CC MTG MINUTES MARCH 6 2017 s�
' REGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Minutes dated March 6, 2017
' Meeting was called to order by Council President Cichetti at 7:00pm in the Auditorium of 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, Cecilia Calabrese, Council President James
Cichetti,Christopher Johnson,Council Vice President Joseph Mineo, Donald Rheault and Anthony Suffriti. Councilor
Robert Rossi was absent. With ten present, there was a quorum.
' Item B. Moment of Silence and the Pledge ofA& fiance.
' Council President Cichetti asked for a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item C. Citizen's Speak Time
Corinne Wingard spoke about the senior property tax exemption which could save a senior up to $1000. The town
website has information regarding this exemption or call the Assessor's Office (413-786-0400 x8205). Aline Stolar,
Carl Pinette and Marsha Pinette, all of Kozak Court in Feeding Hills, spoke about the solar ordinance and expressed
the need to develop responsibly and specifically this proposed solar farm would adversely affect their neighborhood.
Amy Voicine-Shea from Eversource spoke in support of the ordinance (TOR-2017-3) stating that as written, the
ordinance is very restrictive. They are currently receiving different responses from different boards. They typically
would see a Special Permit process or by-right. Back in November, 2016 Eversource sent abutters to that area notices
with the hope of working with them as much as possible. It seems that the town is trying to change the rules midway
through the process and she would hope the Eversource projects would be grandfathered in.
*' Item D. Minutes
t1. Regular Council Meeting—February 21,2017
Motion to approve made by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. Voice vote approved noting
• abstention of Councilor Calabrese.
' Item E. Declaration from Council President
' None.
Item F. Presentation of Petitions,Memorials&Remonstrances
1. TR 2017-9 - A Resolution confirming the re-appoint of Alice Smith, 325 North Westfield Street,
Feeding Hills,MA to the Agawam Historical Commission to a term expiring January 1,2020(Mayor)
,! Motion to approve made by Councilor Johnson and seconded by Councilors Suffriti and Rheault.
' The vote was 10 YES,0 NO,i ABSENT(Councilor Rossi)approving the appointment.
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2. TR-2017-10 - A Resolution appropriating $22,165.00 from the Community Preservation Fund and
authorizing the expenditure of Community Preservation Funds for the replacement of benches on town
owned land (CPA) (Referred to Finance Committee)
•i Motion to approve made by Councilor Calabrese and seconded by Councilors Letellier and Rheault. As Chair of the
Finance Committee, Councilor Johnson provided the report stating that after a brief discussion regarding the need to
replace the older wooden benches with new metal benches and the assurance that memorial plaques would be removed
1 from the existing benches and placed on the new benches,there was a motion made to send a positive recommendation
to the Council made by Councilor Theroux and seconded by Councilor Cavallo—the motion was approved by a S yes
0 no vote. Discussion began with Councilor Bitzas noting that this was money well spent and much needed to beautify
the area and provides low maintenance.
The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT(Councilor Rossi) approving the item.
Item G. R_part of Comned Committees
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None.
Item H. Elections
' None.
Item L Public Hearings
' None.
Item I Old Business
1. TOR-2017-2 - An Ordinance to amend Section 49-7(9)(D)(1) of the Code of the Town of Agawam to
' update the hourly wages for election & census workers (Councilors Bitzas and Cichetti) (2 of two
readings) [increase in hourly wage for poll workers] (Referred to Legislative Committee)
Motion to approve the second and final reading made by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Mineo.
Councilor Bitzas thanked everyone for voting for this and the last time there was an increase was in 1998 when
Councilor Johnson was the mayor.
' The vote was 10 YES,0 NO, 1 ABSENT(Councilor Rossi)approving the second and final reading.
• Item K New Business
1. TR 2017-11 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Lori Stickles, 85 Anvil Street, Feeding
Hills to the Agawam Housing Authority for a term expiring the second Monday in January , 2020
(Mayor)
Next Agenda.
' 2. TR 2017-12 - A Resolution appropriating from the Community Preservation Fund and authorizing
the expenditure of Community Preservation Funds for the completion of a Recreation Needs
Assessment and Master Plan ($84,500.00)(CPA)
~ Referred to Finance Committee,next Agenda.
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' 3. TR 2017-13 - A Resolution appropriating from the Community Preservation Fund and authorizing
the expenditure of Community Preservation Funds for partial funding to replace the Agawam Town
Hall roof($50,000.00)(CPA)
Referred to Finance Committee,next Agenda.
