CC MTG MINUTES FEBRUARY 7 2011 REGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
•
February 7, 2411
President Rheault — Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the February 7t`
and continuation of January 18'' Council meeting which was postponed due to unsafe
• weather conditions.
Item L Citizen's Sneak Time
President Rheault—We do not have any citizens wishing to address the Council.
• Item 2. Roll Call
President Rheault—I'll ask Barbara to please call the roll.
ROLL CALL—9 PRESENT,2 ABSENT (Councilors Magovern and Perry)
President Rheault — Nine present, two absent. We have a quorum. Councilor Perry
called and he's detained at work and will not be at tonight's Council meeting.
Item 3. Moment of Silence and the Pledge of Alleeiance
•
President Rheault—Please rise for a moment of silence and Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 4. Minutes
! (a) Regular Council Meeting—January 3,2011
President Rheault—Moved by Councilor Simpson, seconded by Councilor Walsh. Any
corrections or additions? If not, voice vote is sufficient. All those in favor? Opposed?
Unanimous.
•
Item S. Declaration-from Council President
None
Item 6. Presentation of Petitions,Memorials& Remonstrances
(a) Resolutions
1. TR-2011-1 - A Resolution Confirming the Reappointment of Jay Berger,
10G Castle Hill Road,Agawam,MA.to the Agawam Energy Commission to
a Term Expiring on November 30,2014(Mayor)
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President Rheault — Moved by Councilor Simpson, seconded by Councilors Bitzas and
Rossi. I see Mr. Berger in the office, heh in the office, I see him in the office too. Is
• there anything you'd like to say regarding your appointment? If you do, you gotta pay
the price of getting on camera. State your name and address for the record if you would
please.
Mr. Berger—I'm Jay Berger, 1 OG Castle Hill, Agawam. I want to thank the Council for
their confidence and assure them that this year, I'll work diligently to get Agawam
declared a green community as we've been working so diligently in the past. I'll work
with all the members of the Energy Commission as well as any chairman that's
appointed. Thanks.
President Rheault — Thank you. Any comments from the Council? Councilor Mineo,
you've got your light on? No? The name of Jay Berger is in front of the Council. If you
are in favor, say yes. If not, no for confirmation. Barbara, please call the roll.
ROLL CALL —9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT (Councilors Magovern and Perry)
President Rheault—Nine yes and two absent, you've approved. Congratulations Jay.
2. TR-2011-2 - A Resolution Confirming the Reappointment of Todd Bard,
316 Regency Park Drive,Agawam, MA. to the Agawam Energy Commission
to a Term Expiring on November 30,2014 (Mayor)
•
President Rheault —Moved by Councilor Simpson, seconded by Councilor Bitzas. Any
discussion? Councilor Messick?
Councilor Messick-- Oh, yes, I just wanted to mention that I've been working with Jay
and Todd and Joel Cummings and Howard Safford who we are looking at tonight.
They've all just done a fantastic job on the Energy Commission.
President Rheault—Thank you. Anyone else? If not, Barbara, please call the roll.
ROLL CALL — 10 YES, O NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Perry) (Councilor Magovern
arrived)
President Rheault—Ten yes, one absent, you've approved the confirmation.
3. TR-2011-3 -A Resolution Confirming the Reappointment of Joel
• Cummings, 118 Meadowbrook Road,Agawam,M.A. to the Agawam Energy
Commission to a Term Expiring on November 30,2014 (Mayor)
President Rheault — Moved by Councilor Simpson, seconded by Councilor Messick.
Any discussion? If not, Councilor Mineo, your light is on? No? Barbara, please call the
roll.
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ROLL CALL— 10 YES, O NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Perry)
President Rheault—Ten yes, one absent, you've approved the confirmation.
4. TR-2011-4 -A Resolution Confirming the Reappointment of Howard
Safford, 92 Juniper Ridge, Feeding Hills,MA. to the Agawam Energy
Commission to a Term Expiring on November 30,2014(Mayor)
President Rheault — Moved by Councilor Simpson, seconded by Councilor Messick.
