CC MTG MINUTES JANUARY 20 2010 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
January 20, 2010
President Rheault—Welcome to the Agawam City Council meeting of January 20,
2010.
/ Item L Citizen's Sneak Time
President Rheault—We have a citizen wishing to address the Council. For your
information, if you have not addressed the Council before you have up to five minutes.
State your name and address and the reason and Millie Parzychowski, is that correct?
Millie Parzychowski—I am Millie Parzychowski. My address is 55 Hastings Street and
I'm here as a concerned citizen and also as President of the West Springfield/Agawam
Kiwanas. Kiwanas is ail about children and our concern is about what's happening in
Agawam with the children. And we are here hopefully to help solve some of the
problems that are going on with the children. We have, last year we created a Key Club
at the Agawam High School. Kiwanas is all about volunteerism, community service and
leadership. We teach the kids how to run meetings, how to identify projects and things
that they can do and our next step is to begin a builder's club at the Jr. High School and
possibly the Middle School. Again,the purpose is to teach them the importance of
community service and so on. We did have a bump in-the road at the high school in the
fall. The stipend that's awarded to the teacher advisors was very minimal. We thought it
was going to be greater because the amount of time and effort that the teacher advisors
have to put and the two teachers that were helping with the Key Club decided to resign
when they were told they had to share the $382.00 for the annual stipend. There have
been two new teachers assigned and they're willing to work...but I request that the City
Council and I'll be asking the School Committee the same thing, to find somewhere in
the budget to support this with a little greater stipend. There is a lot of effort put in by the
teachers,time spent outside of school to get this,to really create the energy and the focus
that is necessary for our children to find other avenues to divert their efforts to. In West
Springfield we do the same thing. We are beginning a builder's club there and those both
schools...have been delayed with finding community projects and I'm sure the builder's
club will be the same. So my request to you...the children are what's important here and
we need to focus the efforts necessary. We need more members...I'm appealing to
you...if any of you Councilors would like to join us, I have application forms or if you're
not able because the time you have to spend, if you know people in the community
interested in getting involved, we're looking for more members because we need to have
liaisons from our club to the schools and that's what we're looking for so--I appreciate
your time and I believe I'm under my five minutes.
President Rheault—Thank you.
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Item 2. Roll Call
• President Rheault—Will the Clerk please call the roll?
ROLL CALL—10 PRESENT, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier)
President Rheault—Ten present, one absent, Councilor Letellier emailed me stating she
• had a strep throat and tonsillitis. So I hope you're getting better Gina.
Item 3. Moment of Silence and the Pledge o Alle lance
President Rheault—Please rise for a moment of silence and Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 4. Minutes
(a) Regular Council Meeting—December 21,2009
President Rheault—Moved by Councilor Perry, seconded by Councilor Rossi. Any
• discussion, corrections, additions, abstentions? If not, voice vote is sufficient, all those in
favor? Opposed? Councilor Magovern abstains for the record. Passed.
(b) Regular Council Meeting—January 4,2010
• President Rheault—Moved by Councilor Perry, seconded by Councilor Rossi. Any
discussion? Corrections? No? Voice vote is sufficient, all those in favor? Opposed?
Unanimous.
Item 5. Declaration from Council President
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President Rheault—I have a couple of quick announcements. You all received the hand
out on the committee assignments and I received no phone calls back so I assume that
everybody is satisfied. That's nice. It's a good start. Secondly,the Energy Commission
is not a Council committee so that was not on there but I know that Councilor Messick
• and Councilor Rossi were previously appointed and Councilor Cichetti has graciously
acknowledged that he'd like to serve as well so those three will serve. And I also have
one final announcement; you've probably seen the posters all over the town on the
Agawam Community Forum on Substance Use and Abuse. Forum topics are educational
signs,resources and assistance,health implications of addiction, illegal drugs, alcohol
abuse, law enforcement, criminal prosecution, time behind bars. We welcome everybody
to come and hope the place is full because this is a very serious issue addressing the town
and working together we can keep our youth and community safe. The committee and
school panelists will be the Police Department, Hampden County District Attorney's
Office, Hampden County Sheriff's Office, Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Kishore,
President and Founder of the National Library of Addictions and the Medical Director of
•" Preventive Medical Associates of Brookline. The date is Wednesday, January 27t'at
7:00pm, Agawam Middle School. So we hope to see you and because of the nature of
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the subject matter, I think it's gonna be an excellent forum and we hope to see the place
full.
