CC MTG MINUTES APRIL 4 2016 ' REGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Minutes dated April 4, 2016
Meeting was called to order by Council President Cichetti at 7:00pni 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, Council
President James Cichetti, Christopher Johnson, Gina Letellier, Council Vice President Joseph Mineo, Donald Rheault,
Robert Rossi,Anthony Suffhti and Richard Theroux. With eleven present,there was a quorum.
Item B. Moment of Silence and the Pledge ofAUeciance.
' Council President Cichetti asked for a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item C. Citizen's Speak nme
Richard Theroux spoke expressing anger that there was a probe and fines with respect to Berkshire Power without any
knowledge by a town official and there is no compensation for the Town of Agawam or its residents. He feels we
should have known about it and would like to look more closely at it so that this does not happen again to our
community. Brian Burbank introduced himself as an interested party for the vacant School Committee seat. He is
available for any questions. He noted that Roberta Doering left an amazing legacy. He's the father of five school-aged
children and his interests are genuine. He is passionate about participating in meetings and eager to take the
opportunity on and would appreciate the Council's consideration and support.
Item D. Minutes
1. Regular Council Meeting—March 21,2016
Motion to approve made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Rheault. The voice vote was unanimous of
those present with Councilor Calabrese abstaining.
' Item E. Declaration from Council President
None.
Item F. Presentation of Petitions,Memorials& Remonstrances
1. TR-2016-15 -A Resolution to appropriate funds for Massachusetts Nurses Association
(Mayor)(Referred to Finance Committee) (Tabled 3/21/16)
Motion to table made by Councilor Johnson and seconded by Councilor Letellier.
The vote was 11 YES,0 NO for the item to remain on the table.
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2. TR-2016-20 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Frank Pignatare, 685 Suffield
Street,Agawam,MA.to the Agawam Veterans' Council to a term expiring April 1,2019
(Mayor)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Bitzas and seconded by Councilor Letellier.
The vote was 11 YES,0 NO approving the item.
3. TR 2016-21 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Frank Mazzei, 476 Springfield
Street,Agawam,MA.to the Agawam Veterans' Council to a term expiring April 1,2019
(Mayor)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Letellier.
The vote was 11 YES,0 NO approving the item.
Item G. Report of Council Committee
None.
Item H. Electrons
None.
Item L Public Hearings
None.
.Item J. Old Business
t1. TO-2016-7 - Council Transfer of$1,500.00 from Council Professional Services(#11112-
52190)to Travel Training(#11112-52390(Council)(Referred to Finance Committee)
' Motion to remove the item from the table made by Councilor Johnson and seconded by Councilor Rossi.The vote was
11 YES, 0 NO taking the item off the table. As Chair of the Finance Committee, Councilor Johnson provided his
report. Motion to approve made by Councilor Calabrese and seconded by Councilor Johnson.
' The vote was 10 YES,0 NO, 1 ABSTENTION(Councilor Cichetti)approving the item.
' 2. TO-2016-8 -Voucher$2,587.87 (Council) (Referred to Finance Committee)
Motion to remove the item from the table made by Councilor Letellier and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. The vote
' was 11 YES,0 NO taking the item off the table. As Chair of the Finance Committee, Councilor Johnson provided his
report. Motion to approve made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Letellier.
The vote was 7 YES (Councilors Calabrese, Cavallo, Johnson, Letellier, Rheault, Rossi and Suffriti), 0 NO, 4
ABSTENTIONS(Councilors Bitzas,Cichetti,Mineo and Theroux)approving the item.
3. TO-2016-10 -Order granting or renewing a PERMIT for a Weekly Amusement for American
Legion Post 185 Wilson-Thompson, 478 Springfield Street,Feeding Hills,MA(Clerk) (Referred
to Administrative Committee)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. As Chair of the Administrative
Committee, Councilor Cavallo provided a report sending a positive recommendation for passage to the Full Council.
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The vote was 11 YES,0 NO approving the item.
