04-17-18 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
REGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Minutes dated April 17, 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. Gina 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:
Sarah Prince – thanked the Council for approving her appointment as Tenant Liaison for the Agawam Housing
Authority
William Clark – spoke about the Walnut Street DIF District and also asked about improving fiber in that district
Item D. Minutes
1. Regular Council Meeting – April 2, 2018
Motion
to approve made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilors Sandlin and Mercadante. Voice vote approved.
Item E. Declaration from Council President
1. Presentation to Officer
Lanski
Mayor Sapelli began a well-deserved formal presentation was made to Officer Christopher Lanski who saved a woman’s life from an early morning fire on March 20th hailing him as
a first responder hero. He wanted to publicly thank Officer Lanski and Officer Dobek for helping to keep our town safe. Shift Supervisor Sergeant Christopher Soto recommended Officer
Lanski and Chief Gillis presented him with the highest commendation of the Police Department namely the Medal of Valor. Officer Lanski was also presented with commendations from State
Representative Nicholas Boldyga, State Senator Donald Humason Jr. and Mayor William Sapelli as well as by Council President Christopher Johnson on behalf of the Agawam City Council.
Congratulations Officer Lanski and thank you for your amazing service and dedication to the people of Agawam!
Item F. Presentation of Resolutions
1. TR-2018-26 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Vincenzo Ronghi, 55 Avalon Place, Feeding Hills, MA to the Community Preservation
Act Committee to a term expiring April 30, 2020 (City Council)
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 reappointment. Council President Johnson thanked him for his continued service.
2. TR-2018-27 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Doreen
A. Prouty, 891 South Westfield Street, Feeding Hills, MA to the Community Preservation Act Committee to a term expiring April 30, 2021 (City Council)
Motion to approve made by Councilor
Bitzas and seconded by Councilors Magovern and Suffriti.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) approving the reappointment. Council President Johnson thanked
him for her continued service.
Item G. Report of Council Committees
None.
Item H. Elections
1. TE-2018-5 - Election of an at-large member of the Community Preservation Act Committee
to a term expiring April 30, 2021 (City Council)
Councilor Bitzas placed Raymond Moreau’s name into nomination which was seconded by Councilor Cavallo. No other names were placed into
nomination. Motion to close nominations made by Councilor Bitzas and seconded by Councilor Rossi.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) re-electing Raymond Moreau
to the position.
2. TE-2018-6 - Election of an at-large member of the Community Preservation Act Committee to a term expiring April 30, 2021 (City Council)
Richard Maggi’s name into
nomination and no other names were placed into nomination. Motion to close nominations was moved and seconded.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) re-electing Richard Maggi to the position.
3. TE-2018-7 - Election of an at-large member of the Community Preservation Act
Committee to a term expiring April 30, 2020 (City Council)
Councilor Calabrese placed Les Tingley’s name into nomination which was seconded by Councilor Suffriti. No other names were
placed into nomination. Motion to close nominations made by Councilor Bitzas and seconded by Councilors Magovern and Mercadante.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier)
electing Les Tingley to the position.
Item I. Public Hearings
None.
Item J. Old Business
1. TO-2018-8 - Order granting or renewing a Junk Dealer’s PERMIT for John’s Trucking of
Agawam, Inc., 415 Silver Street, Agawam, MA (Clerk) (Referred to Administrative Committee)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Suffriti and seconded by Councilors Mercadante and Rossi.
As Chair of the Administrative Committee, Councilor Rossi provided a committee report stating that all was in order and a Motion to send a positive recommendation to the Full Council
was made by Councilor Suffriti and seconded by Councilor Mineo. The vote was 5 YES, 0 NO in favor of sending a positive recommendation.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor
Letellier) approving the item.
2. TO-2018-9 - Order granting or renewing a Junk Dealer’s PERMIT for T’s Art Studio, 38 Rising Street, Feeding Hills, MA. (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 a committee report stating
that all was in order and a Motion to send a positive recommendation to the Full Council was made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. The vote was 5 YES, 0 NO in
favor of sending a positive recommendation.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) approving the item. Council President Johnson noted that the same restrictions
that were placed upon granting last year remain on the permit.
3. TOR-2018-3 - An Ordinance to amend Section 49-7(9)(D) of the Code of the Town of Agawam by adding Council on Aging
van driver (Mayor Sapelli) (1 of 2 Readings) (Referred to Legislative Committee)
Motion to approve the first reading made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilors Bitzas and
Mercadante. As Chair of the Legislative Committee, Councilor Magovern provided his report stating that the committee had a discussion with Senior Center Director Michael Squindo and
Solicitor Stephen Buoniconti. A Motion to send a positive recommendation to the Full Council made by Councilor Bitzas and seconded by Councilor Sandlin. The vote was 4 YES, 0 NO, 1
ABSENT (Councilor Rossi).
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) approving the first reading.
