01-21-20 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGREGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Minutes dated January 21, 2020
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, Cecilia Calabrese, Paul Cavallo, Christopher Johnson, Gina Letellier, Dino Mercadante, Robert Rossi, Rosemary
Sandlin, Gerald Smith, Anthony Suffriti and Mario Tedeschi. With eleven present, there was a quorum.
Item B. Moment of Silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.
There was a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item C. Citizen’s Speak Time
Susan Grossberg, Abbey Massaro, Nancy Bobskill, Wendy Hollis, Edward Cecchi and Corinne Wingard all spoke again TR-2019-82 gas pipeline also reading into record the following letter
sent to Council Office dated January 3, 2020:
William Clark also spoke about waste reduction and the potential increase in the cost of recyclables. Mayor Sapelli thanked the speakers for speaking their mind with courtesy. He clarified
information from the spill two years ago which wasn’t really a spill. He mentioned that Tennessee Gas hired a third party contractor to test the pipes and the trucks used for a previous
containment contained negligible amounts of carcinogens – they were subsequently fired. He stated that Tennessee Gas has been a good neighbor for many years and we have to try to look
at the whole picture.
Item D. Minutes
1. Regular Council Meeting – December 16, 2019
Motion to approve the minutes was moved by Councilor Mercadante and seconded by Councilor Letellier. Voice vote approved with Council President Johnson.
2. Reorganizational Council Meeting – January 6, 2020
Motion to approve the minutes was moved by Councilors Suffriti and Calabrese and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. Voice vote approved with Council President Johnson noting the abstention
of Councilor Letellier.
Item E. Declaration from Council President
None.
Item F. Presentation of Resolutions
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)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Letellier and seconded by Councilor Suffriti.
The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO approving the item. Council President Johnson thanked Ms. Prince for her continued willingness to serve.
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)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Mercadante and seconded by Councilor Letellier. Council President Johnson clarified Councilor Sandlin’s question about funding supplies for this
position. Richie Girard reported to the Mayor that he had sufficient funds in his budget or with donations received to provided anything needed for this volunteer position.
The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO approving the item.
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)
Council President Johnson stated that the Mayor asked that this item be table as the state has asked for some clarification. Motion to table made by Councilor Sandlin and seconded by
Council Vice President Calabrese. Voice vote was unanimous tabling this item.
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)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Sandlin and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. Councilor Sandlin asked for background on this item. Council President Johnson stated it was an state
initiated allocation grant to help local police departments with the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click or Ticket” campaigns. Councilor Letellier questioned why they always
let people know when and where the sobriety check marks will be.
The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO approving the item.
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)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Letellier and seconded by Council Vice President Calabrese.
The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO approving the item.
6. TR-2019-81 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Frank Destefano, 918 Shoemaker Lane, Feeding Hills, MA 01030 to the Planning Board to an unexpired term expiring January 1
2025 (Mayor Sapelli)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Sandlin and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. Councilor Tedeschi was glad to see Mr. Distefano step into this role and joked he has big shoes to fill.
The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO approving the item. Council President Johnson thanked him for his willingness to serve the town.
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)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Suffriti and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. Councilor Letellier thanked everyone for coming to speak this evening especially in the cold weather.
She has the same issue with the damage release form noting it was the smallest release she has ever seen. She agrees with Attorney Grossberg saying she is not
prepared to vote on this item. Council President Johnson clarified that the damage release is for the actual easement settling on the money to pay – the actual easement contains the
language holding the town harmless. Councilor Mercadante’s concerns revolved around the safety of the project once it is installed. He has questions on the maintenance procedures.
Council Vice President agreed the language needs to be tweaked a bit to protect the citizens of Agawam. Councilor Rossi shared these concerns but was more concerned with whether or
not this project was actually necessary. Councilor Tedeschi has the same concerns about the release and would like clarification as well. Councilor Bitzas agreed it was best to wait
until receiving the clarification and make the necessary changes before voting. He asked if the Council denied this, what would be the next step. Council President Johnson will ask
the Law Department. Councilor Sandlin also wanted the Board of Health and Health Agent to weight in. Councilor Cavallo would like representative from Tennessee Gas to speak with the
Council if possible. Councilor Suffriti asked after hearing all the negative impacts and questions, why are we still going through with this project? What would be the benefit to
our town to do this? Councilor Smith noted he’d like more time and information before voting. Council President Johnson said he would talk to the Mayor about scheduling a workshop
with representatives of Tennessee Gas where all the mentioned requests could be answered. Motion to table made by Councilor Sandlin and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. Voice vote approved.
