CC MTG MINUTES APRIL 21 2009 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Aril2l, 2009
President Letellier—Good evening and welcome to the Agawam City Council meeting
for April 21, 2009.
Item I. Citizen's Speak Time
President Letellier—We have four speakers. The first is Gary Turnbull. For those of
you that have not spoken before you come to the microphone, you can push the button;
you'll see the red light go on. You'll have five minutes to speak. Please state your name,
it your address and the subject you'll be addressing. The first speaker signed up is Gary
Turnbull.
Gary Turnbull—Hello, Gary Turnbull, 252 North West Street ih Feeding Hills. We
have a farm. We raise cattle and horses in Feeding Hills. I am in favor of the Ag
Commission. It's something new for the town here but I would be more than willing to
put in the time to help as expertise and working with any of the Town Council just as a
tool. We've met with quite a few of the farmers and everybody seems to want to help
have this thing work out. We welcome the opportunity and hopefully everything will go
through.
President Letellier—Thank you very much Mr. Turnbull. Our next speaker is John
Spineti.
John Spined—Thank you. I'm John Spineti and I live at 43 Twin Oaks Road. My wife
and I operate Twin Oaks Farm on Mill Street. It's an organic farm specializing in a
number of unique organic vegetables such as fingerling potatoes, all sorts of beans,
French fillet beans and items that are particularly unique in nature. I'd just like to say
that I'm involved a lot in organizing farmers' markets up and down the valley for the last
forty years. I am currently president of the Amherst Farmers' Market and I've seen the
development of Agricultural Commissions up and down the valley. I think they're very,
very useful as advisory boards to Conversation boards and can in fact be very helpful in
establishing other aspects. My thoughts are that as an extension of the Agricultural
Commission that perhaps in the near future that the town could establish community
gardens that would work in conjunction with the local trend and movement to buy local
and that would improve food safety and get people interested in agriculture as well. In
addition to that, I think we could also help establish as an Agricultural Commission a
farmers' market here in Agawam. It sort of somewhat late for us to establish one now in
view of the fact that we have lost a lot of farmland and a lot of farmers as a consequence,
but I think that it's important to have a farmers' market in the area because that gets
people aware of what's available in the area and essentially would help provide a great .
outlet for the farmers and possibly get a Iot more farmers involved. There are also other
aspects that the Agricultural Commission could become involved with. I know recently
that at Hampshire College in South Amherst, there's a school to food program for
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children and I think this, as a next generation, is really why we're here—basically to
establish a generation and this program which gets children to a farm scene to be able to
see how crops are grown and basically to see what the next generation of farmers could
evolve from. So I'd like to thank the Council for their support and essentially to say that
an Agricultural Commission has been long overdue and I thank you very much for your
support. Thanks.
President Letellier—Thank you Mr. Spineti. Thank you for your email. Next we have
Felix Cincotta?
Felix Cincotta—Felix Cincotta, 1252 Springfield Street. Pretty much Gary and John
said most of what there was to say but as Councilor Rossi was asking us beforehand,
some of the things that the Agricultural Commission could address would be previously
there was some argument, a couple years ago, about the sign ordinance and situations like
that where it could harm certain farmers,not all of them obviously attended the meeting,
but some of them were saying like if they live off a side street; many people not from
Agawam, may not know how to get there. They put signs out to lead people to their
farms. If there was a commission say to address that issue that is hurting some of their
business there. Also, not only for the conservation issues but even like John Spinetti was
saying, try to get people to support the local businesses and the farmers. As you keep
seeing in the news, there's been plenty of recalls on different things from spinach,
scallions, cantaloupes and peanuts even recently. At least here, you know what the
farmers are doing; you can see the farms when you drive by, most of us have been in
town for years, so everybody knows everybody. Also I think to encourage a lot of the
kids in school to get into agriculture. You can even do some of the parks that we have in
town; we could hold say antique tractor shows. I have numerous kids that come into our
farm stand that are fascinated by the tractors when I have them parked outside and that
could even be used as a way to bring in some revenue to put toward the Historical
r Committee or even the Community Preservation Fund that could serve open farmland.
