CC MTG MINUTES JUNE 7 2010 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
June 7, 201
Due to technical difficulties during the evening, there are many sections of the
Minutes that were inaudible. Please accept the apologies of the City Council office.
• Thank you.
President Rheault — Good evening to the June 7, 2010 City Council Meeting. We're
starting a few moments late. It's now 7:10.
• Item 1. Citizen's Speak Time
President Rheault -- We have a few speakers that want to address the Council, the first
one being Kathy Shepard. Microphone stand, be sure the light is on, state your name and
address for the record.
•
Kathy Shepard—Yes, hi, good evening. I'm Kathy Shepard. I live at 184 Poplar Street
in Feeding Hills and most of you know me from the Advertiser but I'm not here tonight
for the paper. I'm here as a private citizen. I'm concerned about the resolution
recommending that Agawam and West Springfield share an Animal Control Officer. I
know that times are tight but it just seems that this is the wrong direction to go in. The
Agawam Animal Control Officer has more than enough to do just to cover Agawam. We
have situations now that are occurring where people move and leave their animals behind
in their houses. She has to figure out if she finds out about this where to put them. She
has to operate and work with non-profit organizations that can help her take in the
animals and place them. That's only a small part of her job. She's doing the dog
licenses. I just think our community is large enough and justifies a full-time Animal
Control Officer and more if we could do it which apparently we can't and sharing her
with West Springfield has another downside that I think will have a ripple affect
throughout both communities. West Springfield would have to terminate their contracts
with Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center and they won't take if
they don't have a contract with West Springfield, once that contract is terminated the
Animal Control Officer will not be able to use that facility. So for instance if
somebody's dog gets lost and she picks up that dog or she comes across an animal that's
hurt, she won't be able to take them to Thomas J. O'Connor any more. The other thing
about, I'm not even looking at my notes here, the other thing about Thomas J. O'Connor
• that has made it I think more than what people pay for, it's $2.60 per capita for people to
have that over in West Springfield and they're 24n so for an individual to substitute that
service I think would be impossible. Thomas J. O'Connor has backup people if they'll
go out if there's a fire for example if they're right behind the first responders so if
something happens they'll go out and they'll help get the animals out of the fire, maybe a
r domestic abuse situation, they'll get the animals and bring them to safety. We all
remember the kitties that were dumped in Bondi's? I think everybody remembers that in
the winter — that was Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center that
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went out and got them, rescued them, brought them to their facility, brought them back to
health, I think all three of them got adopted. I know two of them did and that's a service
that can't be provided if that town doesn't have their contract with West Springfield. So
to put, it's like trying to work with apples and oranges to, even if you could divide our
Animal Control Officer you know her hours in half and put her in West Springfield, she's
not gonna be able to reproduce those kinds of services. Just to get a cat euthanized now,
if you found a cat on the side of the road and it was injured, if you personally took it, it
cost $100; it costs at least $100. Most people don't have that kind of money. Emergency
services if a cat or a dog is found injured in the street and nobody knows who owns it,it's
like $125 to go into an emergency facility in the night and the closest places are Boston
Road or Deerfield so those are just some of the things that we're all facing and the bare
minimum service I think we have to have for our community is just at least a full-time
Animal Control Officer. There's just so many stories. I will have a story in Thursday's
paper so if you all will be kind enough to read it. I can get into more detail about why I
think this idea's bad.� I just think there's other ways that people could save money. I
think the budget could be re-worked and save and save that $25,000.00 some other way
and still have the service.
Clerk—One minute please.
Kathy Shepard - Okay. I'm all set. Thank you all very much.
President Rheault—Thank you. Aldo Mancini?
M
Aldo Mancini --Good evening. My name's Aldo Mancini, 482 South West Street and I
am the Chairman of the Veterans' Council. In recent weeks, there's been articles in the
Agawam Advertiser and they all seem to be one-sided so I figured the only place that we
can rebut anything that's in there is right here. The Mayor, the Mayor was mistaken
about how people have been appointed under his administration — Fran Curnow, myself,
Frank Mazzei, all appointed by Mayor Cohen were appointed through the process of the
Council interviewing us and being chosen by the Council and being recommended to the
Mayor for appointment. The other thing is what does the Agawam Veterans' Council
do? Some people seem to think that we counsel veterans but we don't, we're not
qualified to counsel veterans....what we do. The primary purpose of the Agawam
Veterans' Council is to work together in the best interest of and for the welfare of the
veterans of the Town of Agawam which I wish the Mayor would really head, to organize
and implement the Memorial Day activities in the Town of Agawam, to organize and
implement the Veterans' Day activities in the Town of Agawam and to assist in other
patriotic events and activities in Agawam during each year. We have stepped up and
we've done even more. We do work in the cemeteries. We flag the cemeteries. We've
done the street of flags. We try to get to veteran's funerals, wakes, some times it's not all
of us, sometimes it's only one of us that can get there but we try. Again, we do not
counsel veterans. We do have individuals that help veterans and guide them in the right
direction for whatever they might need. Frank has been with the DAV for years. Ron
Hamel's been the DAV for years and he's always open arms to help any veteran that
walks into his store. We have a Veterans' Agent, Richie Girard, even he can only do so
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much. It takes more than one person to help these people out. I'm with the Marine Corp
League out of Westfield and I have been for about ten-twelve years. I've been involved
in the Wounded Warriors Program, Wounded Marines Program which is Marines helping
Marines, that's why I gave you this little packet tonight. I've heard an awful lot of
speakers from that organization, they've come to our unit and they've talked to us. I've
talked to a number of parents that their sons and daughters have had, got help, from
Wounded Marines Program and they all say the same thing: after 9/11, before 9/11, the
Viet Nam veterans literally come out of the wood work and a lot of these guys were
sleeping giants because they went through it, they were very disgruntled because of what
happened during the 60's and 70's and how they were treated by their country and they
did not want to see these kids get treated the way they did and myself being one. I've
called Agents over in Springfield. I tried to re-up in the Marine Corp after 9/11 and when
we had veteran's Storm but I was too old. But the reason I'm telling you this and the
reason I gave you that packet is we're involved in that, we help the families get to their
children whatever hospital they're at, we help them financially, we can't help them by
counseling them but we can help them financially and in closing if anybody has an idea
of anything, we're here to help. If you want to do something on your own, that's fine. If
you want me to help, I can help you. I can get service people to come, whatever idea's
! you guys have, we can do and the last thing real quick here, this Veterans' Day Parade,
this was my first year of taking over the parade. Chris Sanchez has done it in the years
past and I talked with him on many occasions. I wanted to try and do it right. I did make
a few mistakes but we always have a meeting after the parade. Our first meeting is to sit
down and we scrutinize ourselves. We try to figure out what we did wrong, what we can
! make better and hopefully we move forward and we do a better job. Thank you.
President Rheault—Thank you. Alan Griffin?
Alan Griffin— Hi. My name's Alan Griffin and I'm at 104 North Street, Agawam. The
! reason why I come down here to talk about the Dog Officer. We should have more dog
officers that's doing a wonderful job like she is. She's out there busting her butt, taking a
chance, getting ripped up, getting ripped apart, here we are we want to put her on part-
time? That's definitely wrong. She needs a paycheck just like you and I do and anybody
else does. We take that away from her. That's you know, really, that's not right at all,
you know? So I think she needs all the help in the world, you know and I think we
oughta give it to her you know cuz hey, she's a nice person. I talked to her. I think she's
a wonderful person and she's doing a wonderful job and you know like I said I would
recommend her to stay on full time even if we have to use her Saturdays and Sundays
because hey I'll tell you what, there's plenty of dogs running loose and running around
and you know she's doing the best job for our city. So why not keep her on full time?
Not take it away from her. Understand what I'm saying? And so forth. She's got a
family herself. She's just like you and I are. We're all working for a living. We're all
trying to make a living. We're trying to do things right. So let's do things right for her,
you know. Help her out you know cuz she needs it. Just like anybody else does, you
know? So hey it's your heart out there if you want to turn her down, it's your heart that
you got to feel guilty about, you know what I mean? And so forth so that's what I want
to say about that there. But there is something else that I want to bring up about my goats
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and so forth. There's a certain councilor which I did find out a lot of information and I'm
very, very displeased with him. He lied to me and so forth. I'm not gonna mention his
name but he was on the Police Force and I'm very, very upset about it and you don't lie
to a person. You know you got a problem; you come and talk to me, Not behind my
back. I mean there's other things I found out too, You know, it's all gonna come to the
end. It's gonna come to the end soon. So you know about it, we all know about it so
that's all I'm gonna say. Thank you very much. Have a good day.
•
President Rheault--Thank you. Joann McGeoghan?
Joann McGeoghan — Good evening Councilors and everyone. Joanne McGeoghan, 75
Christopher Lane, Feeding Hills. I'm here tonight to thank the Town for everything you
have done. I am standing here as a proud parent of seven children that have all graduated
from the Agawam school system. Everything that you have provided as a community as
a whole has helped me to raise my children and to mold them into the fine, young adults
they have become. My oldest son graduated in the late 90's— '97 —with George Bitzas'
son and some other people and he is now coaching at the University of South Florida. He
went back and got his degree from the University of Maine after being four years in the
• NFL. A lot of that has to do with what this town helped provide. My second, my
daughter, is a traveling RN, successfully completed four years at the University of New
Hampshire. Both of those children had full scholarships. My third child who graduated
from WNEC has now continued on to get a second degree as an RN and he'll graduate in
an accelerated nursing program next year. My fourth child, I was told in kindergarten
and thank you again for Agawam in listening and caring and going outside of the box and
doing things that were very unique and coming up with the whole language-based
program cuz at the end of his kindergarten year I was told by his kindergarten teacher
"He's a fine boy but he'll never amount to anything. He doesn't have the brain." He
graduated last year from WPI with a scholarship and continued on to get his Master's and
has two more courses in an accelerated graduate program from WPI. My next child
graduated from STCC with honors and has continued on to UMass in an honor's program
and is doing a dual major. He is in his junior year. My sixth child is on a scholarship at
the University of Maine. She's entering her junior year. Again, thank you to the
community for letting her succeed in her track abilities, outside of the box, outside of the
• high school as well. My last child graduated yesterday and now I am done with the
Agawam Public Schools. He will continue on a scholarship to St. Anselm's in New
Hampshire and again thank you to the schools for providing a fine athletic program. He
received a football scholarship. Anything that this community has helped in any way I
thank you deeply from the bottom of my heart. It is made me be able to be the mother
. that I have wanted and strived to be in giving my children all of the abilities to continue
in their dreams and hopefully they too will come back and pay back and thank you.
