Council tables motion indefinitely, disapproves another

Date: 10/10/2014

AGAWAM – Since the budget approval process in June, the City Council has researched the idea of forming an ad hoc subcommittee to assess the profitability of the Agawam Municipal Golf Course (AMGC). After a vote by the council, the sub-committee will not be formed at this time.

At its Oct. 6 meeting, the council voted to place the matter “on the table,” without any intention of removing it in the near future. The motion was supported 8 to 3.
   
During the Citizen’s Speak Time of the meeting, both Tony Roberto, AMGC general manager, and Dan Shay, AMGC superintendent spoke.
   
“Right now, I fell like we’re offering a good product, a competitive product,” Dan Shay, AMGC superintendent said. “I thought there was a lot of good exchange last week.”
   
“I felt the meeting went well. We have nothing to hide, Roberto said. He invited the councilors that couldn’t make the special meeting to “come and visit the golf course.”
   
Roberto and Shay were referring to the special meeting of the council that Mayor Richard Cohen called on Sept. 30. That meeting took place at the AMGC on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m.
   
In a letter to the council, Cohen wrote, “As the mayor, I was hopeful that the workshop that was held on Sept. 29 would satisfy the questions that had arisen. Unfortunately, I understand that the workshop did not close this issue. Therefore, under Section 3-5 of the Agawam Home Rule Charter, I am calling a special meeting of the council.”
   
The councilors had questioned whether the AMGC was profitable or not back in June after reviewing the budget.
   
Councilor Gina Letellier went through each special revenue fund account, questioning Mayor Richard Cohen, Auditor Cheryl St. John and Treasurer/Collector Laurel Placzek about remaining balances and why the funds weren't better utilized.
   
Letellier asked Cohen about the status of the Agawam Municipal Golf Course, a self-sustaining department, which was listed as having an $111,800 loss as of June 10. The fiscal year closed June 30. She wanted to know if the mayor created a revised budget given the financial loss.
   
Placzek informed Letellier that the budgets are created based upon the projected revenues and that the golf course budget was adjusted but she was not sure if it would cover the entire loss. If the shortfall could not be covered by the end of the fiscal year, the loss would either be added to the tax levy or settled with free cash, depending on what action the council chose to take.
   
“The year’s not over. Right now our prediction is that there could be a $10,000 or $12,000 loss,” Cohen said.
   
He mentioned that many people from town have complimented the quality of the course. “Things are looking good,” Cohen said.
   
“I would respectively disagree that the golf course is doing well. The greens fees are down $170,000 from last year. The cart rentals are down $50,000 from last year. The pro shop is down $50,000 from last year,” Letellier responded. She noted that the numerous golf shirts were liquidated, despite the fact that they don’t go “stale.”
   
At the Aug. 8 meeting, the council clarified that the purpose of the motion is to take a closer look at how the course is doing. Vice President Dennis Perry, one of the councilors sponsoring the resolution, explained that the motion was “not against the golf course,” but was meant to create a tool to research the functionality of the enterprise fund that sustains the course to see if it’s still adequate for operations.
   
Reminder Publications spoke to Cohen on Oct. 7 about the AMGC.
   
“We’re working hard, trying new things to keep it running. Overall, it’s doing far better this fiscal year with a 20 to 40 percent increase in revenue each month [when compared to the fiscal year 2014],” Cohen said.
   
The mayor estimated the course suffered a $20,000 to $22,000 deficit last fiscal year, which ended on June 30.
   
In other action, the council voted against a petition for a zone change for 105 Rowley St. that would allow the construction of duplexes on the land, owned by James D’Amato. Attorney Michael Parker, on behalf of Carole D’Amato, guardian of James, explained that James was mentally disabled and the money from selling the lots would ensure car for the remaining duration of his life.
   
Councilor Robert Rossi said, “I’ve give this quite a bit of consideration since this first came before us.” He thought that selling lots for single-family homes would create a larger profit for the D’Amato family.
   
Rossi added, “Duplexes generally attract temporary residents. They have no stake in the neighborhood.” He preferred to support long-term residents.
   
Councilor George Bitzas was also against the motion. “We’re trying to maintain the small town character of Agawam.”
   
Councilor Paul Cavallo had faced a similar situation in his previous neighborhood and side with the abutters of the Rowley Street property. Eventually, the owners of that land sought to build single-family homes twice attempting to obtain a zone change to allow duplexes.
   
Cavallo said, “I can understand where the neighbors are coming from.”
   
Councilor Joseph Mineo said, “I’m really not in favor of any spot zoning.
   
The motion to change the guidelines for municipal vehicle use remained tabled. President Christopher Johnson informed the council that an updated version of the proposed changes is before the town’s Law Department, awaiting its approval.