06-02-2014 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGREGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Minutes dated June 2, 2014
Meeting was called to order by President Johnson at 7:00pm at the Auditorium at the Roberta G. Doering School,
68 Main Street, Agawam.
Item 1. Roll Call
ROLL CALL – 10 PRESENT, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Bitzas)
Roll Call was taken with the following councilors present: Cecilia Calabrese, Paul Cavallo,
James Cichetti, Council President Christopher Johnson, Gina Letellier, Joseph Mineo, Vice President Dennis Perry, Robert Rossi, Donald Rheault and Anthony Suffriti. Councilor George
Bitzas was not in attendance. With ten councilors present, there was a quorum.
Item 2. Moment of Silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.
President Johnson asked for a moment of silence
and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 3. Citizen’s Speak Time
There were three citizens signed up to speak. Mary Pasteris of 3F Mansion Woods spoke in support of Agawam Nurses and the
desire to keep our nurses working in Agawam with competitive salaries. Donna Jago of 1028 River Road spoke in support of the Mixed Use Ordinance. She also reiterated her comments from
the last meeting regarding the Rotary at the end of Rt 57 and if the Council couldn’t do anything, to please pass her requests on to the Mayor’s Office. Ms. Jago also stated that the
speaker volume in the auditorium is poor quality. Corinne Wingard of 194 Elm Street thanked the Council for their positive votes on the Mixed Use Ordinance at the last meeting and asked
for their continued support so we can send a positive, business-friendly message and allow the Town of Agawam to be eligible for up to $1million from a MassWorks Infra-Structure Grant.
Item
4. Minutes
There was a Motion to approve the May 19, 2014 Regular City Council meeting minutes made by Councilors Cichetti and Letellier and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. The minutes
were approved by a vote of: 10 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent (Councilor Bitzas).
Item 5. Declaration from Council President
None.
Item 6. Presentation of Petitions, Memorials & Remonstrances
None.
Item 7. Report of Council Committees
None.
Item 8. Elections
None.
Item 9. Public Hearings
1. PH-2014-2 (TOR-2014-4) - An Ordinance amending the Zoning Code of the Town of
Agawam creating the Mixed Use Business C District (Planning Board) (Referred to Legislative Committee) (2 of 2 Readings)
Motion was made to approve the second and final reading of
TOR-2014-4 by Councilor Calabrese and seconded by Councilors Cavallo and Letellier.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Bitzas).
2. PH-2014-3 (TR-2014-20) - A Resolution
adopting the Fiscal Year 2015-2019 Capital Improvement Program (Referred to Finance Committee) (Mayor
Motion was made to take the item of the table by Councilor Rheault and seconded
by Councilor Letellier. Voice vote was unanimous to remove the item off the table. Council President declared the Public Hearing open. No one approached to speak for this item for
or against or in name only as well. The Public Hearing was closed. Motion was made by Councilor Letellier and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. Councilor Mineo gave the Finance Committee
report stating that there were some questions regarding the Track & Field but those questions were answered. Councilor Mineo stated that this was a wish list and the Council has the
final vote on any items that would come before us. Passing the CIP budget does not bind the Council into anything. The Finance Committee voted to send a positive recommendation for
passage with a vote of 4-0-1. Councilor Letellier thanked the Auditor for printing out the requested list of unexpended funds. She questioned $480,000 that was left in the “Before
and After School Care” account and after speaking with Superintendent Sapelli was satisfied that it was earmarked for carpeting and intercom updates. Councilor Letellier again stressed
the importance of using CPA money for the Track facility and said she was in support of this item. Council President Johnson stepped from the Chair to reiterate the importance of passing
this when it comes to future bonding however he has a different opinion on the priority of the projects. Councilor Rossi also disagreed with the priority list but was in support of
the CIP budget.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Bitzas).
3. PH-2014-4 (TR-2014-24) – a Resolution adopting the Fiscal Year 2015 annual Operating Budget for the Town
of Agawam (Public Hearing Date set for June 23, 2014) (Mayor)
This item remains on the table until the June 23, 2014 meeting.
Item 10. Old Business
1. TOR-2014-3 - An Ordinance to Amend the Chapter 114 of the Agawam Town Code entitled “Junk and Secondhand Dealers” (Mayor) (Two Readings Required)
Motion
made to leave this item on the table by Councilor Cichetti and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. It was unanimously approved by a voice vote.
2. TO-2014-12 - Transfer $30,000.00 from
Overtime (#12201-51030) to Fire Protection and Safety (#12203-52410) for the purchase of portable radios (Mayor)
Motion was made by Councilor Letellier and seconded by Councilor Rheault.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Bitzas).
Item 11. New Business
1. TO-2014-13 - Transfer $169,345.09 from Line Items Reserve (#16605-57300) to the following (Mayor):
Snow
& Ice Overtime (#14201-51031) $55,247.11
Equipment Rental (#14202-52071) $69,112.80
Hwy Ice Control Material (#14203-52210) $44,985.18
This item was referred to the Finance Committee
and moved to the next Agenda. Council President asked for more support information from the Mayor regarding this item.
2. TR-2014-25 - A Resolution authorizing the Reservation and
Appropriation of Funds from the Community Preservation Fund (CPA)
This item was moved to the next Agenda.
Item 12. Any other matter that may legally come before the City Council.
Councilor
Letellier wished the best to all the 2014 Graduates. Councilor Mineo requested a meeting be scheduled for the Finance Committee and Councilor Calabrese wished a happy birthday to her
son.
Adjournment.
The Motion to adjourn was moved and seconded all around the house with all in favor of adjourning. Time of adjournment 7:22pm