AGAWAM – During an early January meeting, the Agawam City Council voted to raise the salary for the mayoral position to $110,000 per year.

The original proposal back in December was to raise the mayor’s salary from $85,000 to $130,000. The council, however, would not support such a sharp raise, so other proposed amendments were discussed. After multiple proposals failed to garner the eight votes needed, the council settled on $95,000 per year during the first reading of this discussion.

Since then, council members spoke to residents around town who felt that the mayor’s salary should be higher.

“Every time I’ve gone to Stop & Shop, I’ve been approached by several constituents,” said Councilor Gerald Smith, who voted yes for the $110,000 salary. “Every single one of them said, ‘why did you not vote for the $130,000?’”

Councilor Paul Cavallo stayed true to his original position back in December, when he argued that the salary for the mayoral position must be high enough to attract candidates.

"I also talked to some people who came up to me and said they were embarrassed about the money the councilor was going to give the mayor’s position,” said Cavallo. “There must a sentiment in the town whereby they would certainly accept this salary for, not only Mr. Sapelli, for any future mayor, as well.”

Councilors during both meetings have praised Sapelli’s performance as mayor. Cavallo said that the current mayor sets a good example for future candidates, and even stated that Sapelli works harder now than he did when he was superintendent of Agawam Public Schools.

George Bitzas, Rosemary Sandlin, and Dino Mercadante were the only councilors who voted no for the $110,000 salary. Bitzas, however, voted yes for the $95,000 during the December meeting.

“With these difficult times, people out of work; unemployment – it’s hard for me to give more than $10,000 for the first shot,” said Bitzas.

Bitzas, who does believe that the mayor is underpaid in Agawam, instead argued that the city should raise the position’s salary incrementally. He said that the original raise of $95,000 is “more than enough” at this very moment.

“Then, two years from now, we’ll put it up again, and get another $10,000,” said Bitzas, with regards to how he thinks the council should approach this salary raise.

Both Bitzas and Mercadante brought up the point about families and businesses struggling during COVID-19, and how raising salaries should not be of interest at this very moment.

“It’s just unfortunate that this has to be during a COVID time, where unemployment in Agawam has gone up better than three times,” said Mercadante. “I just cannot wrap my head around giving out raises.”

Councilor Gina Letellier, who was not present during the original discussion in December, voted in support for the $110,000 salary. She would end up being the deciding eighth vote.

According to Council President Christopher Johnson, the new salary will go into effect in January 2022. The council also voted in December to extend the mayoral term from two years to four years. That standard goes into effect in January 2022 as well, but only if it is approved by state legislature and passed by a ballot vote question in November.