Thank you and have a good evening. (APPLAUSE)
President Rheault—Thank you. Frank Mazzei?
• Frank Mazzei -- Frankie Mazzei, 476 Springfield Street in Feeding Hills. I'd like start
off by thanking all of you that came out for Memorial Day to show your honor, to show
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your respect for all those that have fallen and for all those that weren't able to come home
and that we all gave a chance to honorably memorialize there. I'd also like to thank all of
you for your strong support throughout all the years that we have been allowed to be
volunteers to put forth in our community what is so dear in our heart. The Veterans'
Council it's true, has not been getting a fair shot from the paper or from the Mayor on a
lot of issues that's going on and a lot of mistruths are being dispelled out there. We do
span quite a few eras and years on the Veterans' Council starting from World War II, we
won't mention the age because she doesn't allow us to and all the way up to the Gulf War
and in between. We've had people from every era that has served on the Council but the
whole time there were no barriers between anybody, any other branch of service or the
time they served. What was common is we all raised our hand in the time to say"I do"to
put our life on the line for our country and for our community and for our beliefs. We
served our time. The majority of us were allowed to come home and live normal lives.
Some of us bear physical scars for all of you to see. There are many in the past and
present, more so present now, that are coming home with the invisible scars that we have
to deal with. The Veterans' Council itself does not help with counseling or healing as
Aldo has said but individuals within the Council through their various outside activities
such as a DAV or working with the VA and with the Veterans' Agent as well help find
these people the right home to get their assistance. It's not through the Veterans' Council
that that happens. That's a veteran helping a veteran. That's a big difference and as a
Veterans' Council or Councilor, we cannot wear that tag to say here's the helping hand,
let me give you what you need. Our main goal has always been the community and
nothing but the community. We were allowed the privilege to come home and serve in
! what we believed in and show our community our thanks and at the same time by
showing respect for those in the past, the present and the future and there are no barriers
among any of the individuals on that Council. In the community that I was raised in, I
couldn't go back home to. They don't allow us to fly the flag there. Yea, we all know
what community that is. It's right up the road. It's a college town and I was able to find
a home here where I was allowed to be who I was. I was allowed—was—allowed to be a
proud Veteran of our country and our community. I might have gotten fired. I might
have gotten removed. He can step on my and kick me. He will never take away my
pride or my Beliefs and all he does is make me stronger in showing that I can fly that flag
no matter where I stand or in my case where I sit but again I'd like to thank all of you
especially my fellow brothers and sisters that have served that sit here on the Council and
for all of you to come out and show honor and respect for all those that weren't able to
come home. Thank you.
President Rheault—Thank you. Vinny Tirone?
! Vinny Tirone—Vinny Tirone, 396 Meadow Street. I just wanted to applaud all the City
Council members week after week continuing to vote in the way that they should. It's
doing the right thing and I hope that as time goes on and perhaps the support in this room
dwindles on this particular issue because it's been overplayed, I would think you guys
would continue to do the right thing. And I think that the Veterans' Council is more than
capable of choosing if they need additional members, choosing their leaders. They are
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veterans and they are all volunteers on their own free will. So again I just wanted to
applaud all the members on the City Council. Thank you.
•
President Rheault--Thank you. Forrest Bradford?
Forrest Bradford — Hello everyone. Forrest Bradford, 21 Oxford Street, Agawam.
There's two issues I want to speak on. One does have to do with the Veterans' Council
and I would say when I came here two weeks ago I wasn't really pleased with behavior
that happened. An attack was done on a councilman who's sitting up here who has given
a lot of himself to this town and everywhere where you go in this town you can see
something that this councilman has done and that is George Bitzas. Yes, he is a friend of
mine. Am I biased? Probably but I don't know anyone who is more friendly and more
• kind and I think that was a wrong approach. He does not have to be watched by
somebody sitting next to him. Donald Rheault brought up an issue about how he was
attacked and thought that that was unfair and I did too. Donald Rheault I've known for a
very long time and he's absolutely honest when he says that he has an open door policy
and you can go talk to him at any time. I think there's times when councilmen have to
look at each other and say you are all there, you wanted to be elected, you wanted to help
the community and you are and there's a time when you've got to understand there may
be a need for supporting other council people and our Mayor. Our Mayor is Jewish and
when I first came back from Maui I thought I was in Mississippi because I heard remarks
like "Get that Jew out of our town". Some of the people that I'm friends with I don't
particularly care for their behavior when they spread false rumors or misbehave and I
• would like to say I don't know of George really dogging people or being mean at all. I
just know him to be a great person, someone who cares for this community, one of the
most patriotic people I've ever met and on this issue, they're simply asking to now extend
the number of people on the Veterans' Council and I think it's time for people to say"Let
it happen. Let it go. Move on we've got more important issues." The second issue that
• I'm here for is more important in my opinion and that has to do with global warming, oil,
the spill in the Gulf of Mexico and what we can do here in Agawam to make a difference
on that change. Sometimes it seems hopeless when you look at the globe and you look at
little Agawam, what can Agawam do? Well we have before us today an issue about
adopting a Stretch Energy Code and I don't know of another better plan out there and if
we don't accept this and show the community and our town, the children in this town,
that we are serious about their future, I don't think there's somebody else who's gonna
come up with one. So I would like to ask all of you to please support that and I would
like to ask the public of Agawam to understand that we're all people, yes we have a
Jewish Mayor, that doesn't make a difference. We are not a racist community. We are
above that and I would like to say also that those people that do put rumors out there,
understand that they don't hold up in court. So please don't bring an issue of a rumor in
front of the Council and make it an attack based on a rumor because most rumors as we
know are a little blown out of proportion. Thank you very much.
President Rheault—Thank you. The final speaker is Ruth Carr Bitzas.
•
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Ruth Carr Bitzas — Is this on? Thank you. My name is Ruth Carr Bitzas as you know
most of you and I reside at 93 Dogwood Lane here in Agawam, lived in Agawam for 53
• years, it's been my home since I was 20 years old. I am a wartime era veteran of the
United States Air Force, served three years and I'm honorable discharged. I served as
Director/Agent of Western Hampden District from 1984 until April of 2000. I was
named most outstanding Veterans' Agent in 1994 by the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts by Commissioner Thomas Hudner, a Medal of Honor recipient and I was
number one Agent in the State of Massachusetts in 1999. 1 was voted by the State
Association of Veterans' Agents at their summer conference. I'm here this evening to
hopefully clarify some of the information regarding the Agawam Veterans' Council and
support an increase in the number of members on the Veterans' Council. On January 16,
1991, I sent a letter to Mayor Johnson as Veterans' Agents at the time; on January 161h I
• sent a letter to Mayor Johnson explaining our need for a Veterans' Council. I needed
help. My assistant Diane and I were really carrying the load of doing the Memorial Day
Parade, notifying all of you of the parade which we always tried to do. It was just a little
bit, getting to be a little bit too much for us and I saw some things go on that I didn't like
and I said well I don't care, I'm getting myself a Veterans' Council and I did. So I talked
to the Mayor. I followed up with a visit to his office to explain the plight of not enough
help for Memorial Day and other veterans' programs. He agreed with me and on
February 4, 1991 the City Council approved the Resolution for a Veterans' Council in
Agawam. I don't want to be too wordy but I usually am. I put an article in the Agawam
Advertiser News and several veterans came forward. I had them send a letter of interest
to the Mayor's office. The applicants were interviewed in the Mayor's office by Mayor
• Johnson and myself I told him that I wanted members who are willing to work for our
veterans. The Mayor selected four members and decided that the duly appointed
Director/Agent of Western Hampden District shall be the fifth member. So the Veterans'
Agent of Agawam is a member of the Veterans' Council. The Resolution reads that
members shall be honorable discharged veterans appointed by the Mayor and confirmed
by the Town Council. There was never a standard procedure that the Mayor consult with
the Chairman of the Veterans' Council before making appointments. In 18 years as
Director/Agent and Veterans' Council member this never happened. It's set up as Mayor
appointing officer and City Council as confirming his selection — that's it. Advertiser
News page 10, May 20th, indicated that Chris Sanchez had not sent the Mayor a letter
advising that he wanted to continue on the Veterans' Council as a Veteran Council
member and Frank Mazzei was not appointed at all as he was already involved in
according to the paper, already involved in many other issues, other town committees. I
spoke to Frankie Mazzei following the Memorial Day ceremonies and he explained that
he only serves on the Disability Commission and they don't meet very often is what he
• told me. He was an asset to the Veterans' Council and I hope he'll be reappointed.
Regarding Chris Sanchez he attended our Memorial Day ceremonies about 11 or 12 years
ago. He came up to me to tell me how he liked the way we honored our veterans. He
had recently arrived home from Iraq and he hoped he could help out. I told him I thought
an opening would be coming up soon and to send a letter of interest to the Mayor
indicating his interest to serve. He did and was soon appointed. Chris did a great job.
• He is extremely organized and he gets things done. I was glad to have him on the
Council as a member and then as Chairman. He took over, organized everything, lined
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up the parade, had everybody in place. I mean it was just, he's just very good at all that
and I think he should have been on the Veterans' Council. I know the past year has been
different for Chris and Debbie
President Rheault—Excuse me Ruth. I'm notified that your time is up.
Ruth Carr Bitzas--I'd like to finish if I could,
•
Councilor Letellier-Motion to extend the speaker's time.
President Rheault — That's all right. Moved by Councilor Letellier, seconded by
Councilor Perry. All those in favor? Okay, you can continue. Just procedure.
Ruth Carr Bitzas — I know it's a lot but I think it's important to hear. Thank you. As I
said I had a year like Chris did last year, many years ago and I know the hurt. I would
like to see both Chris and Frankie on the Veterans' Council as well as Todd Crevier and
Rielly Longtin, the four of them. I have the honor of being the first honorary member of
the Agawam Veterans' Council confirmed by the City Council in April of 2000 when I
retired. Priscilla Peterson is also an honorary member. The only difference in our
positions on the Veterans' Council is that we are not voting members by law. We may
speak and attend meetings and speak about the subjects concerning veterans but may not
vote. One must be an appointed and confirmed member to vote. Regarding TOR-2010-2
which you'll be discussing tonight, I encourage and hope our City Council members and
• all the controversy going on by increasing the number of Veterans' Council members to
11, I believe this will make a great change. This would allow for the appointment of
Todd Crevier, Rielly Longtin, Chris Sanchez and Frankie Mazzei. So that's it for me. I
hope that you will think clearly and follow your heart. There's been a lot of things going
on here. I've been watching it on the TV. I've been reading it in the paper and it's
# discouraging. The Mayor is the appointing authority. Chris Johnson was the appointing
authority and the Veterans' Agent - never was the Chairman of the Veterans' Council
interviewing everybody — that did not happen. Not in the 18 years I was there. So I
would like to see you make a good decision on this tonight for your first reading and get
this problem behind us. I know that there's hard feelings and everything but it's time to
• let go. Sometimes it's time to let go and do the right thing and get back to business. The
Veterans' Council has done a wonderful job. It's one of the best things I ever did for the
town, is to have a Veterans' Council and I can honestly say when I attended all their
meetings when I was the Agent, we weren't fighting all the time. There's no reason for
all this business. So it's all anger. Anger is not a good thing. It's a good thing to get rid
• of if you have it. So thank you very much and I hope you'll do that for us.
