TR-2009-50 REQUESTING GOVERNOR TO RESTORE FUNDS TO SOLDIERS HOME ■ 5 U
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TR-2009-50
I afq JCR
AMENDED RESOLUTION REQUESTING GOVERNOR DEVAL L. PATRICK
TO RESTORE THE STATE FUNDS BUDGET CUT FROM THE HOLYOKE
SOLDIER'S HOME
(Sponsored by Councilor George Bitzas)
WHEREAS, the budget cut by Governor Deval L. Patrick to the Holyoke
Soldier's Home will have a devastating impact on the vital veterans services provided at
the home to veterans who live in the Pioneer Valley;
WHEREAS, veterans fought, suffered, and risked their lives serving our cotffitry-,
WHEREAS, we should in turn provide the necessary funding so that our veterans
receive the best care and services available; P-
at:
WHEREAS, the recent reduction of nearly $894,404.00 in state funding amzthe
closing of the medical clinic will drastically affect immediately over 2,200 veterans i;�the
Pioneer Valley who receive services from the Holyoke Soldier's Home; and
NOW THEREFORE, THE AGAWAM TOWN COUNCIL hereby resolves to
strongly request Governor Deval L. Patrick to restore the $894,404.00 in state funding
recently cut from the Holyoke Soldier's Home and also urges our State Senator, Stephen
J. Buoniconti and our State Representative, Kosemary Sandlin to support the restoration
of state funding for the Holyoke Soldier's Home.
THE AGAWAM TOWN COUNCIL hereby further resolves to share its
disappointment and displeasure at the actions of Governor Deval L. Patrick in
vetoing the State Legislature's approval of the restoration of$500,000.00 in funding
for the Holyoke Soldier's Home.
DATED THIS M%AY 2009. /01
PER ORDER OF THE AGAWAM TOWN COUNCIL CC
L)
67N
Qln"a-W. Letellier, rre(�PNt,'Agawam To4vn Council
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
C=)l
Christopher C. J t+on, Solicitor
MAYORAL ACTION
Received this n dayof -3kCZPLb-QA,- , 2009 from Town Council Clerk.
QOC -)OCQ YY)-b
Signed by Council President this day of t QA�/ , 2009.
APPROVAL OF LEGISLAIION
By the powers vested in me pursuant to Article 3, Section 3-6 of the Agawar�LCharter, as
n _
amended, I hereby approve the passage of the above legislation on this day of
I DO o ft JUX,-1 -, 2009.
Susan R. Dawson, Mayor
DISAPPROVAL-0-FtEGISLATION
By the powers vested in me pursuant to Article 3, Section 3-6 of the Agawam Charter, as
amended, I hereby veto the passage of the above legislation on this day of
2009 for the following reason(s):
Susan R. Dawson, Mayor
RETURN GE LEGISLAIIL)N TO COUNCIL CLE
Returned to Council Clerk this ------ day of Qkmr�qhc 2009.
Page I of I
barbara bard
From: Kevin Baldini
Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 9:57 AM
To: barbara bard
Subject: FW: Tax Rate Approval Notification
Hey, Barb:
It's official!!
If you want, you can forward this info to the council members.
Kevin
From: reca pdata@dor.state.ma.us [ma ilto:reca pdata@dor.state.ma.us]
Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 9:01 AM
To: Kevin Baldini; Cheryl Stlohn; Charlotte Grondin; Mayor Susan R. Dawson; Laurel Placzek
Subject: Tax Rate Approval Notification
Massachusetts Devartm
Navjeet K Bal, Commissioner
Robert G, Nunes, Deputy Commissioner & Director of Municipal Affairs
Agawam Assessors Date: 12/11/2009 9:01:11 AM
Dear Assessors:
The Fiscal Year 2010 tax rate has been certified by the Bureau of Accounts for Agawam.
The four pages of the tax rate recapitulation form and the levy limit worksheet (not
applicable to districts) are available on the Division of Local Services website:
Tax Rate Reg�dp.Ltulation Form
Lemy Lim it-\ko-Cks_b_e�e�t
Page one of the tax rate recapitulation form includes the Director of Accounts' electronic
signature and the date of approval. This letter is your notification of approval pursuant
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 59, section 23. Please forward copies of this notification
to other officials as you deem appropriate.
We wish to thank you for your cooperation and assistance in the tax rate setting process.
Sincerely,
Gerard D. Perry
Director of Accounts
.........I............................................................
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they
are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify
the system manager at postmaster at dor.state.ma.us.
.....................................................................
