CHICOPEE - There is an empty seat on the Chicopee School Committee. During the last meeting, city officials were unable to come to a vote on who should fill that seat, and if it should even be filled.

"If we fill that seat without any citizen votes it would be the only person in Chicopee to be elected not by the people. I don't think that's the right thing to do in a democracy," said Jim Tanhauser, Ward 1 School Committee. 

There needed to be a majority vote by at least 13-members of the city council and the school committee to make a decision about the vacant seat. City councilors say it appears they will be filling the seat in the next meeting and will not be leaving it vacant. There are two candidates looking to fill the at-large seat.

"One candidate achieved 10 affirmative votes, the other received 9 and then there were several abstentions so we are hoping to get past the impasse and nominate and hopefully vote up or down a candidate," said Shane Brooks, the vice president of city council."

Brooks is in favor of keeping the seat and is voting for Douglas Girouard to fill the position. He says both candidates are qualified and have different things they can bring to the table, but believes Girouard can bring something new. 

"We are in an uncharted time with respect to either  e-learning or how we plan reentry into the school systems next year in September, if that is even feasible or possible, so I think bringing a variety of perspectives," said Brooks. "A business owner has a unique perspective."

Tanhauser wants to eliminate the seat completely. He says the money they save could be used for students and classrooms and to help infrastructure. He says if the seat has to be filled, he will also support Girouard.

"Especially coming back from a pandemic, there is going to be a huge problem with the budget, revenues bottomed out lately, so I think an outside perspective is exactly what we need," said Tanhauser.

But others believe John Mruk is the better option to serve the school committee because of his extensive background in education and work in the city. Ward 1 City Councilor, Joel McAuliffe says he will be supporting Mruk.

"[Mruk] knows what it takes to serve on the school committee, he knows what it takes to serve the constituents in city of Chicopee and he has an educational background," McAuliffe said. 

McAuliffe supports getting rid of the seat and says part of the reason he is supporting Mruk is because he is unlikely to run for reelection.

"It will give us a chance to eliminate the seat at the end of the term, if we appoint someone who is likely to run for reelection it becomes that much more complicated," said McAuliffe.

Before the next vote, Tanhauser says he wants residents to get involved, adding the city government should not overall their right to vote on representation. 

"If you're a citizen watching and you feel like you should have a say in this, contact your city councilor, contact your school committee rep., contact your mayor, make sure your voice is heard," said Tanhauser.

Although the vote won't happen in person at City Hall due to the coronavirus pandemic, they still plan to meet via teleconference to revote on these matters. That meeting will take place Tuesday, June 2 at 6pm.