Any discussion? If not, Barbara,please call the roll.
ROLL CALL— 10 YES, O NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Perry)
President Rheault—Ten yes, one absent, you've approved the confirmation.
5. TR-2011-5 -A Resolution Confirming the Reappointment of Mario
Tedeschi, 150 Juniper Ridge,Feeding Hills,MA.to the Municipal Golf
Commission to a Term Expiring December 31,2012. (Mayor)
President Rheault — Moved by Councilor Simpson, seconded by Councilor Messick.
Any discussion? If not, Barbara? I'm sorry, is he here? Do you wish to - ? No, I'm
sorry, Barbara, please call the roll.
ROLL CALL— 10 YES, O NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Perry)
President Rheault—Ten yes, one absent, you've approved and congratulations Mario.
6. TR-2011-6 - A Resolution Confirming the Reappointment of Joseph F.
Fitzpatrick, 142 Glendale Street,Agawam,MA.to the Housing Authority to
1♦ a Term Expiring January 1,2014(Mayor)
President Rheault—Moved by Councilor Simpson, seconded by Councilor Walsh. Any
discussion? If not, Barbara, I'm sorry, Councilor Letellier?
Councilor Letellier — Thank you, yes, I had seen Mr. Fitzpatrick. He can't come here
this evening but he was asking to be reappointed and he said that the Housing Authority
really has been working well together and has a lot of plans he wants to move forward on.
President Rheault—Thank you.
Councilor Letellier—You're welcome.
President Rheault—The reason I didn't see your light was that it was hidden behind the
pitcher of water. Barbara, would you please call the roll?
ROLL CALL —10 YES, O NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Perry)
President Rheault—Ten yes, one absent, you've approved the confirmation.
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Item 7. Report of Council Committees
None.
Item &. Elections
None.
•
Item 9. Public Hearings
1. PH-2011-1 (TR-2010-48)A Resolution in the Matter of a Petition of
Western Massachusetts Electric Company(Referred to the Utilities and
Street Acceptance Committee)(Mayor)
President Rheault — I now declare the public hearing open. A representative of
WMECO, please state your name and address for the record if you would please and you
have up to ten minutes to present.
Jerry Fortier -- Thank you Mr. President and Council members. My name's Jerry
Fortier. I'm representing Western Mass Electric Company this evening and I am from 13
North Ledge Rock Road, Niantic, CT. This evening I'm here to present a briefing on the
petition before the Council requesting that the City Council grant its location for and
permission and consent to construct maintain and operate transmission and distribution
i lines, related lines for the Greater Springfield Reliability Project. That project will install
or replace over 90 miles of transmission circuits along the approximate 38 miles of
existing right of way corridors in the states of Connecticut and Massachusetts. It
adverses three towns in Connecticut, five municipalities in the State of Massachusetts
including Agawam, West Springfield, Chicopee, Springfield and Ludlow. It is a
reliability project that completes a 345 Kb loop in the region as well as strengthens the
existing 115 Kb transmission system. The petition is for existing right of ways, most of
the work on the Greater Springfield Reliability Project all of the work is actually included
in the existing right of ways and again in the Town of Agawam, there are three areas of
work for GSRP and again it's between the Connecticut and Mass border in South
Agawam switching station, north of Shoemaker Lane and between South Agawam and
Agawam sub-station north of Springfield Street and lastly between Agawam sub-station
and the Westfield River crossing and I'm here again to answer any questions that the
Council might have on this petition before them.
• President Rheault—Any questions from the Council? Was it Mr. Fortier?
Jerry Fortier—Yes it is sir.
President Rheault—No questions? No questions. Thank you. Is there anyone else who
would like to speak on behalf of the granting of the Resolution? Anyone who would like
to speak in opposition? Anyone who would like to come forward and state their name
and address in record only? Anyone who would like to come forward and state their
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name and address in opposition? One last time, any further questions from the Council?
Councilor Bitzas?
•
Councilor Bitzas --Just a question, curiosity for us and the people that are watching us.