As I said, they pretty much said everything else there is to say. So, I thank you for
bringing this before you and that's it.
President Letellier—Thank you Mr. Cincotta. And last we have Pete Westover.
Pete Westover—Thanks. Just very briefly, I work for the State Agriculture Resources
Department and I've been helping towns all over western Mass, set up the Ag
Commissions. There are 120 of them statewide now and they really are proving quite
valuable in raising the profile of farming activities so that people instead of saying well
we think farthing is dead, they say oh, there are really a lot of maybe small,but
operations out there that are going to be very important in providing food ten, twenty
years from now because it's gonna be more and more important. The matter of assisting
other town boards is significant because often boards like the Council or like the Planning
Board, Conservation Commission need the expertise of people who are quite familiar and
involved with farming and for the Ag Commission to be able to work directly with these
• other boards is also important. So basically they're just very important tools, they're
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becoming important tools in keeping local farming alive. So I appreciate the fact that you
are taking this up tonight and thanks very much.
President Letellier—Thank you very much. That's our last speaker of the evening.
Item 2. Roll Call
* President Letellier—Barbara, could you please call the roll?
ROLL CALL—9 Present, 2 Absent (Councilors Messick and Mineo)
President Letellier—Thank you. With nine present, two absent, we have a quorum.
• Councilor Messick had a previously scheduled family matter and Councilor Mineo is not
feeling well.
Item3. Moment of Silence and the Pledge of Allegiance
President Letellier—Could you please rise for a moment of silence and the Pledge of
• Allegiance?
Item 4. Minutes
(a) Regular Council Meeting—April 6,2009
President Letellier—Moved by Councilor Perry, seconded by Councilor Simpson and
Councilor Cavallo. Any discussion? No? Seeing none, Barbara, although I guess a
voice vote will suffice. All in favor please signify by saying Ay? Opposed?
Abstentions? Thank you. Passed unanimously.
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Item 5. Declaration rom Council President
President Letellier—This evening I do have three announcements in terms of
declarations of Council President. Just a couple of reminders, tomorrow night at 7:00 at
the Senior Center cafeteria is the Mass Highway's public hearing on the Route 159 Main
Street traffic and safety improvements and I'm sure they'd appreciate a nice,positive
crowd. So that's tomorrow night at the Senior Center at 7:00. A reminder about another
public hearing and that's on the.WMECO transmission lines and that's Wednesday, May
6, 2009 so I'll remind people again at the next Council meeting but it's Wednesday, May
61h, 7:00 also at the Senior Center. And then last but not least, under declarations of
Council President, there apparently is an issue with the fence ordinance that we passed.
Councilor Simpson who proposed it recollects meeting with City Solicitor who told her it
did not need to go to the Planning Board. The City Solicitor says know I didn't say that.
It does need to go to the PIanning Board. So we're gonna have to send that back to the
Planning Board and I'll work with Barbara and the Solicitor to get that done. So that's on
the Fence Ordinance.
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Item 6. Presentation of Petitions,Memorials&Remonstrances
(a) Resolutions
1. TR-2009-4 -A Resolution Amending the Rules and Regulations of the
Agawam City Council(Councilors Calabrese,Perry,Rheault and Letellier) (Tabled
4/6/09) (Referred to the Rules Sub-Committee) (Majority of those present and voting)
• President Letellier—And what's the Council's pleasure?
Councilor Calabrese—Motion to remove from the table.
President Letellier—We have a motion to remove from the table by Councilor
Calabrese, seconded by Councilor Rheault. All those in favor of removing the item from
the table,please signify by saying Ay? Opposed? Thank you. Councilor Calabrese do
you have a report?
Councilor Calabrese—Yes, I have a report from the Ordinance Committee. I met with
City Solicitor Chris Johnson this past week and I believe we've hammered out the final
revisions of the Rules and what Barbara's going to be doing for me,right Barb,is
circulating a final complete packet of the Rules as we've amended them for one final,
final look see. We've discussed it and thought it would make sense instead of having a
resolution with language deleted and language inserted if the councilor could actually
read the language in the context of the complete and final rules so you should be seeing
that before the next meeting and that should be read to be voted upon at that time.
