09-03-19 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGREGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Minutes dated September 3, 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, Paul Cavallo, Council President Christopher Johnson, Robert Magovern, Dino Mercadante, Rosemary Sandlin, Robert Rossi and Anthony Suffriti.
Councilors Gina Letellier and Joseph Mineo 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
Donald Moore spoke about the Rt 187 extension project and said this project does not fix the
dangers of that area. Karl Schmaelzle spoke again about not receiving the requested information from the Mayor’s Office/Solicitor’s Office as well as also agreed with Mr. Moore about
the construction project not fixing the problem in that area. William Clark spoke about putting in a pumping station.
Item D. Minutes
1. Regular Council Meeting – August 5, 2019
Motion
to approve the minutes was moved by Councilor Magovern and seconded by Councilors Suffriti and Cavallo. Voice vote approved with Council President Johnson.
Item E. Declaration from
Council President
None.
Item F. Presentation of Resolutions
1. TR-2019-53 - A Resolution to appropriate Eighty Nine Thousand and Two Hundred and Ninety Five Dollars ($89,295.00)
for the Agawam Police Patrolman’s Association Agreement with the Town of Agawam (Mayor Sapelli) (Tabled on August 5, 2019)
Motion to remove the item off the table made by Councilor
Sandlin and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. Voice vote approved. Motion to approve made by Councilor Sandlin and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. Council President Johnson explained
that the Quinn Bill was enacted years ago with the incentive based on a higher level of education. The State funded half and communities funded the other half. In 2008, the State stopped
funding their half and in 2009, the State gave communities the opportunity to discontinue their portion of the Quinn Bill. Only those hired prior to July 1, 2009 currently receive benefits
from the Quinn Bill. The proposed item on the Agenda reinstates educational incentives but not the full Quinn Bill. Councilor Mercadante asked if the education has to be somehow related
to police education and Council President Johnson said it does not have to be. Councilor Rossi gave a more detailed explanation of how it all came about noting the idea was to attract
more well-rounded and educated applicants which
would better allow them to handle the issues at that time. Councilor Mercadante stated if you want an architect, hire an architect. If you want a police officer, hire one that is educated
in police work. Councilor Sandlin thinks that the entire process has evolved over the last ten years. She supports this and is in favor of new hires thinking professionally. Councilor
Magovern stated he is also in favor noting that Agawam can benefit from advanced education. Councilor Rossi stated that many cities and towns are doing away with this and it is now
seen with the police work. Reporting is nowhere near the way they used to be; more well-rounded and educated police officers are important. Council Vice President Calabrese agreed
with Councilor Rossi and stated that the citizens of Agawam benefit greatly from having well-rounded police officers however she would prefer that more specific language or focus of
education be inputted in the language. Councilor Bitzas also agreed that this benefits our town. Councilor Cavallo supported this as well. Councilor Suffriti agreed and highly supported
this stating that as our world is evolving, education is important especially with respect to computer and social media issues. This could only help to assist in solving crimes. He
stated he was in support of this and in support of further education in any industry. Councilor Mercadante said he was also in favor of furthering one’s education however does feel
that the education should be geared towards the criminal justice field in this case. Stepping from the Chair, Council President Johnson stated that the only thing that comes into play
is Civil Service. Education does NOT come into play in the hiring process.
The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Letellier and Mineo) approving the item.
2. TR-2019-54 -
A Resolution regarding the approval of an Intermunicipal Animal Control Shelter between the Town of Southwick and the Town of Agawam (Mayor Sapelli)
Motion to approve made by Councilor
Sandlin and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. There was no further discussion.
The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Letellier and Mineo) approving the item.
3. TR-2019-55 -
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 497 South Westfield Street, Feeding
Hills, Massachusetts (Mayor Sapelli)
Council President Johnson stated that the item had not yet been reviewed by both the Planning Board and Conservation Commission. Motion to table
made by Councilor Sandlin and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. Voice vote approved.
4. TR-2019-56 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Michele Calvanese, 136 Juniper Ridge Drive,
Feeding Hills, MA. to the Agawam Board of Registrars to a term expiring April 1, 2023 (Mayor Sapelli)
Motion to approve made by Council Vice President Calabrese and seconded by Councilors
Bitzas and Cavallo.
