CC MTG MINUTES NOVEMBER 4 2009•
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF THE AGA WAM CITY COUNCIL
November 4, 2009
President Letellier—Welcome to the Agawam City Council meeting for Wednesday,
November 4, 2009. .lust so the public knows, we are having some microphone issues so
I'll ask that the councilors don't turn their microphone on until their actually called on
• because if we have more than one microphone on at a time, we may not record. So just
be patient and I will get to everybody if you have something to say on a topic.
Item I. Citizen's Speak Time
President Letellier—We have two speakers, reminder, I'm sorry three speakers,
reminder that you are to state your name, your address. That you are to stick to a topic
that's in front of the Council and we will start with Peter Boadry.
Peter Boadry--Thank you Gina. I'd like to congratulate the City Council for winning
their election and on a positive note. A lot of things were positive like seven mayors ran
at one time and we became famous for Agawam and there was like five just in Westfield,
four in Holyoke, two in Springfield and we had the most mayors that ever ran. So I'd
like to congratulate everybody that ran and the best person won in my opinion and that
was Mayor Cohen and thanks for the sandwiches Joe. Thank you.
President Letellier—Thank you Mr. Boadry. Next we have Alan Griffin.
Alan Griffen—Hello, hey how you doing? Hey, I want to congratulate everybody for
winning and so forth. I think you all did a good job out there and you did a fine job and I
thought you handled it pretty well. Like I said I just want to stop in and congratulate you
and I wish you all good luck and so forth the ones that won even the ones that lost, I feel
sorry for you but I want to wish you good luck cuz hey I'll tell you what you're all
beautiful people up here and I want you all to know that so thank you very much. Have a
nice day and God bless.
• President Letellier---Thank you very much, Mr. Griffen. Next we have Jay Berger.
Jay Berger—Good evening Councilors. My name is Jay Berger. I live at I OG Castle
Hills in Agawam. Thank you and Mayor Dawson for the nomination to serve Agawam
on the Energy Commission. It is my hope that you will vote favorable on my
• appointment. During my tenure on the Go Green Agawam Committee, it was our goal to
reduce energy use in Agawam by 20% and we began a lengthy series of articles in both
community newspapers as well as the Springfield Republican. We set up displays at the
Harvest Festival and other venues and put together materials for what we hoped would be
a series on community TV. Now with the formation of the Energy Commission, we can
begin applying for state, federal and foundation grants to work on larger projects such as
schools, office buildings, town hall and other large consumers of energy. There is much
to be done. We were successful in harvesting the low hanging fruit. It is now time to go
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•for the rest of the trees. Again, thank you and I look forward to working on the Agawam
Energy Commission.
• President Letellier—Thank you Mr. Berger. That is the end of Citizens' Speak Time.
Item 2. Roll Call
President Letellier—Barbara, could you call the roll?
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ROLL CALL — 10 PRESENT, ONE ABSENT (Councilor Cavallo)
President Letellier—Thank you, Councilor Cavallo called, he has a family commitment
and we also have Councilor-elect James Cichetti with us so welcome Jimmy for the first
• of many meetings.
Item 3. Moment of Silence and the Pledge of Allegiance
President Letellier—Could you now please rise for a moment of silence and the Pledge
• of AIlegiance?
Item 4. Minutes
Re2uiar Council Meeting—October 19,2009
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President Letellier—Moved by Councilor Simpson, seconded by Councilor Perry. Any
discussion, corrections or amendments? No? Seeing none, Barbara, could you call the
roll?
. ROLL CALL — 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Cavallo)
President Letellier— With ten yes,one absent, you've approved the minutes.
Item S. Declaration from Council President
President Letellier— I have no declarations from Council President. I'll save my
remarks for the end.
Item 6. Presentation of Petitions Memorials& Remonstrances
(a) Resolutions
1. TR-2009-39 -A Resolution in Support of Updating the Massachusetts
Bottle Bill (Councilors Cavallo,Letellier,Mineo,Messick,Rheault,Rossi,
Simpson and Young) (Majority of those present and voting)
President Letellier—Do we have a motion? Moved by Councilor Rheault, seconded by
Councilor Rossi. Is there any discussion? Councilor Messick?
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Councilor Messick—I think it's just a little, it would be good to explain a little bit what
40 this is. The current Bottle Bill was enacted in 1982 and it encompasses generally mostly
beer bottles. This would add bottled water, sports drinks and teas which are generally not
recycled in as high of a ratio as glass containers are and so it's been show that litter
decreases in states with bottle bills an average of 70%to 85% and this would actually
help quite a bit to decrease our amount of litter. In addition to that the town earns money
for recycling. So the more recycling that we do, the more money we earn. Thank you.
President Letellier-- Thank you. Any other comments? No? Oh, Councilor Perry?