How much would be the project, 90 miles you said? And is that going to be have effects
in the rates, electricity rates, and can you tell us how much? Can you bring the rates
down? Or keep and maintain, you our economy is pretty bad, I know for the residents of
Agawam they are talking about and the others too, can you enlighten us a little bit more
what to be expecting? Will it be a lot more because of this expense to your company?
Thank you.
Jerry Fortier — Sir, I actually do not have the exact rate information but I can tell you
• again that this is a reliability project that gets if you will socialized over all of New
England. It's a transmission reliability project and therefore again gets socialized. What
that means it goes into regional rates both in all of the ...folks and all of New England are
.. I can tell you that it will also have a large impact on local economies with regard to
creating jobs and additional tax revenue as a result of the infra-structure that will be
placed in service as a result of the project.
Councilor Bitzas—Thank you very much and I will support the project no problem.
President Rheault—Thank you very much Mr. Fortier. I now declare the public hearing
closed. What's the Council's pleasure? Moved by Councilor Bitzas, seconded by
Councilor Rossi. A report from the Street Acceptance Committee? Councilor Mineo?
Councilor Mineo — Yes, we did meet. Yes, we met I think it was a month or a month
and a half ago and it was my committee, Councilor Bitzas and Councilor Simpson, we
did not have any problem with this. This is just something that, and actually Jill Messick
• was there also, we had no problems with this. This is just something that's just been
ongoing over the last couple of years. We did have another public hearing. We've had
power point presentations on this. It's just an upgrading of the grid so that the folks from
Ludlow to Connecticut. It's really just to improve service. So there is no problems,
actually it was a very quick meeting because it really wasn't anything new.
i
President Rheault — Thank you. Any other discussion from the Council? If not,
Barbara, would you please call the roll?
ROLL CALL— 10 YES, O NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Perry)
President Rheault — Ten es one absent,
, you've approved. Thank you very much,
gentlemen, for coming.
2. TOR-2011-1 - (PH-2011-1) PETITION WITHDRAWN— VOTE OFF
AGENDA Public Hearing Date Set for February 22,2011 for an Ordinance to
Amend the Code of the Town of Agawam Article XIV, Chapter 180§94
Entitled "Personal Wireless Services Facilities and Towers"(Referred to
Zoning and Ordinance Committees) (City Council)
• 5
President Rheault — This has been withdrawn by the Petitioner but we need a vote to
• take it off the Agenda and I'll entertain that motion. So moved by Councilors Magovern,
Rossi and Walsh to take it off, seconded by the same. All those in favor? Opposed? It's
officially off the Agenda.
Item 10. Old Business
•
1. TO-2011-1 -An Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for an
Automatic Amusement Device(s)—Ray-Mor,Inc. d/b/a The Elbow, 186
Walnut Street Ext.,Agawam,MA(Referred to License Committee) (Clerk)
! President Rheault — Moved by Councilor Rossi, seconded by Councilor Messick.
Councilor Rossi do you have a report?
Councilor Rossi — Yes, the Licensing Committee sends a positive recommendation to
the Council for approval.
• President Rheault —All right. Anything else? Any discussion? If not, Barbara, please
call the roll.
ROLL CALL— 10 YES, O NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Perry)
• President Rheault—Ten yes, one absent, you've approved the granting of the license.
2. TO-2011-2 -An Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for an
Automatic Amusement Device(s) —Springfield Turnverein,Inc., 176 Garden
Street,Feeding Hills,MA (Clerk)
President Rheault — Moved by Councilor Walsh, seconded by Councilor Rossi and
Councilor Simpson. Also a report from Councilor Rossi on this.
Councilor Rossi — Thank you. Again, the Licensing Committee sends a positive
recommendation to the Full Council for approval.
•
President Rheault — Thank you. Any other discussion from the Council? If not,
Barbara, please call the roll.
ROLL CALL— 10 YES, O NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Perry)
President Rheault—Ten yes, one absent, you've approved the renewing of the license.
•
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•
3. TO-2011-3 -An Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Weekly
Amusement Device(s)—Crestview Country Club,280 Shoemaker Lane,
Agawam,MA (Referred to License Committee)(Clerk)
President Rheault — Moved by Councilor Simpson, seconded by Councilor Walsh. A
report from Councilor Rossi?