12/11/2009
AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
36 MAIN STREET
AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS 0 100 1
E
December 10, 2009
PRESIDENT
Gina M Letellier
Mr. Francis.1. Curnow
VICE PRESIDENT 115 Forest 1-1 i I I Road
Cecilia P. Calabrese Feeding Hills, MA. 0 1030
COUNCILORS
George Bitzas Dear Mr. CUrnow:
Paul C. Cavallo
Jill S.Messick It was very ri ice to hear you speak on behalf of the Vete.rans' Council at our recent
Joseph Mineo
Dennis J. Perry City COL11161 meeting. I hope the Council's Una 11 ill'ous support of the resolution Wi I I
bonaldM.Rheault help ill sorne small way to restore funding to the Soldier*s Horne.
Robert E. Rossi
Jill P, Simpson If there are any events or rallies planned in the near future, please inform the City
Robert M. Young Council office. Thank You again for your Support and dedication to the veterans of
ADMINISTRATIVE Our country.
ASSISTANT Sincerely,
Barbara A. Bard I
George Bitzad
Agawam City Council
GB/bb
cc: City Council
Mayor
TELEPHONE
(413) 786-0400 Ext. 233
FAX
(413) 786-9927
TR-2009-50
AMENDED RESOLUTION REQUESTING GOVERNOR DEVAL L. PATRICK
TO RESTORE THE STATE FUNDS BUDGET CUT FROM THE HOLYOKE
SOLDIER'S HOME
(Sponsored by Councilor George Bitzas)
WHEREAS, the budget cut by Governor Deval L. Patrick to the Holyoke
Soldier's Home will have a devastating impact on the vital veterans services provided at
the home to veterans who live in the Pioneer Valley;
WHEREAS, veterans fought, suffered, and risked their lives serving our country;
WHEREAS, we should in turn provide the necessary funding so that our veterans
receive the best,care and services available;
WHEREAS, the recent reduction of nearly $894,404.00 in state funding and the
closing of the medical clinic will drastically affect immediately over 2,200 veterans in the
Pioneer Valley who receive services from the Holyoke Soldier's Home; and
NOW THEREFORE, THE AGAWAM TOWN COUNCIL hereby resolves to
strongly request Governor Deval L. Patrick to restore the $894,404.00 in state funding
recently cut from the Holyoke Soldier's Home and also urges our State Senator, Stephen
J. Buoniconti and our State Representative, Rosemary Sandlin to support the restoration
of state funding for the Holyoke Soldier's Home.
THE AGAWAM TOWN COUNCIL hereby further resolves to share its
disappointment and displeasure at the actions of Governor Dcval L. Patrick in
vetoing the State Legislature's approval of the restoration of$500,000.00 in funding
for the Holyoke Soldier's Home.
DATED THIS DAY OF 2009,
PER ORDER OF THE AGAWAM TOWN COUNCIL
Gina M. Letellier, President, Agawam Town Council
APPROVED AS. TO FORM AND LEGALITY
(3*:7U NJ
Christopher C. J on, Solicitor
C)
)CAL C3
Aowcitn fiA
on state cuts
There was verbal suppoIrt Senate primary elections to re
Place the late Massachusetts,
for the measure to restore Democrat Edward M. Kenne-
dywiUbeonDec.8.
funds to the Holyoke After Pattick announced
the initial state cuts,the Legis-
Soldiers Home within the lature also approved $500,000
for the Chelsea Soldiers
Agawam City Council. Home. Patrick vetoed those
fundsaswell.
By CHRIS HANM Bittas said he is encourag-
chomel@repub.com ing other cities and towns to
AGAWAM — The City go on record with similar re-
solves..
Council is expected to vote "I know one town cannot do
Dec. 9 on a resolution calling
i for restorution of more than it alone,"he said."With us and
thers pushing it, (Patrick)
$894,000 in state cuts to the 0
may change his mind.It's nev-
Holyoke Soldiers Home.
Gov. Deval L. Patrick cut
er too late."
$894,404 on Oct.29 as part of The governor announced
the $237 million in budget
$237 million in state budget cuts, less than two weeks be-
cuts.Although the Legislature fore Veterans Day. Veterans
approved$500,000 on Nov.19 and their supporters protested
to keep the home's outpatient the trimming of veterans serv-
department in operation, Pat-
rick vetoed the move on Tues- ices at the Statehouse on Nov.
day. 18.
