CC MTG MINUTES FEBRUARY 1 2016 REGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Minutes dated February 1, 2016
Meeting was called to order by Council President Cichetti 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
Roll Call was taken with the following councilors present: George Bitzas, Cecilia Calabrese, Paul Cavallo, Council
President James Cichetti, Christopher Johnson, Council Vice President Joseph Mineo, Donald Rheault, Robert Rossi,
and Anthony Suffriti. Councilor Theroux called Council President to inform him he was out of town and Councilor
Letellier was absent.With nine present,there was a quorum.
Item B. Moment of Silence and the Pledge ofAller once.
Council President Cichetti asked for a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance,
Item C. Citizen's Sneak Time
There was only one citizen signed up to speak and that was Superintendent William Sapelli who spoke about
Statement of Interest and Accelerated Repair Program to help with the boiler issue at the Doering School. MSBA will
give funds up to a certain amount. We qualify because the boilers are over 50 years old. The replacement of these
boilers is not an option. The deadline for submission to the MSBA is February 12`h which is the reason for the
emergency. He thanked the Council for their consideration and support.
Item D. Minutes
1. Regular Council Meeting—December 21,2015(Tabled 1119/16)
Motion to remove the item from the table made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Johnson. Voice vote
was unanimous. Motion to approve made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Johnson. Again,the voice
vote was unanimous approving the minutes.
2. Regular Council Meeting—January 19,2016
Motion to approve made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Mineo. The voice vote was unanimous
approving the minutes.
Item E. Declaration from Council President
None.
Item F. Presentation of Petitions.Memmials&Remonstrances
1. TR 2016-1 - A Resolution accepting a donation from Theory Skate Shop pursuant to
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 53A to the Town of Agawam (Mayor)
(Referred to Finance Committee)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Calabrese and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. Councilor Johnson as Chair of
the Finance Committee provided a report stating that a positive recommendation was sent by his committee at their
meeting earlier that evening.
' The vote was 9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Letellier and Theroux)approving the item.
2. TR-2016-2 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Gerald Landry, 71 Country
Road, Agawam, MA to the Whiting Street and Thomas Pyne Fund for a term expiring
December 31,2017(Mayor)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Johnson.
The vote was 9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT (Councilors Letellier and Theroux)approving the item.
' 3. TR-2016-3 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Rene Trudel, 66 Brien Street,
Agawam, MA to the Whiting Street and Thomas Pyne Fund for a term expiring December 31,
2017(Mayor)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Mineo.
The vote was 9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Letellier and Theroux)approving the item.
4. TR-2015-4 -A Resolution confirming the appointment of Anthony Pioggia, 20 Sharon Lane,
Feeding Hills, MA to the Agawam Municipal Golf Commission for a term expiring December
31, 2018(Mayor)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Mineo and seconded by Councilor Bitzas.
The vote was 9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Letellier and Theroux)approving the item.
S. TR-2016-5 - A Resolution Accepting a Grant from Commonwealth of Massachusetts State
911 Department pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44,Section 53A for
' Agawam Police Department(Mayor) (Referred to Finance Committee)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Suffriti and seconded by Councilor Johnson. As previously stated in his
Finance Committee report, Councilor Johnson stated that a positive recommendation was sent by his committee at
their meeting earlier that evening.
The vote was 9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Letellier and Theroux)approving the item.
6. TR-2016-6 -A Resolution regarding the approval of an Inter-Municipal Animal Control
Shelter between the Town of Southwick and the Town of Agawam(Mayor)(Referred to
Community Relations Committee)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Mineo and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. Councilor Bitzas as Chair of the
' Community Relations Committee provided a report stating that a positive recommendation was sent by his committee
at their meeting earlier that evening. He also mentioned that Chief Gillis spoke regarding this item stating that the
contract with Southwick was less than$9000 as compared to the contract with Westfield.
The vote was 9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Letellier and Theroux)approving the item.
Item G. Report oL Council Committees
None.
' Item H. Elections
None.
Item I. Public Hearings
1. TOR-2015-9 -An Ordinance to amend the Code of the Town of Agawam Zoning
Ordinance§180 entitled "Non-Conforming Use" (Councilor Cichetti) — Public Hearing date set
for March 7,2016(Referred to Legislative Committee)
The item remains on the table until March 71'.