President Letellier—Any further discussion? Councilor Rheault?
Councilor Rheault—Move to put it back on the table.
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President Letellier—Move to put it back on the table by Councilor Rheault, seconded by
Councilor Perry. Barbara, could you please call the roll? A yes vote is to put the item
back on the table.
ROLL CALL—9 Yes, 0 No, 2 Absent (Councilors Messick and Mineo)
President Letellier—With nine yes, two absent, you have re-tabled the item.
Item 7. Report of Council Committees
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None.
Item 8. Elections
• 1. TE-2009-5 -Election of a Park&Recreation representative of the CPA
Committee with a Term Expiring April 30,2012(Council) (Majority of those entitled
to vote)
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President Letellier—Do we have a motion? Moved by Councilor Bitzas, seconded by
{� Councilor Rossi. Tom Tierney has asked to be reappointed and are there any
nominations from the floor? No? Seeing none, I put the name of Thomas Tierney in
nomination, seconded by Councilor Cavallo. I believe he had a death in the family and
that's why he's not here. I believe his mother or father-in-law passed away. I'm sorry,
yes, Councilor Perry?
Councilor Perry—Just a point of clarification I guess is what I'm looking at. We have
three spots that we're voting on this evening. I know Tom was a member. Was he a
member under this, under the Park &Rec? That's what I thought. Thank you.
M President Letellier—Yes, he was under the Park & Rec, yes, exactly and the other two
are open, or at large members. Yes, you're welcome. Any other discussion? Move to
close nominations by Councilor Rheault, seconded by Councilor Cavallo and Councilor
Rossi. Barbara, could you call the roll. Five votes are needed because we have nine
people this evening.
• ROLL CALL—9 Thomas Tierney, 2 Absent (Councilors Messick and Minco)
President Letellier—With nine for Thomas Tierney, he's been reappointed. Thank you.
2. TE-2009-6 -Election of a member of the CPA Committee with a Term
Expiring April 30,2012(Council) (Majority of those entitled to vote)
President Letellier—Both are at large members of the Community Preservation Act
Committee and we'll start with 2009-6. We have two nominations one for each position.
Are there any additional nominations? Councilor Bitzas?
i Councilor Bitzas—Yes, we have two very great candidates for both of those slots and I
suggest that we vote one for each one. So I make the motion to maintain those two
names as they've been elected in the past so for the first one I'd like to nominate Ray
Moreau and for the second one, I support the nomination of Mr. Maggi.
• President Letellier—We need to do them separately so that's fine. We have the name of
Ray Moreau, our camera man for reappointment on the CPA Committee. Any other
nominations? Move to close nominations by Councilors Rheault and Bitzas, seconded by
Councilor Perry. Barbara, could you please call the roll?
• ROLL CALL—9 Raymond Moreau, 2 Absent (Councilors Messick and Mineo)
President Letellier—Thank you. With nine for Raymond Moreau, you've been
reappointed to the CPA Committee. Thank you.
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3. TE-2009-7 - Election of a member of the CPA Committee with a Term
Expiring April 30,2012(Council) (Majority of those entitled to vote)
President Letellier— Do we have a nomination?
Councilor Rheault— I nominate Richard Maggi.
President Letellier—Richard Maggi has been nominated, seconded by Councilor
Cavallo. Move to close by Councilor Bitzas, seconded by Councilor Perry. I'm sorry we
forgot to do this the last time. All in favor for closing nominations, please signify by
saying Ay? Opposed? Thank you. Barbara, could you please call the roll?
ROLL CALL—9 Richard Maggi,2 Absent (Councilors Messick and Mineo)
President Letellier—Richard, thank you, oh where'd you go? There you are. Thank
you for coming and thank you, you've been reappointed. Thank you very much.
Item 9. Public Hearings
None.
