CC MTG MINUTES OCTOBER 6 2014 ! REGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Minutes dated October 6, 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 A. Roll Call
! ROLL CALL--11 PRESENT,0 ABSENT
Roll Call was taken with the following councilors present: George Bitzas, Cecilia
Calabrese, Paul Cavallo, James Cichetti, Council President Christopher Johnson, Gina
Letellier, Joseph Mineo, Vice President Dennis Perry, Donald Rheault, Robert Rossi and
Anthony Suffriti. With eleven councilors present, there was a quorum.
Item B. Moment a Silence and the Pledge o Alle lance.
President Johnson asked for a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.
! Item C. Citi;en's Speak Time
Anthony Roberto and Dan Shay spoke to thank the councilors for attending the special
workshop called by the Mayor and hoped everyone's questions were answered. There
was a great exchange between the parties. Dan Shay provided a list of upcoming
• projects.
Item D. Minutes
Motion to approve the September 15, 2014 Regular City Council meeting minutes was
made by Councilors Cichetti and Rossi and seconded by Councilor Perry. The minutes
were approved by a vote of: 11 Yes, 0 No.
Item E. Declaration from Council President
Council President mentioned that due to a computer update made at the Roberta Doering
School, the Council's BoardPaq was subsequently blocked. We will have the IT Director
look into this matter.
Item F. Presentation of Petitions,Memorials& Remonstrances
1. TR-2014-30 - Resolution to establish an Ad Hoc Sub-Committee of the Agawam
City Council to initiate an investigation of the Agawam Municipal Golf Course
pursuant to Section 2-11 of the Agawam Home Rule Charter (Councilors Letellier,
Johnson and Perry)
! Motion made to remove the item off the table made by Councilor Cichetti and seconded by
Councilor Mineo. Council President asked what the Council's pleasure was — Motion to Table
Indefinitely made by Councilor Cichetti and seconded by Councilor Mineo. Councilor Letellier
made a Point of Information as to whether or not discussion was allowed under this type of
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tabling motion. Council President stated that Tabling Motions could not be qualified and
therefore stated it was now considered a Motion to Table instead.
The vote was 8 YES (Councilors Bitzas, Calabrese, Cichetti, Letellier, Mineo, Perry, Rossi and
Suffriti)and 3 NO(Councilors Cavallo, Johnson and Rheault)in favor of tabling the item.
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Item 7. Report of Council Committees
None.
Item 8. Elections
None.
Item S. Public Hearings
1. ZC-2014-2 - Petition for Zone Change for 105 Rowley Street, Agawam as
submitted by Attorney Michael D.Parker on behalf of Carole A. D'Amato,
guardian for James J.D'Amato(Public Hearing continued 9/15/14)
The Public Hearing was continued and Council President asked for any additional
speakers in favor of the zone change. Attorney Michael Parker spoke again trying to
satisfy some of the questions raised at the Planning Board's Public Hearing. He stated
that no department within the town had any objection to this zone change. Only five
neighbors voiced an objection. Attorney Parker also stated that the notion of having two
different zones on one parcel is archaic and if this isn't passed and single-family homes
have to be built, then there wouldn't be initial money to make the cul de sac. The
duplexes create more of a market and would be more beneficial to the care of his client.
Council President asked if there were any other citizens wishing to speak in favor in
name only which there were none. The following speakers spoke in opposition of the
zone change: Ed Shibley, Patrick Kevane, Jean Zucco, Dave Smith and Scott Valentino.
James Zucco and Roy Benjamin spoke in opposition in name only. Council President
declared the Public Hearing closed and asked for the report of the Legislative Committee.
Councilor Cichetti provided his report saying they had a discussion and decided however
not to send a recommendation to the Full Council and allow for discussion among the
Council. Councilor Rossi stated it confused him why he would choose to build duplexes
over single family homes. Councilor Bitzas stated that the negatives outweigh the
positives in.this situation and Councilors Cavallo and Mineo agreed with both of them.
Councilor Letellier also commented on the fact that they already sold some of the lots to
build duplexes.
Motion was made by Councilor Cichetti and seconded by Councilor Mineo. The vote
was 0 YES, 10 NO, 1 ABSTENTION (Councilor Calabrese) defeating the zone change.
3. ZC-2014-3 - Petition for Zone Change for South West Street, Feeding Hills as
submitted by Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. on behalf of DCJ Realty, LLC —
Public Hearing scheduled for October 20, 2014 —Referred to Planning Board and
Legislative Committee
Item on the table until the Public Hearing on October 20n'.
