[15:00] Yes. Calibri. Yes. Hendrickson. Yes. McNair. Yes. Mercadantee. Yes. Rickman. Yes. Rossi. Yes. Russo. Yes. Sandlin. Yes.

[15:13] Yes.

[15:13] So, 3D.

[15:14] Yes.

[15:14] 11, yes.

[15:15] 0, no.

[15:16] With 11, yes, you approved T.O. 2026-11.

[15:21] Next, T.O. 2026-12, a budgetary transfer of $13,906 from regular temporary, number 11611-51020

[15:33] to postage and printing.

[15:34] Number one, six, six, zero, two, dash five, two, two, five.

[15:40] Should be by Councilor Sandland, seconded by Councilor Hendrickson.

[15:43] We already have Chairman Merkett Dancer's report, is there any discussion?

[15:47] Seeing none, bar, please call the roll.

[15:50] Bitsis.

[15:51] Yes.

[15:52] Brigade.

[15:52] Yes.

[15:53] Calibri.

[15:54] Yes.

[15:55] Hendrickson.

[15:56] Yes.

[15:56] McNair.

[15:57] Yes.

[15:58] Merkettant.

[15:58] Yes.

[15:59] Rickman.

[16:00] Yes.

[16:01] Rossi.

[16:01] Yes.

[16:02] Rousseau.

[16:03] Yes.

[16:04] Sandlin.

[16:05] Yes.

[16:05] Sofreeti.

[16:06] Yes.

[16:07] 11 yes.

[16:08] Zero now.

[16:09] 11 yes.

[16:10] You approved T.O.

[16:11] 2026-12.

[16:13] Next.

[16:14] T.O.R.

[16:15] Dash 2026-2.

[16:18] An ordinance to amend Chapter 72 of the Code of the Town of the Aguam adding an alternate member

[16:23] to the License Commission, dispenser by Mayor Johnson and Council President Russo.

[16:29] Do I have motion to approve?

[16:30] So moved.

[16:31] Second.

[16:34] Motion made by Councillor Vitis, seconded by Councillor Mercedanti.

[16:38] This was referred to the Legislative Committee.

[16:41] Chairman Hendrickson, can I please have your report?

[16:43] Yes, the Legislative Committee met prior to tonight's regular meeting.

[16:47] This ordinance was discussed and basically there's currently three commissioners.

[16:52] There's a concern that if one of them were to be absent, you'd be left with two.

[16:56] And then if they split, it's one to one, and that could delay the passage of a license.

[17:03] And so the idea is to add an alternative to the commission so that if one of them's absent,

[17:08] the alternate can take their place and then we won't have ties in that instance.

[17:13] So the committee, the legislative committee ultimately voted to send the unanimous positive recommendation to the full council.

[17:20] Thank you, Chairman, for your report.

[17:22] Is there any discussion on this?

[17:24] Yes.

[17:24] Councillor Bees is this?

[17:26] Yes, this is not a brainer.

[17:29] It should be done this long, long time ago.

[17:31] It's very business-friendly because the reason that the previous Councillor spoke, it is

[17:39] if we have a tie, we would delay the process for another month and we have another tie again

[17:47] the same way.

[17:48] Okay, so we have at least an extra person out on it, we can break the tie in her majority

[17:54] win.

[17:55] So this is really, really good idea, and I think it's a winner, thank you.

[18:04] Councilor Calabries.

[18:05] Thank you.

[18:06] I actually want to thank Commissioner Van Rongi for bringing this issue up and to our attention.

[18:13] You know, sometimes these boards and commissions, we get appointees and people are always wondering,

[18:17] Well, what do they really do, you know, and this is someone that's been proactive.

[18:21] He's been experienced.

[18:22] He handles an awful lot of work that goes on in the town.

[18:28] And I just sort of want to send a professional thanks to Vin Rongi for bringing this issue up,

[18:34] working with the mayor and council president and calling this to our attention so that we

[18:39] can avoid any delays and necessary delays to our businesses here in town.

[18:46] Thank you.

[18:46] Thank you. Anybody else? All right. Seeing none. This does take two readings is the first of two readings.

[18:53] Bar, please call the roll.

[18:56] Fizzis. Yes.

[18:58] Brigade. Yes. Calibris. Yes. Hendrickson. Yes. McNair. Yes.

[19:04] Mercedante. Yes. Rickman. Yes. Rossi. Yes. Russo. Yes. Sandlin. Yes.

[19:11] Yes.

[19:11] So Freedy.

[19:12] Yes.

[19:13] 11 yes.

[19:14] Zero no.

[19:15] With 11 yes, you approve the first reading, the TOR 2026-2.

[19:22] Now move on to new business.

[19:25] All right.

[19:26] First up, TOR 2026-36, a resolution excepting a donation in the amount of $500 in the memory

[19:33] of Walter A. Mayes, Jr., to the Aguon Senior Center, pursuant to Massachusetts General

[19:38] General Laws, Chapter 44, Session 53a is sponsored by the mayor.