Item 10. Old Business
' 1. TOR-2009-2 -An Ordinance Adding Section 3-8.4 to the Code of the
Town of Agawam Establishing the Agricultural Commission.(Referred to
Ordinance Committee) (1/3) (Majority of those present and voting) (Mayor)
President Letellier—This is the first of three readings. Moved by Councilor Rheault,
seconded by Councilor Bitzas. Do we have a report from the Ordinance Committee?
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Councilor Rheault—Yea, I don't have the notes here. Do you have the notes?
President Letellier—We'll have Councilor Calabrese give the report.
Councilor Calabrese- Chairman Donald Rheault called the meeting to order at 6:50pm.
We had committee members Paul Cavallo and Cecilia Calabrese present. Also present
Councilor George Bitzas and Councilor Bob Rossi. We had Deborah Dachos present.
We also had five citizens—Gary Turnbull, Linda Lazarous, Felix Cincotta, John Spineti
and Peter Westover. The Committee made a unanimous positive recommendation to
support passage of this Ordinance as amended and.you all should have a copy of the
amendment. The meeting was adjourned at 7:05pm. Thank you.
President Letellier—Thank you. And we need to decide exactly how we're going to
incorporate the amendment into the original draft. So in speaking with Pete Westover
and with Councilor Rheault, I think we can take this amended version which I can read
into the record and use it to delete A, B and C and keep the"Whereas's". Am I
understanding that correctly? Councilor Rheault?
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Councilor Rheault—Yeah, if you just read it we won't need to do any amendments
because that would be the original.
President Letellier—But we need the `Whereas's and stuff' at the end and the adding
the section. So I think if we just delete A, B and C and add this we'll be all set. Okay,
but first before we do that, any discussion? Councilor Cavallo?
Councilor Cavallo,—Yeah, I would just like to commend the farmers that are here
tonight. In our meeting, I thought they gave a pretty good explanation, not only in
Citizen's Speak Time but during our meeting, our Ordinance Committee meeting, and I
thoroughly endorse this Commission. You have my full support.
President Letellier—Thank you Councilor Cavallo, Any other discussion? Councilor
Rheault?
Councilor Rheault--As I stated when I opened the meeting, I thought it was long
overdue. We have precious land out there and I think it's a tribute to the farmers in town
to coordinate and maintain the integrity of that land because nobody is making any more
it, I can tell you and I think this would be a great asset to the town. For the public's
information, the Mayor does the appointing of the members and the Council confirms.
So it's a good check and balance and long overdue.
President Letellier—Thank you Councilor Rheault. Any other councilors with
comments? Councilor Bitzas?
Councilor Bitzas—Yes, as I spoke in the sub-committee I am in full support of this
Ordinance and I believe that Agawam has the best farmers in the area and we are a farm
0 town and I'm glad to see an organization to form and promote the products and I hope
someday as the previous speaker said, one of the speakers, that we'd have a farmers'
market some place in Agawam,just bring in the old town character. I think it's a great
idea and I think they should have our strong support. Thank you.
i President Letellier-- Thank you. Councilor Cavallo?
Councilor Cavallo—Yeah, I just want to say one more thing. It brings back when I
started working at Agawam High School, the FFA--the Future Farmers of America—and
God rest Dave Skolnick's soul,he was a member of the City Council and Dave promoted
that and then all of a sudden the interest dissipated over the years and maybe we could
0 still bring that back at the high school and maybe through some of your efforts, maybe
talking to the kids, going up and speaking to them, the importance, I know Steve Cincotta
graduated from the high school and all of you probably remember that program. It
wouldn't be a bad idea to see if we could stimulate some interest with the students at the
school. You know we talk about going green, we talk about all this environmental things
• that we're talking about, it wouldn't be a bad idea to get that going and I think you people
could serve certainly as a vital force in this endeavor.
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President Letellier—Thank you. Councilor Rheault?
Councilor Rheault—Just one historical piece, Councilor Cavallo, I was a member of the
FFA! I changed directions at a later stage of life.
