10-21-19 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGREGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Minutes dated October 21, 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 – 11 PRESENT, 0 ABSENT
Roll Call was taken with the following councilors present: George Bitzas, Council Vice President Cecilia Calabrese, Paul Cavallo, Council President Christopher Johnson, Gina Letellier,
Robert Magovern, Dino Mercadante, Joseph Mineo, Rosemary Sandlin, Robert Rossi and Anthony Suffriti. Councilor Joseph Mineo was absent. With eleven 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
William Clark spoke about the upcoming election.
Item D. Minutes
1. Regular Council Meeting – October 7, 2019
Motion to approve the minutes was moved by Councilor Mercadante and seconded by Councilor Sandlin. Voice vote approved with Council President Johnson noting Councilor Mineo’s abstention.
Item E. Declaration from Council President
1. Meet our local businesses – Ken Ritucci, Horizons Janitorial Services
Mr. Ken Ritucci spoke from Horizons Janitorial Services and explained that the company does commercial janitorial services and provided details and information.
Item F. Presentation of Resolutions
1. 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) (Tabled 9/3/19)
Council President Johnson explained that this item will remain on the table as in a letter of request to the Mayor; the owner requested an extension of the deadline for the town to exercise
their first rights of refusal option.
.
2. TR-2019-64 - A Resolution accepting a grant ($201,133.00) from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44,
Section 53A (Mayor Sapelli) (Referred to Finance Committee)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Magovern and seconded by Councilors Cavallo and Sandlin. As Chair of the Finance Committee, Councilor Letellier provided the report stating that
this item allows for energy saving upgrades in town buildings with the first being at Granger then the library. This will make the air fresher in Granger for teachers and students.
Motion to send a positive recommendation to the Full Council was moved by Councilor Mercadante and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. The committee voted 5 Yes, 0 No
There was no further discussion.
The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO approving the item.
Item G. Report of Council Committees
None.
Item H. Elections
None.
Item I. Public Hearings
None.
Item J. Old Business
1. TOR-2019-10 - An Ordinance amending Chapter 33 of the Code of the Town of Agawam (Mayor Sapelli) (Second and Final Reading) (Referred to Legislative Committee)
Motion to approve the second and final reading made by Councilor Magovern and seconded by Councilors Cavallo and Calabrese.
The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO approving the second and final reading.
2. TO-2019-32 - An Order granting or renewing a Class 2 Dealer’s LICENSE to ACE Auto Body, 1363 Main Street, 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 a report stating that all was in order
with this application and the committee sent a positive recommendation to the Full Council by a vote of 5 Yes, 0 No.
The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO approving the item.
3. TO-2019-33 - An Order granting or renewing a PERMIT for Weekly Amusement for Polish American Club of Agawam, Inc., 139 Southwick 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 report stating that all was in order
with this application and the committee sent a positive recommendation to the Full Council by a vote of 5 Yes, 0 No.
The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO approving the item.
4. TO-2019-34 - An Order granting or renewing a LICENSE for Automatic Amusement Device(s) for Polish American Club of Agawam, Inc., 139 Southwick Street, Feeding Hills, MA (Clerk) (Referred
to Administrative Committee)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Sandlin. As Chair of the Administrative Committee, Councilor Rossi provided a report stating that all was in order
with this application and the committee sent a positive recommendation to the Full Council by a vote of 5 Yes, 0 No.
The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO approving the item.
5. TO-2019-35 - An Order granting a PERMIT for Weekly Amusement for Agawam Beverage Company d/b/a Pour, 485 Springfield Street, Feeding Hills, MA (Clerk) (Referred to Administrative
Committee)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Sandlin and seconded by Councilor Letellier. As Chair of the Administrative Committee, Councilor Rossi provided a report stating that the committee
needed clarification regarding the effective date of this permit if issued. Motion to table made by Councilor Sandlin and seconded by Councilor Mineo. The vote was 5 Yes, 0 No. Discussion
began with Councilor Sandlin questioning holding this item up. This business will be opening soon. Council President Johnson stated we need to find out what exactly they need or want.
Councilor Sandlin voiced her displeasure with tabling this item. Councilor Letellier noted that the City Clerk should be clarifying whether or not this is for the balance of this
year or for the next calendar year. Motion to table made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Mercadante.
The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO tabling the item.
