CC MTG MINUTES AUGUST 3 2015 ' REGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Minutes dated August 3, 2015
' 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 Cal!
ROLL CALL—10 PRESENT, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier)
Roll Call was taken with the following councilors present: George Bitzas,Cecilia Calabrese, Paul
Cavallo, James Cichetti, Council President Christopher Johnson, Joseph Mineo, Vice President
Dennis Perry, Donald Rheault, Robert Rossi and Anthony Suffhti. Absent was Councilor Gina
Letellier. With nine councilors present,there was a quorum.
Item B. Moment of Silence and the Pled"of Alle lance.
President Johnson asked for a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item C. Citizen's Sneak Time
None
Item D. Minutes
1. Regular Council Meeting—July 13,2015
Motion to approve the July 13, 2015 Regular City Council meeting minutes was made by
Councilor Cichetti and seconded by Councilor Rheault. The minutes were approved by a voice
vote of: S YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSTENTIONS (Councilors Perry and Suffriti), 1 ABSENT
' (Councilor Letellier).
2. Special Council Meeting—July 14,2015
Motion to approve the July 14, 2015 Special City Council meeting minutes was made by
Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Rossi. The minutes were approved by a voice vote
of 6 YES,0 NO,4 ABSTENTIONS (Councilors ferry, Suffriti, Cavallo and Calabrese), 1
ABSENT(Councilor Letellier).
Item E. Declaradon Lrom Council President
r None.
' Item F. Presentation of Petitions,Memorials&Remonstrances
1. TR-2015-32 - A Resolution requesting the Agawam City Council Petition for the
' enactment of Special Municipal Legislation concerning Special Police Officers in the
Town of Agawam(Tabled 7/13115)(Mayor)
Councilor Cichetti as Chair of the Legislative Sub-Committee provided a report stating that a few
' additional questions arose and a memo was sent to the Solicitor. The item is to remain on the
table.
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' 2. TR 2015-36 -A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Gary Janulewicz,41
Elm Street,Agawam,MA to the Historical Commission to a term expiring January
1,2018(Mayor)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Bitzas and seconded by Councilors Cichetti and Mineo.
The vote was 10 YES,0 NO,1 ABSENT(Councilor Letellier).
3. TR-2015-37 -A Resolution requesting the installation of "No Parking" signs
along School Street(Mayor)
' Motion to approve made by Councilor Calabrese and seconded by Councilor Perry. Councilor
Calabrese as Chair of the Community Relations Sub-Committee provided a report noting that
these signs are already in place without prior Council approval. The committee questioned
' whether the area residents were properly notified of these signs prior to placement. Councilor
Bitzas stated it might be more beneficial to limit the no parking zone to a specific area. This item
was recommended to be tabled until satisfaction that the residents were properly notified.
Motion to table made by Councilor Calabrese and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. The vote was
10 YES,0 NO, 1 ABSENT(Councilor Letellier).
4. TR-2015-38 -A Resolution accepting an easement for storm drains by Donald F.
Kinsley and Carol A.Kinsley pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40,
§ 14 for the Town of Agawam(Mayor)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Cichetti. The vote was
10 YES,0 NO,1 ABSENT(Councilor Letellier).
' 5. TR-2015-39 - A Resolution appropriating from the Community Preservation
Fund and authorizing the expenditure of Community Preservation Funds for the
rehabilitation and preservation of town owned land(CPA)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Calabrese and seconded by Councilors Rheault, Perry and
Cavallo. Council President noted that this was $8000 to the Beautification Committee for several
town sites and Councilor Bitzas stated it was money well spent. The vote was 10 YES,0 NO, 1
ABSENT(Councilor Letellier).
Item 7. Revort of CouncM Committees
None.
Item 8. Elections
' None.
Item 9. Public Headnrs
' None.
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Item 10. Old Business
' 1. TOR-2015-7 - An Ordinance amending Chapter 169 entitled Vehicles and
Parking,Article IV,Parking(Mayor) (Two Readings Required)
Motion to approve the first reading made by Councilor Perry and seconded by Councilor
Calabrese. Councilor Cichetti as Chair of the Legislative Sub-Committee provided a report
saying his committee sent a negative recommendation to the Full Council. Council President
said a 2/3 vote was necessary therefore requiring 7 votes of the Full Council for passage.
The vote was 0 YES,10 NO, 1 ABSENT(Councilor Letellier). The item was defeated.
Item 11. New Business
' I. TO-2015-39 -Voucher List for MMA Dues $5,172.00(Council)
Next Agenda.
2. TR 2015-40 - A resolution to waive the right of first refusal for land classified
under M.G.L.Ch.61A located at 140 Rowley Street,Agawam,MA(Mayor)
Next Agenda,referred to Community Relations Committee.
' 3. TR 2015-41 -A resolution confirming the appointment of Mario Tedeschi, 350
Main Street, Agawam, MA to the Planning Board to a term expiring January 1,
2018(Mayor)
Next Agenda.
Item 12. Any other matter that may legally come before the City CoundL
Councilor Rossi mentioned Games & Lanes and how we keep hearing something is going to
happen however nothing happens. That area is incredibly dangerous and unsightly. He suggested
' that the City Council do something to take control of the property. He also mentioned that the
Blight Ordinance was recently passed and would like to know the status of any properties that the
Law Department has notified and/or taken action. Councilor Rossi also mentioned including the
' Legislative Committee on the New Business item TR-201540 as it would involve a zone change.
Council President Johnson said it is only a waiver of first refusal and it would have to come back
before the Council as a separate zone change if that was the case. Councilor Rossi noted the
wording in the backup and thought it automatically changed the zone. Council President Johnson
stated that the lots are frontage lots and wouldn't need a zone change but he will verify that a
zone change is not necessary even so, that would be a separate item to come before the City
Council.Councilors Calabrese,Mineo and Perry agreed with Councilor Rossi regarding Games&
Lanes and no more time should be wasted—this is a matter of safety as well. Councilor Mineo
asked for a status update regarding the cell phone tower which was approved some time ago.
Councilor Rheault asked the Council President to write a strong letter to the Administration to
expedite the Games & Lanes situation since nothing is being done at this point. He also
expressed his disappointment to see TR-2015-32 back on the Agenda. Council voted it down and
the Mayor should not place it back on the Agenda with the desire to compromise. Police Officers
have to retire at age 65 according to Massachusetts General Law and that should be the end of it.
Councilor Cavallo also asked for a Verizon update on the cell tower. Councilor Bitzas mentioned
he was in Mayor's Office regarding Games & Lanes and they called the EPA in Boston.
Apparently a press release will be done soon that this property will be put on a priority list. Also
mentioned First Night Out as well as thanking Administration for finding the funds to pave Route
' 187 since it was not included in the State funds.
Adiournnwng
1 The Motion to adjourn was moved by Councilor Calabrese and seconded by Councilor Ferry.
The time of adjournment was 7:27pm.
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