CC MTG MINUTES JUNE 27 2013 SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF THE AGAW"CITY COUNCIL
• June 27, 2013
President Johnson —I'd call the meeting to order at 7:06pm.
• Item 1. Roll Call
President Johnson —I'd ask Barbara to call the roll please?
ROLL CALL—10 PRESENT, I ABSENT (Councilor Cavallo)
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President Johnson—With ten present and one absent,we have a quorum.
Item 2. Moment o Silence and the Pledge o Alle lance
President Johnson — Let the record show that Councilor Cichetti has joined us. I'd ask
everyone to please rise for a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance please?
Item 3. TO-2013-20- SuP.Blemental Bud et Emergency Preamble Ma or
Discussed that the DOR requires the town to use an accrual basis not cash basis for our
payroll. The July P payroll is actually FY13 budget not the FY14 budget. It was
inadvertently determined by the Auditor, Cheryl, while she was speaking with the DOR
about an employee buyback system. Administration wanted to put this on the July 8d'
Agenda via several items of transfer which technically would have been illegal to vote
upon at the July 80' meeting for the July P payroll - deficit spending. If those items had
• appeared on our July 8ffi Agenda, the DOR would have required an involuntary tack on
the tax levy and also would reduce our Free Cash so it would be a double hit. In the
future, this would be a wash to do it this way but for this year, it did not make sense.
Council President suggested withdrawing the money from Free Cash and to also do this
prior to the end of this fiscal year end. The town attempted to get a waiver from the DOR
for this year and begin the journal entry/notation however the DOR denied them. If we,
the Council, say no to this item tonight, then Cheryl will not sign off on the payroll which
would result in angry employees, a violation of labor laws and possible grievances. The
reality is it is no one's fault. The town has always operated under the cash system.
Moving forward; we should adjust to the new accrual method. Councilor Rheault asked
what would happen to the stipends with the answer from Council President being nothing
happens. Councilor Bitzas stated that we have no choice but to agree to this. Council
President stated that the DOR said the Auditor could sign off because of the contractual
obligations but if the Council does not approve this item, it puts Cheryl in a difficult
position.
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President Johnson — The Emergency Preamble requires a two-thirds vote. Any
questions or discussion? Seeing none, Barbara, could you call the roll please?
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ROLL CALL—10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Cavallo)
President Johnson—With a vote of ten yes, zero no, we have approved TO-2013-20.
• Item _4. TR-2013-37 - A Resolution Adoptine a Fiscal Year 2013 Supplemental
Budget of$ for the Town of Agawam (Mayor)
Council President explained that this item showed the line items to be increased with the
Supplemental Budget. Administration did a number of in-house transfers to this
Supplemental Budget would be less so as to soften the impact on Free Cash. Originally
they wanted to use eight or nine transfers and place these items on our Agenda.
Councilor Letellier asked who is paid under Medicare insurance. Council President
noted that that was the town's contribution for Medicare for its employees. Council
President also stated that the school amount was less because the teachers were already
paid.
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President Johnson — Any questions or discussion on TR-2013-37? This requires six
votes. Barbara, please call the roll?
ROLL CALL—10 YES,0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Cavallo)
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President Johnson — With a vote of ten yes, one absent, you have passed TR-2013-37.
I'll entertain a Motion to adjourn? Moved by Councilor Rheault, seconded by Councilor
Cichetti. All those in favor of adjourning? Opposed? We're now adjourned.
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Item 4. Adjournment at 7:22pm
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