President Rheault—Thank you.
Item 2. Roll Call
President Rheault—Barbara, would you call the roll please?
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ROLL CALL—11 PRESENT
• President Rheault—Eleven present, we have a quorum.
Item 3. Moment of Silence and the Pled e o Alle fiance
•
President Rheault—Please rise for a moment of silence and Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 4. Minutes
! (a) Regular Council Meeting—May 17,2010
President Rheault—Moved by Councilor Perry, seconded by Councilor Letellier.
Councilor Letellier—I didn't second. I have to abstain.
0 President Rheault — I'm sorry, Councilor Messick seconded. Any corrections or
additions? If not, voice vote is sufficient. All those in favor? Opposed? Two
abstentions—Councilor Letellier and Councilor Perry.
•
Item S. Declaration from Council President
None
Item b. Presentation of Petitions,Memorials & Remonstrances
• (a) Resolutions
1. TR-2010-29 - Reappointment of Richard Bennett representing the
Historic Commission on the CPA Committee for a term expiring April 30, 2013
(Council)
• President Rheault— Moved by Councilor Bitzas, seconded by Councilor Simpson. Any
discussion? Councilor Bitzas?
Councilor Bitzas — Yes, I know Richard very well and we've served on a few
committees and he's been doing a great job and I hope the Council reappoints him.
•
President Rheault — Barbara, would you please call the roll? If you're in favor of the
appointment—
ROLL CALL— I I YES, 0 NO
•
President Rheault—Eleven yes, you have confirmed the reappointment.
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Item 7_Report of CouncU Committees
i None.
Item & Elections
•
None.
Item 9. Public Hearings
i 1. TR-2010-24(PH-2010-2)-A Resolution Adopting the"Stretch Energy
Code"for the City of Agawam (Councilor Messick)
President Rheault — I declare the public hearing open. Anthony, are you prepared to
make a presentation somehow?
(off microphone)
President Rheault—You'll need a microphone there.
Anthony Sylvia--Thank you for taking this hearing on the Council Agenda, I appreciate
i it. My name is Anthony Sylvia. I'm the Public Works Director but I'm also the Chair of
the Energy Commission. Tonight we're having a public hearing on one of five criteria
where the town is pursuing becoming a green community. This particular item is an
effort to adopt the Stretch Energy Code. It is a code that is optional and would enable
construction to be more energy efficient in its construction. With me this evening is
i Catherine Ratte from the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and Dan Hellyer from the
Town of East Longmeadow. He is the Building Official there. These good people are
well versed in this Stretch Code and are here to give a presentation to the best of their
ability lacking AV implements and answering questions that the Council or the public
may have. Thank you.
i Catherine Rattc — Is it all right if we just stay sitting? Okay. Thanks Anthony and
thank you very much for having us here. As Anthony said I'm Catherine Ratte. I work at
the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and we've been providing assistance to a
number of our communities in Hampden and Hampshire Counties to help them meet the
five criteria to be designated a green community. Six of our municipalities achieved the
designation this past May and as Anthony pointed out achieving or adopting the Stretch
Code is one of five criteria that you have to achieve to be designated a green community.
I'm not sure if I should go into detail of the other five but the other four but basically
Agawam is well along the way in achieving those other four and those are all actions that
--you have the two zoning pieces already in place and then the staff are working on the
• 20% reduction plan and a baseline inventory of your energy use so the difficult hurdle is
adoption of the Stretch Code which obviously falls on your shoulders.
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President Rheault—Excuse me, if I may, I failed to state that you've got ten minutes to
present if that will help.
•
Catherine Ratte — Oh, okay, so I'll talk quickly. So we wanted to get you through the
basics of the Stretch Code. It is an optional amendment to your local building code. It's
totally optional. It's up to you to adopt it. If you choose to adopt it, it will become your
Building Code. It's an optional amendment to the State Building Code that makes all
• new building, fifteen percent more energy efficient than the standard and Dan's gonna
explain all the details but I just want to emphasize that it's optional and I have handouts—
Dan's gonna go through some of the basics and then we're gonna come to the cost
questions because that's a big question for everybody is—how much is this gonna add to
the cost for new construction. We're in a down time obviously in our economy and that's
a burden so he'll go through some of the details and then we'll come back to the cost.
But we have cost estimates from the state. Essentially it adds about $3,000.00 to the
upfront cost however you're producing energy efficient buildings which is much less
expensive to operate so it saves you on your utility bills and we have been in
conversation with local banks in the region who are willing to loan more money to cover
the extra costs of building an energy efficient home to property owners, to home owners
• so they can cover that extra cost and live in an energy efficient house where they can run
it for less over the lifetime of that property. So, Dan?
Dan Hellyer -- Good evening. My name is Dan Hellyer, East Longmeadow,
Massachusetts. I'm gonna speak briefly on the Stretch Energy Code. What the Stretch
• Energy Code does is establish guidelines for improved building efficiency. This was
approved by the Board of Building Regulations and Standards back in May of 2009. It's
an appendix to the Massachusetts State Building Code which requires adoption by the
governing body. What it does is it takes residential and commercial and it puts it, it gives
it more efficient houses and more efficient buildings. The residentials are three stories or
less which is considered residential and there's a home energy rating system testing that's
required for this. This cost is approximately $1200.00—anywhere from $900 to $1200—
in which they partner up with Energy Star which reduces it down to $250.00 for the cost
of the HERS rater. A home over 3000 square feet requires a HERS index of 65 or less.
That's saying that it's 35% better than the standard that's set by the Commonwealth of
• Massachusetts as a guideline. When you get into the smaller houses, they require a 70,
which is 30%. The current, the energy code that goes into affect as of July l" has a
standard on it that's about 82% efficient, a HERS rate of approximately 82. As far as
renovations go, it really doesn't say much different than what's in the new code that starts
as of July I". It does give a little more guidance than the code. It says that if you open a
• wall up and there's no insulation, you have to put it into the thickness of the wall which
would be an R13 for a 2x4 wall and an R19 for a 2x6 wall. The energy code that we're
using, the 2009, requires an R20 in the walls but in both aspects it really doesn't, it
doesn't show much difference. So the remodelers and the people doing the additions, the
additions are gonna see a little more increase because you have to follow the wall
thickness. As of July I" all walls have to be 2x6 walls or they can be 2x4 walls with a
i continuous insulation on the outside. The Stretch Energy Code requires performance
testing. This is done by a HERS rater. Currently there is I believe around twenty HERS
# 11
raters in the greater Western Mass area. They all work for a certain company. There are
other companies in Connecticut, New Hampshire and also in the eastern part of
! Massachusetts. Okay, I'll go slightly into the commercial aspect of it. Commercial is for
buildings over 100,000 square feet only require performance option which says that the
energy modeling is 20% below ...90.127, that's what the architect... codes. There are
special cases and that's with buildings with unusual energy demands which include
supermarkets, warehouses, laboratories, over 40,000 square feet once again, it's the same
as over 100,000 for a standard building. There are incentives. There are rebates and
there's tax credits. There's all types if people go onto the energy star website, they'll find
products that you can put in your house that reduces your energy plus it gives you
rebates. An example of a commercial cost savings I have here, it takes a mid-sized office
building in Warwick, Rhode Island, they had additional construction costs of$91,000.00
and annual energy savings of$29,000.00. National Grid provided rebates of$63,000.00
reducing the initial cost to $28,000.00 for a one year payback in energy savings. Why are
we doing this? Building operations alone, the heating, cooling, lighting, hot water, and
plug load account for 43 % of the carbon dioxide emissions and 76% of the US energy
consumption plus we emit green house gases which we're trying to reduce and we're
• saving on our national resources and the efficiency equates out to cash savings.
Catherine Ratte— So a big change obviously if you adopt the Stretch Code is that when
people build new homes or new commercial construction that requires the greater level of
energy efficiency, it has to tested. So in the past when you built a home, you could say
it's energy efficient and if you chose to do Energy Star, get a certification from the EPA
! then you knew that it was in fact energy efficient but if you didn't choose to get that
certification there was no proof so you know it's like a car without a miles per gallon,
you could say that it was efficient but you don't actually know that. So if you adopt the
Stretch Code and you do this HERS rating — HERS stands for Home Efficiency Rating
System —then you will know that you are living in an energy efficient home because it
! will be tested and you will actually have that evidence of the test. Now, the thing about
the Stretch Code is it doesn't tell you how to achieve that Ievel of efficiency so you can
do it in different ways depending on your building. You could choose to have an
extremely efficient furnace for example or an extremely efficient heating system or you
could put in more insulation or you could put in really good windows so there are
different ways that you can achieve the level of energy efficiency so it allows creativity
and innovation on the part of the builder but it does have to achieve this level of energy
efficiency. So it's not telling you exactly what to do. It gives you a range of things but
you have to achieve a level of energy efficiency. Do you want to add anything else? So
you want to talk about the cash flow briefly? Do you want to look at the handout? So
this is a modeling cash flow analysis that was produced by the Massachusetts Department
of Energy Resources and it's done on page one is just an overview of the basics. If you
go to page two, this is a baseline home of 2600 square feet and you can see that the IECC
2009 code is the code is the code that Dan referred to as going into affect on July I"
With the Stretch Code, the additional cost the additional improvement costs you can see
in that second column is $2049.00. You have to spend approximately $900.00 to pay for
the HERS rater and so you end up with this additional cost of $2949.00 for total
improvement costs. Now if you get the Energy Star rating, then that cost for the HERS
! 12
rater is paid back to the builder so then your additional up front costs are reduced and so
you have the total improvement costs of$1755.00 that's why you have those different up
• front costs and then you can see right there it's explaining how if you have your annual
cash flow is improved by $293.00 with the Stretch Code, without Energy Star and
$389.00 with Energy Star because of the savings that you're getting on your utility bills.
