02-05-18 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
REGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Minutes dated February 5, 2018
Meeting was called to order by Council President Johnson at 7:00pm in the Auditorium at the Roberta G. Doering
School, 68 Main Street, Agawam.
Item A. Roll Call
ROLL CALL – 10 PRESENT, 1 ABSENT
Roll Call was taken with the following councilors present: George Bitzas, Council Vice President
Cecilia Calabrese, Paul Cavallo, Council President Christopher Johnson, Robert Magovern, Dino Mercadante, Joseph Mineo, Robert Rossi, Rosemary Sandlin and Anthony Suffriti. Councilor
Letellier was absent. With ten present, there was a quorum.
Item B. Moment of Silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council President Johnson asked for a moment of silence and
the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item C. Citizen’s Speak Time
The following citizens spoke:
Jason Herrick - new President of Sacred Heart Softball Association joining with Agawam Little
League and needing help to get main ballfield in shape. Largest girls’ softball association in Massachusetts. Opening day TBA. Looking for help to have the girls receive the same
as the boys.
Brian Halla – honored Jay Berger
Corinne Wingard – Also spoke about Jay Berger and spoke in support of the CBDG
Mario Tedeschi – asked for support with his reappointments
and appreciated the opportunity to serve
William Clark – spoke about Agawam Axe House as well as the Storm Water Task Force
Item D. Minutes
1. Regular Council Meeting – January 16,
2018
Motion to approve made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. Voice vote approved.
Item E. Declaration from Council President
None.
Item F. Presentation
of Petitions and Remonstrances
1. TR-2018-1 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Mario Tedeschi, 150 Juniper Ridge Drive, Feeding Hills, MA, to the Agawam Municipal Golf
Commission for a term expiring on December 31, 2020 (Mayor Sapelli)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Suffriti and seconded by Councilor Sandlin.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT
(Councilor Letellier) approving the reappointment. Council President Johnson thanked Mario for his continued service.
2. TR-2018-2 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Mario Tedeschi, 150 Juniper Ridge Drive, Feeding Hills, MA to the Planning Board to a term expiring January 1, 2023 (Mayor
Sapelli)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Suffriti and seconded by Councilor Bitzas.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) approving the reappointment. Council
President Johnson again thanked Mario for his continued service.
3. TR-2018-3 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of David Cecchi, 29 Albert Street, Agawam, MA to the Historical
Commission to a term expiring January 1, 2021 (Mayor Sapelli)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Bitzas.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor
Letellier) approving the reappointment. Council President Johnson thanked David for his continued service.
4. TR-2018-4 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Shelby Hall-Gibbons,
49 Anvil Street, Feeding Hills, MA to the Agawam Housing Authority for a term expiring the second Monday in January 2023 (Mayor Sapelli)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Bitzas
and seconded by Councilor Sandlin.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) approving the reappointment. Council President Johnson thanked Shelby for her continued
service.
5. TR-2018-5 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Patrick Asta-Ferrero, 71 Birch Hill Road, Agawam, MA to the Agawam Veteran’s Council to an unexpired term expiring
April 1, 2018 (Mayor Sapelli)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Sandlin and seconded by Councilor Magovern.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) approving the
appointment. Council President Johnson thanked Patrick for his willingness to serve.
6. TR-2018-6 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Marie Kellogg-Izzo, 124 Brookfield Lane,
Agawam, MA to the Whiting Street and Thomas Pyne Fund Commission for a term expiring December 31, 2020 (Mayor Sapelli)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor
Magovern.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) approving the appointment. Council President Johnson thanked Marie for her willingness to serve.
Item G. Report
of Council Committees
None.
Item H. Elections
None.
Item I. Public Hearings
1. TR-2018-7 (PH-2018-1) - A Resolution authorizing the application and acceptance of a Massachusetts Community Development Block Program (Sapelli Mayor) (Referred
to Community Relations Committee)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Sandlin and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. Council President Johnson declared the Public Hearing open at 7:25pm.
Christopher Dunphy of PVPC gave a detailed presentation of the CDBG. Mr. Dunphy spoke in favor of this item. As principal planner for PVPC, he has been working with Marc Strange with
Agawam’s Planning and Community Development Department to assemble a grant application through the Massachusetts’s Department of Housing and Community Development’s Block Grant Program.
Unlike larger cities that receive this type of assistance directly through the Federal government, this proposed FY 2018 CDBG application is a competitive application to be prepared
and submitted to the state. He stated that Agawam last received this grant through the FY2013 state CDBG program and PVPC was able to provide housing assistance to qualified Agawam
residents. In addition, the grant provided for engineering design plans for Springfield Street sidewalk improvements and a town-wide accessibility Transition Plan. Last year’s CDBG
application was not funded. He proposed submitting the same application with a few revisions to include Housing Rehabilitation, Aging in Place and an accessibility study for the Town
Hall. If funded, the grant would be able to assist approximately nineteen or so households with housing rehab assistance and thirty or so senior occupied homes through the proposed
Aging in Place program. In addition, this grant could provide for an accessibility study of the Town Hall. The proposed grant application is approximately $799,000 and is due on March
2nd. Meeting minutes and authorization through a signed cover sheet from the Mayor are also required for the March 2, 2018 deadline. Agawam should know if the grant is funded by July
2018 and work could start by early fall. Cathy Shepard, Corinne Wingard, Henry Kozloski all spoke in favor of the item. Brian Halla spoke in favor in name only. No one spoke in opposition
or in opposition name only. Mr. Dunphy noted there was a sign in sheet as well as requesting the minutes of the Public Hearing that were required to be submitted along with this application
for the grant. Council President Johnson declared the Public hearing closed at 7:38pm.