• Councilor Rossi — Thank you. The Licensing Committee sends a positive
recommendation for approval.
President Rheault -- Recommended. Any discussion? If not, Barbara, please call the
roll.
ROLL CALL— 10 YES, O NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Perry)
President Rheault—Ten yes, one absent, you've approved the renewing of the license.
4. TO-2011-4 -An Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Class I
• or II Dealer—Bear Auto Sales,517 Springfield Street,Feeding Hills,MA
(Referred to License Committee) (Clerk)
President Rheault — Moved by Councilor Rossi, seconded by Councilor Walsh. A
report by Councilor Rossi?
•
Councilor Rossi — Yes, thank you. The Licensing Committee sends a positive
recommendation for approval of this license however it will be noted for the record that
there will be a change or amendment, if you will, to the license itself and the license will
be changed to `up to six (6) unregistered vehicles not to include personal passenger
• vehicles'. The license has been restricted to commercial and construction vehicles only
for sale and it was left open with the owner of Bear Auto that should he desire to sell
passenger cars in the future, he will conform with the requirements of the City of
Agawam and the State of Massachusetts. Based on that we send a recommendation for
approval from the Licensing Committee.
• President Rheault — Thank you. Any other discussion? If not, Barbara, please call the
roll.
ROLL CALL— 10 YES, O NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Perry)
• President Rheault --- Ten yes, one absent, you've approved subject to the conditions
mentioned by Councilor Rossi.
5. TO-2011-5 -An Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Class
I or II Dealer—Paul J.LaPointe d/b/a The Car Connection, 820 Springfield
• Street,Feeding Hills,MA(Referred to License Committee)(Clerk)
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•
President Rheault—Moved by Councilor Rossi, seconded by Councilor Walsh. Report,
Councilor Rossi?
•
Councilor Rossi — Yes, the Licensing Committee sends a positive recommendation for
approval.
President Rheault—Any other discussion? If not, Barbara, please call the roll.
•
ROLL CALL—10 YES, O NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Perry)
President Rheault—Ten yes, one absent, you've approved renewing the license.
• Item 11. New Business
1. TO-2011-6 -An Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for an
Automatic Amusement Device(s)—Friendly's, 19 Springfield Street,
Agawam,MA(Clerk)
• President Rheault—Next Agenda and over to the Licensing Committee.
2. TO-2011-7 -An Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for a Weekly
Amusement Device(s)—Siana,Inc. d/b/a Take Five,944 Springfield Street,
Feeding Hills,MA(Clerk)
President Rheault—Next Agenda and referred to the Licensing Committee.
3. TR-2011-8 -A Resolution Confirming the Reappointment of Aldo
Mancini, 482 South West Street,Feeding Hills,MA to the Agawam Veterans
Council to a Term Expiring April 1,2013 (Mayor)
•
President Rheault—Next Agenda.
4. TR-2011-9 -A Resolution Confirming the Reappointment of Frank
Pignatare,685 Suffield Street,Agawam,MA to the Agawam Veterans
Council to a Term Expiring April 1,2013 (Mayor)
President Rheault—Next Agenda.
5. TR-2011-10 -A Resolution Confirming the Reappointment of Richard
Karam, 132 Robin Ridge Drive,Feeding Hills,MA to the Agawam Veterans
Council to a Term Expiring April 1,2013 (Mayor)
President Rheault—Next Agenda.
6. TR-2011-11 A Resolution Confirming the Reappointment of Beverly
Sanford-Follis,92 Anvil Street,Feeding Hills,MA to the Agawam Veterans
Council to a Term Expiring April 1,2013 (Mayor)
• 8
President Rheault—Next Agenda.
7. TR-2011-12 -A Resolution Confirming the Reappointment of Francis
Curnow, 115 Forest Hill Road,Feeding Hills,MA to the Agawam Veterans
Council to a Term Expiring April 1,2013 (Mayor)
President Rheault—Next Agenda.
