AGAWAM – The Agawam City Council said goodbye to a member who had served on the council for 20 years and voted to officially ban the sale of recreational marijuana in town at their Dec. 16 meeting.

The meeting first began with citizen speak time, during which resident Paul Herzenberg made a last-minute plea to the council to consider not passing the proposed ban on recreational marijuana sales in town limits.

“The DMC company has for three years jumped through every hoop to try and do business as a recreational and medical marijuana shop. They’ve spent probably a quarter of a million dollars trying to do it and I’ve watched them be frustrated a thousand times,” he told the council. “But I thought that the town would see the value in what they’re doing to give people clean merchandise instead of what they’re typically used to.”

He added that without retail sales, the medical marijuana company would not be able to sustain the business needed to keep the dispensary in business due to competition. “The problem is if they do medical only, there’s so much competition with the retail that they can’t do it. So it’s like saying okay unless we have retail and medical, there’s just not a financial success for this business,” Herzenberg said.

He expressed frustration that the town didn’t see the value in the business and money that recreational marijuana sales would bring with the 3 percent Agawam would collect from a host agreement. “They told me they’re projecting to do $1 million a month, so that would be $30,000 to the town of Agawam, times 12 is $360,000. That money could be well spent in this town,” he explained.

He continued and stated that he didn’t feel as though the results of the election would have had the same results had there been a national or state-wide election on the ballot. “ I think if last election had been an important election, for instance the mayor ran unopposed and I’m glad he got in because I would have voted for him anyhow, but there was no presidential election, there was no gubernatorial election, very few people came to that election,” he said.

“If it had been the next election upcoming with Trump and whomever, you’re going to see a lot of people out for that and I think it would have been a more fair vote.”

When it came time to vote on the second reading of the ordinance that would ban recreational marijuana sales by amending Section 147 of Chapter 180 of the town of Agawam, councilor Gina Letellier clarified that the town planning board recommended against the ban.

However, all councilors, including Letellier, voted in favor of the ban, upholding their earlier commitment to vote in favor of what they believed the people of Agawam wanted.

During the meeting, councilors also said goodbye to both Robert MaGovern, who was voted off the council during the last election, and Joseph Mineo, who after 20 years of service on the town council, had decided not to run for reelection in November.

The goodbyes began with a special presentation where Mineo, his family, City Council President Christopher Johnson and Councilor Anthony Suffriti stood on stage and made a brief statement. Johnson began by recognizing Mineo’s commitment and dedication to his family, something he said had been echoed in his service to the town.

“All the people of Agawam are lucky that he’s here, because he really treated every person who lives in Agawam and Feeding Hills like they were part of his family. Agawam is fortunate to have had you serve us, Joe. We’re very sorry that you’re leaving,” Johnson remarked.

Suffriti, who is about to begin his seventh term on the council, addressed Mineo, thanking him for taking him “under his wing right away” and for helping him navigate the ways of city council throughout the years they served together.

“Joe took me under his wing right away, made me feel like one of his own sons, gave me a lot of advice, allowed me to feel comfortable up here, allowed me to understand how to deal with the public and listen,” Suffriti said. “I love you and I’m going to miss you on the stage.”

Mineo then addressed his fellow councilors saying, “We’ve been like family, every Monday night for the last anywhere from eight years to 20 years that I’ve been up here.” He commented on the amount of time the councilors often give up by serving the town, and got choked up expressing his regret in the amount of time he’d spent away from home. “I think that’s one regret I have of this, especially at this point in my life is the amount of time I spent out of the house. I’m glad I served the folks of Agawam, I really am glad I did it, but that’s probably the one thing I regret is, I didn’t spend enough time with my family,” he said.

His family, who were standing behind him, was also seen wiping away tears as Mineo continued expressing his thankfulness for all those who had supported him, voted for him and helped him in the past 20 years. He then went on to state how proud he was of his three children, and how thankful he was for his wife, Anna.

“I am so proud of them, they came out of the Agawam school system, they all went to college. I’d like to thank my wife,” he said. “My wife has been my biggest supporter over the last 20 years. She’s the one who said ‘You could do it’ and she was right. I love her so much.”

Later, when Mineo’s fellow councilors expressed their gratitude for his work, Letellier said he should have no regrets. “I’m glad you made the decision that was right for you, I’m glad you’re happy with your decision. I don’t think your family regrets the time you were at council meetings, because I think they know you were doing something that you loved to do,” she said, visibly emotional. “I think you should have no regrets, know you’re loved by so many people and I’m one of those people.”

Letellier also said goodbye to MaGovern, who was unable to attend the meeting. “I know Bob MaGovern is not here, but he’s served this town faithfully for many years, so thank you to Bob,” she said.

Johnson echoed this and stated, “Bob has worked very hard for the people of Agawam, he has been very diligent in pursuing efforts on behalf of all the committees he served, he had perfect attendance here at council meetings. We’re going to miss Bob. We’re going to miss his knowledge, especially his knowledge of the history of Agawam. So we wish him well.”