CC MTG MINUTES NOVEMBER 15 2017 i�
MINUTES OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
November 15,2017
Members Present: Christopher Johnson, Chair
Cecilia Calabrese
' Paul Cavallo
Gina Letellier(arrived late)
Members Absent: Richard Theroux
Also Present: Auditor Cheryl St. John, Treasurer Laurel Placzek, Assessor Sam Konieczny,
Planner Marc Strange, Councilors Rossi and Mineo
Called to Order: Meeting was called to order by Chairman Johnson at 6:03pm in the Conference
Room at the Agawam Senior Center, 954 Main Street,Agawam.
' AGENDA
' 1. Approval of minutes dated October 25,2017.
Motion to approve minutes made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Calabrese. The vote was
' 3 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Letellier and Theroux)approving the minutes.
2. TR-2017-60 - A Resolution to appropriate $70,665.00 from the Agawam Golf Course's
Retained Earnings Account to fund repairs to roof at the Agawam Golf Course (Sponsored by
Mayor Cohen)
' There was a brief discussion regarding the need for a new roof on the clubhouse. The Treasurer/Collector
and the Auditor confirmed there was sufficient Retained Earnings to complete the roof work. The Auditor
confirmed that the Golf Course closed FY2017 with a deficit that was also offset by Retained Earnings.
Motion to send a positive recommendation to the Full Council made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by
Councilor Calabrese. The vote was 3 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Letellier and Theroux)
' 3. TR-2017-61 - A Resolution adopting a Residential Factor of .000000 pursuant to
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 56 (Sponsored by Mayor Cohen) — Public
Hearing Date set for December 4,2017
' The Assessor presented the handout booklet to the committee. He indicated that the Mayor was
recommending a larger shift (.08 8829) onto the commercial and industrial taxpayers to reduce the impact of
the tax increase on residential taxpayers. There was discussion regarding the appropriate residential factor to
adopt. The committee unanimously voted to table action on the matter as the public hearing is not scheduled
A until the City Council's first December meeting.
' Motion to table made by Councilor Calabrese and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. The vote was 4 YES, 0
NO, 1 ABSENT(Councilor Theroux)
4. TR-2017-62 - A Resolution adopting and endorsing a Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
Agreement between the Town of Agawam and Able Machine Tool Sales, Inc. (Sponsored by
Mayor Cohen)
The principal of Able Machine Tool Sales, Inc. was present along with the Director of Planning and
Community Development. They explained the proposed new facility and the anticipated creation of seven
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new jobs. The TIF calls for the gradual taxation of the new facility of the first five years conditioned on the
creation of the seven new jobs.
Motion to send a positive recommendation to the Full Council made by Councilor Calabrese and seconded
by Councilor Cavallo. The vote was 4 YES,0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Theroux)
5. TO-2017-64 - A Budgetary Transfer of 527,300.00 from Reserve Fund (#16605-57300) to
Professional Services (#16602-52190)(Sponsored by Mayor Cohen)
The Director of Planning and Community Development presented information about the creation of a DIF in
the Walnut Street Extension area. If created, any new real estate tax growth in the district would be applied
to pay the cost of any infrastructure costs incurred by the town to improve the area. A representative from
the proposed consultant was in attendance and shared their experience with DIFs in Massachusetts.
Motion to send a positive recommendation to the Full Council made by Councilor Calabrese and seconded
by Councilor Letellier. The vote was 4 YES,0 NO, 1 ABSENT(Councilor Theroux)
' 6. Any other business that may legally come before the committee.
None.
7. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn was moved and seconded. Meeting was adjourned at 6:40P.M.
Respectfully submitted by:
Christopher C. Johnson, Chair
Finance Committee
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