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12-16-19 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGREGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL Minutes dated December 16, 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 – 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, Gina Letellier, Dino Mercadante, Joseph Mineo, Robert Rossi, Rosemary Sandlin, and Anthony Suffriti. Councilor Magovern 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 Paul Herzenberg spoke about retail marijuana sales and Susan Grossberg spoke about changing the location of the meetings to the library because the seats are so uncomfortable and the stairs are too awkward. Item D. Minutes 1. Regular Council Meeting – December 2, 2019 Motion to approve the minutes was moved by Councilor Mercadante and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. Voice vote approved with Council President Johnson noting the abstentions of Councilors Mineo and Letellier. Item E. Declaration from Council President None. Item F. Presentation of Resolutions 1. TR-2019-72 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Michael Dobise, 43 Parkedge Drive, Feeding Hills, MA. 01030 to the Agawam Municipal Golf Commission for a term expiring on December 31, 2022 (Mayor Sapelli) Motion to approve made by Councilor Letellier and seconded by Councilor Bitzas. The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Magovern) approving the item. Council President Johnson thanked Mr. Dobise for his service to the town. 2. TR-2019-73 - A Resolution to donate Town of Agawam owned bicycles to the Pedal Thru Youth Program (Mayor Sapelli) Motion to approve made by Councilor Mercadante and seconded by Councilors Cavallo and Letellier. The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Magovern) approving the item. 3. TR-2019-74 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Teresa Kozloski, 102 Meadow Street, Agawam, MA to the Historical Commission to a term expiring January 1, 2023 (Mayor Sapelli) Motion to approve made by Councilor Letellier and seconded by Councilor Sandlin. The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Magovern) approving the item. Council President Johnson thanked Teresa for volunteering and also thanked the Kozloski’s for all their hard work for the Town of Agawam. 4. TR-2019-75 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of David Wheeler, 322 Meadow Street, Agawam, MA. to the Agawam Municipal Motion to approve made by Councilor Sandlin and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Magovern) approving the item. Item G. Report of Council Committees None. Item H. Elections 1. TE-2019-5 - Election of a permanent member of the Zoning Board of Appeals Council President Johnson opened the floor up for nominations. Council Vice President Calabrese placed the name of Richard Maggi into nomination which was seconded by Councilor Cavallo. Councilor Suffriti moved to close nominations which was seconded by Councilor Sandlin. Voice vote approved. The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Magovern) electing Richard Maggi. 2. TE-2019-6 - Election of an alternate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals Council President Johnson opened the floor up for nominations. Councilor Sandlin placed the name of Vincenzo Ronghi into nominations which was seconded by Council Vice President Calabrese. Councilor Suffriti moved to close nominations which was seconded by Councilor Cavallo. Voice vote approved. The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Magovern) electing Vincenzo Ronghi. Council President Johnson thanked both of the gentlemen and on a personal note, hoped that the Zoning Board of Appeals would continue to work closely with the Planning Board and Law Department as they move forward. Item I. Public Hearings None. Item J. Old Business 1. 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) (2 of 2 Readings) Motion to approve the second and final reading made by Councilor Mercadante and seconded by Council Vice President Calabrese. The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Magovern) approving the second and final reading. 2. TO-2019-89 - An Order granting or renewing a PERMIT for Weekly Amusement for N. Liquori, Inc. d/b/a The Back Room, 827 Springfield Street, Feeding Hills, MA. (Clerk) (Referred to Administrative Committee) Motion to approve made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilors Bitzas and Cavallo. As Chair of the Administrative Committee, Councilor Rossi provided the report stating there were no issues with this application and the committee sent a positive recommendation to the Full Council. The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Magovern) approving the item. 3. TO-2019-90 - An Order granting or renewing a LICENSE for Automatic Amusement Device(s) for N. Liquori, Inc. d/b/a The Back Room, 827 Springfield Street, Feeding Hills, MA. (Clerk) (Referred to Administrative Committee) Motion to approve made by Councilor Mercadante and seconded by Councilor Bitzas. As Chair of the Administrative Committee, Councilor Rossi provided the report stating there were no issues with this application and the committee sent a positive recommendation to the Full Council. The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Magovern) approving the item. 4. TO-2019-91 - An Order granting or renewing a Class 2 Dealer’s LICENSE to 57 Auto, LLC, 371 South Westfield 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 the report stating there were no issues with this application and the committee sent a positive recommendation to the Full Council. The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Magovern) approving the item. Item K. New Business Council President Johnson noted that all the following New Business will be placed on the second January meeting because the January 6th meeting is simply reorganizational and no New Business will be on the Agenda. 