CC MTG MINUTES APRIL 22 2014• REGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Minutes dated April 22, 2014
• Meeting was called to order By President Johnson at 7:00pm at the Auditorium at the
Roberta G. Doering School, 68 Main Street, Agawam.
Item 1. Roll Call
ROLL CALL— 10 PRESENT, 1 ABSENT
Roll Call was taken with the following councilors present: George Bitzas, Cecilia
Calabrese, Paul Cavallo, Council President Christopher Johnson, James Cichetti, Gina
Letellier, Joseph Mineo, Vice President Dennis Perry, Robert Rossi and Donald Rheault.
• Councilor Anthony Suffriti was not in attendance. With ten councilors present, there was
a quorum.
Item 2._Moment of Silence and the Pledze of Allegiance.
• President Johnson asked for a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 3. Citizen's freak Time
There were two citizens signed up to speak. The first was Matt Reardon who spoke
regarding a quality of life issue near his property on North West Street in Feeding Hills
• due to truck traffic and excessive equipment noise levels. Corinne Wingard spoke in
favor of TOR-2014-2 (an Ordinance to amend the Code of the Town of Agawam to
Establish the Agawam Housing Committee)
Item 4. Minutes
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There was a Motion to approve the April 7, 2014 Regular City Council meeting minutes
made by Councilor Cichetti and seconded by Councilor Rossi. The minutes were
approved by a vote of: 10 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent(Councilor Suffriti).
• Item S. Declaration from Council President
None.
Item 6. Presentation of Petitions, Memorials & Remonstrances
1. TR-2014-15 - A Resolution Confirming the Appointment of Robert Rivkin,
34 Sherwood Drive, Agawam, MA 01001 to the Agawam Municipal Golf
Commission for a term expiring on December 31,2016 (Mayor)
Motion was made by Councilor Cichetti and seconded by Councilor Letellier. The
• Resolution was approved with a vote of 10 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent(Councilor Suffriti).
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2. TR-2014-16 - A Resolution to Amend the Rules and Regulations of the Agawam
City Council (Referred to Legislative Committee)(Councilor Johnson)
Motion was made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Letellier. A report
was provided by Councilor Cichetti, Chair of the Legislative Committee, from their April
22nd sub-committee meeting giving a 3-0 positive recommendation for approval.
Discussion began with Councilor Cavallo stating that he thought it was a good idea to
establish the Council President and Vice President as ex-officios for purposes of
establishing quorums at sub-committee meetings. Councilor Mineo expressed the same
• support. Councilor Letellier explained that if there is still a need for verbatim minutes,
they would still be access to audio and video. Council President added that videos are
now available on the town website.
The Resolution was approved by a vote of 10 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent (Councilor Suffriti).
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3. TR-2014-17 - A Resolution accepting a grant in the amount of$71,164.00 from
the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency pursuant to Massachusetts
General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 53A to the Town of Agawam (Referred to
Finance Committee) (Mayor)
• Motion was made by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilors Cichetti and
Letellier. Council President noted that this grant was for the purchase and installation of
an emergency generator for the Town Hall. Councilor Mineo gave his Finance
Committee report stating that there was no discussion on this item and the sub-committee
sent a positive recommendation for approval with a vote of 3-0.
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The Resolution was approved by a vote of 10 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent (Councilor Suffriti).
4. TR-2014-18 -A Resolution accepting a grant in the amount of$1,275.00 from FM
Global pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 53A to the
Agawam Fire Department(Referred to Finance Committee)(Mayor)
Motion was made by Councilors Rossi and Cichetti and seconded by Councilor Letellier.
Council president noted that this grant was for the purchase of arson equipment for the
Fire Department. Councilor Mineo gave his Finance Committee report stating that there
was no discussion on this item and the sub-committee sent a positive recommendation for
approval with a vote of 3-0.
The Resolution was approved by a vote of 10 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent(Councilor Suffriti).
5. TR-2014-19 — A Resolution authorizing the Reservation of funds from the
• Community Preservation Fund (CPA)
Motion was made by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Cavallo.
The Resolution was approved by a vote of 10 Yes,0 No, 1 Absent (Councilor Suffriti).
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Item 7. Report of Council Committees
None.
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Item 8. Elections
1. TE-2014-3 - Election of a member of the Community Preservation Act
! Committee to a term expiring April 30,2017 (City Council)
Councilor Letellier placed the name of Louis Russo into nomination. Motion to close
nominations made by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Mineo.
Louis Russo was re-elected by a vote of 10 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent (Councilor Suffriti).
• Council President thanked him for his continued work on CPA.
Item 9. Puhlic Hearings
1. PH-2014-1 (TOR-2014-1) -An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance of
the Town of Agawam to allow Registered Medical Marijuana Facilities(Planning
Board)(1 of 2 readings)
Motion was made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilors Cichetti and Rossi.
The Public Hearing was declared open. Speaking in favor were Deborah Dachas,
Director of Planning and Community Development, Will Reichelt of the Law Department
and Tricia O'Grady-Howard of the Planning Board. Deborah Dachos stated that on
November 6, 2012 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts approved the act to allow
medical marijuana facilities in the state however it remained unclear as to what towns
could do with these facilities. In September of 2013, the City Council approved an 8-
month moratorium which expires on May 16, 2014. During the interim, town
• administration worked with PVPC to develop a proposed draft for communities. Will
Reichelt stated that he basically reworked the ordinance that the town of Hadley adopted.