Item G. Report of Council Committees
None.
Item H. Elections
None.
Item I. Public Hearings
1. ZC-2020-1 (PH-2020-1) - Petition for Zone Change by Owner Anna Chuduk for property located at 266 Walnut Street from Business A to Industrial A – Public Hearing Set for February 3,
2020 (Referred to Legislative Committee)
The Public Hearing on this item is set for February 3rd. Motion to table made by Council Vice President Calabrese and seconded by Councilor Sandlin. Voice vote approved.
2. ZC-2020-2 (PH-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 – Public Hearing Set for February 3, 2020 (Referred to Legislative Committee)
The Public Hearing on this item is set for February 3rd. Motion to table made by Councilor Sandlin and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. Voice vote approved.
Item J. Old Business
1. 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)
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 there were no
issues with this application and the committee gave a positive recommendation by a vote of 5 yes, 0 no.
The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO approving the item.
2. 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)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilors Suffriti and Letellier. As Chair of the Administrative Committee, Councilor Rossi provided a report stating that
there were no issues with this application and the committee gave a positive recommendation by a vote of 5 yes, 0 no.
The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO approving the item.
Item K. New Business
1. TR-2020-1 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Violet E. Baldwin, 1245 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001 to the Planning Board to a term expiring January 1, 2025 (Mayor Sapelli)
Next Agenda.
2. TR-2020-2 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Alice D. Smith, 523 North Westfield Street, Feeding Hills, MA 01030 to the Historic Commission to a term expiring January
1, 2023 (Mayor Sapelli)
Next Agenda.
3. TR-2020-3 - A Resolution accepting a grant in the amount of $6,500.00 from Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency through the Executive Office for Administration and Finance for
the Town of Agawam Emergency Management Department (Mayor Sapelli)
Referred to Finance Committee, next Agenda.
4. TR-2020-4 - A Resolution authorizing the posting of the warrant for the Presidential Primary Election on March 3, 2020 and the Special State Primary Election on March 3, 2020 and
the Special State Election on March 31, 2020 (Clerk)
Next Agenda.
5. TR-2020-5 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Mark Paleologopoulos, 100 Paul Revere Drive, Feeding Hills, MA. 01030 to the Planning Board to a term expiring January 1,
20205 (Mayor Sapelli)
Next Agenda.
6. TR-2020-6 - A Resolution accepting a grant in the amount of ($95,999.00) from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State 911 Department pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter
44, Section 53A for the Agawam Police Department (Mayor Sapelli)
Referred to Finance Committee, next Agenda.
7. TR-2020-7 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Lori Stickles, 85 Anvil Street, Feeding Hills, MA to the Agawam Housing Authority to a term expiring the second Monday in
January 2025 (Mayor Sapelli)
Next Agenda.
8. TR-2020-8 - A Resolution to appropriate funds ($1,205,806.00) to pay for costs of the Boiler Repair Project at the Agawam Junior High School pursuant to Massachusetts School Building
Authority’s Accelerated Repair Program (Mayor Sapelli)
Referred to Finance Committee, next Agenda.
9. TR-2020-9 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Michael Dobise, 43 Parkedge Drive, Feeding Hills, MA to the Energy Commission to an unexpired term expiring on April 1, 2020
(Mayor Sapelli)
Next Agenda.
10. TR-2020-10 - A Resolution to appropriate Three Thousand One Hundred and Ninety Seven Dollars ($3,197.00) from the Agawam Municipal Golf Course Retained Earnings Account to fund the
Agawam Municipal Golf Course Regular and Permanent and Golf Overtime Accounts (Mayor Sapelli)
Next Agenda.