8. TR-2011-13 -A Resolution Confirming the Reappointment of Frank
Mazzei,476 Springfield Street,Feeding Hills,MA to the Agawam Veterans
Council to a Term Expiring April 1,2013 (Mayor)
President Rheault—Next Agenda.
•
9. TR-2011-14 -A Resolution Confirming the Reappointment of
Christopher Sanchez,36 Hemlock Ridge,Feeding Hills,MA to the Agawam
Veterans Council to a Term Expiring April 1,2013 (Mayor)
President Rheault—Next Agenda and I do thank the Mayor for putting all of these back
and I think it's in the best interest of the town and it will work out well.
10. TR-2011-15 -A Resolution to Support Senate Docket#82 and House
Docket#474 an "Act to Sustain Community Preservation"(Councilor
Bitzas)
•
President Rheault—Next Agenda. He's asked if anybody wants to co-sign. I don't see
the attorney's signature on there George, Councilor Bitzas, I'm sorry.
Councilor Bitzas — Yes, the attorney signed but by the time it came, our packets were
IR gone so I think Barbara has the signed copy so next time it will be in your packets and if
anybody likes you can tell me or tell Barbara so we can add your names there also.
Thank you.
11. TR-2011-16 -A Resolution Pursuant to Chapter 44,Section 31D of
• Massachusetts General Law which Authorizes the City of Agawam to Incur
Charges in Excess of Appropriation for Snow and Ice Removal(Mayor
Cohen)
President Rheault — Next Agenda which by law the Council has to approve and in an
emergency.
•
Item 12. Any other matter that may lekally come before the City Council.
President Rheault—I'll start to my furthest right, Councilor Bitzas?
• Councilor Bitzas —Just about the Resolution we have in front of us. We did it last year
and the Full Council supported it. Hopefully what we're looking now and I hope we will
pass it this year, they tried to make the Act a little bit better for the towns so instead we
9
have...they start with 100% matching funds and now we're down to almost 30% or 27%.
We're trying here to go up to guarantee 75% to go to the town. Also we'd like to see this
Act to be more improved and have less strings attached so we can use the money for the
well, everybody knows that the High School track is in disrepair so maybe we can use
some CPA money to have a new track and other projects that are good for the town. So
again, if you wanted to when your turn it is to speak, let me know so we can put your
name co-sponsor of the Resolution. Thank you.
•
President Rheault—Thank you. Councilor Simpson?
Councilor Simpson—Thank you. Just, George, could you add my name please as one of
the co-sponsors? Thank you.
President Rheault—Councilor Magovern?
Councilor Magovern — George, you can add my name also and again Council President,
I'd like to apologize for being late. I was unavoidably detained.
President Rheault—No problem. The main thing is you are here.
Councilor Magovern —Well it's the first time I've been late in all the years I've been on
the City Council. I'm sorry that I broke my record for being on time.
• President Rheault—There's a first time for everything.
Councilor Magovern —And I'm sorry I didn't get to vote for Jay Berger who is a very,
very good worker on their and on the commission. Thank you. That's all I have.
President Rheault — And he's already gone home and he didn't hear it. Councilor
Mineo?
Councilor Mineo — George, you can add my name also. I want to bring up something
and really want to bring up something for the last time. It's got to do with the cell phones
and with the School Department. The School Department, some School Department
administrator contacted Cheryl about a cell phone bill, okay? I requested information. I
gave you all a packet tonight which is what I received from the Auditor, okay? There
were two articles that were, there was one in the Reminder News and there was one on
Sunday in the Republican. I think the one that was in the Reminder was more accurate
from the Director of Finance, Patti Cavanaugh, which states that they were reimbursed
$9,173.00 out of the $20,000.00 and Superintendent Czajkowski had another figure of I
believe it was $8,700.00 However, what they didn't let you know, if you look on the
bottom of page 3 of what I gave you. There's a processing fee. If you look at the very
bottom and again, I got this from Cheryl, okay, of$3,336.34 which brings that total up to
about $14,000.00 and I had no idea that this, again, was in the School Budget. Again I
want to work with everybody and I've been a friend to the school. Some of these cell
phones, I'm gonna be honest with you and I've talked to a few of the other councilors, I
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don't agree with everything that's on here, I'm gonna be quite honest with you. I think
you know these are things that are in the budget from last year. What's done is done, I
mean there's really not much we can do about it other than we're gonna be meeting, Dr.