President Letellier—You know, one could make a comment about waders and boots and
things,but I won't do that. Councilor Messick has asked since she can't be here tonight
but she asked that I read her support into the record.
"I am writing to go on record in strong support of creating an Agricultural Commission in
Agawam. It is unfortunate that I am unable to attend the Council meeting on the night such an
important vote is taking place. We use these words on our website to describe Agawam: "a
! beautiful community with a rural atmosphere", a place with "traditional farm fields"and "vast
open space." We are very proud of our "rural heritage", and our farms are one of our most
prominent physieal features, And yet, ourfarmers don't have a seat at the table. "Agricultural
Commissions represent the farming community, encourage the pursuit of agriculture,promote
agricultural economic development and protect farmlands and farm businesses. By working
• within town government through an Agricultural Commission,farmers enhance their credibility,
and are viewed as part of the problem-solving team." By creating an Agricultural Commission,
we will give farmers and owners offarm land a voice in town government, enhancing Agawam's
ability to protect the farmland,farm stands and open space we are so proud of, while acquiring
an official pool of people interested in promoting agricultural business in our town. It is in
Agawam's best interests to promote and support agriculture of all types in our town. The
! availability of local food supplies will become more important as the cost of transportation rises.
The benefit of locally grown foods to the economy, the environment and to health is well
documented. We owe it to our citizens to ensure that there is an ample supply of local food
available. One way we can start is to create an Agricultural Commission. I urge my fellow
Councilors to vote in favor of TOR-2009-2, the Agawam Agricultural Commission. Thank You,
Jill Messick40
President Letellier—And that's Councilor Messick. And so I will read into the minutes
what appears to be the amended version and then we can vote to amend it after I read it
into the meeting. TOR-2009-2-An Ordinance Adding Section 3-8.4 to the Code of the
Town of Agawam Establishing the Agricultural Commission, so we would be deleting, if
! the Council so moves, Paragraphs A, B and C on the First and second pages, and adding
Paragraphs A, B, C, D, E and F and it reads as follows:
WHEREAS, an Agricultural Commission would serve to represent the Agawam agricultural
community, including all types of farming,forestry, greenhouse, and wood products, businesses
and accessory uses and activities customarily associated with those endeavors;
WHEREAS, the purpose of an Agricultural Commission would be to support commercial
agriculture and other farming and forestry activities in the Town of Agawam;
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the Town of Agawam to establish an Agricultural
! Commission to represent Agawam's agricultural community and interests; and
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NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL that the following
change be made to Chapter 3 of the Code of the Town of Agawam:
• 3-8.4 entitled "A swam Agricultural Commission"is hereby added to read asfollows:
A. The City Council votes as follows: to establish an Agricultural Commission to represent
the Agawam agricultural community, including all types of farming,forestry, greenhouse, and
wood products, businesses and accessory uses and activities customarily associated with those
• endeavors,
B. The purpose of the Agricultural Commission will be to support commercial agriculture
and other farming and forestry activities in the Town ofAgawam. The Commission's duties shall
include, but not be limited to, the following: serving as facilitators for encouraging the pursuits
of agriculture and forestry in Agawam;promoting agricultural and forestry-based economic
i opportunities and business diversification in the Town; acting as mediators between parties
involved in issues between operators of working lands and other residents; educating the public
and owners and users of working lands; workingfor the preservation of agricultural and forest
resource lands; advising the Mayor, City Council, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals,
Conservation Commission, Board of Health, Historical Commission, Board of Assessors, and any
. other appropriate town boards and appointed committees on issues involving agriculture and
forestry; and pursuing initiatives appropriate to creating a sustainable agricultural community.
C. The Commission shall consist of five members appointed by the Mayor, of which at least
four of the membership shall be substantially engaged in the pursuit of agriculture or forestry.
All members of the Commission must either be residents of the town or owners and farmers of
agricultural property within the town.
D. The terms will be as follows: Two members for a term of three years; two members for a
term of two years and three thereafter; and one member for a term of one year and three years
thereafter,
• E. There may be up to three alternates appointed to the Commission by the Mayor.