Y
Dan Hellyer—As a Building Official, I'm seeing a lot of different houses being built but
• most of the aspects is they're building to the standard especially with the heating systems
to a higher efficiency so for them to achieve this, it may not cost them as much as it
shows in there. This is doing a comparison of what the minimal requirement is. We used
a lot of gas furnaces in there, hot air gas furnaces, and right now I'm not seeing anything
less than a 90% efficiency even though the energy code under the federal guidelines says
it only has to be 78% efficient but you won't find a 78% efficient heating system
anymore. Everybody goes after whatever they can save for the best for energy. So as far
as the builders go, it's pretty close to,most of them are pretty close to being there. I have
a builder right now that's building a 3600 square foot house, not under the Stretch Energy
Code, but his HERS rating coming out of the gate with 2x4 walls was a 70. They require
. 65. If he had gone 2x6 walls, he would have made the 65 right off the gate with very
little or no changes whatsoever.
Catherine Ratte—So finally just to wrap up the City of Springfield, the City of Holyoke,
the City of East Hampton, the City of Northampton have all adopted the Stretch Code as
has the Town of Palmer and the Town of Belchertown in our region as well as 29 other
• communities across the Commonwealth. So you would not be the only community that
was taking this step. Your neighboring communities have already taken this step so if
you're concerned about driving residential development away; your neighbors are already
moving in this direction. We'd love to answer any questions you might have.
President Rheault—Time. Any questions from the Council?
Councilor Bitzas—I have a question. If somebody sells his home to somebody else does
she or he have to make the house to a code before they sell it? Any affect to that?
Dan Hellyer - No, it's just when you first build the house that's when it first goes into
affect or when you do changes to the house. Then it depends if you're going to a higher,
more efficient furnace, you have to reach that area.
Councilor Bitzas —Okay.
! Dan Hellyer-But no changes to an existing house.
Councilor Bitzas -- Yea, some people they were concerned about what about if they sell
the house and the elderly people they can't afford to make changes.
Dan Hellyer-No, no changes whatsoever.
13
Councilor Bitzas—Thank you.
• President Rheault—Councilor Letellier?
Councilor Letellier — Yes, thank you for your presentation and for your handout. I
found the handout to be very helpful. If I'm reading this handout correctly because a lot
of what the Building Officer said is quite frankly over my head, even though there are
additional upfront costs you're saying that within that first year of operation the reduction
in energy costs pays for the upfront costs and then some, it looks like. Is that accurate?
Catherine Ratte —No, it, it's your annual cash flow because of the reduced savings that
` would be based on an annual mortgage payment.
Councilor Letellier — All right so you're saying that under the Stretch Code and the
Stretch Code with Energy Star, you'll save $293 on your—okay. So can you explain the
chart a little better then? Okay.
Catherine Ratte— Do you want to talk it through? Okay, so, it's adding the 2949 or the
total improvement costs—
Councilor Letellier—I understand that.
Catherine Ratte — Okay, then if you're getting your mortgage at 6% with 30 years, your
• annual incremental mortgage payment is $214
Councilor Letellier—Right. So you're saying that it'll cost $214.00 more a year to pay
back the initial 2000 or 2900 of upfront costs.
0 Catherine Ratti — Right. Well, if you borrowed the extra 2949 on your 30 year
mortgage, it's gonna be $214 but your annual energy costs are reduced so it ends up
you're paying less, it's not paying for itself but the payment is less because you've spread
the cost out over your 30 year mortgage, if that makes sense.
i Councilor Letellier —No, I understand that. I guess what I'm trying to say this annual
cash flow you're saying is positive; I want the public to understand how this saves them
money in the end. So how do you come out with the figure of $293 as your annual
positive cash flow is what I'm not figuring out?
0 Dan Hellyer— That would be the difference between the annual energy savings from the
baseline less the annual incremental mortgage payment.
Councilor Letellier — So my initial assumption was correct then, you actually end up
getting more money back than you're paying toward it.
0 Dan Hellyer-You actually end up with a positive cash flow. Exactly right.
14
Councilor Letellier—That's what I said initially, okay. But let me summarize it for the
public and you tell me if my summary is accurate. Does that work?
•
Dan Hellyer-Yes.
Councilor Letellier — So you're saying that under this initial Stretch Code you're
projected to save energy of$507.00 a year. So for the $214.00 a year extra it's gonna
cost you on your mortgage, you're still making out ahead$293.00.
Dan Hellyer-That's correct.
Councilor Letellier—Okay. I think the public needs to understand that. Thank you.
Dan Hellyer — And as far as that goes, this column right here, if you were to build to a
standard, you'd build and partner up with Energy Star so you'd be using the far column
because you would be foolish not to reap the $1200 benefit from it.
Councilor Letellier — In that case, you're actually making out better. I just wanted to
make sure if I was understanding it so we could explain it to the public correctly. All
right thank you.
(WE APOLOGIZE FOR TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES)
• Councilor Walsh — Okay, I guess before we lost our voice, I guess my question was my
understanding was that if somebody puts an addition on their house, this is gonna be
covered by the Stretch Code. Now my concern is going to be we've had some
tremendous winds recently supposing a tree comes down and does major damage to
someone's house now they're not going to be putting an addition on but they want to
bring it back to where it was, are they going to required to go under the Stretch Code?
Dan Hellyer —No, it would be existing, what it was at the time. If they were to put an
addition on, then they would have to meet the requirements or actually they would have
to meet the requirement of this Code because the Stretch Code bounces you into this
Code but other than that if there was damage to the house it would fall under anyways
under another law that protects people from that.
Catherine Ratte—Yea, and I just wanted to clarify for the renovation piece, the Stretch
Code does not require a performance test for the renovations so there should be no
• additional cost. Because the Massachusetts Building Code is going up to the 2009
National Energy Conservation Code as of July I", the Stretch Code refers back to that
code for renovations so there should be no additional cost for renovations if you adopt the
Stretch Code.
Councilor Walsh—Thank you.
•
President Rheault—Councilor Messick?
40 15
Councilor Messick — Hi. Thank you for your presentation. I have a couple questions.
The first one is you briefly covered the five requirements that Agawam has been working
on to become designated a green community,what would be the reason we would want to
be a green community?
Catherine Rath — Well, you might want to be a green community because you want to
be green, because you want to conserve energy and help your property owners save
money in that reference of green. The Massachusetts legislature in 2008 created and
passed the Green Communities Act and the staff the State Department of Energy
Resources has been figuring out what that legislative act means for the last couple years
and what the Commonwealth has decided to do is to take all of the money that we get by
participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative which is the basically it's a cap
and trade program that we have in the northeastern part of the country with Canadian
provinces where polluters, you pay for the right to pollute and the money goes into a fund
and so that fund gives Massachusetts approximately $10 - $13 million a year to spend on
green initiatives and the Commonwealth legislature have decided to take that money and
give it out to the communities that achieve the green communities designation and so this
0 year there's over $8 million that has just recently been awarded to the 35 communities
that have achieved the designation this first round. The City of Springfield received
about $989,000.00 and then other communities received lesser amounts. But so the
benefit of achieving the green communities' designation is that you're one of the few
communities in the Commonwealth that can compete for those funds and you just, you
• have to write a grant obviously and then you get funding to implement your energy
efficiency plan or to do whatever it is that you want to do for your community to make
yourselves greener or save your residents or your property owners money on their energy
bills or generate, perhaps generate some power from clean renewable sources. So the big
incentive is you're eligible for funding and it's not a tax, a local tax, it's money that is
coming to the Commonwealth through participation in the regional green house gas
initiative—the Regi Fund if you've heard of that.
President Rheault—Councilor Perry?
Councilor Perry—Yes, thank you. Through the chair to Dan, East Longmeadow, is that
where you work?
Dan Hellyer—That's correct.
Councilor Perry—And you are the Building Inspector there?
Dan Hellyer—That's correct.
Councilor Perry—Okay. I guess my question is if we adopt this as a Building Inspector
are you the one that's enforcing maintaining the code or if builders have brought it up to
0 those standards or is it up to this whatever it is certification program?
16
Dan Hellyer — Well it doesn't take any of the responsibility away from the Building
Official nor does it add any more of workload for him. The builder of the dwelling or the
architect of record will be submitting that type of documentation to the Building Official.
However the Building Official decides how they want to handle it, if they want to see the
HERS rating contract up front or they want to wait to see the HERS rating when they do
it is entirely up to the Building Official. The Building Official still has to go out and the
inspection as if it was an Energy Star rated home. I do that and in fact I see that before
the HERS rater actually comes in and then that's at the point I see the structural plus I see
all the gaps in the outside walls which I have them seal up. The HERS rater doesn't
come in until after the insulation is in and then once again they come in after the drywall
is in and they do there blower door test to check to see if it meets the standard which it
does, it always does because they've already done a thorough check on it.
Councilor Perry—And if it fails this test what would happen?
Dan Hellyer — That's a good question. They would have to make it up somehow by
either adding additional insulation to the attic in order to, because that would change the
number so the HERS rating would, if they obtained a 68 and they require a 70 and all of a
sudden they didn't do very well in a blower test which the HERS raters want to make
sure that they do make it anyways that's why the inspections are done prior to that but in
that case they would have to maybe add some insulation to the attic or add some
insulation to a floor or something or add some insulation somewhere or maybe even
possibly change the efficiency of the furnace or the hot water heater.
•
Councilor Perry - ...limited industrial space left in our community...over to our
Industrial Park off of Silver Street, the majority of the growth there would be additions to
companies, if a company was to add on 10,000 square feet to their building or 100,000
square feet now would they number one I know the addition would have to be...{audio
difficulties)-the rest of the building be held up to these standards?
Dan Hellyer — The only thing that could possibly change in that would be their heating
system and heating and cooling system, that they would have to add on to it in order to
make it, to change it out to make it a more efficient heating system or cooling system, an
HVA system then possibly that would have somewhat of an affect on it.
Councilor Perry— What would the test of the heat be done on the whole building or just
the renovation?
Dan Hellyer — There's no testing required on a commercial building. It would be done
through the architect, he would be the one who met the standard and say it would have to
be 20%better.
Councilor Perry—than the whole building?
Dan Hellyer—The whole building,they do it by modeling,they, yes—
17
Councilor Perry — So what I'm saying is if a company was to put an addition on their
building,the whole building has to about 20%more efficient heating wise?
•
Dan Hellyer—No, it doesn't.
Councilor Perry—Isn't that what you just said?
! Dan Hellyer — No, what I was trying to say is that the only time they would have to
upgrade things to the code would be is if they changed the heating system for the whole
building but if they do an addition on to the building, only the addition area has to
comply with the Stretch Energy Code or the energy codes. Nothing if they don't touch
anything else in the rest of the building, then they don't need to.
! Councilor Perry — Okay. Going back to the Building Inspector's responsibility, you
were saying it doesn't add to his work,there aren't more inspections?