Czajkowkski mentioned that she wanted to meet with the Council about next year's
budget because there's gonna be severe cuts. Again, and I just said one thing about
putting something in writing — I don't have a problem putting anything in writing to Dr.
Czajkowski and I said I'm only one councilor, maybe somebody else feels different. I
don't have a problem with it. When the bill came to the Auditor, the bill didn't coarse to
her, when she was contacted okay and I found out about it, I asked her about it. I felt and
still feel that I did not have to contact the Superintendent, okay? If I had found out about
this from somebody else, I would have contacted Dr. Czajkowski. I've always had a
great relationship with her. This came to the Auditor. The Auditor works for the City
Council. She works for us. So I believe that I followed the proper procedure. I know
I've had the support from the President and Vice President Rossi. I appreciate your
support. I know that Bobby had wrote a memo to Don and again I appreciate it. I was
just asking a question. I didn't mean to step on anybody's toes or ruffle any feathers it's
just I wanted some information and I think under our Charter I had every right to do that
and again I am completely done with this tonight. I'm not gonna talk about it again but I
just wanted to make sure that I clarified myself with my colleagues of why I asked this. I
gave you the information that I received from the Auditor. I would appreciate it if you
would take a Iook at this. I don't think out of I mean there's $30,000.00 that's budgeted
in their budget for cell phones. I mean I'm just looking at this, I don't think everybody
needs a cell phone. I'm not saying everybody, but I'm saying there's people on this list
• that I don't think need to have cell phones and Patti Cavanaugh said that they're using
these phones not just for work related but for personal use too. Well I don't agree with
that and again, I'm one councilor out of eleven but that's just my opinion.
President Rheault—Thank you. Councilor Rossi?
•
Councilor Rossi — Yes, I just want to clarify a little position that I have on this matter.
Several months ago I happened to be in the Auditor's Office and the question came by
her desk as to what authority that these cell phones were gonna be paid from. They had
previously been paid from a certain account and the DOR had told or instructed our
Auditor to close that account that it was no longer able to be paid from the account and
it's come to be some back and forth between the School Department and our Auditor as
to how these things were going to be paid. Up to that point, I never even realized that
principals, vice principals, people in the Guidance Department, Administrative Assistants
all have cell phones and that tallied several thousands of dollars. My thought is and like
• Councilor Mineo, I actually question the need to spend that kind of money for cell phones
for that number of people in the school systems and the second question is why can't
these principals, vice principals, guidance councilors, and everybody else document their
phone calls to students, parents and other persons interested in school affairs by regular
channels? By city telephones and those kinds of things where things can be recorded and
be legitimate. Why would it be necessary for these people to have cell phones to be
• talking to students, parents and other people concerned with school matters after hours or
outside of the school area? I just don't see the need for that and I think that opens up a
• 11
genuine concern as to problems that may exist in the future. In light of everything that's
happening now with this media that we have in existence today, this electronic media, I
think all kinds of problems are starting to emerge and if I read correctly, School
Committee Galarneau in her presentation, wanted to create some policy in the School
Department that would eliminate that sort of thing and would document and legitimize
the staffers of the School Department when it came to contacting students and parents
and to make it more legitimate and I think the cell phone kind of detracts from that and
that's just my personal opinion and the second thing I wanted to touch on and I know that
Councilor Mineo said that there was $30,000.00 earmarked — the School Department
doesn't have a line item budgeting and I have absolutely no idea where that $30,000.00
was and here I am I'm passing a budget allowing almost $34million earmarked for the
school systems here and never realized that S20,000.00 or $30,000.00 was going for cell
phones that I personally don't agree with and I certainly would have taken issue if I had
known at the time. So I think that, Pm hoping, that at the School, the Superintendent is
calling for more transparency, I'm hoping that that will come into being and that this
coming budget, we will be able to sit down and talk about some of these things and be a
little bit more open so we don't have any kind of surprises. And again, this isn't about
assigning any blame here. This is a simple matter of finding out something that we never
knew existed and we're legislators of this community and when you get surprises like
this, I think it's incumbent upon us to ask these kinds of questions. I don't think it's
permissible to ask these questions, it's our responsibility to ask these questions and I'm
sorry that it offends certain people that we have to ask these questions, but that's just the
way that the system is supposed to work. So again, I don't agree with the cell phones,
i like Councilor Mineo does not agree, and I'll leave everybody else to their opinion but I
don't think there's a need for that many cell phones. I don't see them as an emergency
situation where any member or any staffer of our school systems would be in a position
where they would actually have to have a cell phone because there was some kind of
emergency situation, I certainly would like to discuss that issue. Thank you.