Councilor Bitzas asked about the housing rehab liens which Mr. Dunphy and Marc Strange will look
into and if necessary make an adjustment to the recapture rate so the lien would be reduced at a faster rate for seniors.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) approving
the item.
Item J. Old Business
1. TOR-2017-13 - An Ordinance to amend the Code of the Town of Agawam Zoning Ordinances to add solar energy systems (Sponsored by Councilors Johnson
and Rossi) Refer to Legislative Committee and work with Assessors and Engineering to gather list of potential overlay district areas – no vote taken yet (Tabled 1/16/18) (Re-referred
to Legislative Committee)
Council President Johnson officially referred the revised language to the Planning Board so they can set their Public Hearing. He also set the City Council
Public Hearing for March 19, 2018. Council President Johnson thanked Mayor Sapelli and Solicitor Buoniconti for their outreach and assistance in this revision. The item remains on the
table until March 19, 2018.
2 TO-2018-1 - Order granting or renewing a PERMIT for Weekly Amusement for N. Liquori, Inc. d/b/a The Back Room, 827 Springfield Street, Feeding Hills, MA
01030 (Clerk) (Referred to Administrative Committee)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. As Chair of the Administrative Committee, Councilor
Rossi provided his report stating that everything was in order with this application. The committee sent a positive recommendation to the Full Council with a vote of 5 Yes, 0 No.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) approving the item.
3. TO-2018-2 - An Order granting or renewing a Class 2 Dealer’s LICENSE to Richard Conlon Jr. d/b/a Motor
City Car Co., 91 Ramah Circle, Agawam, MA (Clerk) (Referred to Administrative Committee)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Suffriti and seconded by Councilor Rossi. As Chair of the
Administrative Committee, Councilor Rossi provided his report stating that everything was in order with this application. The committee sent a positive recommendation to the Full Council
with a vote of 5 Yes, 0 No.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) approving the item.
Item K. New Business
1. TR-2018-8 - A Resolution accepting a grant in the
amount of $70,999.00 from Commonwealth of Massachusetts State 911 Department pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 53A for Agawam Police Department (Mayor Sapelli)
Referred
to Finance Committee, next Agenda.
2. TR-2018-9 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Corinne M. Wingard, 194 Elm Street, Agawam, MA to the Agawam Housing Committee to a term
expiring October 1, 2021 (Mayor Sapelli)
Next Agenda.
3. TR-2018-10 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Marilyn Curry, 123 Beekman Drive, Agawam, MA to the Historical Commission
to a term expiring January 1, 2021 (Mayor Sapelli)
Next Agenda.
4. TR-2018-11 - A Resolution authorizing the dedication of Energy Revenues to the Energy Management Project Stabilization
Fund (Mayor Sapelli)
Referred to Finance Committee, next Agenda.
5. TO-2018-3 - A Budgetary Transfer of 5,800.00 from Fire Department Regular Temporary (#12201-51020) to Fire Contractual
Services (#12202-52360) (Mayor Sapelli)
Referred to Finance Committee, next Agenda.
Item L. Any other matter that may legally come before the City Council.
Councilor Magovern asked
the members of his Legislative Committee to let him know of their availability for a meeting on Thursday. He also spoke about the sad loss of Jay Berger. Councilor Bitzas said the
Super Bowl was the best game he’s ever seen even though it wasn’t the best outcome for New England fans. Councilor Calabrese thanked Aldo Mancini for his work in collecting candy after
Halloween to send to our troops. This year it went to the United Emerates. Councilor Suffriti congratulated all the reappointments and thanked them for their service. They need to
be recognized for caring for our town. He also congratulated Steve Buoniconti as being appointed the full-time City Solicitor. Councilor Suffriti also reminded the residents with sewer
issues in Feeding Hills that we have not forgotten them. Councilor Sandlin informed everyone that Agawam St. Patrick’s Day Committee will be crowing the new Colleen on February 11th
at 10am at Chez Josef and it is important to support these young ladies. She also noted that it was a privilege to know Jay Berger and she’s never met a nicer family than the Berger
family. Councilor Mineo also expressed sentiments of Jay Berger having worked with him for years on the Democratic Town Committee noting he was a true gentleman. Council President
Johnson stated that since the Mayor has resurrected the Energy Commission there are three opening for councilors. He also thanked Mayor Sapelli for inviting him to his meeting with
Wayfinders (formerly HAP) who updated him on their proposed timeline for the Mill Street project. Within 1 ½ months they plan on coming before the Planning Board for ANR plan and then
another month or so later they will be submitting their
40B application to the Board of Appeals. If everything goes according to their plan, they are looking at construction beginning at the earliest in 2020. He again thanked the Mayor
for including him and mentioned the pamphlet of information will be in the Council Office for review.
Item M. Adjournment.
The Motion to adjourn was moved and seconded all around.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:01pm.
Also approved were license and/or permit applications:
TO-2018-1 and TO-2018-2