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Date: 10/11/2023
AGAWAM — In advance of the town election, Reminder Publishing sent questionnaires to candidates on the Nov. 7 ballot.
Each of the 12 candidates for the 11 available seats on the City Council was given the same list of six questions, to be answered in 75 words or fewer. Responses that exceeded the limit were cut off after the 75th word. The first two questions and answers are being printed this week. The third and fourth questions and answers are being printed in the Oct. 19 edition, and the fifth and sixth questions and answers on Oct. 26.
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. Incumbents are marked with an asterisk (*).
Tax rates
Are residential and commercial property taxpayers treated fairly in town? What split factor would you advocate next year?
George Bitzas*: I believe that the residential and the commercial property taxpayers are treated fairly in our town, but I advocate a little less for the homeowners. I am a homeowner in Agawam and two of my three children own homes in Agawam . Nobody likes to pay higher taxes. If we want to have great town services, great police and fire protection great education, etc., we have to pay a little more because of the high … (75 words).
Edward Borgatti: One of the primary responsibilities of the council is to set the tax rate. We must take into account the role that our business community plays in creating jobs and providing economic development. We must also be mindful that our homeowners, especially our seniors and those on fixed incomes, cannot afford significant increases in their real estate taxes. This delicate balance and how the council arrives at the tax rates must be transparent.
Susan Dawson: I have always believed that Agawam Council and mayor have used proper discretion in choosing the appropriate split tax factor for the needs of the town. It requires a team approach led by the mayor to target, identify and fully-fund the budget. The split tax factor allows the mayor to shift the tax factor according to the current economic climate.
Thomas Hendrickson: I support reforming Agawam’s flat property tax structure. Currently, all property, whether it’s worth $10K or $10 million, is taxed at the same rate (1.578% residential, 3.019% commercial). I support creating a progressive property tax structure that eases the tax burden for working class families and small businesses, while ensuring that large corporations and wealthy residents pay their fair share.
Dino Mercadante*: First of all, nobody enjoys paying taxes. When both commercial and residential taxpayers are concerned, it’s probably as fair as the tax system can be. We must attract businesses to our community in order to slow the rate of taxation. In order to do that, we must be competitive with other towns to recruit businesses. This is one of the ways to ensure that the residence won’t be overburden. Remember, businesses receive limited services.
Robert Rossi*: I favor the split tax factor, it is the fairest formula in determining the levy. Assessors must classify all real property according to use as of each Jan. 1 into one of four classes: residential, open space, commercial or industrial. The decision to tax each class are within limits established by statute and the Department of Revenue [for] the percentage of the tax levy that will be paid by each class. Split tax has best advantage to property owners.
Anthony Russo*: I believe they are. In my first two years on the council, we unanimously voted to lower both tax rates, keeping Agawam’s rates some of the lowest in Western Mass. With some of the necessary projects we have coming up in Agawam, I think it is going to be harder to lower rates in the upcoming fiscal year, but I am hopeful we can maintain our current rates.
Rosemary Sandlin*: I believe that the split rate is fair. As your city councilor, I will be always aware what we approve as a city budget is the determining factor in what we need to raise through taxation and that determines the eventual tax factor. No one likes to pay taxes, but running a healthy government with good public safety, safe schools, excellent ambulance service is necessary and that takes taxes.
Gerald Smith*: Residential tax rates were lower in 2023 than in 2022 ($16.11 down to $15.78). Commercial tax rates decreased from $30.58 to $30.19. Industrial tax rates decreased by that same amount, as well. Agawam has one of the lowest residential and commercial/industrial tax rates in the area. The current shift factor of 1.59 works using these given statistics. Residential and commercial taxpayers are treated fairly.
Peter Smus: I believe the taxpayers are all treated fairly. We as a council should always ask to research for best possible split in taxes. We need to control spending prior to setting the split.
Anthony Suffriti*: I believe that the split tax factor is fair in town. I would like to see the town administration start to explore in each department for unnecessary spending and/or waste.
Maria Valego: This candidate did not submit responses in time for the deadline.
Affordable housing
Where does affordable housing rank among your priorities? What specific actions should the council take to encourage or oppose low-income housing?
George Bitzas*: I support affordable housing for those people young and old who cannot afford to buy homes. My first priority is the quality of life for the people of Agawam with lower taxes, good education for their children, good fire and police protection, sidewalk and street repairs. We do have affordable housing already, and the land available in Agawam for any kind of construction is limited now.
Edward Borgatti: I will work to keep Agawam’s small-town charm, continuing housing and home ownership opportunities for residents. Seniors make up 30% of our population; senior housing is needed. It’s a mistake to expect communities to provide low-income housing; surrounding towns do not do the same. As a lifelong resident, homeowner and 37-year Agawam business owner, I resent outsiders dictating what our town needs. I will not support programs that change the character Agawam.
Susan Dawson: Affordable housing law in Massachusetts is a state statute enacted in 1969 to address shortages statewide in housing. It allows Zoning Boards of Appeals to be flexible in approving affordable housing development under flexible rules, if there will be 20-25% of the long-term residents who qualify as low-income. I will fully vet any person that is nominated to the ZBA for assurance that he/she allows this process to function free of political pressure.
Thomas Hendrickson: Creating more affordable housing is one of my top priorities. We need to expand housing options for Agawam’s young people, working families, and seniors. Agawam has over $1.1 million in Community Preservation Act funds for affordable housing. While almost every other councilor voted against investing those funds in the Mill Street project and seems content to allow that money to continue to be unused, I support using these CPA funds to create more affordable housing.
Dino Mercadante*: Affordable housing ranks as a priority, but must be carefully considered when encroaching on existing neighborhoods. Infrastructure, such as schools and their capacities, as well as roads, sidewalks and other towns services, must be entertained to accommodate an influx of people to properly service everyone’s needs, including the existing community.
Robert Rossi*: Affordable housing is a real problem. There is a limited stock and increased demand. The cost of construction of affordable housing is higher than renters and buyers can afford. It’s a problem that isn’t going away, the costs are substantial. Communities can only succeed in building affordable housing if the revenues they produce can offset the lenders and investors. With the cost of inflation, it’s hard to be optimistic. Agawam sits on a real dilemma.
Anthony Russo*: The high cost of housing is one of the top issues I hear from residents. To address it, we need to start with the group that is affected most by it: our senior citizens. Many are living on fixed incomes that cannot keep up with increasing inflation. We need to create incentives for developers to want to build here, so we can close the gap between supply and demand for affordable senior housing in Agawam.
Rosemary Sandlin*: Affordable housing ranks at the top of my priorities. I would encourage the council to make themselves knowledgeable of the need to attract young to Agawam, to keep our seniors living independently and to explore all options through zoning reforms to encourage developments.
Gerald Smith*: Affordable housing is housing which is deemed affordable to those with a household income at or below the median as rated by the national government, a local government, or a recognized housing affordability index. The Agawam Housing Authority owns, manages and maintains six separate public housing developments in town. A new development by Way Finders will be available in August 2024. Any new affordable housing should focus on providing homes for elderly residents and veterans.
Peter Smus: We should always look for new and better affordable housing. We need to keep our children and seniors in our town. We need to attract and keep younger families in our town.
Anthony Suffriti*: Affordable housing is a priority due to the increase hardship of the middle- and low-income classification. With everything on the increase monetarily, it is harder for people to afford the most necessary items for everyday life. I encourage any actions the council can take to benefit the residents of Agawam.
Maria Valego: This candidate did not submit responses in time for the deadline.