Councilor Perry— I guess I do have a little bit of a thought in regards to the retailers,the
stores and things of that nature that have to collect these bottles if they're added to the
recycling. What affect that's gonna have on them and as Councilor Messick has said I
know the town gets reimbursed for recycling. My family drinks bottled water all the
time. We recycle and it's my knowledge that the more that citizens recycle the better off
the town benefits from so this is gonna take away from that to a certain degree and I'm
not saying it's not a good thing it's just some thoughts I have in regards to it, you know
• what affect it's gonna have on the retailers having to have that many more bottles. The
water bottles in my house are huge compared to the beer bottles and different things like
that so I just have some thoughts in regards to --- if anybody else can give me some input
in regards to the affect it will have on retailers and the affect it will have on the town in
regards to the amount of recycling that we'll be taking away from the town if these
bottles have to go back to retailers.
President Letellier— Councilor Rheault?
Councilor Rheault—Yes. Unless I missed something, do we not only return them if
there's a fee involved, a returnable fee?
President Letellier—Yes, I think what Councilor Perry is saying if you have more
people doing returns, you'll have less people doing recycles. Is that the point you're
trying to make? Yes. From my years as a teenager working at place that had the bottles,
you only have to take back whatever brands that you sell. So if they're already selling
these items,they would hold the responsibility to take them back. I don't know,Deb
Dachos is here, do you know anything else more about the Bottle Bill? No. If you want
to table it to get more information you can, that's certainly up to you.
Councilor Perry—No, and again, it was just concerns that I wanted to throw out onto
the floor. I know it will reduce the amount of recycling weight that's going back, that the
town gets reimbursed for because now the people aren't putting them in the blue bins,
they're taking them back to the stores and I just didn't know if anybody got any feed
back from retailers on this or anything of that nature, that's all.
i President Letellier—Oh, Councilor Calabrese does not have a light. You're welcome to
use mine.
Councilor Calabrese—Um, yea, I know what, I share your concerns Dennis and I can
just sort of tell you from an anecdotal point of view as a property owner, my husband's
company and I owned a property down the street from a convenience store and I can tell
you that there is a significant amount of litter that we see from sports drinks and water
bottles. I was initially thinking that I might vote against supporting this resolution. I did
have an opportunity to read the legislation and I'm comfortable with the language and it
# is going to be some people who are arguing against it saying well it's just another way of
taxing, this is again one of those classic balancing act but upon further reflection and the
potential to reduce the litter on our streets, this is actually something I'm going to
support. Thank you.
President Letellier—Thank you. Councilor Simpson?
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Councilor Simpson ---Thank you. The only thing I can add and this is only my
interpretation on that when you look at bottled water and sports drinks, I'm not sure so
much about the teas but I think a lot of that probably right now doesn't even get recycled
because if you go to like even just say in town the soccer fields or whatever people just
have their bottled water and toss that in the trash and it probably doesn't get pulled out
for any type of recycling. At least and then that makes more litter like Councilor
Calabrese was saying, at least at this point sometimes when people think oh, I'm gonna
get my nickel back on it, they might tend to hold onto it and at least return it. So I see
Councilor Perry's idea on the town losing revenue but I think on the flip side it might
help with the waste and people might think twice as opposed to throwing it in the trash
and throwing it at least in their bin to bring back to the stores. So that was just my
interpretation on it.
President Letellier—Thank you. Any other discussion? No? Barbara, could you call
the roll? Six votes are needed.
ROLL CALL-- 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Cavallo)
President Letellier—Thank you. With ten yes, one absent, you've passed a resolution to
* support the Massachusetts Bottle Bill.
2. TR-2009-40 - A Resolution Establishing the School Street Barn Gift
Account Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44§53A for the
Maintenance and Improvement of the School Street Barn (Mayor) (Referred
to the Ordinance Committee) (Majority of those present and voting)
President Letellier—May I have a motion? Moved by Councilor Simpson and
Councilor Perry, seconded by Councilor Bitzas. Do we have a report from the Ordinance
Committee?
Councilor Rheault-- Yes, I spoke with the Chairman of the Finance Committee and he
had felt that this was approved by his committee and I spoke with members of our
committee and we feel the same—that the language is proper in front of us.
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President Letellier—Thank you very much. Any discussion? Councilor Rossi?
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Councilor Rossi--I originally, I went to the meeting, I attended the Finance meeting
concerning this and I am in favor of it and I think I voted in favor of it at the sub-
committee meeting however some things just came into my mind that kind of bother me
just a little bit here and that is that Section 3 of the Now Therefore that the Mayor shall
authorize and expend the funds to the Barn Account? I don't have any problems with the
Mayor or anyone else overseeing that account but I would like to see that account come
to the City Council for approval before those funds are expended and I'll tell you why.
