Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 1/12/2022
AGAWAM – The support for incumbents continued last week as the town’s elected officials were sworn in for a fresh two-year term.
Just two months after voters granted Mayor William Sapelli a third term, backed all the members of the School Committee who were seeking re-election, and returned all but one of the incumbents to the City Council, the councilors voted unanimously to make no changes to their own leadership team.
At a brief meeting after the swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 3, City Councilor Cecilia Calabrese nominated Christopher Johnson for the post of council president. With 10 votes, and one absent, Johnson was reelected for a third consecutive term as head of the council.
“I want to say thank you to all my fellow councilors for your continued support. I look forward to another productive year,” said Johnson.
Next, Councilor Dino Mercadante nominated Calabrese to continue as vice president in a third three-year term. Again, all 10 councilors present were in favor.
“I also would like to thank you all for your support and continued work here on the City Council. Welcome to Councilor Russo, and I look forward to continuing on the leadership team of the town of Agawam,” said Calabrese.
The City Council elected in November consists of 10 incumbents and one new member. Anthony Russo is the only newcomer. Those returning from the 2020-2021 term are Johnson, Calabrese, George Bitzas, Paul Cavallo, Gina Letellier, Gerald Smith, Dino Mercadante, Robert Rossi, Rosemary Sandlin and Anthony Suffriti.
At their Jan. 3 meeting, councilors recognized former Councilor Mario Tedeschi Jr., the only incumbent who was not re-elected in 2021.
Johnson said, “It’s always tough when we lose a dedicated person from the council – especially someone who is a true gentleman, someone that cares deeply about Agawam, someone that worked their tails off for the last two years to help the residents and businesses in town.”
He continued, “In the many years that I’ve served Agawam, I’ve come across very few people that show the same dedication that Mario has shown over the last two years as a member of the City Council.”
As a small token of appreciation, Tedeschi was presented with an engraved box, with a clock inside.
Earlier in the evening, Town Clerk Vincent Gioscia administered the oath of office to Agawam’s elected officials, including Sapelli.
“I look forward to serving my third term,” said Sapelli.
He recognized the City Council and School Committee members for putting themselves out there and for their hard work and dedication to the town of Agawam.
Sapelli also recognized School Superintendent Sheila Hoffman, who came into this position in the midst of a pandemic. “Unlike other communities, Agawam is one of the first that was back in front of students [in person], so thank you, Mrs. Hoffman, for your leadership,” Sapelli said.
School Committee members sworn in for two-year terms included incumbents Shelley Borgatti-Reed, Dawn Dube, Kerri O’Connor and Wendy Rua, and newly elected members A.J. Christopher and Michael Perry. Christopher and Perry replace former members Anthony Bonavita and Carmino Mineo, both of whom opted not to run for re-election. The mayor serves ex-officio as chair of the School Committee.