City Councilor-George Bit- Bitzas said on Nov, 23 that
zas. sponsored the resolution the timing of the state cuts was
here,before Patrick's veto was like"a slap in the face"to vet-
Staff 0.to by MARK M.JNAKA lodged. BituLs called for the erans. He noted that legisla.
full restoration of$894,404. tors had projected that the
7 Diploma as part of the $500,000 partial restoration
;J.Ashe Jr., left,and He said on Friday, that he
ion at Stonybrook In will not rescind the resolution, for Holyoke would keep the
which the council first saw un- outpatient department func-
der new business on Nov. 16, tioning only through June 30,
but will amend it to send a 2010, possibly with some de-
stronger message to the gover- creases in services.
nor. He said that he believes the
)14,000 "I'm very,very disappointed council's other 10 members
(in the veto),"he said"We can wffl give unanimous support
inmates are involved in-educa- amend (the resolution) to to the request for full funding
tional programs at the'ail show our displeasure. I'm restoration, He noted that
J. - going to offer an amendment when the resolution was pres-
In addition to GED test to ask him to reconsider and ented under new business on
preparation, the correctional find the money.- Nov. 16, it received wide ver-
centers education department The council meeting on Dec. bal support.
offers Adult Basic Education 9 is scheduled to begin at 7 "(Our veterans) faught and
for those not yet at GED prep- pmL at the Middle School.The died and suffered for our fi-ee-
aration level and English as a panel will meet on a Wednes- dom,"Bitzas said. "Now they
SecondLanguage. day, rather than the usual need our help. They deserve
Richard J.McCarthy,public Monday, because the US. more,notless."
affairs officer for the Ham.
pden County Sheriffs Depart-
ment, said approximately 50
p,ercent of the inmates come to
zhe jail without a high school Norffiampton
Mpl9ma or GED.The average
ing level of an inmate en-
'ail is between 6th and
)CAL C3
i*awam votillig .
on state cuts
Them was verbal support Senate primary elections to re-
place the late Massachusetts
for the measure to restore Democrat Edward M. Kenne-
dywill be on Dec.8.
-After Patrick arinounced
funds to the Holyoke
the initial state cuts,the Legis-
Soldiers Home within the lature also approved $500,000
for the Chelsea Soldiers
,It Agawam City Coundl. Home. Patrick vetoed those
funds as well.
By CHRIS HAMM Bitzas said he is encourag-
chamelgrepub-com ing other cities and towns to
go on record with similar re-
AGAWAM — The City solves..
Council is expected to vote
"I know one town cannot do
Dec- 9 on a resolution calling it alone'.he said.'With us and
for restoration of more than others pushing it, (Patrick)
$894.000 in state cuts to the may charige his mind.It's nev-.
Holyoke Soldiers Home. er too late."
Gov. Deval L. Patrick cut 71be governor announced
SM4,404 on Oct.29 as part of
$237 miffion in state budget the $237 million in budget
cuts.Although the Legislature cuts, less than two weeks be.
approved$500,000 on Nov. 19 fore Veterans Day. Veterans
to keep the home's outpatient and their supporters protested
department in operation, Pat- the trimming of veterans serv-
rick vetoed the move on Tues- ices at the Statehouse on Nov.
day. 18.
City Councilor George Bit- Bitzas said on Nov. 23 that
zas sponsored the resolution the timing of the state cuts was
here,before Patrick's veto was like"a slap in the face"to vet-
staff photo by*AM AL muRmy lodged. Bitzas called for the emns. He noted that legisla-
:y Diploma as part of the full restorafion of$894,404. tors had projected that the
J.Ashe Jr.,left,and He said on Friday, that he $500,000 partial restoration
ion at Stonybrook in will not rescind the resolution, for Holyoke would keep the
which the council first saw un- outpatient department func-
der new business on Nov. 16, tioning only through June 31),
- but will amend it to send a 2010, possibly with some de-
stronger message to the gover- creases in services.
nor. He said that he believes the
49000 Tm very,very disappointed council's other 10 members
(in the veto),"he said"We can Will give unanimous support
inmates are involved in educa- amend (the resolution) to to the request for full funding
tional programs at the jail. show our displeasure. rm restoration. He noted that
going to offer an amendment when the resolution was pres-
In addition to GED test to ask him to reconsider and ented under new business on
preparation, the comctional findthernoney.� Nov. 16, it received wide ver-
centers education department The council meeting on Dec. bal support.
Offers Adult Basic Education 9 is scheduled to begin at 7 "(Our veterans) fought and
for those not yet at GED prep- Pm.at the Middle School.The died and suffered for our free�
aration level and English as a panel will meet on a Wednes- dom,"Bitzas said. "Now they
Second Language. day, rather than the usual need our help. They deserve
Richard J.McCarthy,public Monday, because the US. more,not less.-
affairs officer for the Ham-
pden County Sherffs Depart-
ment, said approximately 50
;:ercent of the inmates come to
:he jail without a high school
Pplorna or GED.The averageNorffiampton
'reading level of an inniate en-
.eringjafl is between 6th and