Recently I was at the DPW garage and I noticed that there was a greenhouse that's sitting
on the lawn out there and was put up by the Beautification Committee and I noticed that
that cost some $7000.00 or probably even more to put that thing out there in the middle
• of our lawn. And I looked into our budget and I found out that we only budget $1000.00
for beautification and my question was where do we get the money? Well, reading the
minutes of their meetings, I find that some of the money was taken from DPW areas and
some was donated by grants and other miscellaneous funds and this City Council was not
made aware of any of those expenditures. Now, I don't think that that's the right thing to
• do. I think the correct thing to do is that we are the legislative branch and I think that we
should be at least aware of the money that comes in and money that goes out and for what
purpose that it goes to. I'm not opposed to the Revolving Fund. I'm not opposed to any
of that stuff but I think we need to have a little bit more direct accountability as to who's
authorizing these funds. I mean we just don't have a pit somewhere that somebody can
• just drop some money into and go back there and feel free to spend this money at any
time and again, I hate to go back to the Beautification Committee but I know that there
are monies that come in every year from Berkshire Power. I think they fund the amount,
if I am not correct, is about $10,000.00 that we get every year. And I'll be perfectly
honest with you. I don't think I know where any of that money ever went to and I just
started to recently become aware of this thing and it started to bother me when I saw this
thing. And not that I don't agree with the greenhouse and if we want to go into the
planting business and grow geraniums and stuff I guess that's okay. I think I probably
would have chosen a different location. I don't think I would have chose the front lawn
of the DPW garage but the thing that bothered me most of all is that no one seems to
know how it got there and why it got there, who authorized it to be there, where the funds
• came from or any of that stuff and I think if we're ever gonna move forward and some of
the directions that we talked about at these forums and such and that I hear written in the
newspapers by several councilors and others, I think maybe we ought to start getting a
little more direct accountability. And I know this might be a little small bite out of the
apple and some of you may say that you're nitpicking but we gotta start somewhere. All
• I would like to see and I'm just spit balling here and I'd like to throw this out now and
see what the other councilors feel about this thing and I don't think it would take much
just to amend this to say "subject to Council approval" or something to that effect would
be fine with me but just to have some one person say we can spend this money any time,
any where, under any conditions and for any purpose without corning through the
legislative branch I think is inappropriate in my view and I just want to throw that out to
the committee and I'm not comfortable with that Section 3 of this Article.
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President Letellier— Thank you. Councilor Bitzas and then Councilor Messick.
Councilor Bitzas—Thank you. I'm just going to clarify something by the Beautification
Committee. I was many, many years a member and to the Council and to the people and
to Councilor Rossi, the Beautification Committee was started almost twenty years ago
with $300 budget but the money we got now was an agreement with the first Mayor
• Johnson with the Berkshire Power when they were allowed to come to town and we were
able and the committee myself and some of the members then requested to have 10% of
the $100,000.00 that goes to the town extra above the money they pay to go to the
beautification of the town plus $5000.00 to go to industrial beautification. So every year
now we have $10,000.00 to that account of the $100,000.00 so this is a very good money
just we don't take any other money for any other accounts so just to clarify that and I
have no problem with the Resolution. I think it's a good thing to have that—a gift
account--and if we want to more teeth to it we can but I think the state law 44— 53A
clarifies what we do. I don't think anybody can have just one person one say but I think
when the barn they had to do some repairs, it must be done by a committee so that
request goes to the Mayor and I think we should be more involved also, I have no
• problem with that, but it's not only just one person, it would not allow just one person to
make decisions. I think it should be more scrutinized and if we appropriate the money
for a good cause then I have no problem with that. And I think it's a good thing to have
people to donate money for that purpose. I think 'it's a plus and I will support the
Resolution.
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President Letellier—Thank you. Councilor Messick and then Councilor Rheault.
Councilor Messick—I do just want to point out that the first paragraph says the `funds
from the School Street Barn Gift Account shall be expended for the sole purpose of
maintenance and improvement of the School Street Barn' so it's not as if the funds under
this Resolution could be used for anything else and two I don't know if Councilor Rossi
is speaking about having Council approval or just having the Council know what's going
on. I have no problem with the Council knowing what's going on. I think that's a very
good thing but as far as Council approval goes, expenditures on the Barn in some cases
• may be, it may be an emergency situation and I think that was the thought behind having
the Mayor be authorized to expend funds since I'm not sure whether this will be,
obviously we'll have a line in the budget that will show us how much the funds are going
to be and frankly if the funds ever exceed $1000.00, I'll be very happy about it. We're
not expecting to get huge major donations all at once. So just to point out the first
paragraph does say for the sole purpose of maintenance and improvement of the Barn.
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President Letellier--Thank you. Councilor Rheault?
Councilor Rheault—I believe in check and balance. I think that makes sense and
Berkshire Power certainly has been generous to the town in their contributions and so
• have many others but I would just offer to the Council a small amendment and see where
we go from there that the Mayor should be authorized to expend funds with the addition
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being `with the approval of City Council and go on with the sentence so that would take
care of what the Council's feeling might be or might not be.