11. TR-2020-11 - A Resolution to appropriate Two Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($2,250.00) from the Agawam Wastewater Fund Retained Earnings Account to fund the Wastewater Overtime
Account (Mayor Sapelli)
Next Agenda.
12. TR-2020-12 - A Resolution to appropriate Five Thousand Six Hundred and Ninety Dollars ($5,690.00) from the Agawam Water Department’s Retained Earnings Account to fund the Water Department’s
Regular Permanent, Regular Temporary and Water Overtime Accounts (Mayor Sapelli)
Next Agenda.
13. TR-2020-13 - A Resolution to appropriate Two Hundred Thirty One Thousand Five Hundred and Forty One Dollars and Zero Cents ($231,541.00) for the Agreements of the Agawam Building
Maintenance Association and the Agawam Administrative Union with the Town of Agawam (Mayor Sapelli)
Next Agenda.
14. TO-2020-1 - An Order granting or renewing a Class 2 Dealer’s LICENSE to Paul J. LaPointe d/b/a The Car Connection, 820 Springfield Street, Feeding Hills, MA (Clerk)
Referred to Administrative Committee, next Agenda.
15. TO-2020-2 - An Order granting or renewing a PERMIT for Weekly Amusement for OMS Hospitality Group d/b/a Chez Josef, 176 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam, MA (Clerk)
Referred to Administrative Committee, next Agenda.
16. TO-2020-3 - Budgetary Transfer of $50,000.00 from Police Station Locker Room (#16619-58940) to the Police Station Generator (#16610-58506) (Mayor Sapelli)
Referred to Finance Committee, next Agenda.
17. TO-2020-4 - Budgetary Transfer of $220,404.00 from Salary Reserve (#16606 – 57350) to various departments (Mayor Sapelli)
Next Agenda.
Item L. Any other matter that may legally come before the City Council.
Councilor Bitzas said it was a great first meeting. He thanked the people of Agawam for the honor of working for them and looked forward to working with this Council. Councilor Rossi
echoed the words of Councilor Bitzas. Councilor Letellier asked about the streamlining of the permit process hoping to see it online soon. She said she had emailed the Mayor and Chris
Golba about recycling and the potential increase in costs and the response was they are currently in negotiations. Councilor Tedeschi thanked everyone who came out tonight to speak
saying it is great to see people getting involved. Councilor Cavallo echo words of Councilor Bitzas saying we have a wonderful group and all get along which is nice to see. Council
Vice President Calabrese wished Barbara a very Happy Birthday and also thanked the speakers for coming out in the cold. Councilor Suffriti looked forward to working together and hopes
the professionalism of the last two years continues. Councilor Sandlin spoke about the generator at the Senior Center noting the Mike Squindo found endowment funds to continue to make
it a warming and cooling location. She thanked everyone for their support as well. She also stated she was at that meeting Mr. Clark was referring to when he stated an amount of $700,000
– she said it was incorrect and probably half of that amount. Councilor Smith thanked everyone for making him feel so welcomed. He also said he has received numerous inquiries already
about when Feeding Hills Center will be worked on and has told them late Spring/early summer. Councilor Mercadante also thanked everyone for coming out and was excited to work with
the great group of councilors on stage. He asked if the Senior Center generator was currently operation at this time and Council President Johnson answered it was a backup generator.
Council Vice President Calabrese added as a Public Service Announcement to remember to let the crossing guards do their jobs and follow their instructions when children are crossing
the street. Council President Johnson congratulated Council Vice President Calabrese on her upcoming swearing in as President of the Massachusetts Municipal Association noting it’s
a great honor and he thinks the first from Agawam to achieve such a high ranking. He also wished Barbara a Happy Birthday as well as Councilors Bitzas and Cavallo. He will speak with
the Mayor regarding a workshop on existing and changes to recycling as well. Councilor Letellier asked Council Vice President Calabrese to stop the use of paper directories and put
them online saving paper and time.
Item M. Adjournment.
The Motion to adjourn was moved and seconded around the house. Meeting was adjourned at 8:12pm.
Permits/Licences TO-2019-92 and TO-2019-93 were also approved