6. TO-2019-36 - An Order granting or renewing a PERMIT for Weekly Amusement for RCM, Inc, d/b/a Main Street Deli Restaurant, 141 Main Street, Agawam, MA (Clerk) (Referred to Administrative
Committee)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Magovern. As Chair of the Administrative Committee, Councilor Rossi provided a report stating that the committee
needed clarification regarding the effective date of this permit if issued. Motion to table made by Councilor Sandlin and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. The vote was 5 Yes, 0 no.
Motion to amend the effective date to read from “October 21, 2019 expiring December 31, 2019” made by Councilor Magovern and seconded by Councilor Letellier. The vote was 11 Yes,
0 No amending the item.
The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO approving the item as amended.
7. TO-2019-37 - An Order granting or renewing a PERMIT for Weekly Amusement for Kaptain Jimmy’s, 916 Suffield Street, 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 a report stating that all was in order
with this application and the committee sent a positive recommendation to the Full Council by a vote of 5 Yes, 0 No.
The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO approving the item.
8. TO-2019-38 - An Order granting or renewing a PERMIT for Weekly Amusement for Ferrentino’s Inc. d/b/a Ferrentino’s Pizzeria & Pub, 1676 Main Street, 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 a report stating that all was in order
with this application and the committee sent a positive recommendation to the Full Council by a vote of 5 Yes, 0 No.
The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO approving the item.
9. TO-2019-39 - An Order granting or renewing a LICENSE for Automatic Amusement Device(s) for Ferrentino’s Inc. d/b/a Ferrentino’s Pizzeria & Pub, 1676 Main Street, 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 a report stating that all was in order
with this application and the committee sent a positive recommendation to the Full Council by a vote of 5 Yes, 0 No.
The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO approving the item.
Item K. New Business
1. TO-2019-40 - An Order granting or renewing a Class 2 Dealer’s LICENSE to Joseph J. Polys d/b/a Joe’s Truck Repair, 97 Ramah Circle South, Agawam, MA. (Clerk)
Referred to Administrative Committee, next Agenda.
2. TO-2019-41 - An Order granting or renewing a Class 2 Dealer’s LICENSE to Langonet, Inc., 61 Ramah Circle South, Agawam, MA. (Clerk)
Referred to Administrative Committee, next Agenda.
3. TO-2019-42 - An Order granting or renewing a PERMIT for Weekly Amusement for Scoreboard Bar & Restaurant, 15 King Street, Agawam, MA. (Clerk)
Referred to Administrative Committee, next Agenda.
4. TO-2019-43 - An Order granting or renewing a LICENSE for Automatic Amusement Device(s) for Scoreboard Bar & Restaurant, 15 King Street, Agawam, MA. (Clerk)
Referred to Administrative Committee, next Agenda.
5. TO-2019-44 - An Order granting or renewing a PERMIT for Weekly Amusement for West Springfield Fish & Game, Inc., 329 Garden Street, Feeding Hills, MA. (Clerk)
Referred to Administrative Committee, next Agenda.
6. TO-2019-45 - An Order granting or renewing a LICENSE for Automatic Amusement Device(s) for West Springfield Fish & Game, Inc., 329 Garden Street, Feeding Hills, MA. (Clerk)
Referred to Administrative Committee, next Agenda.
7. TO-2019-46 - An Order granting or renewing a PERMIT for Weekly Amusement for The Buc, Inc., 84-86 Maple Street, Agawam, MA. (Clerk)
Referred to Administrative Committee, next Agenda.
8. TO-2019-47 - An Order granting or renewing a LICENSE for Automatic Amusement Device(s) for The Buc, Inc., 84-86 Maple Street, Agawam, MA. (Clerk)
Referred to Administrative Committee, next Agenda.
9. TO-2019-48 - An Order granting or renewing a Class 2 Dealer’s LICENSE to RNK Auto Sales, 28 Moylan Lane, Agawam, MA. (Clerk)
Referred to Administrative Committee, next Agenda.
10. TO-2019-49 - An Order granting or renewing a Class 2 Dealer’s LICENSE to KLC Auto Sales, Inc., 1514 Main Street, Agawam, MA. (Clerk)
Referred to Administrative Committee, next Agenda.
11. TOR-2019-11 - An Ordinance to amend Chapter 180 of the Code of the Town of Agawam by permitting recreational marijuana establishments (Mayor Sapelli) (Two Readings Required) – Refer
to Planning Board and Set Public Hearing – Suggest December 2, 2019
Officially referred to Planning Board with the Public Hearing date set for December 2, 2019. Obviously this item will depend on how the ballot questions turns out. Next Agenda.