Dan Hellyer — No, there's no more inspections than we already have. We have a
foundation footing inspection; we go up from there up into the rough frame inspection
and the insulation inspection. It adds an addition layer to the contractor because the
HERS rater comes out and does an addition inspection.
Councilor Perry — Is there a service agreement with a private organization or is it a
state-based organization? A qualified...?
•
Dan Hellyer — The residential energy service network sets the standards for the HERS
rater, it's a federal organization. They set the standards. The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts just sets the bar on what we do the comparison in so different states have
different comparisons. Massachusetts comparisons are very low, surprisingly low, it's set
to 2006 International Energy Conservation Code and we're at 2009 right here, it's two
code cycles,two code cycles behind.
President Rheault—Councilor Mineo?
Councilor Mineo - ...our Building Inspector?
Dan Hellyer—That's correct.
Councilor Mineo—Thank you.
! Councilor Rossi — Yes, do we have any energy standards in existence right now in the
state or local levels?
Dan Hellyer — Right now in effect is the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code
along with the 2009. They Commonwealth of Massachusetts is required to adopt the
latest energy code from the International Code Council one year after it gets published.
The 2009 is published so as of January 1, 2010 the Commonwealth is required to adopt
! 18
•
the 2009 with a six-month concurrency variant until July I". We're running right now
the 2006 and 2009 optional by whichever the Builder decides to use. As of July 1, 2006
• this is....
Councilor Rossi—Those are the codes that are in effect right now?
Dan Hellyer—That's correct.
•
Councilor Rossi - Is that the responsibility of the Building Inspector also to make sure
those codes are conformed?
Dan Hellyer -- Yes as part of the 780 CMR which is our Code of Massachusetts
Regulation of Building Codes.
Councilor Rossi — Okay now... code that's in effect right now as opposed to the
relationship to this Stretch Energy Code, can you tell me what the difference between the
two is? Is it significant?
• Dan Hellyer—No, it's not significant. It's, most of the builders right now are building at
this level, they admit to building at this level. So,there are some differences and that's in
testing and then as far as the heating systems go, the Stretch Code requires a little more
efficient unit for heating systems which builders are using now anyways because it's very
hard to find something with that low of efficiency that they're talking about maybe down
• south you might because it's not used as often as up here. Up here we're always looking
at the highest efficiency that we can get ...
Catherine Ratte —I wanted to add something. When the Board of Building Regulations
and Standards developed the Stretch Code last year, we had the 2006 International
• Energy Conservation Code as our base code in Massachusetts and the difference between
the 2006 and the 2009 is about 15% of energy efficiency so when we were talking about
the Stretch Code a year ago, it was a big leap from the standard. It was about 30% more
energy efficient. Now when you take the 2009 base code which is the standard as of July
I't and you go to the Stretch Code, you're getting about 15% more energy efficient so if
• your energy bill is $100 now it's gonna be $85. So that's the difference, so there is a
change but the big thing that people were concerned about with the Stretch Code was if
they were gonna have blower door testing and duct blast testing, that builders would have
to be responsible for. Those are required with the 2009 so the big chance with the Stretch
Code is you have to achieve this HERS rating, there's proof that your building actually is
• energy efficient so that's the big difference but again, it's an outside rater who's coming
in, the builder has to pay for the outside rater to do that certification. You can get the
cost reimbursed by EPA if you gat the energy star certification so in the end it should be a
wash.
Councilor Rossi—Okay, the laws or the codes that are in existence right now, the HERS
• rating...
19
Catherine Ratte—There's no requirement for a HERS rating.
Councilor Rossi—So we don't actually know—
Catherine ROO—Know if the building is energy efficient.
Councilor Rossi—We just have to go on the builder's word.
i
Catherine Ratte—Correct.
Councilor Rossi—So the Stretch Code is really just adding this HERS rating?
* Catherine ROO—It's giving you proof that your building is energy efficient.
Councilor Rossi—It's giving validity to it.
Catherine Ratte—Yea.
• Dan Hellyer — Can I add something to that please? What it does is the 2009 is what's
called prescriptive. We follow it. This is what you have to follow. The Stretch Energy
Code gives what we could almost say trade offs. If you can't achieve this here, you can
achieve it over here. But you can't do that. This book right here requires an R20 for
your wall insulation, the Stretch Energy Code does not require an R20 only because you
• can sometimes, you may be able to achieve it with an R19, it depends on what the HERS
rating is. What the HERS rating does is you put your house into the computer system and
the computer system does the modeling. It takes your house and compares it to a house
that's at 100 which is the current energy code that is used in the system and then it lowers
the number from there.
•
Councilor Rossi—The other question I want to ask about the pool of money ...right now
there's 35 communities out of 351.
Catherine Ratte—That's correct.
Councilor Rossi —Now if there was $8 million in the pool and say everyone in the state
for example is on,everyone would have to buy into the $8 million right?
Catherine Ratte—Right. It's an annual fund. So there was about $13 million this year.
i The state spent a fair amount of the money setting up their department and division of
green communities and providing assistance to help those 35 communities achieve the
designation. So there ended up being $8 million left to give in grants. As of July 1 we
start a new fiscal year and there will be another approximately $10 - $13 million so every
year there will be $10 to $13 million to give out in grants.
Councilor Rossi — And the more people that buy into this, the more it's going to be
spread out,correct?
20
Catherine Ratte — The more it's gonna be spread out. The state has not said whether
they will give money to the communities that already received money so there gonna
have another round of funding assistance in the fall and they haven't said whether or not
it will only be the newest communities that achieve the designation that will be eligible or
whether the people, the 35 original one, would be able to go back. So that's still a
question.
•
Councilor Rossi — Okay and the other thing I'm not clear on, where is the money
actually coming from? Is there any kind of stimulus program?
Catherine Ratte —No, it's not, it's coming from corporations that pollute. It's, you've
heard of cap and trade, the state talked about it on the federal level, we actually have a
program right now in the northeastern part of the country with the Canadian provinces
participating where companies that are polluting are paying into a fund and so the ones
that pollute less are not and Massachusetts participates and the other New England states
do and that money is sitting in a pot and the legislature decided that the way it would be
• spent would be to give it back to communities to be green.
Councilor Rossi—Thank you.
President Rheault—Councilor Magovern?
• Councilor Magovern —I was curious, how much is this level of bureaucracy costing the
state to administer all of these programs, are these programs going to mandatory so that if
somebody wants to put an addition onto their house, the state is there as the mandatory
agent telling them how they're going to do it,with the oversight....?
• Catherine Ratte — Well, again, I haven't looked at the whole budget but I know that
there was approximately $13 million in the fund this last year with the first round of
funding or maybe that may be two years of funding and they ended up giving about $8.3
million out in grants. So the state had already spent approximately $4 million - $4 '/z
million — setting up the program, paying for the staff, there's a Director of the Green
• Communities Division, there's an Assistant Director, there's a number of staff people.
Jim Barry who was out here a couple weeks ago, there are six circuit writers for the state
that are helping communities achieve the green communities designation so there are
salaries. I don't know how many state bureaucrats are being paid out of this fund as well
to help set up the program. So all of that money, the REGI money, part of it is going to
• administer the program and then the rest is coming out as grants to municipalities. And
again, just to be clear, it's not the State telling you what to do if you want to renovate
your home, it's you guys, you men and women, the City Council, who will decide
whether or not you want to adopt this Code as an optional amendment to your local
building code and make it possible for your property owners to live in more energy
efficient properties. So again, it's not the State telling you what to do. It's your choice,
•' absolutely, it's an optional amendment that you can take and it doesn't affect renovations.
The renovations are being governed by the 2009 Energy Code. If you want to renovate
21
your home and you have adopted the Stretch Code it's not gonna add any cost. It's for
new construction. It's for going forward new construction in Agawam if you adopt the
• Stretch Code will be more energy efficient than if you don't.
Councilor Magovern—Okay, so I thought you said if you put an addition on your house
you have to follow the codes.
Catherine Ratte —No what the Stretch Code says is, it defers to the 2009 Code which is
the standard in Massachusetts. So for renovations if you read the Stretch Code it says
"see the 2009 IECC" so for renovations it's already, when we adopted the 2009 IECC
which goes into effect July I" as the bottom line, it's optional now from January V% if
you read it it says you have to build it to this Ievel which is the 2009. If you adopt the
Stretch Code,it defers for renovations to the 2009 IECC.
Dan Hellyer—I'd like to add something to that. I'd like to use a kitchen renovation as an
example. In a kitchen renovation you have to open the walls in order to get your
plumbing, your electrical through there, you open up the wall, 2x4 walls with RI
i insulation in there, so you don't touch the insulation. You don't have to add onto the
walls to make them thicker walls to 2x6. You don't have to do anything but make sure
that insulation is back in place the way it was. There's no added expense to that, just
common practice and it happens all the time. Most of the time they'll take it out and
increase the size of the insulation if it's RI 1 up to the R13 but there's no changes as far
as making it more efficient.
i
Councilor Magovern —Did I understand you correctly when you said that all the money
that is being spent by the state bureaucracy is coming out of this fund and no state tax
dollars being spent whatsoever in this?
i Catherine Ratte—That's correct. It's all coming from the REGI fund.
Councilor Magovern—But if you didn't have it, that money would stay within the state.
If you didn't have these restrictions, this bureaucracy, the money raised by these polluters
the funds would stay within the state, correct?
Catherine Ratte — Right. When the legislature adopted the'Green Communities Act in
2008 they created this program and this funding, the REGI funding would go to this
program. Right. If the legislature hadn't done that then they would be spending on the
money, they could have decided on some other use for it.
President Rheault—Councilor Mineo?
Councilor Mineo - ...dollars awarded from the State of Massachusetts, would you just
tell me, I'd like to know what, I'd like to know the amounts that were awarded to any
cities or towns in Western Massachusetts?
•
` 22
i
Catherine Ratte — I don't have all the figures with me but I know that the City of
Springfield received approximately $980,000.00. The City of Northampton I think
• received about $220,000.00. I think Belchertown got about$198,000.00. I think Palmer
was maybe about $180,000.00 and I think Easthampton was a similar amount. So I'm
most familiar with the communities in our region. I don't know what the amounts were
around the Commonwealth.
• President Rheault—Councilor Cichetti?
Councilor Cichetti —My question is for the inspector...are you increasing your....is that
making your home more airtight?
Dan Hellyer — You are correct on that and that is a problem. The 2009 Energy
Conservation Code does not require mechanical ventilation but the Energy Star rating
which is part of the Stretch Code does require mechanical ventilation in it.
Councilor Rossi- Just one follow up on the funding. The money that we would get from
. that Green...we would be able to use that for anything in our community, anything that
has to do with energy efficiency?