[19:43] This will go on to our next agenda.

[19:45] Item number two, TR 2026-37, a resolution authorizing the mayor to extend the lease of

[19:52] a portion of the DPW facility at 1000 Southfield Street, Aguam, Hamden County, Massachusetts

[19:59] to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, sponsored by Mayor Johnson, this will go

[20:04] to finance committee.

[20:04] Number three, TR-2026-38, a resolution appropriating certified free cash, the amount of $350,000 for

[20:15] improvements requested by MEMA to a space at the DPW facility, the Sposter by Mayor Johnston,

[20:21] this will also go to finance. Next, TR-2026-39, a resolution support of voter identification requirements

[20:31] to protect election integrity, and public confidence is sponsored by Councilor's

[20:35] Mercedente and Vitas, and co-sponsors by Councilor's Brigadi, Calibre's

[20:39] McNair, and Sofredi, this will go to community relations.

[20:44] TR-2026-40, a resolution to appropriate funds for the successor collective

[20:50] bargaining agreement by and between the Aguam Building Maintenance Association and

[20:55] the Town of Aguam, sponsored by Mayor Johnison, school and next agenda.

[20:59] TR 2026-41, a resolution to appropriate funds for the

[21:05] Sessor Collective Bargaining Agreement by and between the Aguom Police Supervisors Association

[21:10] the town of Aguom, sponsored by Mayor Johnson, so also go over to the next agenda TR 2026-42,

[21:18] a resolution appropriating certified free cash, the capital stabilization fund sponsored

[21:24] by Mayor Johnson, this will go to Finance. TR 2026-43, a resolution to appropriate $130,000

[21:33] from the water stabilization fund to purchase equipment for the water department, sponsored

[21:37] by Mayor Johnson, this will go to the Finance Committee.

[21:40] T-O 2026-13, an order issuing a class two dealers license to A&V Auto LLC for the premises

[21:49] at 371 South Westfield Street, Feeding Hills, Mass.

[21:53] This will go to the admin.

[21:58] T-O-2026-14,

[22:01] Budgeterry Transfer of $79,608 from Salary Reserve.

[22:06] Excuse me.

[22:07] Number 16605-57350 to Building Maintenance Regular.

[22:14] Number 11921-51010

[22:19] and building maintenance over time, number 11921-51031, this will move on to the next agenda.

[22:28] Excuse me. T-O-2026-15, budgetary transfer of $60,533 from salary reserve,

[22:38] Number 1, 6, 6, 0, 5, dash 5, 7, 3, 5, 0, to police regular permanent.

[22:46] Number 1, 2, 1, 0, 1, dash 5, 1, 0, 1, 0, police holiday.

[22:51] Number 1, 2, 1, 0, 1, dash 5, 1, 0, 5, 0, and police career incentive.

[22:58] Number 1, 2, 1, 0, 1, dash 5, 1, 1, 2, 0.

[23:03] No.

[23:04] All right.

[23:05] And I will bring this to the last matter.

[23:06] Any other matter?

[23:08] Actually agenda.

[23:09] Oh, next agenda.

[23:09] I'm.

[23:10] Thank you, Councillor.

[23:10] I'll go to the next agenda.

[23:14] It brings us to any other matter that may legally come before a city council.

[23:18] Tonight, I will start with Councillor McNair, please.

[23:23] I'm glad we have a couple more weeks before we vote on the budget.

[23:28] I thought it was going to happen tonight until I got Barb's email saying

[23:32] where it's public hearing, so I do want to, again, scrutinize the budget.

[23:37] Hopefully, we can find some stuff there, but I can't guarantee it.

[23:41] Also, the memorial parade, the new route was, I thought was fabulous, it was a good turnout.

[23:48] And it was enjoyable walking, you know, with you crew.

[23:51] Thank you.

[23:53] Councillor Kelley, please.

[23:55] Thank you.

[23:56] Yeah, well, I didn't actually get to walk in the parade.

[23:59] I did attend the ceremony down at school street park.

[24:01] and I've got the Veterans Council did a beautiful job.

[24:05] The speeches were spot on and really heartfelt,

[24:07] and I want to thank everyone

[24:09] that participated in the Memorial Day remembrance.

[24:15] Thank you, Councillor Rickman.

[24:17] I just wanted to say happy pride for our LGBTQ residents

[24:22] out there, just know that you are loved and cared for,

[24:26] and our library is the most welcoming place

[24:30] in town, I would say, and everyone there is just incredibly welcome. So everyone belongs

[24:42] at the library too. Thank you, Councillor McKinney.

[24:49] Two things, please. I want to reiterate about our viewing audience tuning into the subcommittee

[24:56] meetings. They're very informative. And the second thing I'd like to talk about is Maple

[25:01] street. It's coming along just nice, they put the second code on there and I want to thank

[25:07] the town for being patient, residents, but it's going to be looking pretty nice when

[25:12] it's all done. Well traveling now, thank you. Councillor Cefredi.

[25:18] Nothing tonight, thank you. Councillor Rossi. Yes, I just have some housekeeping stuff.