Only Industrial A and Industrial B locations would be allowed to have these facilities on
them. The key information is that they would not be allowed near any residential
district/use. The Zoning Board of Appeals would have special permitting authority. If
• this ordinance does not pass then it would fall under the state regulations which are not as
strict as this ordinance is. Tricia O'Grady-Howard also stated that the Planning Board is
in full support of this ordinance. There were no other speakers in favor or in opposition.
Council President declared the Public Hearing closed and asked for a report from the
Legislative Committee which Chairman Cichetti provided.
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The first reading was approved by a vote of 10 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent (Councilor Suffriti)
2. PH-2014-2 (TOR-2014-4) -An Ordinance amending the Zoning Code of the
Town of Agawam creating the Mixed Use Business C District (Planning Board)
• (Referred to Legislative Committee) (Two Readings Required) - Public Hearing
Date set for May 19,2014
This item was tabled until May 19, 2014.
3. PH-2014-3 (TR-2014-20) - A Resolution adopting the Fiscal Year 2015-2019
Capital Improvement Program (Referred to Finance Committee) (Mayor) —Public
Hearing Date set for.Tune 2,2014
This item was tabled until June 2, 2014.
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Item lO. 01d Business
1. TO-2014-6 -Voucher List($2,187.50)
• Motion was made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Mineo.
The item was approved by a vote of 10 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent(Councilor Suffriti).
2. TO-2014-7 - An Order granting or renewing a Junk Dealer's PERMIT for T's
Jewelers,559 Springfield Street,Feeding Hills,MA. (Clerk)
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Motion was made by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Letellier. Councilor
Rossi, Chair of the Administrative Sub-Committee provided a report unanimously
sending a positive recommendation on this item as well as the next item TO-2014-8.
The item was approved by a vote of 10 Yes,0 No, 1 Absent(Councilor Suffriti).
3. TO-2014-8 - An Order granting or renewing an Automatic Amusement
PERMIT for Headquarter's Bar& Grille,485B Springfield Street, Agawam, MA
(Clerk)
Motion was made by Councilors Rossi and Rheault and seconded by Councilor Cichetti.
The item was approved by a vote of 10 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent (Councilor Suffriti).
4. TOR-2014-2 -An Ordinance to Amend the Code of the Town of Agawam to
Establish the Agawam Housing Committee (Councilor Johnson) (Two Readings
Required
Motion was made by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. A report
was provided by Councilor Cichetti as Chair of the Legislative Sub-Committee. He
stated that his committee sends a positive recommendation for approval. This is the first
reading for this item.
The first reading was approved by a vote of 10 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent (Councilor Suffriti).
• 5. TOR-2014-3 - An Ordinance to Amend the Chapter 114 of the Agawam Town
Code entitled "Junk and Secondhand Dealers" (Mayor) (Two Readings Required)
Motion to table was made by Councilor Cichetti (after providing his sub-committee
report stating that they recommended tabling this item) and seconded by Councilors
Rossi and Letellier.
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By a voice vote, this item was tabled until the May 5, 2014 meeting.
6. TO-2014-9 - Transfer of$5,830.00 from Council Professional Services (##11112-
52190)to Council Equipment,Repair& Maintenance (#11112-52030)(City Council)
Motion was made by Councilors Cichetti and Letellier and seconded by Councilor Rossi.
Council President stated that this transfer was for the purpose of purchasing iPads for the
City Council to progress to a paperless system.
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The item was approved by a vote of 10 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent(Councilor Suffriti).
Item 11. New Business
1. TR-2014-21 - A Resolution accepting a Grant in the amount of One Thousand
Five Hundred($1,500.00)Dollars from the Massachusetts Emergency
Management Agency Project Management Office pursuant to Massachusetts
General Laws Chapter 44, Section 53A for Haz-Mat Planning Activities (Mayor)
Next Agenda.
2. TR-2014-22 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Henry Kozloski, 102
Meadow Street,Agawam,Ma to the Community Preservation Act Committee to
a term expiring April 30,2017 (City Council)
• Next Agenda.
3. TR-2014-23 -A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Violet Baldwin,1245
Main Street,Agawam,Ma to the Community Preservation Act Committee to a term
expiring April 30,2017(City Council)
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Next Agenda.
4. TO-2014-10 -An Order granting or renewing a LICENSE for an Automatic
Amusement Device and Weekly Amusement Permit for Six Flags New England
. located at 1623 Main Street,Agawam,MA (Clerk)
Next Agenda and referred to the Administrative Sub-Committee.
Item 12. AnLother matter that may legally come before the City Council.
• Councilor Letellier mentioned that there were several Boy Scouts in the audience viewing
the Council meeting for a merit badge. She mentioned that a more informative meeting
would be the meeting including the Public Hearing on the Operating Budget on June 16t'.
She also mentioned that the Agawam Little League Opening Day was Saturday, April
26'�` beginning at 9:30 and it should be a fun-filled day. Councilor Cavallo asked to
• schedule a City Council School Budget Sub-Committee meeting for the first meeting in
May to review and take a vote on the FYI School Budget.
Adrournment.
The Motion to adjourn was moved by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor
Rossi with all in favor of adjourning. Time of adjournment 7:32pm
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