Catherine Ratte — Right. Well the way that they announced the program. They had a
funding application and they had criteria. They want to look at programs that would
produce energy use, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create local jobs, so the Green
Communities' criteria, one of the main criteria, is you have to have a plan to reduce your
municipal energy use by 20% in five years, so they expected a lot of communities to
apply for funding to help implement that production plan to reduce their municipal
energies but they also,you can, I know Mr. Sylvia's been talking about trying to set up or
create a fund to offset the upfront costs for homeowners if you adopt the Stretch Code.
• So those kinds of things are also eligible ideas. It's up to you to decide what you'd want
to do with the money but the money theoretically is competitive so you know you would
want to look at what the criteria are before you announce it.
President Rheault — Any other questions? Thank you very much. Great presentation
and you answered some questions. Any one else who would like to come forward in
support of the Resolution?
Forrest Bradford — Hello, my name again is Forrest Bradford, 21 Oxford Street, I
wanted to ask several questions.
President Rheault — Excuse me. You're not up there to ask questions. It's your
opportunity if you're in favor of it just to state that you support it.
Forrest Bradford—I do support this. I understand that it's just a stepping stone and just
. a few years ahead of what we're going to have to do anyway, then this opens us up for
more grants, more money. It's a benefit to owners because it saves them money even on
commercial businesses, they will save money because they are more energy efficient and
• 23
•
so that's what I would like to say and I think we need to show the kids in this town that
we're doing things to step forward and move ahead. I don't see any other plans out there
• that are better and I wonder how long it would take probably forever, so any way...
President Rheault—Anyone else that would like to come forward?
Corinne Wingard —Hi. My name is Corinne Wingard. I live at 194 Elm Street and I'm
• speaking in favor of asking you to please adopt the Stretch Code. First because it's the
right thing to do for the environment, for the sake of our planet but also because it's the
right thing to do for the town. It's an opportunity for us to get in on almost the ground
floor level, to bring money and savings to our community so that the money that we
could get through the Green Communities Act would enable us to have other funds that
• we might have had to use for energy efficient things in town, we could use that money for
other things that we need in our budget. I know my neighbor who built a very large
house on the lot I sold him that used to be my garden, built a very energy efficient home
and his heating costs are unbelievable, remarkably low. So I just think it's a win/win
situation. I think it's a great thing for the town and I would greatly appreciate it if you
. would adopt it. Thank you.
Jay Berger — Good evening Councilors. I'm Jay Berger. I live at 1OG Castle Hills in
town. I'm a member of the Go Green Agawam Committee as well as on the Energy
Commission and I urge you to consider very heavily the opportunity to sign on to the
Stretch Code. Thanks very much for ....thank you.
•
David Morin — Good evening Councilors. My name is David G. Morin of 437 South
Westfield Street. I support the adoption of the Stretch Code.
President Rheault—Anyone else?
•
Henry Kozloski — Henry Kozloski, 102 Meadow Street. We should have done this
twenty years ago. I do want to say something. I don't think the state...that's not the
case. Anything you can do to make a house more efficient is gonna save the homeowner
money. Just think, go back 20 --25 years ago, fuel was a lot cheaper. It's not gonna go
down. It's gonna go up every year...not what the cost is in the future. My son did build
an efficient home up in Otis and it's only 2x4...foam and that thing is airtight, he has to
have...doesn't cost him practically not much to heat it....if we had done this years ago
we would have saved the schools systems millions of dollars, the homeowner too. I put
in thereto paned windows 15 years ago...you can buy appliances...energy star appliances
saves money too. It will help the homeowner ...in the long run we will save. Thank you.
President Rheault — Thank you. Anyone else want to speak in favor? Anyone like to
speak in opposition? Please step forward and state your name and address into the
microphone.
Marsha Tami —Hi. My name is Marsha Tami. I live at 143 Kozak Court...as much as
you can and like'everybody else you try to buy appliances and things that will save
• 24
energy. However, if you sign onto this I think you're going down the road of the
government being even more in our back pocket than it already is. I don't know why
people are running and jumping off cliffs to have the government make decisions for you.
Each individual has its own responsibility for their homes and I do understand codes as
far as safety issues like with smoke detectors and things like that but when you're talking
energy, it all comes down what you can pay for and if you're willing to pay for it fine.
Like the lady says here that did the presentation, is it not absurd to you that the money
coming from this point is done by companies who are allowed to pollute? A company
can pollute hundreds of times more than an individual household can and they're paying
into this fund. Great. What happens when the company says you know what? We're
gonna follow these rules now too so we're not gonna be charged this money and the
funds start dwindling and dwindling. I really think that it's just another way of the
. government's funneling us down community by community and we're like lemmings
going off a cliff going sure it looks like a great thing right now. I warn you look ahead.
Have you ever known anything to come out of the federal and state government that has
not cost you down the line? Just think about the sewer project. How many hoops have
you had to jump through? How much red tape, paperwork, years of people going in and
out? You have this responsibility right now. In five or ten years, you may not be on the
Council any more and you're not gonna be thanked for all of this, you're gonna be hear a
lot more people going why did they do this in the first place. I think like I said in theory it sounds good but I think there's a whole lot more that needs to be answered before this
and gas prices and every other prices are going up so the savings that they're talking
about right now,they're not gonna happen. Thank you.
President Rheault — Anyone else who'd like to speak in opposition? Anyone like to
speak in favor by name only or in opposition by name only? If not, I now declare the
public hearing closed. That concludes that portion and before we get into a Iot of
dialogue and rhetoric, I'm gonna move that the Council table this for the reason that
* during my Agenda review today I overlooked that the issue of this should be I think in
Ordinance form which it's not, it's in Resolution form. If you're gonna change the Code,
you need to change it by Ordinance so I'm gonna send this over to the Ordinance
Committee and also the Attorney did not sign the Resolution so we can't do anything
anyway until we get his signature. So I'll entertain a Motion to Table. Moved by
Councilor Perry, seconded by Councilor Walsh. Barbara, could you call the roll?
ROLL CALL— 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier left)
President Rheault--Ten yes, one absent, the item is tabled and referred to the Ordinance
Committee.
S
2. TR-2010-25(PH-2010-3)-A Resolution Adopting the Fiscal Year 2011-2015
Capital Improvement Program(Mayor)
President Rheault — I declare the public hearing open. Is there anyone here from the
town side to present? Please come up and speak into the microphone.
25
Jeff Hulbert—Hi. Jeffrey Hulbert. I'm the IT Director and I'm here in the capacity to
answer questions that any of the Councilors had regarding the phone system.
•
President Rheault—Councilor Rossi?
Councilor Rossi— This system that you're gonna put in, there has been some talk by the
Mayor that he would like to build a new Town Hall, if we appropriate some money for
this phone system, can we uproot it and put it into our new building if one should ever
come?
Jeff Hulbert — Absolutely. One of the benefits of the new plan is that we've removed
approximately $160,000.00 of wiring upgrades by going rather than pure voice over IP
system which uses higher capacity wire let's say, we're gonna use the existing wiring in
* buildings so if in fact we do build a new town hall, we'd be able to bring the phone
system with us.
Councilor Rossi —The other question I have is I understand that the system is an analog
system not a digital system?
b
Jeff Hulbert — No it's a digital system to the phones and it's going to be an IP system
between town buildings.
Councilor Rossi—Could you explain that a little more?
•
Jeff Hulbert — Sure. Right now all the phone systems in town are digital, not that
they're computer-based as some people think with digital, but they are digital sets which
is your basic phone system. Between the town buildings we're gonna be utilizing the
data network and we're gonna be utilizing the data network to save on costs of the phone
lines.
Councilor Rossi— So this would be an automatic, automated system with voice mail and
those sorts of things?
. Jeff Hulbert— Absolutely.
President Rheault—Councilor Mineo?
Councilor Mineo—When would you start this project?
Jeff Hulbert — We are currently working with our consultant to put an RFP together. I
guess it depends on ....put a bid out on the street.
Councilor Mineo—Would it be end of 2010? 2011?
• Jeff Hulbert—I would say 2010.
26
Councilor Mineo—It would be complete in 2010?
Jeff Hulbert—Possibly. Yes.
Councilor Mineo — Is there a chance that the cost, the amount of the project, will
change?
f Jeff Hulbert — Well, that's always a possibility when you issue an RFP everything
depends on ...at this point in time, the best estimates that you have in the Capital Plan are
the best estimates of costs and we have included, it's a conservative estimate, have in
there unforeseen wiring, additional things like that.
Councilor Mineo —Thank you.
President Rheault—Jeff, the current system that we have is the Berlin, right?
Jeff Hulbert — At the Town Hall there's a Berlin system and then the Via Spirit is
throughout the town.
President Rheault — And we would be moving away from the Berlin system as I
understand it...because we can't get parts anymore.
Jeff Hulbert—That's exactly correct.
President Rheault — And you're satisfied with the reduction from the original four
hundred something thousand that was anticipated?
Jeff Hulbert — Yes, it was $377,000.00 I believe down to ....and reduction in cost was
again due to the fact that we're not gonna be making wholesale wiring...we're going to
be using the wiring we have wherever possible. There will be some some wiring that's
gonna be changed out...that was factored in.
President Rheault—Councilor Rossi?
Councilor Rossi — Yes, that was a question I wanted to follow up on from Councilor
Mineo and Councilor Rheault, the original quote come in ...$400,000.00 now it's..--my
question is ...is this going to be subject to change. I mean I know that in the past we've
been asked to appropriate a certain amount of money and all of a sudden you come back
to us and say whoops, we have this problem,we have that problem,this may happen, that
may happen,then we're back up to $400,000.00. Is that gonna be a possibility here?
Jeff Hulbert— Well, it's our intent to put the RFP out on the street and to go before the
Council after we've made the selection and go before the Council and ...whether or not
that figure differs greatly from the Capital Budget figure; we have made every effort to
make sure that that doesn't happen. It is our intent that the quotes come in below that.
27
President Rheault—Councilor Bitzas?
Councilor Bitzas —Yes, do we have any other choices? I do have a letter here...most of
the Councilors received this letter,they cc'd the Council and supposed to have ...change
in the Town Hall and this comes from Roger Kupec, Deputy Director of Building
Maintenance and what surprised me is that it's so old that it cannot be fixed and it cost a
lot of money to fix it. Are you familiar with that, the letter?
i
Jeff Hulbert--Yes.
Councilor Bitzas — So we have no choice because it's so bad. This system is an
antiquated system and we don't have any choice other than to get the new system and
move into the 2 1"century,or as close as possible.
Jeff Hulbert—That's correct. The system that we've had has given us 25 years of good
service and it's time to put it out to pasture.