1. TR-2019-76 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Sarah Prince, 775 Springfield Street, Feeding Hills, MA to the Agawam Housing Authority to a term expiring the second Monday in January, 2025 (Mayor Sapelli) Next Agenda. 2. TR-2019-77 - A Resolution to establish a Veterans’ Graves Officer position for the Town of Agawam pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 115, Section 9 (Mayor Sapelli) Next Agenda. Councilor Letellier asked if there could be a revolving fund earmarked for supplies for this position and Council President Johnson noted that he would pose her question to the Mayor. 3. TR-2019-78 - A Resolution accepting a grant ($3,064.25) from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 53A in relation to the Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (Mayor Sapelli) Next Agenda. 4. TR-2019-79 - A Resolution accepting a grant in the amount of Fourteen Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($14,000.00) from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPPS) to the Town of Agawam Police Department for traffic enforcement (Mayor Sapelli) Next Agenda. 5. TR-2019-80 - A Resolution accepting a grant in the amount of Four Thousand and Seven Hundred and Eighty Five Dollars and Zero Cents ($4,785.00) from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPPS) and the Department pf Fore Services (DFS) to the Town of Agawam Fire Department for firefighting hoods (Mayor Sapelli) Next Agenda. 6. TR-2019-81 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Frank Destefano, 918 Shoemaker Lane, Feeding Hills, MA 01030 to the Planning Board to a term expiring January 1 2025 (Mayor Sapelli) Next Agenda. 7. TR-2019-82 - A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into consent for shared occupancy of Right of Way Easement Agreements between the Town of Agawam and Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, LLC regarding the upgrade to the pipeline (Mayor Sapelli) Next Agenda. 8. TO-2019-92 - An Order granting or renewing a PERMIT for Weekly Amusement for Crestview Country Club, Inc., 281 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam, MA. (Clerk) Referred to Administrative Committee; next Agenda. 9. TO-2019-93 - An Order granting or renewing a Class 2 Dealer’s LICENSE to Elias Auto, 1123 Suffield Street, Agawam, MA. (Clerk) Referred to Administrative Committee; next Agenda. 10. ZC-2020-1 - Petition for Zone Change by Owner Anna Chuduk for property located at 266 Walnut Street from Business A to Industrial A – Refer to Planning Board and Set a Date for a Public Hearing Council President Johnson officially referred the item to the Planning Board and suggested a Public Hearing date of February 3rd to give the Planning Board enough time to hold their own Public Hearing. He also referred the item to the Legislative Committee; next Agenda. 11. ZC-2020-2 - Petition for Zone Change by Owner Verteramo Real Estate, LLC for property located at Rear Meadow Street from Agricultural, Industrial A and Residence A-2 to Business A – Refer to Planning Board and Set a Date for a Public Hearing Council President Johnson officially referred the item to the Planning Board and suggested a Public Hearing date of February 3rd to give the Planning Board enough time to hold their own Public Hearing. He also referred the item to the Legislative Committee; next Agenda. Item L. Any other matter that may legally come before the City Council. Council President Johnson began the special presentation to say goodbye to Councilor Joseph Mineo after twenty years of service. Councilor Magovern was not in attendance however everyone wished him well. Council President Johnson asked Joe’s good friend Councilor Suffriti to join him at the podium to say a few words and present Councilor Mineo with a token of appreciation from the City Council. Both Council President Johnson spoke as well as Councilor Suffriti then turned the microphone over to Councilor Mineo whose family had joined him on stage. Council President Johnson began saying that Joe is all about his family – they are number one in his life. He is a very proud father and husband. Agawam is very lucky to have had Joe for twenty years because he treated everyone in Agawam like they were part of his family. Agawam is very fortunate to have had Joe serve for twenty continuous years – he made the decision at the beginning of the term that this would be his last term on the Council. No matter what the issue was, no matter who was affected by that issue, Joe treated it like they were members of his own family – he cared that much for the residents of Agawam. Council President Johnson said he would personally miss him, everyone on stage would miss him and