01-05-2015 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGREGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Minutes dated January 5, 2015
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 A. Roll Call
ROLL CALL – 11 PRESENT
Roll Call was taken with the following councilors present: George Bitzas, Cecilia Calabrese, Paul Cavallo, James Cichetti,
Council President Christopher Johnson, Gina Letellier, Joseph Mineo, Vice President Dennis Perry, Donald Rheault, Robert Rossi and Anthony Suffriti. With eleven councilors present,
there was a quorum.
Item B. Moment of Silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.
President Johnson asked for a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item C. Citizen’s Speak
Time
There were no citizens signed up to speak.
Item D. Minutes
Motion to approve the December 15, 2014 Regular City Council meeting minutes was made by Councilors Cichetti and seconded
by Councilor Mineo. The minutes were approved by a vote of: 11 Yes, 0 No.
Item E. Declaration from Council President
None.
Item F. Presentation of Petitions, Memorials & Remonstrances
1. TR-2
014-49 - A Resolution accepting a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State 911 Department pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 53A for the Agawam Police
Department ($27,063.23) (Mayor)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Bitzas and others. As Chair of the Finance Committee, Councilor Mineo gave the
report stating that the item was given a positive recommendation by a vote of 4-0 (Councilors Mineo, Letellier, Rheault and Calabrese).
The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO.
2. TR-2014-50 - A
Resolution accepting a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 53A to the Town of Agawam
($10,000.00) (Mayor)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Letellier and seconded by Councilor Rossi. As Chair of the Finance Committee, Councilor Mineo again gave his report stating
that the item was given a positive recommendation by a vote of 4-0 (Councilors Mineo, Letellier, Rheault and Calabrese).
Council President reminded everyone that the language states “if we get the grant”.
The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO.
Item 7. Report of Council Committees
None.
Item 8. Elections
1. TE-2015-1 -
Election of City Auditor
Council President stated that the floor was open for nominations. Councilor Letellier nominated Cheryl St. John and Councilors Mineo and Cichetti seconded
it. Councilor Bitzas moved to close nominations which was seconded by Councilors Rossi and Mineo.
The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO for Cheryl St. John. Council President congratulated Cheryl
St. John.
2. TE-2015-2 - Election of Administrative Assistant
Council President stated that the floor was open for nominations. Councilor Cavallo nominated Barbara Bard and Councilor
Letellier seconded it. Councilor Mineo moved to close nominations which was seconded by Councilor Cichetti.
The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO for Barbara Bad. Council President congratulated
Barbara Bard.
Item 9. Public Hearings
None.
Item 10. Old Business
1. TO-2014-60 - An Order granting or renewing a Class 2 Dealer’s LICENSE TO Zielinski Brothers II, 218 Shoemaker
Lane, Agawam, MA. (Clerk)
Motion to approve was made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. As Chair of the Administrative Committee, Councilor Rossi provided a report
sending a positive recommendation for passage by a unanimous vote of 5-0.
The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO.
2. TO-2014-61 - An Order granting or renewing a LICENSE for an Automatic Amusement
Device and Weekly Amusement PERMIT for Main Street Still, Inc., 858 Suffield Street, Feeding Hills, MA (Clerk)
Motion to approve was made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor
Rheault. As Chair of the Administrative Committee, Councilor Rossi again provided a report sending a positive recommendation for passage by a unanimous vote of 5-0.
The vote was 11
YES, 0 NO.
Item 11. New Business
1. TR-2015-1 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Shelby Hall-Gibbons, 49 Anvil Street, Agawam, MA. to the Agawam Housing Authority to a term expiring
the second Monday in January, 2018 (Mayor)
Next Agenda.
2. TR-2015-2 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Mark Paleologopoulos, 100 Paul Revere Drive, Feeding Hills, MA.
to the Planning Board to a term expiring January 1 2018 (Mayor)
Next Agenda.
3. TO-2015-1 - Transfer of $435.63 from Council Professional Services (#11112- 52190) to Council Equipment,
Repair & Maint (#11112-52030) (Council)
Refer to Finance Committee, next Agenda.
4. TO-2015-2 - Transfer of $2,000.00 from Council Professional Services (#11112- 52190) to Council
Travel In-State (#11112-52090) (Council)
Refer to Finance Committee, next Agenda.
5. TO-2015-3 - An Order granting or renewing a LICENSE for an Automatic Amusement Device and Weekly
Amusement PERMIT for Agawam Bowl, 359 Walnut Street Ext., Agawam, MA (Clerk)
Refer to Administrative Committee, next Agenda.
6. TO-2015-4 - An Order granting or renewing a LICENSE
for an Automatic Amusement Device for Agawam Bowl, 359 Walnut Street Ext., Agawam, MA (Clerk)
Refer to Administrative Committee, next Agenda.
Item 12. Any other matter that may
legally come before the City Council.
Councilor Calabrese wished everyone a happy 2015. Councilor Cichetti requested a review of the City Council Rules and Regulations and asked Barbara
to schedule a meeting of the Legislative Committee. Any comments or recommendations should be sent to Council Office. Councilor Mineo sent his sincere condolences to the Howard family
on the recent passing of Clark Elementary School principal Sandy Howard. He commented on what a wonderful woman she was. Councilor Suffriti stated that he read in the Agawam Advertiser
News that the potential purchase of Games & Lanes fell through and noted that the Administration had said if nothing was done by the first of the year that they would step in. He would
like an update on this and possibly have the Community Relations Committee look into this. Councilor Calabrese agreed and wanted a meeting schedule with this as an item of Agenda.
Councilor Cavallo mentioned an upcoming Facility Needs Committee meeting. Councilor Letellier wished everyone a happy New Year and also send condolences to the Howard and Dachos families.
She mentioned she received several complaints regarding 1057 Main Street which has very visible building code violations and would like a memo sent to the Building Inspector asking
for an inspection and update to the Full Council. Councilor Bitzas said our recent Council holiday party was nice at the Agawam Municipal Golf Course. In the spring, the course will
be having an Open House and encourages people to attend and see what a great place it is to hold an event. Council President Johnson also
sent his condolences to the family of principal and friend Sandy Howard – a wonderful woman with a heart of gold who is gone too soon. Council President Johnson also mentioned the upcoming
pasta dinner fundraiser for Bill Euliano who is battling bone marrow cancer and leukemia. It is being held at the Sacred Heart Parish Center on January 22nd from 5-7pm. A reminder
that if the Council has not done their performance evaluations on Cheryl and Barbara, please do so and get to him as soon as possible.
Adjournment.
The Motion to adjourn was moved
and seconded by several council members with all in favor of adjourning. The time of adjournment was 7:18pm.