CC MTG MINUTES MARCH 21 2016 REGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Minutes dated March 21, 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—10 PRESENT, 1 ABSENT
Roll Call was taken with the following councilors present: George Bitzas, Paul Cavallo, Council President James
Cichetti, Christopher Johnson, Gina Letellier, Council Vice President Joseph Mineo, Donald Rheault, Robert Rossi,
Anthony Suffriti and Richard Theroux.Councilor Cecilia Calabrese was absent. With ten present,there was a quorum.
Item B. Moment of Silence and the Pled e a Alle lance.
Council President Cichetti asked for a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance. Council President asked that
we remember Roberta Doering as she passed away yesterday. She was an amazing woman who was the longest
standing School Committee member in the state for 47 years.
Item G Cui e�Sneak Time
Patty Souder and David Cecchi spoke in support of naming the band shell in honor of Darcy Davis who was and still is
a true leader devoting his entire life to music.
' Item D. Minutes
1. Regular Council Meeting—March 7,2016
Motion to approve made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Mineo. The voice vote was unanimous of
those present.
Item E. Declaration from Council President
None.
Item F. Presentation of Petitions.Memorials&Remonstrances
1. IR 2016-15 -A Resolution to appropriate funds for Massachusetts Nurses Association
(Mayor) (Referred to Finance Committee) (Tabled 3/7/16)
Motion to remove the item from the table made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Letellier. Councilor
Johnson as Chair of the Finance Committee gave his report stating that his committee decided to leave the item on the
table pending response at the time from the Mayor. Discussion began with Councilor Johnson stating he believes the
item was on our Agenda prematurely as no agreement has been made yet. Councilor Rossi agreed and Councilor
Cavallo also agreed but suggested withdrawing from our Agenda. Councilors Theroux and Johnson disagreed with
Councilor Cavallo stating it should just be tabled as it shouldn't be delayed further once the agreement is made.
Motion to place the item back on the table made by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Suffhti.
' The vote was 10 YES,0 NO, 1 ABSENT(Councilor Calabrese)tabling the item.
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2. TR-2016-16 -A Resolution to appropriate$61,698.58 from the Agawam Golf Course's
Retained Earnings account to various Golf Course Operating Accounts(Mayor)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Theroux and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. On behalf of both Finance and
Ad Hoc Golf Committees, Councilor Johnson provided the report stating that the Finance Committee failed to send a
positive recommendation(2 Yes,2 No)while the Ad Hoc Golf Committee sent a positive recommendation to the Full
Council(2 Yes, 1 No). Councilor Rheault asked why there was a split to which Councilor Johnson replied it was due
to his unwillingness to continue giving money to the golf course and its poor management as well as the Mayor's
unwillingness to pay the funds back. Councilor Theroux said we need to pass this to allow the golf course to start
running for the season. Councilor Johnson stated that his opinion is due to the long history of the inability of the
management at the golf course to stay within its budget. He supports the golf course but not the ineffective practice of
its management. Councilor Rossi sees both sides and sees no solutions except that it has to come from the Mayor who
apparently is not willing to solve the problems at the golf course. We have to continue to help the golf course until the
Administration fixes the problems. Councilor Letellier asked if the golf course really needed the full $25,000 for food
or can we give them smaller amounts and stated she would have voted no if she had been at the Finance meeting.
Councilor Rheault would not support this item and believes the only answer is continue denying these transfers and
shift the responsibility to the Mayor forcing him to make some decisions. Councilor Bitzas supported the item stating
that not doing so would guarantee failure. The golf course is already doing better however he agreed with Councilor
Rossi saying this would be the last time. Councilor Cavallo stated the Council cannot let the golf course hang out to
dry although admits it is very frustrating. Councilor Johnson made a Point of Information to Councilor Letellier that
we can only pay bills from approved appropriations and not from money coming in as Councilor Letellier had
suggested. Councilor Theroux suggested that this should be included in the town's Operating Budget and stated that
we have better things to do than count how many hot dogs are sold. We should bug the Mayor to re-inform the public
about the golf course and place it in the budget. Councilor Rheault disagreed about putting houses at the golf course if
it closed down. The town owns the land and it would have to come before the Council. Councilor Mineo agreed that
closing the golf course does not make sense. Councilor Cavallo moved the question which was seconded by Councilor
Bitzas.
The vote was 7 YES (Councilors Bitzas, Cavallo, Cichetti, Mineo, Rossi, Suffriti and Theroux), 3 NO (Councilors
Johnson,Letellier and Rheault), 1 ABSENT(Councilor Calabrese) approving the item.
3. TR-2016-17 -A Resolution confirming the appointment of Aldo Mancini,Jr., 482 South West
' Street Feeding Hills, MA. to the Agawam Veteran's Council to a term expiring April 1, 2019
(Mayor)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Rossi.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Calabrese) approving the item. Council President thanked Mr.
' Mancini for his service.
