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CC MTG MINUTES JUNE 31 2017 MINUTES OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING June 31, 2017 Members Present: Paul Cavallo, Chair • Anthony Suffriti George Bitzas Joseph Mineo (ex officio) Absent: Christopher Johnson and Robert Rossi Also Present: Councilors James Cichetti, Donald Rheault, Cecilia Calabrese, Richard Theroux, City Engineer Michelle Chase, Solicitor Patrick Toney, Mike Ballway, Gary Block and son (?) (owner Block Jewelers), Robert Magovern, Eric Meyers (owner of new laundromat) and Barbara Bard, Council Admin Assistant i Called to Order: Meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman Suffriti at 6:31pm. in the Peirce ' Room at the Agawam Public Library, 750 Cooper Street, Agawam. ' AGENDA 1. Approval of minutes dated June 19,2017. ' Motion for approval was moved and seconded. The vote was 3 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT(Councilors Johnson and Rossi) approving the minutes. i 2. Informational session regarding the upcoming land takings for the Morgan Sullivan Bridge Project. Discussion was led by City Engineer, Michelle Chase, who provided a detailed explanation of why these land takings were happening, what properties were involved and what the improvements would include. She noted that the town was working closely with MassDOT as this was a project funded through them. Some of these improvements include two left turn lanes to alleviate congestion and bike ' paths/sidewalks with two directional lights. There are two sections of land takings with MassDOT responsible for the land takings from and including Rocky's up to Reed Street and the town would be responsible from Rocky's up to Walnut Street. Rocky's would be losing forty parking spots and Penway losing a high amount as well. Block Jewelers would be losing all of their spots along Walnut Street. She noted that the land taking process was complex and time consuming having to wait for Mass DOT to give their go ahead on the process. The town hired James Fisher to appraise the takings along with an independent appraiser to review his work. The state hired their own appraiser and reviewer for their takings. This review process took six weeks longer than anticipated however the town is on schedule to make the necessary date. The property owners received descriptions of the ' process and letters of offers which expire 30 days after the date sent (expire Aug loth) The town also have temporary five year easements in order to fix grading, driveways and the like. Michelle has also been working with Eversource for the utility pole easements. Councilor Theroux asked for a rundown of timeline to which Michelle stated they could not dictate the timeline from the state so it's difficult to pinpoint. Councilor Theroux asked about the Mayor's BMC coming back to the Council regarding Walnut Street Ext. and also about temporarily moving the PVTA shelter on Walnut Street. Michelle noted that she is expecting an answer from MassDOT on that and would probably require line striping. Councilor Calabrese asked about any correspondence with CSX railroad. Michelle stated she has met with CSX railroad and MassDOT. Two message boards are expected to be placed in Agawam and two �1 in West Springfield to forewarn residents of a train crossing. Council President Cichetti stated he had met several times with Mayor Reichelt of West Springfield, Mayor Cohen and both town's planners regarding the CSX issues and he personally met with Senator Humaston who will be speaking with state senators and state reps about this issue and making these message boards permanent. Councilor Cavallo asked if the Council would have a role in the negotiation of fair compensation for those residents/businesses involved in the land takings which the Solicitor noted they would be handling those. Patrick Toney also stated he has met with the owners who want to renegotiate their offers. In the end, each can cash their check even if they appeal their amounts which they have up to three years �1 to do and would probably be handled in Superior Court. Michelle Chase noted that MassDOT will have an inspector on site at all times. Councilor Suffriti asked how long the temporary easements were for as the resolution showed three years but Michelle mentioned five years — Michelle confirmed the ' easements were for five years. Councilor Suffriti also asked about the trailer home park as the map looked like it cut into the front of some of those mobile homes. Michelle stated that Mass DOT decided not to encroach upon the mobile home park and adjusted the road accordingly and are looking to keep the plantings on both sides of the road as much as possible (especially on Food Mart side). Councilor Bitzas stated he strongly supported this process realizing it will be a painful process throughout this for residents with traffic delays but the town will benefit in the end. Councilor Suffriti also noted that these infrastructure improvements must be done. Gary Block of Block Jewelers thanked the committee and Michelle Chase for all of the information and also thanked Councilors Cavallo, Cichetti and Theroux for coming out to meet with him. One of his main issues is the police involvement regarding traffic. He mentioned that the officers were not pleasant to deal with in fact he had two elderly women come in and said the officer was rude to them and told them to "go find ' another way" after they stated they just needed to get to Block Jewelers. Council Vice President Mineo assured him that we would make sure the APD was informed of what was to occur in the future. Councilor Theroux mentioned the Mayor should contact the APD as well as the auxiliary police. Eric Meyers, the new Laundromat owner, found trucks and junk in his parking area without permission and no notice. He noted he tries to be accommodating and offers water and restroom facilities to officers on hand however on two separate occasions when he and an employee approached the officer, they refused to move the truck and refused to allow the employee to park in the lot. He was asked his name and badge number and was refused and when he called in to the shift officer, he was not provided any assistance or sympathy in his situation. When this project starts, he requests more open ' communication with the APD. Councilor Cavallo said that we need to be more aware of all of these residents and businesses that will be severely impacted by this project. Mr. Meyers agreed and stated he wants a positive relationship with the town and does not want to feel like he is breaking the law. Michelle Chase said the town will do whatever we can however she reiterated it is a MassDOT project. Robert Magovern also stated the police officer was not polite when he came out of TD Bank and attempted to make a right turn up Walnut Street, Councilor Suffriti noted we would make the Chief ' aware of these concerns. Patrick Toney will have the resolution to Barbara in the Council Office for New Business on the Aug 71h Agenda and it will require having a Special Meeting on August 15t` because the deadline of the offer letters falls after the August 7"' meeting. Barbara Bard asked if the thirty days would allow us to have the Special Meeting on the 14a' as that might be an easier night for councilors to have a quorum. Patrick would investigate and get back to her the next day. 3. Any other business that may legally come before the committee. None. 4. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn made by Councilor Suffriti and seconded by Councilor Bitzas. Meeting was adjourned at 7:18pm. Respectfully submitted by: Paul C. Cavallo, Chair Administrative Committee •' cc: Committee Members Cavallo, Bitzas, Rossi,Johnson and Suffriti Full Council, Mayor, Solicitor