The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Letellier and Mineo) approving the item. Council President Johnson thanked Ms. Calvanese for her willingness to serve.
Item
G. Report of Council Committees
None.
Item H. Elections
None.
Item I. Public Hearings
1. TOR-2019-6 (PH-2019-5) - An Ordinance to amend the Code of the Town of Agawam Zoning Ordinance regarding personal wireless facilities and towers (Mayor Sapelli)
(Tabled 8/5/19) (Two Readings Required) (Council Workshop on September 3, 2019) – Public Hearing set for September 16, 2019
The item will remain on the table until its Public Hearing
date.
2. TOR-2019-7 (PH-2019-6) - An Ordinance to amend the Code of the Town of Agawam Zoning Ordinance regarding Permitted Uses in Business A Districts (Planning Board) (Two Readings
Required) (Council Workshop on September 3, 2019) – Public Hearing set for October 7, 2019
The item will remain on the table until its Public Hearing date.
3. TOR-2019-8 (PH-2019-7) -
An Ordinance to amend the Code of the Town of Agawam Zoning Ordinance regarding Use Restrictions in Residence A-3 Districts (Mayor Sapelli) (Two Readings Required) (Council Workshop
on September 3, 2019) – Public Hearing set for October 7, 2019
The item will remain on the table until its Public Hearing date.
4. TOR-2019-9 (PH-2019-8) - An Ordinance to amend Site
Plan Review requirements pursuant to Chapter 180 of the Code of the Town of Agawam (Planning Board) (Two Readings Required) (Council Workshop on September 3, 2019) – Public Hearing set
for September 16, 2019
The item will remain on the table until its Public Hearing date.
Item J. Old Business
1. TO-2019-29 - Budgetary Transfer of $89,295.00 from Salary Reserve
(#16605-57350) to the following (Tabled on August 5, 2019):
Regular Salaries #12101-51010 $54,500.00
Overtime #12101-51030 $ 6,675.00
Holiday Pay #12101-51050 $ 3,420.00
Court
Time #12101-51080 $ 1,000.00
Science College #12101-51120 $23,700.00
Motion to remove the item from the table made by Councilor Mercadante and seconded by Councilor Sandlin.
Voice vote approved. Motion to approve made by Councilor Sandlin and seconded by Councilors Rossi and Cavallo.
The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Letellier and Mineo)
approving the transfer.
2. TO-2019-30 - 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 Rossi and seconded by Councilors Suffriti and Cavallo. As Chair of the Administrative Committee, Councilor Rossi provided the report
stating that all was in order with this application and the committee sent a positive recommendation to the Full Council with a vote of 4 yes, 0 no, 1 absent (Councilor Mineo)
The vote
was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Letellier and Mineo) approving the item.
Item K. New Business
1. TR-2019-57 - A Resolution authorizing the posting of the warrant for the Town General Election on November 5, 2019 (Mayor Sapelli)
Next Agenda.
2. TR-2019-58 -
A Resolution to place a nonbinding public opinion advisory question on the 2019 General Election Municipal Ballot regarding recreational marijuana establishments and the sale of recreational
marijuana within the Town of Agawam (Mayor Sapelli)
Next Agenda.
3. TR-2019-59 - A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Lease Agreement between the Town of Agawam and
CED Agawam Solar, LLC regarding a solar energy system at 0 South West Street, Feeding Hills, Massachusetts (Mayor Sapelli)
Next Agenda.
Item L. Any other matter that may legally
come before the City Council.
Councilor Magovern was very pleased with the outpouring of support for the procession for Master Sgt. Deleon-Figueroa's funeral and procession down Main
Street. Councilor Bitzas reminded everyone that schools are now open and wished everyone a safe, happy and healthy school year. Councilor Cavallo praised the town for getting the
crosswalks painted at Silver Street. Council Vice President also wished everyone a great school year and to study hard. Councilor Suffriti reminded everyone to be cautious driving
as the little ones are walking to school. Councilor Sandlin said the Big E will be open and reminded everyone about the traffic. She was wondering if the Mayor and Police Chief had
any information at the Big E approaches as well as Connecticut Day.
Item M. Adjournment.
The Motion to adjourn was moved and seconded around the house. Meeting was adjourned at 7:41pm.
TO-2019-30 was also approved