12. TOR-2019-12 - An Ordinance to amend Section 147 of Chapter 180 of the Code of the Town of Agawam by banning recreational marijuana establishments (Mayor Sapelli) (Two Readings Required)
– Refer to Planning Board and Set Public Hearing – Suggest December 2, 2019
Officially referred to Planning Board with the Public Hearing date set for December 2, 2019. Obviously this item will depend on how the ballot questions turns out. Next Agenda.
13. TR-2019-65 - A Resolution to appropriate One Hundred and Five Thousand Four Hundred and Seventeen Dollars and Seventy One Cents ($105,417.71) for the Agreements of the Agawam Clerical
Employees’ Association and the Agawam Department of Public Works Employees’ Association with the Town of Agawam (Mayor Sapelli)
Next Agenda.
14. TO-2019-50 - Budgetary Transfer ($105,417.71) from Salary Reserve (#16606-57350) to various department (see transfer) (Mayor Sapelli)
Next Agenda.
15. TR-2019-66 - A Resolution accepting a grant ($14,300.00) from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter
44, Section 53A in relation to the Sustainable Materials Recovery Program (Mayor Sapelli)
Next Agenda.
Item L. Any other matter that may legally come before the City Council.
Councilor Mineo thanked everyone for their support and prayers. He especially wanted to thank Tony Suffriti for visiting him every week and appreciated his efforts more than you know.
Councilor Sandlin expressed a concern with the bus stop at the top of the hill near Prospect Street. Councilor Sandlin also had a disability concern about the crosswalk at Suffield
and Silver Streets. There are sight impaired residents in that area and would like to see a voice control in that location. Would that be the state’s responsibility or Agawam’s?
She noted that the town could apply for Disability Commission grants. Councilor Letellier stated that she is now a Rosie Robotics mom and talked about an upcoming meeting as well as
that her son and teammates met with the Superintendent on how to make the town better and what projects Rosie Robotics could undertake to accomplish this. Councilor Suffriti asked
for an update on the Twin Silos building wondering what the future had in store for this area. He told Councilors Mineo and Letellier that they were a source of inspiration to him with
respect to their fight and determination as they face their health crises. Councilor Suffriti also wished everyone the best of luck in the upcoming election and to be careful this
Halloween watching out for our little ones as they trick or treat. Council Vice President Calabrese mentioned she will be collecting candy after Halloween to send to the troops. She
thanked Also Mancini for coordinating this fundraiser every year. She also mentioned the upcoming Lions’ Club breakfast. Councilor Cavallo also mentioned the crosswalk in the Silver
Street/Suffield Street area and said it would be most beneficial if there were a traffic arrow as you head south on Rt 75 and need to turn onto Silver Street. He gave his condolences
to Mark Katsoulis on the death of his wife Marjorie. Councilor Rossi also sent condolences to Mark and his family. He noted that the crosswalk at Suffield and Silver Streets has been
on the drawing board for years. It is desperately needed. Councilor Bitzas reminded everyone to vote on November 5th between 8am and 8pm and wished everyone good luck. Councilor
Mercadante said he was so glad to see Councilor Mineo back and appreciated his guidance and all that he has taught him as a new councilor. Councilor Magovern was also glad to see Councilor
Mineo back. Councilor Magovern also noted the lack of money being spent on parks in the Feeding Hills area. He wondered about organizing a tour of Tuckahoe (after the meeting. the
Mayor resent a drone video of that area). Councilor Magovern also noted the importance of showing up to vote in the upcoming election with respect to recreational marijuana. He also
expressed sympathy to the family of Bob Deforge. Council President Johnson said the Council is like a family and expressed gladness at seeing each of the Council members on stage at
the meeting this evening. He stressed that he really appreciates everyone’s service to the town. The Mayor also asked him to announce that on Monday, the 28th the Mayhollow drainage
culvert will be being fixed and to expect delays and rerouting through North Street Ext, South Westfield Street and the 911 Restaurant. He wished good luck in the upcoming election
and hoped they were all still sitting here in January.
Item M. Adjournment.
The Motion to adjourn was moved and seconded around the house. Meeting was adjourned at 7:28pm.
Weekly Amusement Permit TO-2019-32 through and including TO-2019-34 and TO-2019-37 through and including TO-2019-39 were all approved