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Councilor Bitzas—And Mr. President I will add that they are going to have two parents
and some young adults speak about the problems and we will be closing with questions
and answers from the panel. Thank you.
President Rheault--Thank you.
Item 6. Presentation of Petitions.Memorials& Remonstrances
None.
Item 7. Report of Council Committees
None.
Item 8. Elections
None.
Item 9. Public Hearings
None.
Item 10. Old Business
1. TO-2009-61 -Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Weekly
Amusement Device(s)—Main Street Still, 1813 Main Street,Agawam,MA.
(Clerk) (Majority of those present and voting)
President Rheault—What is the report of the committee, Councilor Rossi?
Councilor Rossi—Yes,thank you. The committee, Councilor Simpson and myself, had
gotten together prior to and I believe Councilor Cichetti is going to be next or Magovern,
Councilor Magovern will be on the License Committee following tonight's meeting.
Anyway,we met,we discussed the issues and there is nothing in here that would prohibit
us from issuing the renewal for these licenses. We have before us, I would like to take
the first four if I may and consolidate them, if the Council so wishes. I would make a
motion that we consolidate Items 1, 2, 3, and 4 and I'll read them into record if the
Council so pleases.
President Rheault--You want to consolidate TO-61, -62, -63 and-64? Seconded by
Councilor Perry. All those in favor of moving? Ay. And you can go ahead and read the
• names into the record, Councilor Rossi.
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Councilor Rossi—Okay, Item would be TO-2009-61 an Order Granting or Renewing a
LICENSE for a Weekly Amusement Device(s)at Main Street Still, 1813 Main Street,Agawam.
• The second item is TO-2009-62 an Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Weekly
Amusement Device(s)at Polish American Club of Agawam, Inc., 139 Southwick Street. Item 3
is TO-2009-63 Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Weekly Amusement Device(s)for
F.S.F., Inc. d/b/a Riverboat Bar& Grill, 11 South End Bridge Circle. And Item 4 is TO-2009-64
an Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Weekly Amusement Device(s)at T.J.
Sporthouse, 1664 Main Street in Agawam.
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President Rheault—Moved by Councilor Simpson, seconded by Councilor Perry. Roll
call if you are in favor of the four licenses, vote yes if not vote no. Clerk,please call the
roll.
ROLL CALL —10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier)
President Rheault—With ten yes, one absent, you have approved the four licenses.
2. TO-2009-62 -Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Weekly
Amusement Device(s)—Polish American Club of Agawam,Inc., 139
Southwick Street,Feeding Hills,M.A. (Clerk)(Majority of those present and
voting)
See item 1 above.
3. TO-2009-63 -Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Weekly
Amusement Device(s)—F.S.F.,Inc.d/b/a Riverboat Bar& Grill, 11 South
End Bridge Circle,Agawam,MA.(Clerk)(Majority of those present and
voting)
See item 1 above.
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4. TO-2009-64 -Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Weekly
Amusement Device(s)—T.J. Sporthouse, 1664 Main Street,Agawam,MA.
(Clerk) (Majority of those present and voting)
See item 1 above.
5. TO-2009-65 -Order Granting or Renewing a Class II Dealer's LICENSE
—Auto Kraft, 119 Walnut Street,Agawam,MA.(Clerk)(Majority of those
present and voting)
President Rheault—Moved and seconded. Any further discussion? Councilor Rossi?
Councilor Rossi—Yes,the License Committee gives a favorable recommendation for
renewal.
President Rheault—Any further discussion? If not, will the Clerk please call the roll?
ROLL CALL—10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier)
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President Rheault—Ten yes, one absent, you have approved the license.
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6. TO-2009-66 -Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Weekly
Amusement Device(s)—Springfield Turnverein, 176 Garden Street,Feeding
Hills,MA.(Clerk)(Majority of those present and voting)
President Rheault—Councilor Rossi? Moved by Councilor Rossi, seconded by
• Councilor Perry. Councilor Rossi?
Councilor Rossi—Again,the Licensing Committee gives a favorable recommendation
for renewal and if it pleases the Council, I'd like to consolidate TO-2009-66 an Order
Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Weekly Amusement Device(s)for the Springfield
Turnverein, 176 Garden Street. Item TO-2009-67 an Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE
for a Weekly Amusement Device(s)for Tom-Weil Enterprises,LLC d/b/a Coach T's at 360
North Westfield Street,Feeding Hills.