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President Letellier--As a point of information, to the best of my knowledge the Mayor
has the sole authority to spend monies in gift and revolving fund accounts so before we
amend this, let's make sure we have the legal authority to do so. So if the Council's idea
is to amend it, we can just really quickly with the Solicitor. I can give him a quick email
or a fax, but to the best of my knowledge, the Mayor has sole authority over gifts and
revolving funds. So if the Council's pleasure is to amend it, why don't we take a motion
to table and I can check into that. That would be my recommendation. Councilor Bitzas?
Councilor Bitzas -Thank you. I.think you're right. I think the Mayor by statute has the
right to approve like they did in beautification projects we get the okay. We can propose
expenditures on the project but if Mayor said no then we'd have to find different ways
and I think the Council should be involved if we can suggest, recommend or go to the
meetings when they have some repairs, we should know about it too -more transparency
so and if there's something we see that we didn't like so we can speak out but I think by
state law as Councilor Letellier said, the Mayor has to authorize that. I believe but I have
A no problem to table but I think you're right, Councilor.
President Letellier-One way to do it would be to send a letter or a resolution to the
current and the future mayor and indicate that whenever any gifts or revolving are spent
to cc the Council so that we know how the gifts and our revolving funds are being spent
and I would think that in the spirit of transparency I would hope that that would be not
even an issue. So we can certainly draft a letter and have the new council and the old
council sign on to that letter but I'm almost positive that under state law the mayor has
sole authority over gifts and revolving funds. So we can take the two weeks to table it
but I don't think the answer is gonna change but if people want certainty I'm certainly not
going to object to that. Councilor Rossi, your light is working now.
Councilor Rossi-Isn't that something? Again, I don't really want to cause too much
confusion with this thing. All I wanted to do is get some accountability here. And I think
with this fund we're probably not gonna have as much problems as we have with the
other ones and I understand the intent of the Berkshire Power and the whole other thing
and what it was designed to do and all that stuff. My thing is we do not know where that
money goes. And $10,000.00 a year is a sizeable amount and I think that somewhere,
some place, it should be documented as to what comes in, what goes out and who gets it.
Now I think if we're gonna set up this gift fund, it's gonna be set up through the
. Treasurer's office and I think that would probably be okay because there would be some
accountability as to what comes in and what goes out but the only thing I had was that I
just didn't, I wanted to see more direct accountability. Not that I'm opposed to it. I don't
care what they do with the monies as long as we know what it is and that's all I care
about. I don't have any problems with this. I know with the revolving funds before, I
know that the mayor had to come back here and ask for approval on revolving funds
because we did it with the ambulance revolving fund. He needed to change the wording
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in order for us, for him to be allowed to take salaries and other expenditures from that
account. This Council gave him approval to do that. Mass statute did not. So—
President Letellier—Correct but we don't have to approve it every time the money is
spent.
Councilor Rossi - Probably not.
President Letellier—We've changed the City Ordinance but we don't then every time a
check gets made out get pre-authority or pre-knowledge.
Councilor Rossi- Correct but this account as I understand is gonna be in the Treasurer's
office, right? Okay. All right.
President Letellier—And also our Auditor can let us know how funds are used as well
but I think a letter perhaps asking the mayor-elect to let us know when these expenditures
are made and a double check to have Cheryl make sure she let's us know as well I think
would probably be useful. Yes, Councilor Bitzas?
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Councilor Bitzas—I believe, I think we should vote tonight and vote in favor or not in
favor and I believe we'll all vote in favor. It's a good thing so we can have the money
coming in the sooner the better so and we can request with a letter to have any
expenditures, any project, we should know about so there'll be transparency. Thank you.
President Letellier—Thank you. Any other discussion? Last round. Councilor
Messick?
Councilor Messick—A simple way to do it would be just to put on our calendar every
six months and possibly have Barbara just request from the Treasurer's Office a report on
the gift accounts so that we know what's been done.
President Letellier—Or add it to the quarterly reports we get from Cheryl, that's
probably the best way to do it. We don't even need"to, we can let the mayor know that
we're gonna have Cheryl add that to our quarterly reports. Yup. Any other discussion?
No? Thank you everybody. Barbara, could you call the roll? I'm sorry. Councilor
Rheault?
Councilor Rheault — How's the Auditor gonna know unless somebody—
President Letellier—I'll let her know. We're not gonna assume she's gonna know. All
right. So six votes are needed. Barbara, could you call the roll?
ROLL CALL — 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Cavallo)
President Letellier—With ten yes, one absent you've approved the gift account.
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3. TR-2009-41 - A Resolution Authorizing the Posting of the Warrant for
the Primary Election on December S,2009 and the Election on January 19,
w 2010 for the United States Senate (Mayor) (Majority of those present and
voting)
President Letellier—Moved by Councilor Rheault, seconded by Councilor Simpson.