•
President Rheault—Councilor Walsh?
Councilor Walsh —Nothing tonight, thank you.
President Rheault—Councilor Cichetti?
Councilor Cichetti — Yes, thank you. I'd like to just also, Councilor Bitzas, co-sponsor
on that, also and I'd also like to tell Anthony Sylvia good luck in his further ventures as
he is resigning as DPW Superintendent. Thank you.
S President Rheault—Councilor Messick?
Councilor Messick—I'd also like to be sponsored on your bill and we've set the date for
our Third Annual Earth Day what we hope is our third annual Earth Day that doesn't get
cancelled and that will be April 30'h so if you have an interest in participating as a
vendor, you can give Barbara a call at the Council Office and she will give me your
number and we will contact you. Thank you.
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President Rheault—Councilor Letellier?
•
Councilor Letellier — Yes, I too, would like to be a co-sponsor on the CPA Resolution
and I also want to thank Anthony Sylvia. He was a stranger in a strange land and I'm
sure there was some resistance for someone from out of town and out of state getting the
job and I think Anthony did a really nice job and I want to thank you very much and with
regard to this cell phone stuff. I think the first thing we need to look into is which of
these cell phones is part of a contract because if it's part of a contract as you know,
there's not a whole lot we can do. So I think we need to figure out which persons, which
job positions are contractually have to have a cell phone under their contract because if
their contract says we have to give them a cell phone, we can say what we want but we
don't sign those contracts so I guess we need to look into asking which persons or which
departments get cell phones. But I also think that Joe did the right process — the Auditor
is an employee of the City Council. Any bill that comes into that office, we as a City
Council have the right to ask. We don't have to go to the Department Heads, we go right
to the Auditor and say what's this bill for? That's the end of the discussion. So I think
Joe did the right thing.
•
Councilor Mineo—Would it be possible if I said one more thing if it's okay?
President Rheault—Well, I'm not gonna stop you.
• Councilor Mineo — Okay, just what you were saying about contracts. I spoke with Dr.
Czajkowski, she never mentioned anything that it was part of a negotiated contract. I
mean I think if it was part of a contract, I think when we had our conversation, I think
that would have been the appropriate time to bring it up so if she didn't bring it up that it
was contractual then I don't think it's contractual because if it was contractual, you know,
I would have said okay. I mean it's part of negotiating but—
Councilor Letellier—I agree and if you look I think there's plenty of people on the non-
school side too that may not need cell phones. We're not living in an era where having a
cell phone is this big, scary, unusual thing.
•
Councilor Mineo—I totally agree.
Councilor Letellier—If you need to be reached after hours, come into the office do your
job and use the phone at the office.
Councilor Mineo -- When it comes to Police, Fire, Emergency Management, I have to
agree with you. I do.
Councilor Letellier — I remember when my dad was a copy, you get called into duty,
you get called into duty, you don't need a cell phone, you can call on your personal line
like they used to so I think there's a lot of cell phones out there that we don't need to pay
for. I agree with Joe. Good job.