the people of Agawam will miss him. Councilor Suffriti said when he started as a councilor, he was intimidated but Joe took him his wing right away and made him feel like one of his sons. He gave him a lot of advice and made him feel comfortable. He said he will miss him on the Council but he’ll see him all the time. He thanked him for all Joe taught him making it so much easier to be in this position. Council President Johnson read the desk clock inscription and presented it to Councilor Mineo. Councilor Mineo thanked everyone for their kind words and told everyone how important they were to him. His only regret is how much time he spent away from his family. He thanked the people of Agawam and Feeding Hills. He met a lot of good people over the years. Joe thanked all the people who put up signs for him over the twenty years. Joe specifically thanked several friends and thanked his family. His sons Carmino and Luca and his daughter Joanna – he boasted how proud he is of them. All of them went through the Agawam school system, went to college and all have good jobs. He could not be more proud of who they are. Lastly, he wanted to his wife, Anna, who has been his biggest supporter over the last twenty years. She was the one who said he could do this and she was right. I love her so much. He has been with her since he was 18. He loves his family so much and he thanked everyone for everything. Council President Johnson then went around allowing each councilor a moment to speak. Councilor-Elect Smith wished everyone good health, much happiness and prosperity in the New Year. Councilor Mercadante was amazed at Joe’s body of work spanning twenty years. He commented that Councilor Mineo’s actions seem like he wrote the Roberts’ Rules of Etiquette. He wished him Godspeed and regretted not being able to work for a longer period of time with him. Councilor Bitzas noted that he has worked with Councilor Mineo for twenty years and what a great man he is – a good servant, good father and good husband. He thanked him for his service and said he would miss him. Councilor Bitzas also wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Councilor Cavallo said his main memory of Joe is that he never says no to anyone – he is that kind of person who is so dedicated and genuinely a good person. He also said he was a great family man. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year as well. Council Vice President Calabrese noted if history has taught us anything is that every election is an important election. We are fortunate to have two new councilors coming in but as they come in, we lose two good councilors. She was fortunate to sit next to Joe when she was a new councilor and said she learned so much from him. He never forgot that he worked for the people of Agawam. Councilor Suffriti said this job goes beyond us, beyond our families and Joe always gave back and gave that extra hand to other. He said Joe is an idol to him and a father figure stating that he will miss Joe terribly as a councilor but that he isn’t going anywhere and will still see him every week. Councilor Letellier commended the No Name Ninjas for making it to the state finals in Robotics and commending Wendy Rua for her hard work and compassion. She also wished everyone Happy Holidays or whatever your family celebrates. She also thanked Councilor Magovern for his faithful service. Councilor Letellier said Joe is the epitome of a public servant – caring about people and not being a politician. She said he is loved by so many people including her. Councilor Sandlin thanked Joe for helping mentor her and being a loyal friend that she has known for over thirty years. She is proud to call Joe her friend and loves him. Councilor-Elect Tedeschi has not had the privilege to work with Joe but is so great to see how respected and loved he is. He challenges everyone to take a page from Joe’s book of life and do something nice for those who are needy during this holiday season. He also wished everyone a happy and safe Christmas and wished Joe the best of luck. Council President Johnson agreed with Councilor Letellier about both councilors that are leaving and wished Councilor Magovern good luck in all he does saying he worked very hard for Agawam and he perfect attendance as a City Councilor. He will miss Bob’s knowledge of the history of Agawam. Council President Johnson reminded everyone to let Barbara know if they would be attending the MMA Trade Show in January noting that we are fortunate to have Council Vice President Calabrese being inaugurated as President of the MMA believing it to be the first year ever that an Agawam resident has been elected that high in that organization. He wished everyone a happy and healthy holiday season. He said he will miss Joe noting that he is a great human being who cares a lot of Agawam and his fellow councilors and hopes he gets to spend a lot of time with his wonderful family. Council President Johnson turned the microphone over for the last time to Councilor Mineo who again thanked everyone and also thanked Barbara and said he’d miss her. Item M. Adjournment. The Motion to adjourn was moved by Councilor Mineo and seconded around the house. Meeting was adjourned at 7:48pm.            TO-2019-89 through and including TO-2019-91 permit applications were all approved as well.