Chicopee's future depends on revitalizing our downtown and Falls neighborhoods – creating a vibrant community where families want to live, grow, and stay for generations.
Question #4: What types of development would you like to attract to the city and how would you do it?
Chicopee must focus on revitalizing our downtown and turning long-vacant properties like Cabotville and Lyman Mills into active spaces that bring people, jobs, and energy back to the city. At the same time, we need to fully leverage Westover Metropolitan Airport — a long-underutilized asset — to attract business, industry, and entertainment, similar to how Westfield has leveraged the Barnes neighborhood. With the right leadership, Chicopee can spark growth that strengthens both downtown and our entire local economy.
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