Item J. Old Business
1. TO-2016-1 - Budgetary Transfer of$20,000 from Building Maintenance Regular Permanent
(#11921-51010) to Building Maintenance Overtime (#11921-51030) (Mayor) (Referred to
Finance Committee)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. As previously stated in his
Finance Committee report, Councilor Johnson stated his committee sent a positive recommendation for approval.
Councilor Rossi stated after reading the summary of information provided by Doug White that it seems there isn't a
good scheduling system and this account was designed to be used as an overtime expenditure system. Councilor Rossi
suggested working harder on the workload and manpower issues and figure it out.
The vote was 9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT (Councilors Letellier and Theroux)approving the item.
2. TO-2016-2 -An Order granting or Renewing a Class 2 Dealer's License to Zielinski
Brothers H at 218 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam, MA (Clerk) (Referred to Administrative
Committee)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Johnson and seconded by Councilor Bitzas. As Chair of the Administrative
Committee, Councilor Cavallo provided his report saying they reviewed the application and deemed it to be
incomplete. The committee voted to table the item until more information was received.
Motion to table made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Johnson. The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2
ABSENT (Councilors Letellier and Theroux)tabling the item.
Item K. New Business
1. TR 2016-7 -A Resolution authorizing the reservation of surplus funds from the Community
Preservation Fund(CPA)
Next Agenda.
2. TO-2016-3 -Budgetary Transfer for$4,500.00 From Park Service(#16202-52520)to
Temporary Salaries(#16201-51020)to cover School Street Park supervisor salaries(Mayor)
1 Next Agenda, referred to Finance Committee.
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3. TO-2016-4 -Emergency Preamble authorizing preparation of a Statement of Interest for the
"Accelerated Repair Program" for the Roberta G.Doering School(Mayor)
Due to the emergency situation, this item would need to be considered this evening. Councilor Cavallo wanted to
know what the reimbursement amount would be to which Councilor Johnson replied it was stated right in the
resolution attached to the emergency preamble. Councilor Johnson read the resolution into record.
' Motion to approve the Emergency Preamble moved and seconded.
The vote was 9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Letellier and Theroux)approving the item.
4. TR-2016-8 - A Resolution to prepare a Statement of Interest for the "Accelerated Repair
Program"for the Roberta G.Doering School (Mayor on behalf of Agawam School Committee)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Bitzas and seconded by Councilor Rheault. Councilor Bitzas stressed the
importance of passing this. Councilor Calabrese did the math and provided some numbers that could be expected for
reimbursement.
The vote was 9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Letellier and Theroux)approving the item.
1 5. TR-2016-9 -A Resolution authorizing the posting of the warrant for the Presidential
Preference Primary on March 1,2016(Mayor)
' Next Agenda,referred to Finance Committee.
6. TR-2016-10 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Marilyn Curry, 123 Beekman
Drive,Agawam,to the Whiting Street and Thomas Pyne Fund for a term expiring December 31,
2017 (Mayor)
' Next Agenda.
7. TR-2016-11 -A Resolution accepting a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Emergency Agency pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws,Chapter 44,Section 53A to
Agawam Emergency Management(52,000.00)(Mayor)
Next Agenda,referred to Finance Committee.
8. TR-2016-12 -A Resolution endorsing a"Complete Streets Policy"within the Town of
Agawam (Mayor,co-sponsored by Councilor Cichetti)
tNext Agenda,referred to Community Relations Committee.
' 9. TO-2016-5 -An Order granting or renewing a Class 2 Dealer's LICENSE to Richard
Conlon Jr.dlbia Motor City Car Co.,91 Ramah Circle,Agawam,MA.(Clerk)
Next Agenda, referred to Administrative Committee.
Item L. Any other matter that may la-ally come before the City Council
Councilor Suffhti thanked Barbara for sending out the information regarding the cell phone tower now being in use
and hopefully those in the affected areas would find some relief.
' Item M. Adiournment.
The Motion to adjourn was moved and seconded all around the house. The time of adjournment was 7:28pm.
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