Alternates may f ll any vacancies at meetings of the Commission.
F. The Mayor shall fall a vacancy based on the unexpired term of the vacancy in order to
maintain the cycles of appointments, based upon the recommendations of the Commission.
w President Letellier—And that will be the amended version if that's what the Council so
moves. Moved by Councilor Rheault, seconded by Councilor Calabrese. Any further
discussion on the amendment? Barbara, could you call the vote on the amendment? A
yes vote would be to amend it as read into the record and as written as well.
ROLL CALL—9 Yes, 0 No, 2 Absent (Councilors Messick and Mineo)
President LeteIlier—With nine yes, two absent, you've voted to amend the ordinance.
Do we have any discussion on the Ordinance now that it's been amended? Again,
Barbara, could you call the roll? Five votes are needed.
ROLL CALL—9 Yes, 0 No, 2 Absent(Councilors Messick and Mineo)
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President Letellier—With nine yes, two absent, you've passed the first reading. Thank
you very much and thank you all for coming.
Item 11. New Business
1. TO-2009-16 -Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for an Automatic
Amusement Device(s)—1813 Main Street Corp.d/b/a The Still, 1813 Main Street,
Agawam,MA. (Clerk) (Majority of those present and voting)
President Letellier—We'll refer that, all these licenses we're gonna refer to the
Licensing Committee.
2. TO-2009-17 - Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for an Automatic
Amusement Device(&)—Six Flags New England,1623 Main Street,Agawam,MA.
(Clerk) (Majority of those present and voting)
President Letellier—Next agenda.
3. TO-2009-18 - Transfer-$91,000.00 from Highway—Regular Permanent
Salaries (14201-51010)to Highway—Ice Control Material(14203-52210)(Mayor)
(Majority of Full Council or 6 Votes)
President Letellier—Finance Committee, next agenda.
4. TR-2009-8 -A Resolution Confirming the Reappointment of Deborah R.
Sanchez,36 Hemlock Ridge,Feeding Hills,MA.to the Board of Health for a Term
Expiring the First Monday in February 2012. (Mayor) (Majority of those present and
voting)
President Letellier—Next agenda.
5. TR-2009-9 -A Resolution Confirming the Reappointment of David
Cecchi,29 Albert Street,Agawam,MA.to the Historical Commission for a Term
Expiring January 1,2012. (Mayor)Majority of those present and voting
• President Letellier—Next agenda.
6. TR-2009-10 -A Resolution Confirming the Reappointment of F. William
Euliano, Jr.,38 High Meadow Road,Feeding Hills,MA.to the Board of Health for
a Term Expiring the First Monday in February 2012.(Mayor) (Majority of those
present and voting)
President Letellier—Next agenda.
7. TR-2009-11 -A Resolution Confirming the Reappointment of Aldo
Mancini,482 South West Street,Feeding Hills,Ma.to the Agawam Veteran's
Council to a Term Expiring April 1,2011. (Mayor) (Majority of those present and
voting)
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President Letellier—Next agenda.
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S. TR-2009-12 -A Resolution Approving Water Use Rates Fixed by the
Department of Public Works (Mayor) (Majority of those present and voting)
President Letellier--I'm going to refer that to the Public Safety Committee. Next
• agenda.
9. TR-2009-13 -A Resolution Approving Water Connection and Service
Charges Fixed by the Department of Public Works (Mayor)(Majority of those
present and voting)
President Letellier—Again, Public Safety and next agenda.
Item 12. Any other matter that may legally come before the City Council
President Letellier—And we'll start with I believe it's Councilor Perry's turn to start.
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Councilor Perry—Thank you Madam President. I'll be brief In our packet we did
receive under contracts, dated April 151h, "the following contracts were filed at the clerk's
office for the week ending 4/I7/09—Tighe & Bond Consulting Engineers— amendments
to the agreement for services performed in conjunction with the Westfield River Force
. Main Repair" Is there a way we could get a copy of that contract? Maybe through
Barbara or something? I mean it was an issue that I stood strongly on and what's the
amendment to this?