Any discussion? As we had heard from the City Clerk at the last meeting, the state's
gonna be reimbursing the town's costs of this election. Barbara, could you call the roll?
i Again, six votes are needed.
ROLL CALL— 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Cavallo)
President Letellier—Thank you. With ten yes, one absent, we have approved the
p resolution.
4. TR-2009-42 -A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Grant Updated and
Expanded Easements over Two Town Parcels to Western Massachusetts
Electric Company (Mayor) (Referred to Utilities and Street Acceptance
Committee) (Majority of those present and voting)
President Letellier--Do we have a motion? Moved by Councilor Simpson, seconded by
Councilor Rheault. Councilor Mineo, do we have a report?
Councilor Mineo—Yea we did have a meeting on this tonight and we are sending a
positive recommendation of 3-0. This is to improve the reliability of the electric
transmission system and they need two easements — Western Mass Electric needs two
easements—for property on the roads on South Westfield or the property on South
Westfield Street and on Cooper Street also. The town has negotiated with WMECO and
they will be paying for the updated and expanded easements over the properties. So
again it's pretty cut and dry.
President Letellier—Thank you Councilor Mineo. Any other questions or discussion?
No? Thank you. Barbara, could you call the roll? Again, six votes are needed.
ROLL CALL— 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Cavallo)
President Letellier—With ten votes, you approve the two easements.
5. TR-2009-43 -A Resolution Confirming the Appointment of Jay Berger,
IOG Castle Hill Road, Agawam,MA. to the Agawam Energy Commission to
1� the Term Expiring November 30, 2010 (Mayor) (Majority of those present
and voting)
President Letellier—Do we have a motion? Moved by Councilors Calabrese and
Rheault and 1 think Simpson and seconded by Councilor Bitzas. We've heard from Mr.
Berger. Any comments or discussion? No? Okay, seeing none, six votes are needed.
Barbara, could you call the roll?
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ROLL CALL — 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Cavallo)
President Letellier-- With ten yes, one absent, we've unanimously approved Mr. Berger.
We thank you for your energy and your participation. Sorry, I had to say that.
6. TR-2009-44 -A Resolution Confirming the Appointment of Howard
Safford, 92 Juniper Ridge Drive, Feeding Hills,MA. to the Agawam Energy
Commission to the Term Expiring November 30,2010 (Mayor) (Majority of
those present and voting)
President Letellier —Do we have a motion? Moved by Councilor Calabrese, seconded
by Councilor Bitzas, Mr. Safford, did you wish to say anything?
(off microphone)
President Letellier---Thank you. I'm not sure if that was received by the microphone.
Mr. Safford said he wanted to thank the Council and that was essentially what he said. .
Barbara, could you call the roll? Six votes are needed.
ROLL CALL — 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Cavallo)
President Letellier --Ten yes, one absent, we've approved Mr. Safford, again, thank you
very much.
7. TR-2009-45 -A Resolution Confirming the Appointment of Joel
Cummings, 118 Meadowbrook Road, Agawam,MA.to the Agawam Energy
Commission to the Term Expiring November 30, 2010 (Mayor) (Ma)ority of
those present and voting)
President Letellier—Moved by Councilor Calabrese, seconded by Councilor Messick. I
received two emails from Mr. Cummings. He cannot come this evening. He's traveling
but both of the emails were very detailed about the things that he, the ideas that he has,
his knowledge of the natural gas law and ...plan so I indicated to him that I would let the
Council know, that I would summarize the emails that we had received from him. So
based on his emails, it's clear that he has some knowledge that he can share with the town.
and I would ask that you guys vote for him. Any other discussion? No? Barbara, could
you call the roll?
ROLL CALL — 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Cavallo)
r President Letellier— With ten yes, one absent, you've unanimously approved Mr.
Cummings.
8. TR-2009-46 - A Resolution Confirming the Appointment of Todd Bard,
316 Regency Park Drive,Agawam, MA, to the Agawam Energy Commission
to the Term Expiring November 30,2010 (Mayor) (Majority of those present
and voting)
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President Letellier —Moved by Councilor Calabrese, seconded by Councilors Rheault
and Bitzas. Mr. Bard is coaching a basketball team and cannot be here. Any discussion
on his appointment? No? Barbara, could you call the roll?
ROLL CALL— 1 O YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Cavallo)
President Letellier--With ten yes, one absent, we've unanimously approved Mr. Bard's
appointment and thank you all for your time and efforts in volunteering.
Item 7. Report of Council Committees
None.
Item 8. Elections
None.
Item 9. Public Hearings
None.
