12-17-18 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGREGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Minutes dated December 17, 2018
Meeting was called to order by Council President Johnson at 7:00pm in the Auditorium at the Agawam Junior
High School, 1305 Springfield Street, Feeding Hills.
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
Gary Suffriti spoke asking for the Council’s support to be re-elected to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Item D.
Minutes
1. Regular Council Meeting – December 3, 2018
Motion to approve the minutes made by Councilor Suffriti and seconded by Council Vice President Calabrese. Voice vote approved
noting Councilor Mineo’s abstention.
Item E. Declaration from Council President
None.
Item F. Presentation of Resolutions
1. TR-2018-101 - A Resolution confirming the appointment
of Dean Godek, 24 Cedar Knoll Drive, Feeding Hills, to the Agawam Municipal Golf Commission for a term expiring on December 21, 2021. (Mayor Sapelli)
Motion to approve made by Councilor
Rossi and seconded by Councilor Cavallo.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) approving the appointment.
2. TR-2018-102 - A Resolution confirming the appointment
of Marilyn Lake, 142 Brookfield Lane, Agawam, to the Whiting Street and Thomas Pyne Fund Commission for a term expiring December 31, 2021. (Mayor Sapelli)
Motion to approve made by
Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Sandlin.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) approving the appointment.
3. TR-2018-103 - A Resolution accepting a Grant ($10,388.00) from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State 911 Department pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 53A
for the Agawam Police Department. (Mayor)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Mercadante and seconded by Councilor Sufrriti.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier)
approving the item.
4. TR-2018-104 - A Resolution to exercise the Right of First Refusal Option to meet a Bona Fide Offer to Purchase Lands Classified Under M.G.L. Chapter 61A Located
at 0, 1246 and 1266 Springfield Street, Feeding Hills, MA. (Mayor Sapelli)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. As Chair of the Community Relations
Committee, Councilor Suffriti provided the report stating that Councilor Bitzas was happy to read the Mayor’s letter to the Council regarding the first refusal option. Councilor Mercadante
commended the Mayor to keep the property on the tax roll. Mayor Sapelli spoke about doing a full investigation on all options for the parcel. The Committee made a Motion to send a
negative recommendation to the Full Council was moved by Councilor Bitzas and seconded by Councilor Mercadante recommending that the Council NOT proceed with the purchase of the parcel.
The vote was 3 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Letellier and Magovern).
Councilor Bitzas thanked the Mayor for sending the letter and agreed with him that this purchase would not
be in the best interests of the town. Councilor Mercadante also commended the Mayor on not pursuing this property noting in it would help the residents in the long run. Councilor
Rossi initially thought this land would be a good location for the Early Childhood Center but after evaluation and a walk through and with the Mayor’s due diligence, he agreed that it
would not be beneficial to the town. He also commended the Mayor and his search team. Councilor Cavallo applaud the Mayor as well and likes how he is looking to the future. Having
a new Town Hall and Police Complex would be a much needed great idea to investigate. Councilor Sandlin also applauded the Mayor stating that it is important to look at each property
individually. Councilor Mineo thought that this property could be used for affordable senior housing and hoped something would come up soon. Councilor Bitzas agreed that there is a
need to do something for our seniors. He said, however, that it would be a mistake to move the City Hall and that it is never too late to purchase the property next to the City Hall
which is extremely valuable. Councilor Magovern commended the Mayor as well and said we definitely need to bring more businesses into town and increase the tax base. He also believes
we should keep the Town Hall and build an annex off the back. He also said we need to look into doing something about sewers in Feeding Hills. Council President Johnson clarified that
a yes vote would mean you want the town to proceed and a no vote would mean you do not want the town to proceed with the purchase of this property.
The vote was 0 YES, 10 NO, 1 ABSENT
(Councilor Letellier) defeating this item.
Item G. Report of Council Committees
None.
Item H. Elections
1. TE-2018-8 - Election of a permanent member of the Zoning Board of Appeals
Council
President Johnson explained that Vin Ronghi was first to put in his letter of interest however he asked to withdraw his name because since then, Gary Geiger submitted his letter of interest.
Since Gary has been on the Zoning Board of Appeals for over ten years, Vin thought it was fair for him to get the position and respectfully asked to be considered for the alternate
position if it was indeed vacated as a result of this election. Motion to place the name of Gary Suffriti into nomination and seconded by Councilor Sandlin. Motion to place the name
of Gary Geiger into nomination by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Council Vice President Calabrese. Councilor Magovern made a Motion to close nominations which was seconded by Councilor
Suffriti. Voice vote approved.