4. TOR-2018-4 - An Ordinance amending Chapter 33 of the Code of the
Town of Agawam (Mayor Sapelli) (1 of 2 Readings) (Referred to Legislative Committee)
Motion to approve the first reading made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilors Bitzas
and Calabrese. As Chair of the Legislative Committee, Councilor Magovern provided his report stating that the committee had a discussion with Senior Center Director Michael Squindo
and Solicitor Stephen Buoniconti. A Motion to send a
positive recommendation to the Full Council made by Councilor Bitzas and seconded by Councilor Sandlin. The vote was 4 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Rossi).
The vote was 10 YES, 0
NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) approving the first reading.
5. TOR-2018-5 - An Ordinance amending Chapter 33 of the Code of the Town of Agawam (Mayor Sapelli) (1 of 2 Readings)
(Referred to Legislative Committee)
Council President Johnson stated that Mayor Sapelli asked to withdraw this item hoping for the opportunity to bring it back in some form in the future.
Motion to withdraw the item from the Agenda made by Councilor Sandlin and seconded by Councilor Calabrese.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) withdrawing the
item.
Item K. New Business
1. TR-2018-28 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Patrick Asta-Ferrero II, 71 Birch Hill Road, Agawam to the Agawam Veterans’ Council to a term
expiring April 1, 2021 (Mayor Sapelli
Next Agenda.
2. TR-2018-29 - A Resolution accepting a grant ($15,000.00) from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office for Administration
and Finance pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 53A (Mayor Sapelli)
Referred to Finance Committee, next Agenda.
3. TR-2018-30 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment
of Francis Curnow, 115 Forest Hill Road, Feeding Hills to the Agawam Veterans’ Council to a term expiring April 1, 2021 (Mayor Sapelli)
Next Agenda.
4. TR-2018-31 - A Resolution adopting
the Fiscal year 2019-2023 Capital Improvement Program - Suggest a Public Hearing Date of May 21, 2018 (Mayor Sapelli)
Public Hearing set for May 21st and awaiting City Council workshop
dates, next Agenda.
5. TR-2018-32 - A Resolution adopting the Walnut Street Extension District Improvement Financing District (Mayor Sapelli)
Awaiting a City Council workshop, next
Agenda.
6. TR-2018-33 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Mildred Parzychowski, 55 Hastings Street, Feeding Hills to the Agawam Housing Committee to a term expiring October
1, 2021 (Mayor Sapelli)
Next Agenda.
7. TR-2018-34 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Gail Mathes, 644 Main Street, Agawam to the Agawam Housing Committee to an unexpired
term expiring May 31, 2020 (Mayor Sapelli)
Next Agenda.
8. TO-2018-10 - Budgetary Transfer of $25,000.00 from Reserve Fund (#16605-57300) to the Employee Benefit Buyback (#16603-51040
(Mayor Sapelli)
Referred to Finance Committee, next Agenda.
Item L. Any other matter that may legally come before the City Council.
Councilor Magovern thanked Officer Lanski noting that contrary
to what Officer Lanski said, very few people would have done what he did and he is proud of our police department in general. Councilor Mercadante thanked all the interested parties
for applying to the CPA and congratulations on the three that were elected. All of the councilors echoed their praise and thankfulness to our police department and to Officer Lanski
in particular for his incredible bravery. (Councilor Letellier arrived late to the meeting) Councilor Cavallo also noted businesses going in on Main Street by Utopia and progress on
Mill Street. Councilor Calabrese also noted what seems to be a boom in business in the Feeding Hills area. Councilor Suffriti wanted to thank the APD, AFD, the Mass State troopers
for the great work in the recent incident near Belvidere Street which is where he lives. He thanked Mayor Sapelli for his leadership and support as well as to Father Amo at Sacred Heart
Church who opened up his doors for shelter to those of us who were evacuated from our homes during the standoff. It is gratifying to see how our town comes together during an emergency
situation. Councilor Letellier apologized for her tardiness as she was at her son’s baseball practice which she is coaching. She also commended the police and fire departments for
a job well done. She also thanked the CPA applicants and noted to those not elected not to get disheartened and find another commission for which to volunteer. Councilor Sandlin also
wanted to thank Council President Johnson and Vice President Calabrese for helping to keep the Council informed during that situation. She would also respectfully request the copies
of the golf course report and the health department report. Councilor Mineo echoed all the previous sentiments. Council President Johnson thanked Mayor Sapelli for his leadership as
one of his first calls was to Chris to inform him of the standoff situation. It shows great leadership and an incredible willingness to work with us. He also discussed the upcoming
budget season and holding two workshops with department heads. He and Vice President Calabrese would like to change the public hearing slightly – instead of having the public hearing
on the same night that we vote to adopt it, he would like to move the public hearing to the first June meeting, digest the budget and get any questions answered and then vote on it at
the second June meeting. It just makes more sense and the Mayor agreed. Council President Johnson stated he would work with Barbara and the Mayor to come up with the best dates and
will let everyone know as soon as possible.
Item M. Adjournment.
The Motion to adjourn was moved and seconded all around. Meeting was adjourned at 8:02pm.
Permits for TO-2018-8 aznd -9 were both approved