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Item 10. Old Business
1. TOR-2014-5 - An Ordinance to Amend the Code of the Town of Agawam to
add Section 49-9 entitled Use of Municipal Vehicles(Councilors Donald Rheault and
Robert Rossi) (Two Readings Required)
Council President updated the Council that a revised version has been sent to the Law
Department and suggested leaving this on the table until that is received.
2. ZC-2014-1 (TOR-2014-6) -An Ordinance to amend the Code of the Town of
Agawam Article XIV entitled Personal Wireless Services Facilities and Towers
Chapter 180 §180-94(Two Readings Required)
Motion made by Councilor Bitzas and seconded by Councilor Cichetti. Councilor Cichetti gave a
Legislative Committee report where they voted 3-2 in favor of this zone change. It was stated
that is you want better reception then you can vote yes. It isn't an eyesore and communication is
• necessary and can be life or death. Councilor Rossi thinks this is merely because Verizon wants
their own pole and not necessarily for the best of the community. Councilor Cichetti stated all
that this does is add to the overlay district - it still has to go to the ZBA and PB for site approval
and special permitting process. Councilor Letellier reminded the Council that they had not
received ANY objections from any abutters and that there are enough residents with poor service
that this might help and she was in favor of the zone change. Council President Johnson stepped
from the Chair to say we as a Council should suggest to the Zoning Board of Appeals to invoke
their right to get the special report paid by the Petitioner which would address our concerns. If
we pass this item, he suggests asking the ZBA to have this report done. Councilor Bitzas said
remember this might be added income to the Church and its parishioners.
The vote was 11 YES,0 NO to pass ZC-2014-1 (TOR-2014-6).
3. TOR-2014-7 - An Ordinance to amend certain fees in the Park and Recreation
Department(Mayor)
i Motion was made by Councilor Cichetti and seconded by Councilor Perry. Council
President only stated this this is for increasing fees at the Perry Lane Nursery School and
that it would have been nice to have received more than one Iittle paragraph on a page for
both of the items.
The vote was 10 YES, 1 No (Councilor Calabrese) to approve the first reading of TOR-
2014-7.
4. TOR-2014-8 - An Ordinance to amend certain fees in the Park and Recreation
Department(Mayor)
Motion was made by Councilor Cichetti and seconded by Councilors Mineo and Rheault. For the
public's information,this item is to increase the fees for the Perry Lane Summer Camp.
The vote was 10 YES, 1 No (Councilor Calabrese) to approve the first reading of TOR-
2014-8.
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Item 11. New Business
1. TO-2014-20 - An Order Granting a Class 2 Dealer's LICENSE to Agawam Auto
Mall,Inc., 825 Springfield Street,Agawam,MA (Clerk)
! This item was referred to the Administrative Committee, next Agenda.
2. TO-2014-21 - An Order Granting a Class 2 Dealer's LICENSE to Auto Kraft,
119 Walnut Street,Agawam, MA(Clerk)
• This item was referred to the Administrative Committee, next Agenda.
3. TO-2014-22 - An Order Granting a Class 2 Dealer's LICENSE to Dino Carando
d/b/a Euro Imports,325 Main Street,Agawam,MA.(Clerk)
This item was referred to the Administrative Committee, next Agenda.
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4. TO-2014-23 - An Order Granting a Class 2 Dealer's LICENSE to Falcor Auto
Sales,Inc.,373 Springfield Street,Agawam,MA. (Clerk)
This item was referred to the Administrative Committee, next Agenda.
! 5. TO-2014-24 - An Order Granting a Class 2 Dealer's LICENSE to Parrotta's
Auto Service,Inc.,357 Main Street,Agawam,MA.(Clerk)
This item was referred to the Administrative Committee, next Agenda.
• 6. TO-2014-25 - An Order Granting a Class 2 Dealer's LICENSE to V&F Auto,
Inc., 7 Harding Street,Agawam,MA.(Clerk)
This item was referred to the Administrative Committee, next Agenda.
7. TO-2014-26 - An Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for an Automatic
! Amusement Device and Weekly Amusement Permit for American Legion Post 185
—Wilson Thompson,478 Springfield Street,Feeding Hills,MA. (Clerk)
This item was referred to the Administrative Committee,next Agenda.