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President Rheault — Well I have a couple things to say. First of all I supported Joe
because as Gina just alluded to, I think that the Town Auditor works for us and answers
to us and if we ask a question that's legitimate, it's town business and she's directed
basically to reply to us. My disagreement at the time with Dr. Czajkowski was the fact
that she wanted us to put this in writing before we asked and I felt that's improper and
wasn't necessary. There's certain things that we may have, like your request now, as to
where these cell phones are being used, and are they contractual. That may be an
appropriate question to put in writing to her but when Joe acted I had no problem
defending him because I felt he was 100% correct and I would stand up for any member.
of the Council the same way. I'd like to just take this moment, if I could, to deviate a
little bit, Anthony is here and I know he's leaving on Friday and I'm sure that he wants to
say a few words to the Council so I'm gonna allow him to come up and no tears,just—
0 Anthony Sylvia — Thank you Mr. President for the opportunity to speak. This is my last
week here with the Town of Agawam as our Superintendent of Public Works. I've found
an opportunity to work in this field and relocate back to the area that I came from being
closer to Rhode Island, to be close to my children, to be close to my family and again, to
continue in this same line of work. I'm going to be actually going to work for Tighe &
0 Bond Engineering Consulting which most of you are probably familiar with as a Project
Manager. They have an office in south eastern Mass. and that's where I'm looking to
continue working so instead of doing what I do for one community, albeit a very good
community, I've enjoyed my time here in Agawam, I'm looking forward to doing what I
do for many communities. It's been a pleasure working with all of you. I've greatly
! appreciated your support in my time here and if you have any questions of me, I'm at
your disposal. Thank you.
President Rheault—Anthony, I'm sure I speak on behalf of all of the Council that we're
gonna miss you and for your short term here, I thought you did an outstanding job and
you were a gentleman at all times. You were there when we needed you and you
responded in a timely fashion, I haven't anyways, in many a year so good luck to you and
hopefully we'll stay in touch and George you can add me to that list by the way.
Councilor Rossi?
0 Councilor Rossi — Anthony, before you go, I just want to say on behalf of myself as a
City Council and more importantly as Chairman of the Sewer Committee, to let you
know what a great pleasure it was to be able to work with you on this project, to get it off
the ground and running as it has and as I'm hoping it will continue to. Your cooperation
has been just tremendous. I can't tell you what a pleasure it was to work with you and
. your staff and I want to commend you for those efforts because without your help, we
probably would have gotten through this thing as quickly and as smoothly as we did. So
I would just like to say thank you for that and thank you for always being there at a time
when I, in particular, have ever asked you for any particular considerations and you've
always been there and willing to come forward and I wish you well and my very best to
you in the future.
Anthony Sylvia—Thank you very much. It's been my pleasure.
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President Rheault—Thank you. Councilor Bitzas?
•
Councilor Bitzas — Mr. President? Thank you. I would like to take an opportunity if I
may, I'd like to echo both councilors, Anthony, and also my personal feelings. You did a
great job for us for a very short time and your office was also very accessible to
everybody. Residents called me for complaints and I give you phone number, they were
always pleased to talk with you and your office door was always open and I wish you the
best luck to you and for the last thing for the town, next week, please make sure you do
the Springfield Street potholes special! Good luck to you!
President Rheault—Actually you're going out on a blast!
• Anthony Sylvia — I'll say! Mother Nature definitely wasn't going to make me forget
Agawam. For the success that I've enjoyed here in less than a couple years that I've been
here it's not without a ton of credit to everybody that works in Public Works. I
appreciate all the hard work of everyone in Public Works and they're very dedicated so
I've been lucky to have them and the town is very Iucky to have them. As I leave, the
good work that has been going on will continue so I'd like to reassure the Council of the
momentum of what's been going on there will be continuing. Under Mayor Cohen,
under whomever the next Superintendent will be, the nuts and bolts, the machine that is
Public Works, is in place and to a large extent, the good things that are going on will
continue. Thank you.
•
President Rheault—Thank you. .
Anthony Sylvia—You're welcome.
President Rheault — Final item. I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. Moved by the
Council, seconded by the Council. All those in favor? We are now adjourned. Thank
you and good evening.
Adjournment.
•
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