President Rheault—Motion is to move -66 and-67 together, all those in favor of that?
• Ay. Any opposed? Any further discussion? Clerk,please call the roll.
ROLL CALL— 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor LeteRier)
President Rheault—With ten yes, one absent, you've approved the two licenses.
• 7. TO-2009-67 - Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Weekly
Amusement Device(s)—Tom-Weil Enterprises,LLC d/b/a Coach T's,360
North Westfield Street,Feeding Hills,MA.(Clerk)(Majority of those present
and voting)
• See Item 6 above.
Item]]. New Business
1. TR-2010-1 -A Resolution Confirming the Reappointment of Gary
Shannon,One Monarch Place,Suite 1900,Springfield,MA 01104 to the
Agawam Municipal Golf Commission for a Term Expiring December 31,
2012(Mayor)
President Rheault--This will appear on the next Agenda.
• 2. TR-2010-2 -A Resolution Confirming the.Reappointment of Anthony
Pioggia,III,20 Sharon Lane,Feeding Hills,MA.01030 to the Agawam
Municipal Golf Commission for a Term Expiring December 31,2012
(Mayor)
President Rheault—Next Agenda.
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3. TR-2010-3 -A Resolution Confirming the Reappointment of Dean
Godek,24 Cedar Knoll Drive,Feeding Hills,MA.01030 to the Agawam
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Municipal Golf Commission for a Term Expiring December 31,2012
(Mayor)
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President Rheault—Next Agenda.
4. TR-2010-4 -A Resolution Confirming the Reappointment of Gerald
Landry,71 Country Road,Agawam,MA 01001 to the Whiting Street and
Thomas Pyne Fund for a Term Expiring December 31,2012 (Mayor)
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President Rheault—Next Agenda.
5. TO-2010-1 -Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Weekly
Amusement Device(s)—Ray-Mor,Inc.d/b/a The Elbow,386 Walnut Street
Ext.,Agawam,MA.(Clerk)
President Rheault—Next Agenda.
6. TO-2010-2 -Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Weekly
Amusement Device(s)—J E H,Inc. d/b/a The Headquarters Bar&Grill,485
• Springfield Street,Agawam,MA.(Clerk)
President Rheault—Next Agenda.
7. TO-2010-3 -Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Weekly
Amusement Device(s)—Home Plate Sports Bar,827 Springfield Street,
Feeding Hills,MA. (Clerk)
President Rheault—Next Agenda.
8. TO-2010-4 -Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Weekly
• Amusement Device(s)—The Quest,Inc., 1251 River Road,Agawam,MA.
(Clerk)
President Rheault—Next Agenda.
. 9. TO-2010-5 -Order Granting or Renewing a Class H Dealer's LICENSE
—ACE Auto Sales, 1163 Main Street,Agawam,MA.(Clerk)
President Rheault—Next Agenda.
10. TO-2010-6 -Order Granting or Renewing a Class II Dealer's LICENSE
* _Elias Auto, 1123 Suffield Street,Agawam,MA.(Clerk)
President Rheault—Next Agenda. I would like all the above licenses to be referred to
the License Committee.
11. TR-2010-5 -A Resolution Amending TR-2008-48 Authorizing the
• Appropriation and Loan Order in the Amount of S3,730,000 for Phases Two
and Three for the Construction of Sanitary Sewers in the Town of Agawam
(Mayor)
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President Rheault--Next Agenda. I will send that to the Finance Committee with a
correction, it's incorrect by stating `majority of those present and voting'. It's a bond
application and to amend it you need two thirds vote and 2 readings so next meeting it
will show up as a first reading and second reading to follow. Just to remind the Council
that on the first meeting in February we'll have the appointment to the Board of Appeals
for the opening.
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Councilor Perry—Point of privilege, Mr. President? The last item under New Business,
I know you referred it to the Finance but wouldn't that also go to the Sewer Committee—
a joint meeting?
• President Rheault—Yes,thank you. It should also go to the Sewer, Ad Hoc Sewer
Committee, to Councilor Rossi.
Item 12. Any other matter that may legally come before the City Council.
President Rheault—I will start with you, Councilor Perry?