4. TO-2016-11 - Order granting or renewing a LICENSE for an Automatic Amusement Device
for American Legion Post 185 Wilson-Thompson, 478 Springfield Street, Feeding Hills, MA
(Clerk) (Referred to Administrative Committee)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. As Chair of the Administrative
Committee, Councilor Cavallo provided his report stating that the first three devices were recommended for approval
however Device #4 Skill Touch was denied without prejudice. Motion to amend made by Councilor Johnson and
seconded by Councilor Rossi to approve Device#1,#2 and#3 and deny Device#4.
The vote was 11 YES,0 NO approving the amendment and then Motion to approve the item as amended was made by
Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Suffriti.
The vote was 11 YES,0 NO approving the item as amended.
Item K: New Business
1. TR 2016-22 -A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Gary F.Janulewicz,41
Elm Street, Agawam, MA to the Agawam Veterans' Council to a term expiring April 1, 2018
(Mayor)
INext Agenda.
2. TR-2016-23 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Francis Curnow, 115 Roest Hill
Road,Feeding Hills,MA to the Agawam Veterans' Council to a term expiring April 1,2018
(Mayor)
' Next Agenda.
3. TR-2016-24 -A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Beverly Sanford,92 Anvil
Street, Feeding Hills, MA to the Agawam Veterans' Council to a term expiring April 1, 2018
(Mayor)
Next Agenda.
' 4. TOR-2016-2 -An ordinance to amend the code of the Town of Agawam amending the
Agawam Housing Committee(Mayor)(Two Readings Required)
' Next Agenda,referred to Legislative Committee.
Item L. An other ther matter that may legally come before the City Council
Councilor Letellier said she was extremely disappointed with how the Springfield YMCA has dealt with the situation
and also the lack of notice regarding Berkshire Power with no additional information regarding potential health risks to
the residents in that area. Councilor Calabrese thanked Councilor Theroux for his quick action on Berkshire Power.
She also congratulated Rosie Robotics for winning the Entrepreneurial Aware in the Hartford Regional Competition
' and for qualifying for the New England championships. Councilor Theroux made comments about Berkshire Power
and that state officials did not inform the town and its residents. Councilor Rossi agreed with sentiments about
Berkshire Power. He also questioned what was going on with Games & Lanes building —was it sold? When? He
would like an accounting from the Mayor's Office on this very important issue. We get nothing from the
1 Administration. Councilor Mineo agreed with everything said about Berkshire Power and was also very disappointed
with state officials. On March 116, he was called into a meeting with the YMCA and was told that Agawam YMCA
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was closing and was stunned and so disappointed. He is very frustrated with the situation. Councilor Rheault also
expressed disappointment with the decision to close the Agawam YMCA and noted the lack of communication. He
also agrees with all the comments on Berkshire Power. He noted that more transparency is needed regarding Games&
Lanes as it seems to be getting more confusing. Councilor Mineo again stated that there was no leadership for months
at the Agawam YMCA. Councilor Cavallo said Superintendent Sapelli did a great job at the recent School Budget
presentation and his School Budget Finance Sub-Committee thought the budget looked good. He also noted that he
received reports back on The Still from Michael Theroux and will email the Police Chief regarding any noise
complaints. Councilor Bitzas also expressed dissatisfaction with Berkshire Power and the Agawam YMCA. He has
received many calls from residents and maybe we can still save it. He also would like a timeline on when the Games
& Lanes building was sold. Council President Cichetti mentioned having a workshop to discuss and review issues on
Berkshire Power, Games&Lanes and the Agawam YMCA and asked all councilors to send Barbara a list of available
dates. Councilor Theroux also asked for the need for Council input in the Walnut Street area which Council President
Cichetti noted that the Mayor recently sent an email and will speaker with Planning Director tomorrow.
Item M. Adiournment.
The Motion to adjourn was moved all around the house and seconded around the house. The time of adjournment was
7:58pm.
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