Item 10. 01d Business
1. TO-2009-32 -Transfer-S9,000.00 from Line Items—Reserve Fund
(16605-57300)to City Clerk—Regular Temporary(11611-51020) (Mayor)
(Majority of those present and voting)
President Letellier—That was for the elections and again, we're supposed to be
reimbursed for. Do we have a motion? Moved by Councilor Rheault, seconded by
r Councilor Bitzas and Councilor Perry. Any discussion? Councilor Perry?
Councilor Perry—oops!
President Letellier—No? That's fine. All right, Barbara, could you tali the roll?
Again, six votes are needed.
ROLL CALL — 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Cavallo)
President Letellier—Ten yes, one absent, we have approved the transfer.
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Item ]]. New Business
1. TR-2009-47 -A Resolution Confirming the Original Authorization of the
Use of Free Cash and Retained Earnings in the Fiscal Year 2010 Annual
Operating Budget (Mayor) (Majority of those present and voting)
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President Letellier—I'm gonna have this double checked by the Finance Committee
again if that's okay just to make sure the numbers are the same and the discussion is the
same as it was before. That'll be next agenda.
2. TO-2009-33 - Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Weekly
Amusement Device(s)—KD Realty—Tape Five Restaurant,944 Springfield
Street,Feeding Hills, MA. 01030 (Majority of those present and voting)
i President Letellier—We can have the License Committee take a look at that, next
agenda.
3. TO-2009-34 - Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Class II
Dealer's—Agawam Auto Mall,Inc,825 Springfield Street,Feeding Hills,
! MA. 01030 (Majority of those present and voting)
President Letellier—Again, License Committee, next agenda. And all of these licenses
I'm just gonna say License Committee. I'm not gonna repeat after each one.
• 4. TO-2009-35 - Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Class II
Dealer's--Falcor Auto Sales, Inc,373 Springfield Street,Feeding Hills,MA.
01030 (Majority of those present and voting)
President Letellier—Next agenda.
i 5. TO-2009-36 - Order Granting-or Renewing a LICENSE for a Class II
Dealer's--Parrotta's Auto Service,Inc.,357 Main Street, Feeding Hills,MA.
01030 (Majority of those present and voting)
President Letellier—Next agenda.
6. TO-2009-37 - (PH-2009-6) Suggest a Public Hearing on December 7,2009
for GAS STORAGE LICENSE Application for Speedy Co., Daya Singh,332
Suffield Street, Agawam,MA.01001 (Clerk) (Majority of those present and
voting)
President Letellier—Next agenda. I'm going to refer this to the Public Safety
Committee and Public Hearing is suggesting December 71". Is that sufficient for
everyone? That gives us time to publish it Barbara?
Barbara - Yes.
President Letellier—Okay. December 7`" will be the public hearing.
7. TO-2009-38 - Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Class II
Dealer's—Dina Carando d/b/a Euro Imports , 175 Main Street,Agawam,
MA. 01001 (Majority of those present and voting)
President Letellier—Next agenda.
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8. TO-2009-39 - Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Class ld
i Dealer's—Langonet,Inc.,61 Ramah Circle South,Agawam,MA. 01001
(Majority of those present and voting)
President Letellier—Next agenda.
9. TO-2009-40 - Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Class II
Dealer's —Zielinski Brothers,11,218 Shoemaker Lane,Agawam,MA. 01001
(Majority of those present and voting)
President Letellier—Next agenda.
10. TOR-2009-6 - An Ordinance to Amend Certain Fees in the Building
Department(Councilor Rossi) (2 readings)
President Letellier—Next agenda. We'll have the Ordinance Committee take a look at
that. And that's all we have for this agenda.
* Item 12. AnE other matter that may le allX came before the Qq Council.
President Letellier--We will start with Councilor Perry.
Councilor Perry—Thank you Madam President. Real quick. First of all I just want to
congratulate all the candidates that participated in yesterday's election. Win or lose, it's
not easy to put your name out there in the public spotlight and I congratulate each and
every one of them. I also want to thank the voters who went out and exercised their right
to vote yesterday — 53% - in a local election, that's a pretty good turn out. I also want to
thank the people who supported me. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.
�i I want to thank the people that allowed me to put signs on their Iawns and I really want to
thank people who held signs all day yesterday for me. It was pretty nice in the morning
but it got pretty cold in the evening,believe me. No question about it but I want to thank
them. I also want to thank my family for supporting me and putting up with me during
the campaign. My daughters —Jessica, Elisabeth and Samantha—my granddaughters, my
* son-in-law and especially I just want to thank my wife, thank you.
President Letellier--Thank you. Councilor Messick?