[25:24] I see 2026 S13 A and V autos at 371 South Westfield Street.

[25:33] I'm assuming that this is a new license for approval.

[25:37] And I look at the agenda here and it says that it begins on January of 2026.

[25:46] I want to just make a correction on it.

[25:48] If it's approved, the date that it's approved will be the date that it begins.

[25:53] and it will end on December 31 of this year and the other one is the subject

[25:59] to site plan approval and subjects to other conditions. I do not have any of

[26:05] those copies. I don't have any of the applications. I would like to have that

[26:10] so I can make an informative decision so they can pass on to my committee. If I can

[26:17] have that before the next agenda that will be greatly appreciated.

[26:24] I it's not on

[26:24] on my report back, appreciate it.

[26:29] Thank you.

[26:30] All right, thank you.

[26:30] Councilor Beatsers, please.

[26:32] Yes, I want to mention that the parade was great,

[26:34] even with the rain.

[26:36] Everybody had a great time.

[26:38] And I would officially like to thank,

[26:43] this year was something different.

[26:45] The Ego, our club, Ego Lions Club,

[26:47] which I'm a member, along with President Russo

[26:51] and Councilor McNair.

[26:55] They provide, they provide, they cook,

[26:58] have a kiss, and had dogs, and provide water

[27:01] for every single person.

[27:03] And it was a huge line there.

[27:06] And many people came to me and said,

[27:08] this is the first time the alarms clamped during that.

[27:11] So yes, and we were doing next year.

[27:13] And if the people there know that I was great,

[27:15] the music was good, and the weather got better after 10.30.

[27:20] So, God bless you all, thanks.

[27:22] Thanks.

[27:23] Thank you.

[27:24] Councillor Sainland.

[27:25] Nothing tonight.

[27:26] Councillor Hendrickson.

[27:28] Happy Pride.

[27:30] I'm on the same page with...

[27:32] I didn't call you yesterday.

[27:34] Just go ahead.

[27:34] I'm waiting.

[27:35] I'm waiting.

[27:36] I'm waiting.

[27:36] I'm on the same page with Councillor McKinnon.

[27:39] Councillor...

[27:40] Yeah.

[27:40] Okay.

[27:43] I'll stay quiet.

[27:45] I'm on the same page with Councillor McKinnon.

[27:47] I'm Maple Street.

[27:48] I had it written down that I was going to mention it.

[27:50] because these projects are similar to the Pages Intersection.

[27:53] I think most people in town, if not all,

[27:55] I mean, almost all want these projects.

[27:58] These are improvements to the town.

[27:59] I know people, you know, there's people complaining about the Pages Intersection

[28:03] and they're complaining about Maple Street, but the purpose of Maple Street,

[28:06] I went down there, happened to go down it today.

[28:08] And the reason they're saying narrower and all this,

[28:11] the reason that they're doing it is to slow down the traffic.

[28:14] And when you narrow it, it does slow it down.

[28:16] They're making it more like a side street.

[28:17] I think they're doing a great job.

[28:18] I think it's coming out really nice.

[28:19] So again, I think most people want it and I'm glad to see that it's progressing as much as it has that being said

[28:25] I want to wish everyone congratulations for the class of

[28:28] 19 to 19 oh my god

[28:31] 2000 for the class at tooth how old am I classed 2026 I think they're going to graduate before our next meeting

[28:37] So I'm hoping that we see some of my fellow counselors there and congrats to them

[28:43] Thank you

[28:45] All right. Thank you. I just have a couple things. I also want to thank the Veterans Council

[28:49] So, the job they did, the work they put into making this a great, immoral day, they, you know, we were one of the smart towns, we didn't cancel, we were one of the views they had the parade and worked out perfect.

[29:02] Right as we were about to kick off the rain, stop, pass the Ferreiro, the chair of the Veterans Council and the rest of that committee did a phenomenal job.

[29:10] I also want to say a big thank you, like Councillor Beats of the Tolian's Club, they did a great job.

[29:14] but also to King Ray bus line and to Ally flooring and paint.

[29:18] They donated pretty much most of the money that was able to pay for all the handbooks,

[29:23] hot dogs and all that stuff so we could have that nice picnic.

[29:26] So thank you to them.

[29:27] And also, Councillor Beaton's and myself along with the mayor went up to the veteran cemetery for

[29:32] the state ceremony and kudos to that to the staff there.

[29:38] We all know what a beautiful facility that is but it gets very chaotic on days like Memorial Day there.

[29:44] And dealing with these guys are not trained traffic control people, but they have to deal with that with all the cars coming in and out.

[29:50] That staff was an amazing job.

[29:53] The ceremony was beautiful.

[30:00] Honored, our fallen soldiers wonderfully, so I want to give kudos to the cemetery and their staff for a great job also. And also, I would also like to congratulate the class of 2026. So with that, do I have a motion to adjourn? All in favor? We are adjourned.

Agawam City Council Meeting - June 1, 2026

Transcript