4. TR-2017-14 - A Resolution to appropriate funds to pay costs of the boiler repair project at the
Roberta G. Doering School pursuant to the Massachusetts School Building Authority's Accelerated
Repair Program($1,000.000.00) (Mayor)
Referred to Finance Committee,next Agenda.
5. TR 2017-15 - A Resolution accepting a grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority's
' Accelerated Repair Program(Mayor)
Referred to Finance Committee,next Agenda.
6. TR-2017-16 - A Resolution Accepting a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State 911
Department pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Ch. 44, Section 53A for the Agawam Police
' Department($70,999.00) (Mayor)
Referred to Finance Committee,next Agenda.
7. TO-2017-7 -Voucher List for MMA reimbursements($982.05)
Referred to Finance Committee,next Agenda.
8. TO-2017-8 - A Budgetary transfer from Building Maintenance Reserve Fund #16605-57300 to
Building Improvements#11922-58250 for$153,672.00 with CPA(Mayor)
Referred to Finance Committee,next Agenda.
9. TO-2017-9 - A Budgetary transfer from Building Maintenance Reserve Fund #16605-57300 to
Building Improvements#11922-58250 for$203,672.00 without CPA(Mayor)
Referred to Finance Committee,next Agenda.
10. TO-2017-10 - A Budgetary transfer from Police Regular Permanent Salary #12101-51010 to Police
Overtime Salary#12101-51030 for$120,000.00(Mayor)
Referred to Finance Committee,next Agenda.
' 11. TO-2017-11 - A Budgetary transfer from Police Court Time Salary #12101-51080 to Police Overtime
Salary#12101-51030 for$40,000.00(Mayor)
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' Referred to Finance Committee,next Agenda.
12. TO-2017-12 - A Budgetary transfer from Inspection Services Temporary Salaries #12501-51020 to
' Inspection Services Regular Permanent#12501-51010 for$964.00(Mayor)
Referred to Finance Committee,next Agenda.
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' 13. TOR-2017-3 - An Ordinance to amend the Code of the Town of Agawam Zoning ordinances
Regarding Commercial Ground Mounted Photovoltaic Installations (Planning Board) (Two Readings
Required)- Suggest a Public Hearing Date of April 18,2017
Referred to Planning Board and then back to the Legislative Committee,next Agenda.
14. TOR 2017-4 - An Ordinance to amend Chapter 103 "Fees" of the Code of the Town of Agawam
' (Councilor Theroux)(Two Readings Required)
Referred to Legislative Committee,next Agenda.
Item L. Any other matter that may le"all cvme before the City Council.
Councilor Cavallo and Councilor Mineo attended School Committee and Department Head/Principals meeting where
Superintendent Sapelli presented the budget which has an increase of 3.06% from last year (year before it went up
• 3.25%). Next meeting is April 4 h in Doering School for a joint meeting with City Council's School Budget
committee. Councilor Bitzas said there was good news with Twin Silos and Games & Lanes. Councilor Calabrese
wished Rosie Robotics good luck during their tournament season. Councilor Mineo is hoping the information on
Games & Lanes works out and looks forward to April report. Councilor Rheault requested a full detailed list of the
' bidders and other information regarding the boiler at Doering School and where the million dollars came from (TR
2017-14). Councilor Letellier inquired about the details of the solar ordinance and asked to invite Atty. Buoniconti
• and Marc Strange to the Legislative meeting to speak about effective dates and the grandfathering issue. She also
asked about the new trash disposal system to start this summer and wanted clarity on certain costs. Councilor Theroux
' asked if we could have Tracy DeMaio come in and speak with the Council. Councilor Letellier pointed out that she
did indeed read the information in the packet but wondered if some flexibility would be allowed and agreed that it
would be beneficial to have Tracy meet with us. Councilor Suffriti mentioned that other towns do indeed have the
option to purchase additional bins at a cost but agreed further dialogue was needed. He too is hoping the Games &
Lanes is headed down the right path but will wait for the April report and will give the owner the benefit of the doubt.
Twin Silos is getting ready to install a sprinkler system which would allow them to rent the property. That's the point
of the Council mentioned these properties — not to insult or draw negativity — but to ensure they are taken care of
before they become a blighted property. Councilor Johnson mentioned having his Finance Committee meeting on
Thursday since there were so many items referred. He also reiterated that TOR-2017-3 be referred to the Planning
•' Board for them to hold a Public Hearing and make their recommendation.
Item M. AdiournmenL
' The Motion to adjourn was moved and seconded.Meeting was adjourned at 7:40pm.
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