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05-20-19 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGREGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL Minutes dated May 20, 2019 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 – 9 PRESENT, 2 ABSENT Roll Call was taken with the following councilors present: George Bitzas, Council Vice President Cecilia Calabrese, Council President Christopher Johnson, Robert Magovern, Dino Mercadante, Joseph Mineo, Robert Rossi, Rosemary Sandlin and Anthony Suffriti. Councilors Paul Cavallo and Gina Letellier were absent. With nine 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 Michael Mercadante spoke asking for support in his appointment to the Energy Commission and appreciated the opportunity to serve. Leslie Joseph provided information about the Agawam Cooler Community Challenge which is on Thursday, May 23rd from 5:30pm – 8pm at the Agawam High School. Item D. Minutes 1. Regular Council Meeting – May 6, 2019 Motion to approve the minutes was moved by Councilors Mercadante and Magovern and seconded by Councilor Sandlin. Voice vote approved. Item E. Declaration from Council President None. Item F. Presentation of Resolutions 1. TR-2019-36 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Leston Tingley, 18 Portland Street, Feeding Hills, MA. to the Historical Commission to a term expiring January 1, 2022 (Mayor Sapelli) Motion to approve made by Councilor Sandlin and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Cavallo and Letellier) approving the item. Council President Johnson thanked Les for his willingness to serve on the Historical Commission. 2. TR-2019-37 - A Resolution accepting a gift in the amount of One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars and No Cents ($1,750.00) from the Agawam Lions Club for the purchases of two hearing screening machines (Mayor Sapelli) Motion to approve made by Councilors Sandlin and Magovern and seconded by Councilor Bitzas. Councilor Bitzas stated that as a member of the Lions Club, he hopes the Council accepts this gift and noted that they are always looking for new members. Councilor Mercadante said this was a wonderful organization that helps so many people in so many ways always putting Agawam in the forefront. The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Cavallo and Letellier) approving the item. Council President Johnson gave special thanks to the Lions Club for this donation stating that this was just the tip of the iceberg with all that this club does for the Town of Agawam. 3. TR-2019-38 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Michael Mercadante, 1063 Main Street, Agawam to the Energy Commission to a term expiring on April 1, 2022 (Mayor Sapelli) Motion to approve made by Councilor Sandlin and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Cavallo and Letellier) approving the item. Council President Johnson thanked Les for his willingness to serve on the Energy Commission. 4. TR-2019-39 - A Resolution appropriating from the Community Preservation Fund and authorizing the expenditure of Community Preservation Funds to create an accessory dwelling unit ordinance for the Town of Agawam ($7,650.00) (CPA) (Referred to Community Relations Committee) Motion to approve made by Councilor Bitzas and seconded by Councilor Sandlin. As Chair of the Community Relations Committee, Councilor Suffriti provided the report stating that this Resolution was explained to the committee by the Solicitor. This is to bring our zoning in compliance with this portion. Motion to send a positive recommendation to the Full Council made by Councilor Magovern and seconded by Councilor Mercadante. The vote was 4 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) Councilor Calabrese said that the accessory dwelling units are designed to help our older citizens stay in place and she will support this especially after recently hearing that such a sizeable percentage of Agawam residents are age 65 or older. Councilor Sandlin said that as a member of the Zoning Ordinance Review Committee there was a definite need to update this. She supports the need to age in place but wants to ensure that this ordinance is actually updated. Councilor Magovern said there was a severe need in town for this and was in favor. Councilor Bitzas agreed with this as well and said it was the first step to creating a great ordinance. The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Cavallo and Letellier) approving the item. 5. TR-2019-40 - A Resolution appropriating from the Community Preservation Fund and authorizing the expenditure of Community Preservation Funds for the replacement of benches on town owner land ($47,000.00) (CPA) (Referred to Community Relations Committee) Motion to approve made by Councilor Bitzas and seconded by Councilor Sandlin. As Chair of the Community Relations Committee, Councilor Suffriti provided a report stating that this is for the replacement of thirty year old benches throughout the town. The dedicated benches will be transferred. The committee made a Motion to send a positive recommendation to the Full Council made by Councilor Bitzas and seconded by Councilor Mercadante. The vote was 4 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Cavallo and Letellier) approving the item. Item G. Report of Council Committees None. Item H. Elections None. Item I. Public Hearings 1. TR-2019-34 (PH-2019-3) - A Resolution adopting the Fiscal Year 2020-2024 Capital Improvement Program (Mayor Sapelli) Council President Johnson declared the Public Hearing at 7:16pm. Mayor Sapelli presented the following:            Councilor Bitzas asked why the Town Hall was included in the CIP and did not agree with it. Mayor Sapelli stated the town received a Block Grant that would pay 100% of the fee for an engineer to recommend how to make the Town Hall handicap accessible and/or if it was feasible to do so. Mayor also stated that as everyone knows this is simply a “wish list” and any item must come before the City Council for approval. He agreed that the Town Hall was indeed a beautiful historical building. This study would determine whether it made sense to keep the building as the Town Hall, build off the back or relocate the Town Hall and repurpose the current building. He noted that we must start thinking down the road and address the Town Hall as well as a new APD and eventually AFD. Councilor Bitzas asked why put it in now to which the Mayor replied why not – the CIP is a five year plan and we should place it in the CIP. Council President Johnson added that as everyone is well aware, the CIP is an identification of the needs in a five year plan. Councilor Sandlin asked why sewers were not included in this plan and if it was a policy statement to which the Mayor replied no. He stated that he has been in numerous