President Letellier— Surely. I know they're coming back for more money.
i Councilor Perry—Well, that's what I'm saying. We've already gave them double of
what was proposed to us and now we've got a contract amendment. So I'd like to see a
piece of that contract if I could.
President Letellier—Yeah, Barbara, could you put a copy of that in everyone's packet
i on Thursday?
Councilor Perry—Yeah, definitely. The other thing I have too is in regards to from the
Department of Housing and Community Development on notification of any zoning, is
that something that would be done through Barbara? I'm just trying to be proactive.
President Letellier—Right. I had spoken to Barbara when we first got it and she said
that's been happening I think already pretty regularly.
Councilor Perry—They've been notifying them right along? Okay, that's the only two
things, well I had three things but we already touched base on the fence, so, the setback
for the fences so, thank you.
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President Letellier—Thank you. Councilor Bitzas?
Councilor Bitzas—Nothing this evening.
President Letellier—Thank you. Councilor Young?
Councilor Young—Nothing, thank you.
President Letellier—Thank you. Councilor Simpson?
Councilor Simpson—Nothing tonight.
• President Letellier—Thank you. Councilor Cavallo?
Councilor Cavallo—Yeah, I was at the town hall this past week and I was speaking with
our Auditor and she brought to light a concern that I have that there are town vehicles
that are available to the department heads for use, okay, for business that they have to
take care of and I notice that, she pointed out to me, a mileage reimbursement form
• submitted by one of the department heads and my concern was if there are town vehicles
available, why would one of the department heads or any of the personnel in town hall be
submitting a voucher for reimbursement for mileage that was done during a month? I
think in this period of austerity and watching the buck, I think that something should be
done here. I think that if there are town vehicles available for the use of our employees
and they could be gassed up and used without any expense to the town, additional
expense, I think that that should be the way to go and I'm really concerned about that. I
don't know if you know about that but there are apparently two or three vehicles
available, we did receive a memo from the Mayor in our last packet if you recall
regarding people using cars and making sure they turn the keys back in to her so that she
• can keep control over this situation. Well, I hope the situation is that we don't have
people submitting mileage reimbursements when we got cars sitting there when the
business can be conducted using one of the cars. That's all I have to say.
President Letellier—Thank you. Councilor Rossi?
a Councilor Rossi—Yes, Barbara, would you assign a few moments before our next
Council meeting for a Licensing Committee meeting please? Thank you.
President Letellier—Thank you. Councilor Rheault?
Councilor Rheault—Nothing tonight.
President Letellier—Thank you. Councilor Calabrese?
Councilor Calabrese— I just put some notes on your desk for you to take a look at and
• read over. I had attended along with Councilor Young, the Director of Infrastructure and
Investment Conference that Congressman Richard Neal had sponsored for us and the
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presenter, Jeffrey Simon, provided us with a great deal of information and I've provided
to each Councilor my notes from that meeting as well as contact information so that we
can move forward on tapping into some of the federal stimulus money and that's all I
have for this evening.
President LeteUier—Thank you. First I'm looking for a clean copy of one of these cuz I
had changed it from 1, 2, 3, 4 to A, B, C, D so if anybody's got their copy, oh, Barbara's
got one, okay forget it. I attended the Earth Day event, I volunteer with the Rotary Club
and it was wonderful. It was completely full, the parking lot was completely full, there
was overflow parking, there were vendors,there were people enjoying the fields. We are
so lucky to have School Street Park. I'll leave it at that and then I want to remind
everybody, it was in our packet, we have on our agenda next meeting to reappoint Deb
• Sanchez to the Board of Health,her husband is on the Veterans' Committee and is a State
Trooper, as you know and their son was born incredibly premature and there's a
fundraiser on Friday, May I". I know I'll be going and I hope the town really attends.
They're a great couple and they do a lot for the town. So thank you. Do we have a.
motion to adjourn? Moved by Councilor Cavallo, seconded by Councilor Bitzas. All in
favor please signify by saying Ay? Opposed? Thank you everybody, have a good week.
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Adjournment
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