CC MTG MINUTES JULY 13 2015 REGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Minutes dated July 13, 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 Call
ROLL CALL—9 PRESENT,2 ABSENT(Councilors Perry and Suffriti)
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,
Donald Rheault, and Robert Rossi. Absent were Vice President Dennis Perry and Councilor
Anthony Suffriti. With nine councilors present,there was a quorum.
Item B. Moment of Silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.
President Johnson asked for a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item C. Citizen's Speak Time
' Aldo Mancini, Gary Janowicz and Brian Willett all spoke in support of the Purple Heart Trail on
Main Street. Brian Willett spoke about a presentation at the School Street Park on July 29`h. The
purpose of the trail is to honor those veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice as well as
those who have made bodily sacrifices. The Purple Heart signage is a way to honor the sacrifices
these veterans have made.
Item D. Minutes
1. Regular Council Meeting—June 15,2015
Motion to approve the June 15, 2015 Regular City Council meeting minutes was made by
Councilor Cichetti and seconded by Councilor Mineo. The minutes were approved by a voice
vote of: 9 Yes,0 No,2 ABSENT(Councilors Perry and Suffriti).
' 2. Special Council Meeting—June 23,2015
Motion to approve the June 23, 2015 Special City Council meeting minutes was made by
Councilor Mineo and seconded by Councilor Cichetti. The minutes were approved by a voice
vote of: 8 Yes, 0 No, 1 Abstention (Councilor Cavallo) and 2 ABSENT (Councilors Perry and
' Suffriti).
Item E. Declaration from Council President
None.
1
Item F. Presentation of Petitions,Memorials&Remonstrances
1. TR-2015-30 -A Resolution requesting the installation of "No Parking" signs
along School Street, Corey Street and Alhambra Circle South in designated spots
(Councilor Bitzas)
Motion to withdraw made by Councilor Letellier and seconded by Councilor Bitzas.
The vote was 9 Yes,0 No,2 ABSENT (Councilors Perry and Suffriti).
2. 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 (Mayor)
Motion to table made by Councilor Cichetti and seconded by Councilor Calabrese.
The voice vote was 9 Yes,0 No,2 ABSENT(Councilors Perry and Suffriti).
3. TR-2015-33 - A Resolution appropriating from the Community Preservation
Fund and authorizing the expenditure of Community Preservation Funds for the
Purchase and Installation of Dedication Plaque at School Street Park(CPA)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Calabrese and seconded by Councilor Cichetti. As Chair
of the Community Relations Committee, Councilor Calabrese provided a report saying the
committee sends a positive recommendation for approval with a 4 YES, 0 NO, and 1 ABSENT
vote. Councilor Bitzas wished we had a vote prior to the plaque being purchased and installed.
What choice do we have now anyway? Council President Johnson agreed that again the Council
is voting on something after the fact.
The vote was 9 Yes, 0 No,2 ABSENT (Councilors Perry and Suffriti).
4. TR-2015-34 - A Resolution to proclaim Main Street a Purple Heart Trail
1 (Mayor)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Calabrese and seconded by Councilors Letellier and
Cichetti. As Chair of the Community Relations Committee, Councilor Calabrese provided a
1 report saying the committee sends a positive recommendation for approval with a 4 YES, 0 NO,
and 1 ABSENT vote.
The vote was 9 Yes,0 No,2 ABSENT (Councilors Perry and Suffriti).
5. TR-2015-35 - A Resolution to increase the authorized bond amount for the new
track, field and school locker facility at the Agawam High School (Mayor) (To he
withdrawn by Mayor per email dated June 24,2015)
Motion to withdraw made by Councilor Letellier and seconded by Councilor Cichetti.
The vote was 9 Yes,0 No,2 ABSENT (Councilors Perry and Suffriti).
Item 7. Report of Council Committees
None.
1 2
Item 8. Elections
None.
Item 9. Public Hearings
None.
Item l0. Old Business
1. TO-2015-30 -Voucher List$1,188.00 for BoardPaq's Annual User Fee(Council)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Calabrese. Council
President Johnson explained it was for our iPad BoardPaq annual user fees.
The vote was 9 Yes,0 No,2 ABSENT(Councilors Perry and Suffriti).
Item ll- New Business
1. 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)
1 Next Agenda.
2. TR-2015-37 -A Resolution requesting the installation of "No Parldng" signs
1 along School Street(Mayor)
Next Agenda and referred to the Community Relations Committee.
' 3. 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)
Next Agenda.
. ' 4. 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)
Next Agenda and referred to the Community Relations Committee.
' 5. TO-2015-34 - Budgetary Transfer of $7,259.18 from Municipal Golf Regular
Permanent(965261-51010)to Municipal Golf Regular Temporary(#65261-51020)to
cover a shortage(Mayor)
jIt is the Chair's Ruling that the next five items cannot be voted upon at this meeting because they
were not submitted with emergency preambles. Council President had Barbara post a Special
Meeting notice for tomorrow eight — Tuesday, July le at 6:30pm. Had the administration
planned then we would not have to have a special meeting. Councilor Bitzas said we had no
choice. We caused this ourselves by limiting the transfers. There should be $50001$6000
transfer limits. Council President Johnson adamantly said that this was not the Council's fault
that the Administration did not figure out that they were out of money and failed to plan.
Councilor Letellier said why couldn't they figure this out at the last special meeting? When does
' 3
this end? We have a Golf Committee and they need to look at this so it doesn't happen again.
Tony keeps saying they are having a great year but it looks like there only $1000 over last year.
Councilor Letellier is losing her patience with this situation.
Coweil President wanted to know who could not attend the special meeting. There were already
three councilors unable to attend. Councilor Calabrese would be working so she could not attend
as well. Only need six to have a quorum and vote on these.
6. TO-2015-35 - Budgetary Transfer of $800.00 from Municipal Golf Equipment
Rental(#65262-52070)to Municipal Golf Electricity&Heat(#65262-52110)to cover
a shortage(Mayor)
Special Meeting Agenda.
7. TO-2015-36 - Budgetary Transfer of $1,744.20 from Municipal Golf
Advertisement and Promotion (#65262-52010) to Municipal Golf Food Supply
(#65263-52220)to cover a shortage(Mayor)
Special Meeting Agenda.
8. TO-2015-37 - Budgetary Transfer of $1,291.81 from Municipal Golf Equipment
Maintenance and Repair (465262-52030) to Municipal Golf Food Supply (#65263-
52220)to cover shortage(Mayor)
1 Special Meeting Agenda.
9. TO-2015-38 - Budgetary Transfer of $788.65 from Municipal Golf Telephone
(##65262-52150) to Municipal Golf Electricity and Heat (#65262-52110) to cover a
shortage (Mayor)
Special Meeting Agenda.
10. TOR-2015-7 - An Ordinance amending Chapter 169 entitled Vehicles and
Parking,Article IV,Parking(Mayor) (Two Readings Required)
Next Agenda, refen•ed to the Legislative Committee.
1 Item 1Z Any other matter that may legaa come before the City CouncA
Councilor Bitzas said we should be so proud of the new School Street Park. It is truly a jewel of
the Town of Agawa n to which Councilor Letellier agreed. Congratulations to Councilor Rheault
on the birth of his second great grandson! Councilor Calabrese had two complaints about the
park regarding keeping the roadside clean. Residents have been noticing increased litter
specifically nip bottles. She plans on sending a memo to the Mayor regarding the same.
Adiournrnent.
The Motion to adjo,,:rn was moved and seconded with all in favor of adjourning. The time of
adjournment was 7r:25pm.
i
4