discussions with the City Council regarding sewers and the residents in those areas are not in favor of mandatory hookups. There are a lot of moving pieces with respect to sewers. William Clark and Corinne Wingard spoke in support of the CIP. No one else spoke in favor or in favor name only. No one spoke in opposition or in opposition name only. Council President Johnson declared the Public Hearing closed at 7:45pm. Discussion began with Councilor Mineo stating indeed this is merely a wish list. Maybe sewers are not on this year but could be on the list next year. Nothing is set in stone and anything on this list must come before the City Council. Councilor Magovern thanked the Mayor for his foresight and said he is sincerely trying to find an economical way to make the Town Hall handicap accessible. He mentioned that the town needs to take another serious look at the sewers. Councilor Rossi understood that the CIP cannot encompass everything that needs to be done in the town but sewers should be included. He would like to move some items in the CIP and reprioritize it. Council President Johnson reminded everyone to stay on point with the CIP and not involve a detailed discussion of the sewer issue. Councilor Bitzas agreed that this is a wish list but he wished that the Town Hall renovation was not included in it. He thinks it is a big mistake to move the Town Hall. Councilor Sandlin believed the Mayor was being conservative and understands why the Town Hall was included as there is a grant to study it. Council Vice President Calabrese stated that the nice thing about the CIP is whether or not councilors agree or disagree with each specific item; the Mayor was doing his due diligence in proposing the plan. Councilor Mercadante agreed with Council Vice President Calabrese about the wish list and noted the town needs a road map to proceed into the future. The Mayor has put forth a thoughtful plan. The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Cavallo and Letellier) approving the item. Item J. Old Business 1. TOR-2019-5 - An Ordinance amending Chapter 33 of the Code of the Town of Agawam (2 of Two Readings) (Mayor Sapelli) (Referred to Finance and Legislative Committees) Motion to approve the second and final reading made by Councilor Mercadante and seconded by Councilor Magovern. The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Cavallo and Letellier) approving the second and final reading. 2. TO-2019-21 - An Order granting or renewing a Junk Dealer’s PERMIT for Block Jewelers, Inc., 299 Walnut Street, Agawam, MA (Clerk) (Referred to Administrative Committee) As Chair of the Administrative Committee, Councilor Rossi provided a report stating that this item needs to be tabled until further notice from the Solicitor as there is a computer glitch with the business and the state department. Motion to table made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Sandlin. The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Cavallo and Letellier) tabling the item. 3. TO-2019-22 - An Order granting or renewing a PERMIT for Weekly Amusement for Six Flags New England, 1623 Main Street, Agawam, MA (Clerk) (Referred to Administrative Committee) Motion to approve made by Councilor Sandlin and seconded by Councilor Rossi. As Chair of the Administrative Committee, Councilor Rossi provided a report stating that all was in order with this application and the committee voted to send a positive recommendation to the Full Council by a vote of 4 Yes, 0 N0, 1 Absent (Councilor Cavallo) Councilor Suffriti asked why there was a discrepancy from the date the application was submitted to the Clerk’s Office and the date the APD signed off on it. Technically Six Flags is open or has someone there and the APD does not have to wait until the park opens. The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Cavallo and Letellier) approving the item. 4. TO-2019-23 - An Order granting or renewing a LICENSE for Automatic Amusement Device(s) for Six Flags New England, 1623 Main Street, Agawam, MA (Clerk) (Referred to Administrative Committee) Motion to approve made by Councilor Sandlin and seconded by Councilor Rossi. As Chair of the Administrative Committee, Councilor Rossi provided a report stating that all was in order with this application and the committee voted to send a positive recommendation to the Full Council by a vote of 4 Yes, 0 N0, 1 Absent (Councilor Cavallo) The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Cavallo and Letellier) approving the item. 5. TO-2019-24 - A Budgetary Transfer of $160,000.00 from the Reserve Fund #16605-57300 to Building Maintenance Electric & Heat #11922-52110 (Mayor Sapelli) (Referred to Finance Committee) Motion to approve made by Councilor Mercadante and seconded by Council Vice President Calabrese. As Chair of the Finance Committee, Councilor Mineo provided the report stating that this was cut in prior years’ budgets and since this was not a mild winter, the transfer needs to be made to cover the heating bill. Motion to send a positive recommendation to the Full Council was moved by Councilor Calabrese and seconded by Councilor Mercadante. The vote was 3 Yes, 0 No, 2 Absent (Councilors Letellier and Cavallo) The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Cavallo and Letellier) approving the item. Item K. New Business 1. TR-2019-41 - A Resolution adopting the Fiscal Year 20202 Annual Operating Budget for the Town of Agawam – Suggest a Public Hearing date of June 3, 2019 (Mayor Sapelli) The Public Hearing for the FY20 Operating Budget has been set for June 3rd. 2. TR-2019-42 - A Resolution accepting Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 64L, Section 2 which establishes the Local Option Meals Tax (Sponsored by Councilors Johnson, Mercadante and Suffriti) Referred to Legislative Committee, next Agenda. 3. TR-2019-43 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Mario Tedeschi, 150 Juniper Ridge Drive, Feeding Hills, MA to the Agawam Board of Registrars to a term expiring April 1, 2023 (Mayor Sapelli) Next Agenda. 4. TR-2019-44 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Timothy McGrew, 99 Red Fox Drive, Feeding Hills, MA. to the Agawam Board of Registrars to a term expiring April 1, 2023 Next Agenda. Item L. Any other matter that may legally come before the City Council. Councilor Suffriti reminded everyone about the Cooler Community Challenge on Thursday and that he and Councilor Sandlin would be manning a table. He would like to see the Council attend. Councilor Magovern reminded everyone about the Memorial Day parade, to come, enjoy and remember. Council President Johnson mentioned for councilors to see Barbara if they want their sash for the parade. Item M. Adjournment. The Motion to adjourn was moved and seconded around the house. Meeting was adjourned at 8:04pm.