Councilor Messick—I could just say ditto. No, yesterday was a very exciting day and
* again, the voter turn out was tremendous. It was very gratifying to see that many people
come out to voice their opinions. I want to thank my committee, the people who stood
outside for me, my friend who was bringing around hot coffee which came in very handy
late in the day, again anybody who made a donation or allowed me to put a sign up. Ail
these people just, every little bit helps and made it just a wonderful day. About the
election, there was so much enthusiasm yesterday with the signs and more people than
I've ever seen out just rooting for their candidate. What would be wonderful if people
who became engaged during this election would continue to be engaged and would
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become a little more involved in the process of the government of the town. That would
be wonderful if we could pick up a few more people. Also too congratulations of the
appointees of the Energy Commission. Energy Commission actually has started doing
work in a way. We went to Greening Your Community seminar that was held up in
Amherst. We did some networking. We heard from some other towns, what they've
been doing, got some very good information, ideas and resources, so thank you very
much to Anthony and to Debbie Dachos. Anthony Sylvia from DPW and Debbie Dachos
and Jay Berger and I all went and it was quite informative so it's very exciting to be
getting this off the ground. And again thank you to the voters and I am proud to be
serving on the Council for a second term. Thank you.
President Letellier—Thank you. Councilor Bitzas?
Councilor Bitzas —Two items. Thank you, Madam President. First of all I'd like to
thank all the people that went out to vote and a special thanks to those people they vote
for me and those people that put signs on their lawns. I'd like to congratulate you all and
the other people that lost, in another two years, they can try again. That's democracy.
Let the people speak for their votes and it was very much—53%is excellent as Councilor
0 Perry said. And the other thing is everybody knows, the last time we had the forum here
and the people I'd like to apologize, the equipment we have here to broadcast our
meetings and the special very important, the candidates nights, the people they like to see
us, it was a very, very disappointing, very disaster what we have here. My wife taped it
and I watched it and I was embarrassed and there's no way in the 2151 century to have
• kinds of equipments from 19`h century. So it is, and probably you saw the email I sent
you, I am prepared to have a resolution. I went to Solicitor to try to draft it. Very simple.
To ask to appropriate that's already there in the Cable Account and we must do it as soon
as possible. Even tonight, we have problems with the microphone. It's not the right
thing to be broadcasting here every meeting and the sounds being cut off and I asked you
i if you'd like to co-sponsor the resolution you can talk to our Clerk, our Assistant actually,
Barbara, and I prepare a very simple resolution just ask for the money and also we'd like
to get involved the Cable Committee, one of them,Ray, who operates the camera, Marge
there up top and Tony Albro, we must do it as soon as possible. We have the equipment,
we have the money there appropriated for us, We should not be embarrassed to be that
proud, to have the audience to watch us. Thank you.
President Letellier—Thank you. Councilor Young?
Councilor Young— Yes. Just I would like to congratulate all the candidates. Also, I
guess I was informed, it must have been the bad equipment because I guess I failed to
thank my family for all their help at the forum so I'll take the opportunity to thank my
wife and family, all my friends who've helped me through the last twelve years, seven
campaigns and six elections and again a lot of hard work for all. Good luck to those of
you continuing on and the new councilors and returning councilors because you'll need it
and thank you very much.
President Letellier —Councilor Simpson?
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Councilor Simpson—Thank you. Same as everyone else I just want to thank all the
voters who cast their ballot for myself yesterday. I appreciate all the votes and look
forward to serving in the next two years. I didn't have any signs or anything so I can't
thank anybody for holding anything but I thank my family for at least being there so
that's it and congratulations to everybody and to CeCe and Bob and Paul, he's probably
not watching, you can relax on Monday nights now come January, It'll be nice in the
• cold evenings. Thank you.
President Letellier—Thank you. Councilor Mineo?
Councilor Minco -- Yea, I would also like to thank all the voters who went out to vote.
I'd like to thank the people that voted for me. I want to thank the folks up in Feeding
Hills where 1 thought that this would maybe be my last term because I didn't think I
would do as well as I did at the Junior High School. It kind of shocked me but I'd like to
thank everybody who ran, I'd like to thank everybody who held signs, put signs up for
me, a special thanks to Gil Fortunato who was going around all morning, all afternoon,
all night, providing sandwiches and water and coffee and chips and cookies. He did a
• great jab all day. I'd like to thank all my family and friends that supported me and came
out and helped me. They do it every year. I want to thank my son Luca who came home
from college to help me out. I want to thank my son Carmino for taking the day off
because he just started working for the state about four months ago so he doesn't get too
much time but he did it for me. I'd like to thank my wife and my daughter Joanna,
• especially my wife, for putting up with me during election time because this was
probably, I struggled with this election but I'm glad I came through and again I just want
to thank everybody and good luck to everybody.
President Letellier—Thank you. Councilor-elect Cichetti? Do you wish to say
• anything?
Councilor-elect Cichetti —I'd like to first thank everybody for having me here tonight.
It's great to sit down at a meeting. First one obviously and hopefully more to come. I'd
like to thank everybody that was involved in my election as well as the voters and I hope
1 can serve you the way that you'd like to see me help the town and thank you very much.
President Letellier—Thank you. Welcome aboard. Councilor Rossi?
