CHICOPEE, Mass. - The City of Chicopee is promising a professional process moving forward when it comes to handling dental and health insurance premiums for city employees.

The city took measures to address past issues including hiring new chief of human resource officer Stephen Zajchowski and benefits specialist Karen Gay earlier this year, and at a press conference Tuesday, Mayor John Vieau said more help is coming.

"We've actually decided that in the best interest of the city to add another benefits coordinator or manager," Vieau said. "That position right now has 80 applicants that are interested in it and we look to make a hire very soon. The city council has supported that.

Vieau said the city will also be implementing new software to help with benefits management.

"We've already reviewed three benefits platform providers," he said. "And I believe we're close to making a decision on moving forward with one of those platforms that will help to ensure that people are making the right choices when it comes choosing benefits." 

About nine months ago, the city discovered errors in benefits data showing overpayments made to the city's insurance provider for former employees who were either retired, or had passed away. City Councilor and candidate for mayor Delmarina Lopez called for an external audit, but the city chose to handle it internally.

Vieau said the audit shows errors go back to 2015, and turnover in both the HR and treasurer's department and gaps in inter-departmental communications played a role.

"There was some human error," he said. "That needed to be addressed and there was some oversight, and when you have a lack of personal, especially navigating through a time of uncertainty that we have never seen in lifetime, I think that ultimately, I'm proud of how we've responded."

The city said it’s collected reimbursement for about half of the premiums, and the audit concluded the money improperly paid out was about 0.1% of total premiums.