Councilor Bitzas —Thank you.
N
President Rheault—CounciIor Walsh?
Councilor Walsh — Yea, just a question. Once installed, how will the day to day
operating costs compare with the present system? More? Less? Or not known?
Jeff Hulbert — Well, the systems that we have now don't have maintenance contracts
which makes them when the break, when the fail we have increased costs. With the new
phone system, we're gonna have support contracts so I would say the maintenance costs
with the new system will go up because we're maintaining to a higher degree. We're
looking at a service level agreement on the phone systems that will give us less down
time. So I would say the operating costs would be more however, by leveraging the data
connections, the network connections between the buildings and because of the fact that
we're gonna be removing Centrex lines which is prevalent throughout the town we're
also gonna be...so how it nets out in the end, hopefully we're gonna be in the black and
not the red. The technology that we're using now is the technology if you buy the phone
system..-this is....
President Rheault—Any other questions? Thank you,Jeff.
Jeff Hulbert—Thank you.
President Rheault — Anyone else who would like to address the Capital Improvement
Budget? For? Against? If not...If not, I now declare the public hearing closed.
Council's pleasure? Moved by Councilor Bitzas and seconded by Councilor Mineo. Any
further discussion on the Capital Improvement Budget? No? Barbara,would you call the
roll please?
28
ROLL CALL—10 YES,0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier)
President Rheault — Ten yes, one absent, you've approved the Capital Budget
Improvement Program.
Item 10. Old Business
1. TOR-2010-1 -An Ordinance regarding Drag Racing within the Town of
Agawam (2/2) (Referred to the Ordinance Committee)(Councilor
Magovern)
President Rheault -- Moved by Councilor Simpson, seconded by Councilor Mineo.
Councilor Magovern we already had a report, do you have any words?
•
Councilor Magovern — Yea, I'd like to be able to read a letter that I just received this
evening from Lt. Gillis. Dear Councilor Magovern, thank you very much for your recent
invitation to attend this evening's City Council meeting. Regrettably, I will be unable to
attend due to a prior family commitment. However you and the rest of your colleagues
should know that I stand by my memorandum of April 5t' of this year. If you will recall,
I recommended that the Council adopt this Ordinance in an effort to take pre-emptive
action before drag racing begins in the Town of Agawam. As I stated in my memo, most
of the activity that we have experienced in our community occurs on Rt. 57 which comes
under the control of the Massachusetts State Police however the adoption of the
! Ordinance may provide an effective deterrent to would-be drag racers. It would also arm
the Agawam Police Department with an additional tool to combat this issue which has
plagued the surrounding communities, should roadways other than Route 57 become hot
spots for this type of activity. This Ordinance is really about enhancing the safety of the
residents of our community and those who travel through it. I would urge the council to
! give strong consideration to enacting this Ordinance. Respectfully submitted, Lt. Gillis.
Thank you.
President Rheault —Any further discussion? If you're in favor of the second reading as
attached vote yes, otherwise vote no. Barbara, could you call the roll please?
r ROLL CALL— 10 YES, 1 NO (Councilor Messick), 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier)
President Rheault — Ten yes, one no, one absent, you've adopted the second and final
reading.
! 2. TOR-2010-2 -An Ordinance Amending Section 61-1 of the Code of the
Town of Agawam Increasing the Size of the Agawam Veterans' Council.
(1/2) (Referred to Ordinance Committee)(Mayor)
President Rheault — Moved by Councilor Rossi, seconded by Councilor Walsh. A
! report from the Ordinance Committee. Gina had to leave unexpectedly.
! 29
Councilor Magovern — Thank you Council President. We had quite a lengthy
discussion on this Ordinance. It really is a problem for us in our discussion. We had the
r Chairman of the Veterans' Council, Aldo Mancini, we had Frank Mazzei, and Chris
Sanchez in attendance at this meeting and listened to them and their history of the
Veterans' Council work that they had done and as Ruth Bitzas has stated it's a very vital
organization to the Town of Agawam. And we feel that the harmony of the Veterans'
Council must be maintained. The comments that we received from the Veterans' Council
is very strong, very affirmative and very much that they wanted to retain the Veterans'
Council as it is at the present membership number. They feel that to add two more
members would do nothing except make the problems that they have right now worse.
We discussed it amongst the Council member which were Councilor Cichetti, Councilor
Letellier and myself and after much discussion, the vote was taken amongst the
Ordinance Committee to give a negative reference to this Ordinance and to retain what
we have at the present time with the present members. Thank you.
President Rheault—Thank you. Any further discussion? Councilor Bitzas?
Councilor Bitzas —Yes, Mr. President. I am disappointed that the Ordinance Committee
r did not try to help all the veterans and as the first, the second Veterans' Agent and the
longest serving one, Ruth Bitzas, spoke very nicely today and she said she would like to
see two extra people so everybody would be happy. Let's put aside the anger, political
games, power plays and think about the best interest for all the veterans. Let's increase
it. What is the problem? They feel, if the Veterans' Council they feel as Councilor
Magovern said they don't want it. How about you Councilors? You have the power not
two or three or four veterans' members who say they don't want it and I'm disappointed
to see that they don't want it. They should be very happy to have their brothers and
sisters to serve. More the merrier. I don't see any problem to increase. The Mayor said
two, we should say two more, I would say four more. Let Mr. Donovan and Mr. McLean
and even Mr. Tirone to come and serve as a member. We have the Council on Aging,
excellent organization,have almost 20 members, 22 members, 23 members I don't know.
The Friends of the Senior Center more members the better. They're not a legislative
body. They don't make laws to be a problem. What they are are volunteers. We'd be
happy to have every veterans, let's not separate them, let's bring them together because
all the sticks together they're stronger than one stick itself. I don't understand yes as
former Veterans' Agent Ruth Bitzas which is my sister-in-law not my wife, said before
we have to call the votes from our heart not be anger and who you support...I hope the
Council do the right thing and I hope the majority of the Council supports all the
veterans. I was so happy to see in parade with them the Memorial Day. It was fantastic.
I give them credit to all the Veterans' Council and all the veterans that volunteered to
participate. They did fantastic. The weather was great. I would like to see more
participation with everybody in Agawam but everybody have a business...a families so
we did very well and congratulations to the Veterans' Council but let's do it the right
thing why don't you say no to a veteran who fought in Afghanistan almost killed, get
killed, he came alive and he came back. Why don't you say no to the other two veterans
! who want to serve one is Mr. Donovan and the other Mr. McLean that put in letters. I
don't see any problem to make the number of the Veterans' at two more. Let's put a
30
i
ceiling of no more than fifteen. I'Il make a motion. It's our choice as legislative body. If
the Mayor said two we could say four, we can say six. I don't want to - Ruth spoke very
« well. I think we do disservice to the veterans if we don't allow them to serve. It's a
volunteers and before the President said we do work than just put flags in the graves.
Excellent. We have the Massachusetts Veterans' Cemetery there, a lot more graves there,
we need more people to do it, the flags and everything. Why don't you deny them the
right to serve? Let's increase it. It's no problem. Doesn't cost the Town one single
dollar for them to serve there. They're volunteers and we should honor them all and
thank them for their services. Thank you.
President Rheault—Councilor Rossi?
Councilor Rossi — Thank you. I once heard a phrase coined that more is not always
better sometimes it's just more and I think that that could very well apply to this situation
here. I don't know that if it's necessarily gonna solve all our problems but I certainly
think in this case here it's just making it not better but just more. The way this system
has been working over the years and I think quite well is that there are a certain number
of members who have been permanently put on if you will or installed or appointed or
whatever and the rest of the Veterans' Council has been made up of volunteer members.
I think that's a system that's worked pretty well over the years and I think that's a system
that the Veterans' Council' members projected in their comments at meetings here and at
Citizens' Speak Time and others. I don't really understand why this is creating such
rhubarb about increasing the number of people. If the two people or the three or four
• people who wish to loin the Veterans' Council can very easily join as a volunteer
member of that committee and if they had done that they probably would be working on
the Council right now and take their turn whenever that is. Now I can remember not too
very long ago when this Council was entertaining the idea of forming an Energy
Commission.....and there was some comments made that more is not better it was simply
more and it was by one of the proponents of this event here... so I don't really feel as
though that more in a situation like this would be better and I don't see how it would
really improve the status of our Veterans' Council. I think its' working quite well. I
think what we should do is get rid of this situation once and for all, let the Veterans'
Council go back and do what they do. I think they do a good job and I respect and my
good friend Ruth Bitzas who I have a great deal of admiration for her and I think she
created a wonderful thing here. I know it was one of desperation on your part however
but it turned out to be a very good thing and I commend you for doing that. I think what
you did, I think you created a good system but I think adding more permanent members
is not the way to go. I know that our previous mayor added two additional people. I
don't remember that every coming before the City Council but it was done apparently, I
: didn't know that it was increased from 7 to 9. My personal belief is I think. it's an
adequate number and I would like to see a hundred people join the Veterans' Council as
volunteers. I would like to see a little more autonomy in the Veterans' Council where
they have more of a say in what they do and how they operate and how their inner by-
laws...I would like to see more of that and becoming Iess political than it is now. I think
that's what we really need to see here and I don't think we need more political in the
Veterans' Council I think we need a little Iess and so without being redundant I think, my
31
opinion, is that I would like to see it remain as it is and I would like to see the Veterans'
Council be very active in recruiting volunteer members ...and maybe their by-laws can
be structured to give these volunteer workers a little bit more authority, maybe make
some of them voting members if they feel that night be the way to go or however they
choose to operate ...but they have to decide for themselves. So my opinion is I would
have to say no to increase the number and to keep it as it is. I think it's working just fine.
I don't think more is better.
i
Councilor Simpson —Move the question.
Councilor Bitzas—Second.
President Rheault—First,there was a light on to speak. Councilor Perry?
Councilor Perry — If I may, I appreciate it. I'll be as brief as possible. This is an issue
that has been coming before us for weeks now and my question to the Council at this
point in time is where do we go from here? Let's be honest. We have hurt Veterans'
Council that have two members that the Mayor did not nominate to this Council. The
ones that he did nominate we turned down twice. Where do we go from here? Is he
gonna nominate those two again? The ones that are getting hurt are the veterans on this
Council. There's a question in regards to how the nominations come forward and that's
been questioned in regards to how the Mayor makes that selection. Was the Veterans'
Conunittee involved in that selection? I feel they should be myself or the Chairman
• should not simply the Mayor. As Ruth said in 1991 the original one he didn't but after
that it was really up to the Mayor. There was a Resolution back in 1991 that created this
Veterans' Council. We as a Council can look at that Resolution and change it to where
nominations should be in conjunction with the Chairman of the Veterans' Council and
the Mayor and approved by the whole Council because right now we're in deadlock and
the only ones that are getting hurt are these guys over here. So we can always amend this
again next year or look at it but I think in the best interest of the Veterans' Council is we
should pass this this evening, allow the people who work on this committee work on this
committee and then as a Council correct the wrongs so this does not come up again.