8. TOR-2014-9 - An Ordinance to Amend the Code of the Town of Agawam to Add
• Section 180-95A to assist the Council in Zone Change Requests involving the
Wireless Telecommunications Overlay District(Mayor) (Two Readings Required)
This item was referred to the Legislative Committee, next Agenda.
. 9. TR-2014-39 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Anthony Tassone,
1242 Main Street, Agawam, MA to the Agawam Housing Committee to a term
expiring October 1,2017(Mayor)
Next Agenda.
10. TR-2014-40 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Christopher W. F.
Pass, 108 Bridge Street,Agawam,MA.to the Agawam Housing Committee to a
term expiring October 1,2017 (Mayor)
Next Agenda.
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11. TR-2014-41 - A Resolution accepting Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40,
Section 8G(Mayor)
This item was referred to the Legislative Committee, next Agenda.
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12. TR-2014-42 - A Resolution accepting a grant from the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts State 911 Department pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 44, Section 53A for the Agawam Department($70,999.00)(Mayor)
• This item was referred to the Finance Committee, next Agenda.
Item 12. Any other matter that may legally come before the City Council.
Councilors Bitzas and Letellier provided details of the Agawam Rotary Club's Annual
Harvest Festival and Family Fun Day on October 18`h from loam to 4pm. Councilor
• Letellier also talked about the 50/50 raffle prizes to benefit the YMCA. She also made
mention of the discrepancies with Attorney General's opinions on the Mayor's Special
Meeting Notice and requests a written opinion from the Attorney General so we can put
this matter to rest. Simply attending the Mayor's meeting doesn't explain any of the
money issues and quite frankly she found the behavior at the Council workshop simply
• atrocious. Councilor Cavallo mentioned that the Facility Needs Committee would be
meeting on October 15`h. He and Councilor Rossi are members of that committee with
Council President as an ex-officio member. Barbara will have Alexis send us a copy of
the meeting notice. Councilor Rheault reiterated the request for Council President to
send a memo to the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding the cell tower survey and agreed
with Councilor Letellier's sentiments regarding the golf course. He feels everyone is
burying their heads in the sand and we need to get answers. Councilor Perry praised the
new Wad and BoardPaq app. He commented on the reduction in the amount of paper
normally has to be printed for our meetings. This is a positive direction for the Council.
He also agreed with Councilor Letellier regarding the golf course and sent his
condolences to Tony Suffriti on the death of his grandmother (as did the rest of the
Council). Councilor Mineo expressed concern about the School Committee's resolution
to build a new Early Childhood Center although he is not saying there isn't a need, it just
might not be the right time for this big of an expenditure. Councilor Cichetti wanted to
explain his thought process on trying to indefinitely table the golf course resolution.
While he expressed dismay over the behavior at our golf workshop, he said at the
Mayor's meeting questions were answered and for the benefit of the golf course, we need
to move on from here. They should put a P.O.S. system up there as there is nothing there
now. How can Anthony Roberto provide some of this information for us if there is
nothing recorded? He suggested having them come before the Council either quarterly or
monthly to provide detailed reports if that would help. Councilor Calabrese explained
• that she voted no on the fee increases because she wants to save money for the taxpayers
and wholehearted agreed about installing a P.O.S. system up at the golf course. She also
congratulated Rosie Robotics on a recent first place win. Councilor Rossi felt that he was
at a different meeting at the golf course than was Councilor Cichetti. He thought it was
more like a pep rally than anything else. He feels the Council deserves answers.
Admittedly, the course is in great shape but he feels it is at risk and also supported a
P.O.S. there. However, Councilor Rossi feels the problems at the course are far greater
than the simple answers they provided at the Mayor's meeting -- the issue is one of
accountability. The Council repeatedly asks these questions and while he agreed that the
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Mayor's meeting was not legitimately posted, he attended the meeting in the hopes of
hearing some answers but also thought it was a Special City Council meeting which
should have been chaired by Council President or Vice President. He respectfully
requested a written ruling regarding this issue. The financial issues still need to be
addressed. He supports invoking 2-11 to bring people in and ask these questions. We
need to stop the bleeding. The Mayor stated he is exploring options to cover the deficit at
the golf course. Well, it is now October — how much longer can he wait? Council
President Johnson said he would write a memo to the Zoning Board of Appeals to invoke
their authority to request the survey and on behalf of the Council expressed sincere
condolences to Tony Suffriti.
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Adiournment.
The Motion to adjourn was moved and seconded with all in favor of adjourning. Time of
adjournment 8.21pm
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