4. TR 2016-18 -A Resolution to name the band shell at School Street Park in honor of Darcy B.
' Davis, Jr. (Mayor)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Bitzas and seconded by Councilor Johnson. Councilor Theroux stated the town
was blessed to have such a dedicated professional like Darcy Davis and this was well deserved.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Calabrese)approving the item. Council President noted that the
dedication would be May 28d'and we should expect to see more information.
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5. TR-2016-19 - A Resolution appropriating funds from Golf Course Retained Earnings to the
General Fund (Mayor)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Rossi. Councilor Johnson previously
provided the report on behalf of both the Finance and Ad Hoc Golf Committee. The Finance Committee voted 3 Yes,
1 No, 1 Absent to send a positive recommendation to the Full Council and the Ad Hoc Golf Committee voted 2 Yes, 1
No also to send a positive recommendation to the Full Council. Discussion began with Councilor Letellier questioned
the rationale of paying back only$25,000 and Councilor Johnson expressed concern about taking more out of Retained
Earnings. Councilor Letellier would rather see a 50150 split and feels it should have been split. Councilor Theroux
hoped the Council listened to his earlier remarks and will speak with the Mayor about re-educating the town on the
golf course.Talk to Council President to meet with the Mayor and said this was never truly a self-sustaining account as
he said the town has always helped in one way or another. Councilor Rossi noted that this was the Golf Commission's
idea of the amount and mentioned that until the last few years the golf course always managed to stay afloat. At this
point, we need to find a way to get the golf course back on track. Councilor Letellier respectfully disagreed with
Councilor Theroux. She believes there is a great deal of mismanagement at the golf course, unpaid bills and only with
this particular manager has this happened. This should be run as a business with goals and a backup plan. The focus
should be that management needs to pay their bills on time and should not expect to be bailed out time after time. She
said she specifically asked the Mayor at budget time if he foresees any changes in the golf course management and he
said no. They need to make a business plan with objective, goals and consequences for not meeting these goals and
objectives. Councilor Theroux adamantly disagreed that it is not the management. He said the issue is the manager
tried different ideas at the course, some worked and some did not. Councilor Letellier told Councilor Theroux if he
was going to correct her,then correct her properly to which Councilor Theroux said he agreed a plan is needed but the
nit-picking needs to stop. He also said we are indeed the watchdogs of the budget but it is not our role to pick at these
things; our role should be to have a discussion with the Administration, Councilor Rossi moved the question and
Councilor Theroux seconded. The voice vote was 9 YES, 1 NO (Councilor Letellier), 1 ABSENT (Councilor
Calabrese)moving the question.
rThe vote was S YES,2 NO(Councilors Johnson and Rheault),1 ABSENT(Councilor Calabrese)approving the item.
1 Item G. Re ort a Council Committees
None.
Item H. Elections
None.
Item L Public Hearratss
' None.
Item I Old Business
1. TOR-2016-1 - An Ordinance to amend the Code of the Town of Agawam Chapter 49 entitled
"Personnel"to update the wages for certain unclassified positions (Mayor) (Two Readings
Required)
Motion to approve the second and final reading made by Councilor Johnson and seconded by Councilor Cavallo.
The vote was 10 YES,0 NO, 1 ABSENT(Councilor Calabrese)approving the second and final reading.
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2. TO-2016-6 -Budgetary Transfer(Mayor)
From the following:
Golf Adv&Promotion 65262-52010 $1,200.00
Golf Eq.Rep/Maint Rep 65262-52030 $2,000.00
Golf Telephone 65262-52150 $ 639.00
Golf Dues& Sub. 65262-52170 $ 137.00
Golf Contractual Serv. 65262-52360 $2,320.00
Golf Fuel&Oil 65262-52130 $6,500.00
Golf Chemicals&Lab 65262-52310 $3,237.00
To the following:
Golf Reg.Temp. 65261-51020 $11,458.00
Golf Overtime 65261-51030 $ 150.00
Golf Grds&Bld Maint 65262-52020 $ 1,058.00
Golf Misc. 65262-52290 $ 137.00
Golf Material&Equp. 65262-52370 $ 3,000.00
Golf Telephone 65269-52150 $ 230.00
1 Motion to approve made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Rossi. On behalf of the Finance and Ad
Hoc Golf Committees, Councilor Johnson provided a report stating that after discussion,the Finance Committee voted
3 Yes, 1 No, 1 Absent to send a positive recommendation to the Full Council and the Ad Hoc Golf Committee voted 2
Yes, 1 No also to send a positive recommendation to the Full Council.