The vote was 3 GARY SUFFRITI, 6 GARY GEIGER, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier), 1 ABSTENTION (Councilor Suffriti) electing GARY GEIGER to the new regular position on the Zoning Board of
Appeals.
Item I. Public Hearings
None.
Item J. Old Business
1. TO-2018-81 - An Order granting or renewing a PERMIT for Weekly Amusement for Agawam Bowl, 359 Walnut Street Ext.,
Agawam, 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 the report stating that all was in order with this application and the committee gave a positive recommendation to the Full Council by a vote of 5 Yes, 0 No.
The vote
was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) approving the item.
2. TO-2018-82 - An Order granting or renewing a LICENSE for Automatic Amusement Device(s) for Agawam Bowl, 359 Walnut
Street Ext., Agawam, 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 the report stating that all was in order with this application and the committee gave a positive recommendation to the Full Council by a vote of 5
Yes, 0 No.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) approving the item.
3. TO-2018-83 - An Order granting or renewing a PERMIT for Weekly Amusement for Matthew Gibbs
– Quest, Inc. d/b/a Catch 1251, 1251 River Road, Agawam, 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 the report stating that all was in order with this application and the committee gave a positive recommendation to
the Full Council by 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-2018-105 - A Resolution confirming
the reappointment of Nicholas Pandolfi, 16 Corey Street, Agawam, MA to the Agawam Planning Board to a term expiring January 1, 2024 (Mayor Sapelli)
Next Agenda.
2. TR-2018-106 - A
Resolution authorizing the application and acceptance of a Massachusetts Community Development Block Program (Mayor Sapelli) – Suggest a Public Hearing date of February 4, 2019
The
Public Hearing has been set for our February 4th meeting. Referred to Community Relations Committee, next Agenda.
3. TO-2018-84 - An Order granting or renewing a Class 2 Dealer’s LICENSE to Elias Auto, 1123 Suffield Street, Agawam, MA (Clerk)
Referred to the Administrative Committee, next Agenda.
4. TOR-2018-1
7 - An Ordinance to amend Chapter 49 of the Code of the Town of Agawam regarding camera and audio operations (Mayor Sapelli) (Two Readings Required)
Referred to the Legislative Committee,
next Agenda.
5. TOR-2018-18 - An Ordinance to amend Chapter 49 of the Code of the Town of Agawam by creating a Cable Access Television Manager/Technician position (Mayor Sapelli) (Two
Readings Required)
Referred to the Legislative Committee, next Agenda.
Item L. Any other matter that may legally come before the City Council.
Councilor Mineo started off with wishing
a nice holiday to everyone. Councilor Sandlin wished everyone a Happy Holiday and encouraged all to go to the tree lighting at the Veterans’ Green. Councilor Letellier said happy,
healthy Holidays to all. Councilor Suffriti said there was a great turnout for the APD “:Stuff the Cruiser” fundraiser which was nice to see. Council Vice President Calabrese said
that she and Councilor Sandlin attended the AFD unveiling of the new fire truck which was quite impressive. She hopes we all have a keen appreciation for our Fire and Police Departments
and thanked all the emergency personnel who are on call over the holidays ensuring we have a safe holiday ourselves. Councilors Cavallo, Rossi and Bitzas also wished everyone a Merry
Christmas and Happy New Year and also thanked the first responders for their service this holiday season and throughout the year. Councilor Bitzas also encouraged everyone to go to
the town tree lighting at Veterans Green. Councilor Mercadante also wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and thanked everyone for making his first year extremely rewarding.
Councilor Magovern said the same and reminded everyone to donate to the Salvation Army and help the needy. Councilor Sandlin also said that on December 22nd, she and Kathy Ayer will
be at the Stop & Shop in Feeding Hills collecting for the Salvation Army. Council President Johnson asked if everyone on stage was hearing better since they added the second speaker.
He noted that at our January 7th meeting we would have business as usual as well as elections of Council President, Vice President, Auditor and Administrative Assistant. He would be
sending out employee evaluations to everyone as well. He wanted to thank our librarian Judy Clini for all of her years of service noting it would be very difficult to fill her shoes.
There will be a small gathering for her last day on January 3rd at 12:30 at the library. He also reminded everyone of the Council party on Thursday. He wanted to express his thanks
to Councilor Calabrese for being an outstanding Vice President and also to Mayor Sapelli who has been a breath of fresh air. The level of communication has been beyond impressive.
He also wished everyone a very Merry Christmas and happy holiday season.
Item M. Adjournment.
The Motion to adjourn was moved and seconded around the house. Meeting was adjourned
at 7:36pm.
Also approved licenses/permits TO-2018-81 through and including TO-2018-83