03-02-2015 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGREGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Minutes dated March 2, 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 – 9 PRESENT, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Letellier and Rheault)
Roll Call was taken with the following councilors present: George Bitzas,
Cecilia Calabrese, Paul Cavallo, James Cichetti, Council President Christopher Johnson, Joseph Mineo, Vice President Dennis Perry, Robert Rossi and Anthony Suffriti. Councilors Gina
Letellier and Donald Rheault were absent. With nine 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 February 17, 2015
Regular City Council meeting minutes was made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Cichetti. The minutes were approved by a voice vote of: 9 Yes, 0 No and 2 Absent (Councilors
Letellier and Rheault)
Item E. Declaration from Council President
Council President Johnson stated that the Council Workshop will be scheduled for Wednesday, March 11th at 6:30pm
with the main topic of discussion being the Council Rules and Regulations. All recommendations, suggestions and/or comments should be sent to Barbara or himself by this Friday in order
to be discussed at the meeting.
Item F. Presentation of Petitions, Memorials & Remonstrances
1. TR-2015-4 - A Resolution approving the revised job description for the Council appointed
Auditor position (Council)
Motion to remove from the table made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilors Rossi and Suffriti. The voice vote was unanimous.
Motion to adopt
the final version made by Councilor Calabrese and seconded by Councilors Cichetti and Mineo. Councilor Cichetti stated that the Legislative Committee was in full support. There was
no further discussion on the matter. The vote was 9 Yes, 0 No and 2 Absent (Councilors Letellier and Rheault) for the amended final version and the vote was 9 Yes, 0 No and 2 Absent
(Councilors Letellier and Rheault) as amended.
2. TR-2015-11 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Violet Baldwin, 1245 Main Street, Agawam, MA. 01001 to the Planning Board to a term expiring January 1, 2018 (Mayor)
Motion
to approve made by Councilor Cichetti and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. There was no discussion on the item.
The vote was 9 Yes, 0 No and 2 Absent (Councilors Letellier and Rheault)
3. TR-2015-12
- A Resolution confirming the appointment of F. William Euliano, Jr., 38 High Meadow Road, Feeding Hills, MA. 01030 to the Board of Health to a term expiring the first Monday in
February, 2018 (Mayor)
Motion to approve made by Councilors Suffriti and Mineo and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. There was no discussion on the item.
The vote was 9 Yes, 0 No and
2 Absent (Councilors Letellier and Rheault)
4. TR-2015-13 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Ronald J. Hamel, 52 Federal Avenue, Agawam, MA to the Agawam Veteran’s Council
to a term expiring April 1, 2018 (Mayor)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Cichetti and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. There was no discussion on the item.
The vote was 9 Yes,
0 No and 2 Absent (Councilors Letellier and Rheault)
The Chair extended his thanks to all of the above for their commitment on their respective boards as well as to the town.
Item
7. Report of Council Committees
None.
Item 8. Elections
None.
Item 9. Public Hearings
1. PH-2015-1 (TOR-2015-1) - An Ordinance to amend the Code of the Town of Agawam to add
section 180-95A to assist the Council in Zone Change requests involving the Wireless Telecommunications Overlay District (Councilors Rossi, Letellier and Perry) (Referred to Legislative
Committee) (Tabled February 17, 2015)
Motion to remove the item from the table made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Cichetti. Motion to approve the first reading made
by Councilor Calabrese and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. Council President declared the Public Hearing open. There were no speakers for or against the item, either in person or in
name only. Council President declared the Public Hearing closed.
Two readings are required and this is for the first reading and eight votes are required. The vote was 9 Yes, 0 No
and 2 Absent (Councilors Letellier and Rheault)
Item 10. Old Business
1. TO-2015-10 - Voucher List for $399.99 (Council)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Mineo and seconded by Councilor Rossi. Council President stated that
this was to pay for the purchase of a new copier/fax/printer in the Council Office. There was no discussion on the item.
The vote was 9 Yes, 0 No and 2 Absent (Councilors Letellier
and Rheault)
2. TO-2015-11 - An Order Granting or Renewing a Class 2 Dealer’s LICENSE for Auto Point Motors, 1039 Springfield Street, Feeding Hills, MA 01030 (Clerk)
Motion to approve
made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Cichetti. As Chair of the Administrative Committee, Councilor Rossi stated that his committee met earlier that evening and gave a unanimous
positive recommendation for passage. There was no further discussion on the item.
The vote was 9 Yes, 0 No and 2 Absent (Councilors Letellier and Rheault)
3. TO-2015-12 - Voucher
List for $2056.87 (Council)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Cichetti and seconded by Councilor Mineo. Council President stated that this was to pay to reimburse those councilors
who attended the MMA Trade Show/Conference in Boston. There was no discussion on the item.
The vote was 9 Yes, 0 No and 2 Absent (Councilors Letellier and Rheault)
Item 11. New Business
1. TO-20
15-13 - Budgetary Transfer of $10,000.00 from Health Regular Salaries (#15101-51010) to Health Temporary Salaries (#15101-51020) (Mayor)
Next Agenda, referred to the Finance Committee.
2. TO-2015-
14 - Budgetary Transfer of $11,994.00 from Reserve Fund (#16605- 57300) to Community Development Professional Services (#11802-52190) (Mayor)
Next Agenda, referred to the Finance Committee.
3. TR-
2015-14 - A Resolution appropriating from the Community Preservation Fund and authorizing the expenditure of Community Preservation Funds for the rehabilitation of the tennis courts
at Perry Lane (CPA)
Next Agenda, referred to the Finance Committee.
4. TR-2015-15 - A Resolution accepting a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts pursuant to Massachusetts
General Laws Chapter 44, Section 53A for the Agawam Personnel Department (Mayor)
Next Agenda.
5. TOR-2015-3 - An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 103 of the Code of the Town of Agawam (Mayor) (Two Readings Required)
Next Agenda, referred to the Legislative Committee.
6. TOR-2015-4
- An Ordinance to Amend the Code of the Town of Agawam by adding Chapter 178 Fingerprint-based Criminal Record Background Checks (Mayor) (Two Readings Required)
Next Agenda, referred
to the Legislative Committee.
Item 12. Any other matter that may legally come before the City Council.
Councilor Cavallo gave his condolences to the Stratton family on the passing
of one of the friendliest men he’s ever met, David Stratton, Sr. Also School Budget Committee invited to School Committee’s Budget/Finance Committee meeting this Thursday, March 5th
at 5:00pm. Barbara emailed you copies of information and if you cannot attend, he will get whatever handouts and get them to the attention of the Full Council. Councilor Perry stated
that, again, it is very difficult to attend 5:00 meetings and would appreciate it if Councilor Cavallo could mention this to them. Councilor Mineo also provided condolences to the Stratton
family stating that Mr. Stratton was his gym teacher many years ago at Classical High School. Councilor Calabrese wished a Happy 15th anniversary to the St. Patrick’s Day Committee.
Adjournment.
The Motion to adjourn was moved and seconded all around the house with all in favor of adjourning. The time of adjournment was 7:18pm.