Accessory Apartment Ordinance Fails to Gain Passage by Gregory A
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LOCAL HOLIDAY SPORTS Six Flags Turkeys Winter holiday for Sports event vets delayed PAGE 2 PAGE 7 PAGE 9 AGAWAM ADVERTISER NEWS A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com November 26, 2020 ❙ Vol. 42, No. 39 ❙ $1.00 www.agawamadvertisernews.turley.com Accessory apartment ordinance fails to gain passage By Gregory A. Scibelli immediate family members of date to the ordinance was simply He did express some issues out to cover the expense once [email protected] owner-occupied and single-fami- to allow for grown children to re- with the possibility that Agawam a family member moves out or ly homes in town. turn to their parents’ home with residents could utilize an acces- moves on. AGAWAM – Agawam City Councilor Robert Rossi raised their separate space, then there sory apartment for something Mayor William Sapelli, along Councilors earlier this month re- the biggest concerns about the were other ways to deal with like an AirBnB. That concept was with Council President Christo- jected an update to the accessory possibility of discriminating that situation, such as finishing a also brought up Councilor Cece- pher Johnson, were in favor of the apartment ordinance. against the ability to have other basement or installing addition- lia Calabrese, though those ad- ordinance. The ordinance came The 7-3 vote to turn away an people occupy the apartments by al bathrooms. He also said put- dresses could be made known by from the mayor’s office. They con- amended version leaves the cur- virtue of limiting them to just the ting a 900-square foot addition seeing them on the website and tended accessory apartment were rently bylaw as is, and accessory, immediate family members. to a home in Agawam would not the town could track them. already throughout town and are also sometimes known as “in- “How would that situation blend well in town. One councilor said installing currently illegal. Johnson believed law” apartments are not allowed. even be enforced,” said Rossi, who Rossi’s view was opposed by a separate living space, which legalizing them would allow the The updated ordinance would described the situation as a “hor- Councilor Mario Tedeschi, who includes a separate kitchen and town to keep them regulated and have allowed the accessory apart- net’s nest.” believed the town needed to ad- bathroom, would lead to resi- keep track of them. ments to be built and used by Rossi also suggested if the up- dress the issue. dents wanting to rent the spaces ACCESSORY ❙ page 6 Girls volleyball concludes School administration, union agree on new metrics for COVID-19 cases By Shelby Macri the school agreed to follow. There ciation showed support in finding [email protected] were eight cases in a school com- a new metric that will better fit munity of 4,500 individuals; but the school community. Members AGAWAM – When the Aga- because of the metrics the school of the association, the union pres- wam schools abruptly shut down abided by it. ident, and Hoffman met to create due to a rise in case numbers, the “If you took that number alone an addendum regarding the ways teachers and parents were un- it probably wouldn’t have gone and reasoning of changing school prepared. In the Nov. 5 meeting, back, but we had a metric that we models during this time. The new Superintendent Shelia Hoffman were forced to follow as we agreed metric of addendum B includes spoke to the School Committee upon.” Mayor William Sapelli said reasons and guidelines for a pivot about new guidelines that she in the meeting. “We need to look in models. and the teachers union president at the metric and change it to bet- It includes a requirement that came up with. ter apply.” The administration and the district and union will nego- When Hoffman made the de- the union realized that there was tiate all change from one model cision to close schools recently, a flawed metric and they quickly to another, and the staff will be she and Board of Health Director met to work out better language given at least 48 hours notice of Kathy Auer cited a cluster of cases for a change or pivot in learning any transition back to in person that increased the schools’ num- models. learning. the same notice goes for bers to rise due to metrics that The Agawam Education Asso- METRICS ❙ page 5 Food Bank of Western Mass anticipates winter rush Monte’s March Nov. 23 and 24 will raise money for meals By Dalton Zbierski Staff Writer HATFIELD – At all times of the year, the Food Bank of West- ern Massachusetts serves as an invaluable community resource. With temperatures plummeting and COVID-19 case counts rising on a regional scale, the Hatfield facility enters the winter prepared to play a more crucial role than it ever has before. The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts has been making a difference throughout “It is a challenge, but we do the region since 1982. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented the facility its greatest have a warehouse full of food,” challenge. TURLEY PUBLICATIONS STAFF PHOTOS BY DALTON ZBIERSKI said Lilliam Baulding, the Food Bank’s communications and en- just getting done.” dent pantries, meal sites, shelters gagement officer. “We have done a The Food Bank distributes and food assistance programs in lot of pivoting since COVID start- much needed food to member western Massachusetts. The op- ed and are meeting the needs. The agencies spread throughout Berk- eration is a member of Feeding Taryn Crowley serves the ball during Agawam High School girls volleyball’s final entire team has pitched in. A lot shire, Franklin, Hampden and America, a national network of game against Westfield on Nov. 10. More photos on page 9. PHOTO BY GREGORY of people are doing work that they Hampshire counties. more than 200 food banks. A. SCIBELLI weren’t doing before. They’re tak- Established in 1982, the Food During the pandemic, the Food ing on extra assignments, and it’s Bank serves dozens of indepen- FOOD BANK ❙ page 8 413.283.8393 • Facebook: @AgawamAdvertiserNews • Email: [email protected] Page 2 ❙ AGAWAM ADVERTISER NEWS ❙ November 26, 2020 IN THIS ISSUE Six Flags planning holiday event Opinion ..............4 AGAWAM – The most wonderful time of the year kicks off on select nights starting No- Schools ..............5 vember 27 with Holiday in the Park Lights! We will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Holi- Crossword..........5 day in the Park Lights will feature a one-way path with more than one million dazzling Sports ................9 lights, beautifully adorned Christmas trees and an extraordinary synchronized light display. Public Notices ..11 Holiday in the Park Lights jingles weekends and select days this holiday season and reservations are required! Classifieds .......14 All guests will review our enhanced safety opening procedures while making their reservations online. 16 PAGES While the property’s world-class rides and attrac- tions will remain closed for the 2020 season, Six Flags New England is thrilled to welcome guests Positions open back to the park and warm their hearts this holiday season on this whimsical light trail that is over one mile long! for ZBA Tickets are only $19.99 of free of charge to Mem- AGAWAM – Please be ad- bers and Season Pass Holders vised that there are two open- Holiday in the Park Lights is free of charge to all Six Flags normally has a holiday event, but it will be modified this year due to the pandemic. SUBMITTED PHOTOS ings on the Agawam Zoning Members and Season Pass holders. Or enjoy sin- Board of Appeals effective gle-day tickets for $19.99. January 2021. The openings We are following direction from the CDC and lo- are for one regular position cal officials and are operating at a limited capacity. and one alternate position. It’s very important that you make an advance reser- Interested parties should con- vation; failure to do so will deny entry to the park. tact Barbara Bard in the City Go to www.sixflags.com/reserve and follow these Council Office at 726-9716 or steps: send in a letter of interest to Find your park [email protected] by Dec. Select your ticket 14, 2020. Be sure to purchase parking (as it won’t be available to purchase at YOUR BEST DEFENSE the park. Members and Pass holders with free ATTY ANTHONY C. parking are all set) BONAVITA Select your date and TRIAL ATTORNEY time Checkout and you’re done. 413-213-3087 We are so excited to 1380 Main St., Suite 410 see you and appreciate Springfield, MA your cooperation as we There will be Lights in the Parks beginning Nov. 27. Se Habla Español regulate new protocols Pregunta por Marisol during these times. Warm Wishes From Our Family to Yours at Thanksgiving As we gather around with family and friends this holiday, we offer up thanks for the many blessings that make life meaningful. Gifts like friendship, love, health and prosperity make us especially grateful, and we hope you enjoy these same blessings in abundance at this special time of year and always. We’re so grateful to be a part of this wonderful community, and we thank you for your valued business. Happy Thanksgiving! 24 Water Street | Palmer, Massachusetts 800-824-6548 | www.turley.com November 26, 2020 ❙ AGAWAM ADVERTISER NEWS ❙ Page 3 Public invited to give input College signing on block grant projects By Shelby Macri provements, Microenterprise assistance, [email protected] and other planning initiatives for Brady Village. AGAWAM – The Planning and Commu- The town additionally received another nity Development Department conducted CDBG through the Federal Cares Act, this a performance hearing for the ongoing will provide more Microenterprise assis- Community Development Block Grant tance to qualified small businesses in Aga- Programs.