Councilor Rossi --Thank you. Yes, I'd like to thank everyone out there who exhibited
their trust and faith in me and confidence in my ability to serve them. It was most
! gratifying to me. I would especially like to thank my family and friends. I didn't really
have a big campaign, I don't have fund raisers or anything like that. I pretty much try to
get it done with family and friends and without them I probably wouldn't get it done.
They work very,very hard, I probably would have to give a very special thanks to Lois,
my sister Marie and my sister-in-law Rose who keep the thing moving for me all the time
• and try to coordinate sign holders at the polls which is a very difficult lob especially last
night. I had to send a few home with frostbite but it was a very interesting election. It
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was interesting to participate in it. It took a lot of different directions I thought from the
very beginning and I'm just grateful to escape without too much injury here. So, again,
I'd like to thank everyone out there from the bottom of my heart. I really enjoy working
for you.and I hope to serve you for another two years and that's it I guess. Thanks.
President Letellier—Councilor Rheautt?
Councilor Rheault—Well, first let me give you a little bit of history of these relics that
are now in front of us. We put these in way back when we were in the library. I don't
remember specifically the day but at the time it was state of the art and they worked
absolutely fabulous and they've served us well up until as the aging process takes place
just recently. Well, it's been a little more than that really because I've gotten some
complaints at times that sound is off and they're watching just a picture so I think the
! time has come to say goodbye to these little trouble makers and get new ones. Thank you
very much for voting for me again. Interesting enough, I believe this is going to be my
silver anniversary serving the Town of Agawam in a Council capacity. This is going to
be my 25 h year which is a long time to survive number one so I've attended a few
meetings and seen a lot of cross sections of opinion and it's been enjoyable. I can't thank
r enough my family first. As you probably noticed in the paper today, my two grandsons
were holding my signs and thank God he officially took the time off from the town
because it would have been a little embarrassing to have his picture in the paper to have
him holding my sign when he's supposed to be working. I have a small skeleton crew. I
only had a few people holding signs and it's a tremendous chore as you all know to get
people to volunteer to come out and stand there because it's tiring as heck first of all and
you've got to pray the weather's good. And last night about 4:00 it got cold. With a top
coat and a soft hat, I was freezing. So I too want to thank everybody and I wish the
Council good luck. If I can be of any assistance with anything at all I'd be more than
happy to share my experiences with the new Council as far as voting and how to vote and
49 so forth. So I'm available and I wish you all good luck. And Bob and CeCe and
absentee Mr. Cavallo, I'm sure we'll see more of you in the time to come. Thank you
very much.
President Letellier—Thank you. Councilor Calabrese?
0 Councilor Calabrese—Thank you. Thank you to my husband Michael and my two
children, Charlie and Michayla, and my family and my friends, my neighbors, everyone
that came together to help me in the campaign this year. Congratulations to everyone
who ran, those who were victorious in the polls and those who weren't because it does
take an awful lot to put yourself out there and to be in the public eye and to be under
r scrutiny and congratulations to the newcomers that are going to be coming on board. I'm
very encouraged by the caliber of talent that we're gonna be having sworn in in January
on not only those returning but those new people. Bob, you and I we're gonna have some
free time on our hands but of course, if I know you you're gonna remain as engaged as I
will be going forward. And I just want to thank everyone. It's really been a wonderful
r experience and you know good luck to everyone, Thank you.
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President Letellier—Thank you. Before I get into my thank you's there is one thing I
wanted to note. I got a call from a very proud grandmother who let me know that the
Agawam High Model Congress team had submitted a proposed Bottle Bill which is very
similar to the one that the Governor is proposing so she was very proud that her grandson
was involved and so 1 promised that I would give a high five to the Agawam Model
Congress Team for proposing that and also apparently the team had been disbanded until
these young folks were interested and Dr. Czajkowski made sure that the team was put
* back in place. So I'm glad to see that and I didn't even know that it had been disbanded.
So congratulations to the Agawam High Model Congress team. I also want to thank
everyone that supported me and just in general everybody that was out there supporting
people. It was so exciting to see families out there—parents, kids holding signs. People
getting re-engaged, a lot of new people running for Council and School Committee and I
think that's exciting and I think that's important for the town that we have people that
want to serve and so to everybody who ran whether you won or you lost, stay involved.
Your talents can be used even if you didn't win the election, you can still be involved in
boards and commissions. You can come to Citizens' Speak Time and tell us your
thoughts. So congratulations to everyone who ran and I mean that sincerely and thank
you to all my family and friends for their support. And you're right. It's hard to get
• people to hold signs and the weather at 4:00 became quite nasty. I in fact gave up at
4:20. I will freely admit it. So thanks to my friends who took over for me and we'll save
our tributes for our non-returning comrades for the December meeting. All right? So
thank you. Do we have a motion to adjourn? All in favor? Ay? Opposed? Thank you.
Adjournment.
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