The vote was 8 YES,2 NO(Councilors Johnson and Letellier), 1 ABSENT(Councilor Calabrese)approving the item.
r3. TO-2016-7 - Council Transfer of $1,500.00 from Council Professional Services (#11112-
52190)to Travel/Training(#11112-52390(Council)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilors Bitzas and Mineo. Discussion
began with Councilor Rheault wondering why it wasn't referred to Finance Committee and felt there was a
need for a report of that committee. Councilor Cavallo disagreed and thought it was senseless as all the
' necessary receipts were provided to the Council and found them to be justifiable and reasonable. He also felt
there was no need to send to Finance Committee or to table the item. Councilor Rossi disagreed and noted
' he believed there were inconsistencies in the receipts. Councilor Mineo didn't understand why these two
councilors had issues with this and it didn't make sense—the councilors attended the MMA Trade Show and
paid for it out of their own pockets, and questioned why we would stop the process. Councilor Theroux
' noted this was for the MMA annual conference. The town belongs to this and he has been attending the
Trade Show for years and finds it quite informative. He stayed one night with his daughter in the Boston
area which would account for some inconsistencies between some of the amounts. Councilor Cavallo said
' the reports are standards reports and how sad it is if we are going to start questioning and distrusting our
fellow councilors. It wasn't sent to the Finance Committee last year and wasn't even questioned so why is it
a problem this year? Councilor Rossi said he wasn't questioning anyone's integrity just felt it should have
been sent to a sub-committee. Councilor Mineo moved the question and seconded by Councilor Bitzas.
Motion to table made by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Rossi.
' The vote was 7 YES (Councilors Bitzas, Cichetti, Johnson, Rheault, Rossi, Suffriti and Theroux), 3 NO
(Councilors Cavallo, Letellier and Mineo), 1 ABSENT (Councilor Calabrese)tabling the item. The item was
also referred to the Finance Committee.
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4. TO-2016-8 -Voucher$2,587.87(Council)
Motion to table made by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Rossi.
The vote was 7 YES (Councilors Bitzas, Cichetti, Johnson, Rheault, Rossi, Suffriti and Theroux), 3 NO
(Councilors Cavallo, Letellier and Mineo), 1 ABSENT (Councilor Calabrese) tabling the item. The item
was also referred to the Finance Committee.
5. TO-2016-9 - Budgetary Transfer for DPW of $50,000.00 from Street/Infrastructure
Improvement Program (#16610-52460) to Highway & Grounds Professional Services (#14202-
52990)(Mayor)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Bitzas. Councilor Johnson as Chair of the
Finance Committee previously provided his report stating that Superintendent of DPW, Chris Golba had explained the
need for the removal of many trees due to past storms and the Committee gave a positive recommendation to the Full
Council with a vote of 4 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT. Discussion began with Councilor Letellier talking about the email
from Chris Golba and was not pleased that about spending 1/3 of the budget for tree removal. Councilor Theroux said
we should trust Department Head to run their budget and Chris Golba's email detailed all of this quite well. Councilor
Rossi felt the funds could have been taken from other areas and noted the poor planning. Councilor Cavallo said this is
the result of bad weather. Councilor Johnson confirmed that he asked Chris Golba if he would consider putting the
money back into the Street Improvement Account with the leftover money in the Snow&Ice account at the end of this
snow season and Chris Golba agreed to replace the money into that account. Councilor Cavallo was satisfied with
Councilor Johnson's request of Mr. Golba agreeing to transfer the funds back into that account. Councilor Bitzas
stated that if we did not do this then the town would be liable if something bad happened and we must protect our
citizens. Councilor Johnson clarified that at the Finance Committee no one liked the concept of taking the money out
of this account but it is the timing of it and cannot dispute the need for this. He is satisfied that Mr. Golba agreed to
put the money back into that account. Councilor Letellier wanted to amend the item to say any remaining balance in
the Snow & Ice Account be transferred back into the Street Improvement Account upon completion however
Councilor Johnson noted that all appropriations originate with the Mayor and are approved by us but said we could
' draft a Resolution to ask the Mayor to have Chris Golba transfer the funds back into the Street Improvement fund.
Councilor Theroux said we should take the Department Heads at their word and if he committed to transferring the
funds back in, then we should trust that and let him do his job. Councilor Letellier said that quite frankly it is the
1 Council's job to ensure how the money is spent. Councilor Rossi agreed that if Councilor Johnson drafted the
resolution then the Council could either vote it up or down. Councilor Cavallo moved the question which was
seconded by Councilor Suffriti.
The vote was 10 YES,0 NO, 1 ABSENT(Councilor Calabrese)approving the transfer.
1 Item K New Business
1. 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)
Next Agenda.
' 2. 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)
Next Agenda.
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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)
Next Agenda,referred to Administrative Committee.
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)
Next Agenda,referred to Administrative Committee.
Item L�Any other nutter that may Ieofal come before the City Council
All of the councilors expressed condolences on the passing of Roberta Doering - mentioning that she was a great
leader,public servant,a trailblazer for women in politics and she will never be forgotten. Councilor Suffriti also added
thoughts on Trooper Thomas Clarity. The councilors also wished everyone a Happy Easter. Councilor Cavallo
reminded everyone of the joint school budget sub-committee meeting on the 29b. Councilor Theroux added that a
memo be sent to the Mayor asking for a committee to be formed consisting of someone from the Administration, one
councilor and one citizen to look into the changes at the shopping center. He also wanted to have a council discussion
on putting solar onto some of the town buildings. Council President added congratulations to the five Agawam
teachers who were honored with 2016 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teachers Award.
Item M. Adoournment.
The Motion to adjourn was moved all around the house and seconded by Councilor Cavallo . The time of adjournment
was 8:27pm.
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