•
Councilor Perry—Nothing this evening, Mr. President. Thank you.
Councilor Messick—I have nothing this evening.
President Rheault—Thank you. Councilor Cichetti?
Councilor Cichetti—Nothing.
Councilor Walsh—Nothing.
• President Rheault—Nothing? All the way down, Councilor Bitzas?
Councilor Bitzas—Yes, one thing. I would like to congratulate all the voters of the
Town of Agawam in this special election for the Senate, 52%that went out to vote in the
• rain and cold. It is unbelievable...and...the republicans, independents, democrats, it's
great to have this and be part of a democratic system to have so many people out voting.
Congratulations to all. It was amazing. Thank you.
President Rheault—Thank you. Councilor Simpson?
• Councilor Simpson—Thank you. I just wish to,I know they don't hear this but our
thoughts are with the residents of Haiti and hopefully that everyone can find it in their
heart even if it's a dollar donation to make towards the fund. They had another what they
called an aftershock today which was 6.1, it's quite the aftershock and I know also just
locally Stop & Shop has gathered together with the Red Cross and you can easily make a
donation when you go in to buy your groceries. So hopefully the community will come
together and put a few funds towards that. Thank you.
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President Rheault—Thank you. Councilor Magovern?
• Councilor Magovern—Basically what I had to say has been said here by Councilor
Simpson and Councilor Bitzas,but I'm gonna just put my two cents worth in that it's
great to see a country come together behind the people of Haiti. It's a devastating need
down there as to what they've got to get and we've done a great job and I think I'd like to
see Agawam step forward and do something more than what's been done so far and
really show that we care about people outside of our own neighborhoods. And again I
think it was great that we had more people show up to vote in our special election than
we did in our own town election. It showed that people care about the process,that
democracy is alive and well in this town and in this state and congratulations to Senator-
elect Scott Brown. My prayers go with him. Thank you.
0 President Rheault—Thank you. Councilor Mineo?
Councilor Mineo—Nothing tonight,thank you.
President Rheault—Anything Councilor Rossi?
•
Councilor Rossi—Yes, I do. If you would Barbara, would you schedule a meeting next
week sometime at your convenience and maybe you could give Councilor Walsh a call to
see if maybe it's convenient for him to meet and set up a meeting for the Sewer
Committee Ad Hoc and if you would as well notify our civilian resident members and
• possibly have the joint meeting going on that? Okay? And maybe we could find out if
it's convenient for all the members of the committee to meet, okay? The other thing too
is on that in our haste to consolidate over here I don't know if I inadvertently left out the
name of Item S, the License Granting and Renewing for Auto Craft at 119 Walnut Street.
I wanted to make sure that got into the record. Okay. I didn't know. All right. Thank
you very much. And another thing I wanted to touch on and I maybe ask the Council
President and ask him to check on, I noticed these items under New Business for these
appointments,the first three items, ...come year, after year, after year, and a couple of
them and I know at least ....golf course. Don't we get any other applicants that apply for
this job or is this an automatic renewal every year? Just exactly how does that work? I
would like to find out..
President Rheault—It is the prerogative of the Mayor to reappoint or to select
somebody different if he is unhappy with the performance. So apparently he is happy
with the performance and that's we've got them in front of us. I'd be more than happy to
discuss it at my next meeting with him to see what his thoughts are on that. I've never
0 really addressed that issue to him.
Councilor Rossi—Well, yeah, I was just concerned but if that's his prerogative and I
don't want to step on that prerogative if that is, that's fine with me and why would it be
necessary for us to rubber stamp these year after year?
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President Rheault—The term expires that's why so we have to take an official vote to
confirm his appointment. All right.
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Councilor Perry—If I may, Mr. President, following on that I was gonna ask afterwards,
• but now that you brought it up Vice President Rossi, if you look at the first TR-2010-1
confirming the reappointment of Gary Shannon, he's got an address in Springfield. Is it a
requirement to be a resident of Agawam?
President Rheault—Is he a resident of Springfield?
•
Councilor Perry—Well everybody else has an Agawam address, this one says
Springfield, so I don't know if it's a requirement but when you ask just see if that is.
Thank you.
• President Rheault—When we have our discussion, I will find out. That's probably his
law practice. That concludes tonight's meeting. I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. So
moved. All those in favor? Opposed? We are now adjourned. Thank you and good
evening.
Adjournment.
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