That's my opinion.
Councilor Bitzas—Mr. President?
President Rheault—Councilor Bitzas?
Councilor Bitzas — Thank you. I agree with Councilor Perry. This ain't right. It
became political and only we hurt ...without evening knowing those people they hurt
themselves. Ruth Bitzas said before the first veteran only the Veteran Agent they have a
talk with the Mayor, Veteran Agent, not ever ever any of the Veterans' Council, the Chair
or anybody else. She make it very clear so why don't we as Councilor Perry said amend
this and I make a move to amend it and I hope you, somebody can second it, and increase
* more because you have two more veterans that are going to serve — Mr. Donovan that
came from Iraq I believe or Afghanistan I think Afghanistan and I Mr. McLean I think he
32
shows interest and you have Mr. Mazzei two makes fifteen or two more if they want to be
—God bless them all and as Councilor Rossi said less is more, less is more only when it is
0 a legislative body and making votes. The Veterans' Council not vote to make the laws
but the Green Commission they have influence everybody taxpayers' money. They're
volunteers so I hope and I make a Motion to increase to include the other two veterans
that want to serve to no more than fifteen members and if Mr. Smith or Mr. Jones wants
to move up there are two empty seats so I will make a Motion to go above the Mayor so
you don't give the Mayor credit we're not giving the Mayor credit, let's us do it up to
fifteen and I hope we have a vote for it. So I make a Motion to increase the Veterans'
Council no more than fifteen.
Councilor Perry—I'll second that.
Councilor Bitzas —Thank you.
President Rheault -- Motion is now on the floor to amend the Ordinance. We need
specific wording...we'll have to put it in writing...you're gonna change the whole
contents of the Ordinance. It says it shall consist of eleven members, there shall be ten
i residents of Agawam who are honorably discharge veterans.
Councilor Bitzas—Just change it to 11 — 15.
President Rheault — It doesn't read....we will stand in recess for two minutes in the
chairs.
Councilor Bitzas —Thank you.
President Rheault — All right. We're back in session. Councilor Rossi has the
language.
Councilor Rossi—Okay. Barbara this is just the wording that has to change in the event
that it should pass. The second whereas would be changed from eleven to fifteen
members. The third whereas would go from eleven to fifteen members and in the last
now therefore—the first sentence Agawam Veterans' Council consists of fifteen
members there shall be fourteen rather than ten residents of Agawam, then go down to
the third sentence the fifteenth member of the Veterans' Council shall be the duly
appointed Director/Agent of the Western Hampden District Department of Veterans
Services. Okay, so we have all of them, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 more changes. That's it. That's
correct.
Councilor Bitzas—Thank you Councilor Rossi.
President Rheault — All right. That's the amendment in front of the Council. Any
further discussion on the amendment? I'm sorry. Move the amendment. Barbara, will
you call the roll on the amendment?
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ROLL CALL — 2 YES (Councilors Bitzas and Messick), 8 YES, I ABSENT
(Councilor Letellier)
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President Rheault — Two yes, eight no, one absent, you've defeated the amendment.
Back to the—
Councilor Simpson—Move the question.
•
President Rheault — And seconded. The question has been moved. Barbara, the first
reading as attached.
ROLL CALL — 3 YES (Councilors Bitzas, Messick and Perry), 7 YES, 1 ABSENT
(Councilor Letellier)
President Rheault — Three yes, seven no, one absent, you've defeated the first reading
and the Ordinance.
3. REMINDER: (TR-2010-28)-Public Hearing Date set for June 21,2010 for
• a Resolution Adopting the Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Operating Budget for
the Town of Agawam (Mayor)
President Rheault—That public hearing is set for the next meeting which is the Budget.
' 4. TO-2010-15 - Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for an Automatic
Amusement Device(s)—Six Flags New England, 1623 Main Street,Agawam,
MA.(Referred to License Committee) (Clerk)
President Rheault—Councilor Rossi, will you move it?
• Councilor Rossi—Yes, I will move it.
President Rheault — Councilor Rossi moves the question. Second? Seconded by
Councilor Perry and Councilor Rossi's report.
• Councilor Rossi — The Licensing Committee moved and voted unanimously to send a
positive recommendation for the Automatic Amusement Devices as listed...at Six Flags
New England at 1623 Main Street.
President Rheault — Positive recommendation from the License Committee. Any
further discussion? If not, Barbara, call the roll please?
ROLL CALL—9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT (Councilors Letellier and Simpson)
President Rheault—Nine yes, two absent, you've approved the license.
Item 11. New Business
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1. TR-2010-30 -A Resolution Accepting a Grant from the United States
Department of Homeland Security Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 44, Section 53A to be Utilized by the Agawam Fire Department for
the Purchase of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus. (Mayor)
President Rheault—Next Agenda.
2. TR-2010-31 -A Resolution Accepting an Easement for Storm Drains by
• Roman A.Radkovets pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40,
Section 14 for the Town of Agawam (Mayor)
President Rheault—Next Agenda.
S 3. TO-2010-16 -Order Granting or Renewing a Junk Dealer's LICENSE—
T's Jewelers,Zinovy Tokman,559 Springfield Street,Feeding Hills,MA.
(Clerk)
President Rheault—Next Agenda.
! 4. TO-2010-17 -Order Granting or Renewing a Junk Dealer's LICENSE--
John Rosati d/b/a John's Trucking of Agawam,Inc.,415 Silver Street,
Agawam,MA. (Clerk)
President Rheault — Next Agenda and those should go both and the next one to the
# License Committee.
5. TO-2010-18 - Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for an
Amusement Devise(s)for an Additional Game—Polish American Club of
Agawam,Inc., 139 Southwick Street,Feeding Hills,MA. (Clerk)
• President Rheault--Next Agenda.
6. TR-2010-32 -A Resolution Approving an Intermunicipal Agreement for
Animal Control Services between the Town of Agawam and the Town of
West Springfield.(Mayor)
• President Rheault—Next Agenda.
Item 12. Any other matter that may WON come before the City Council.
President Rheault—Councilor Perry, do you want to start?
•
Councilor Perry — I just want to say congratulations to the graduating Class of 2010
from Agawam High School. They graduated yesterday and it was a great ceremony and I
just wanted to say congratulations to all.
President Rheault—Thank you. Councilor Messick?
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Councilor Messick — I'd like to say congratulations to all the graduates—how the
Agawam School system has worked out for her and hopefully everybody is having that
great of an experience. I did want to very, very briefly remind everyone of the Annual
Tournament of Rosie Golf Benefit for Rosie Robotics is on Saturday, June 19". You still
have time to enter foursomes and you may want to contact them for more information,
contact Dana Henry at 789-0684 or Charlene Cameron at 786-8032. That's Saturday,
June 190i. Thank you.
President Rheault—Thank you. Councilor Cichetti?
Councilor Cichetti — Yes, I'd like to just congratulate all the 2010 grads from Agawam
High School and also to thank all the veterans for putting on a fantastic parade on
Memorial Day. It was a great day and great effort. Thank you.
President Rheault—Councilor Walsh?
Councilor Walsh — Congratulations to the Class of 2010. The music was absolutely
fantastic. I don't know if it was just my position on the stage but it was outstanding. I've
just never heard music of that quality coming from a high school group before so
congratulations to them and yes the Memorial Day Parade was quite an event, a somber
event but nonetheless we paid tribute to those people that gave their lives. Thank you.
President Rheault—Thank you. Councilor Rossi?
•
Councilor Rossi—Nothing,thank you.
President Rheault—Thank you. Councilor Mineo?
Councilor Mineo —Just congratulations to the 2010 graduates.
President Rheault—Councilor Magovern?
Councilor Magovern — Just very quickly again congratulations to the graduates of the
Class of 2010. I'll second what Councilor Walsh said about the wonderful music. The
Glee Club was absolutely spectacular. The soloists were beautiful. Again with the
positioning on the stage it was a wonderful afternoon and the band as well. The
Memorial Day celebration was wonderful. I want to thank everybody for what they've
done and also thank you...outside of Agawam...much appreciated. And for those of you
the 60' was V-Day and I think that V-Day was overlooked by a lot of people this year. I
didn't hear much about it on the news but again remembering the invasion of Normandy
and the beginning of the end of the World War II/German/European...we mustn't forget
June 60i. Thank you.
President Rheault—Councilor Bitzas?
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Councilor Bitzas —Yes, I would like to wish all the graduates best wishes, aim high, do
the best you can and work hard and you will succeed. Second, I'd like thank Berkshire
i Power. I sent them the DVD from the Drug Forum and they were so moved, they offered
to make 5,000 —I suggested to them to give some money and donations and they do the
whole thing and make 5000 DVD's for every student in Middle School, Jr. High and
High School also every household in Agawam will be able to have one copy for open
discussion with their families in their own privacy. The other thing is if you go to the
i Senior Center in the front of the sign, it's landscaped and was donated by Cascio
Landscaping in memory of Matt Blackak's wife, Lu, and they're all free of charge. It
didn't cost the taxpayers a single dime. They did all of the landscaping, the planning and
everything so I'd like to thank Cascio Landscaping publicly. Thank you.
President Rheault — Barbara if you would I think that was very generous of Berkshire
Power and on behalf of the Council to draft a thank you letter to them and I'd be happy to
sign it with my name on behalf of the rest of the Council.
Councilor Bitzas —That is very nice. Thank you.
President Rheault — And I will echo the sentiments of Councilor Walsh. It wasn't our
position on the stage, it was just outstanding music. I was quite impressed as well and
I'm sure that everyone in attendance was too and I had the pleasure of handing a diploma
to a very special person — our Administrative Assistant's daughter—that was a highlight
for me at the graduation and as far as the veterans if their hearts are open and they want
• to serve the Town of Agawam, there is nothing to stop them from volunteering just like
many of the other veterans did, so whatever we did tonight as far as the vote, does not
stop them and does not affect the Veterans' Council one way or the other. If they really
want to serve, all they have to do is show up and I'm sure they'll be welcome with open
arms by the existing members. They just won't be able to vote and as former Councilor
i Bitzsas said everybody doesn't have a vote so it's that simple. So in lieu of that I will
entertain a motion to adjourn. Moved by the Council to adjourn, seconded by the
Council. All those in favor? Ay? We are now adjourned. Thank you and good evening.
Ad,Lournment.
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