Council Approves Chapter 90, School Policy Resolutions

City Council · Meeting of October 19, 2026

Agawam City Council backed two resolutions and tabled a housing trust fund proposal. The council voted 11-0 for a resolution urging the General Court and MassDOT to overhaul the Chapter 90 road funding formula, which Council President Anthony J. Russo said sends new state revenue disproportionately to the MBTA; the town expects only about $1.25 million in Chapter 90 aid for fiscal 2027. A second resolution backing compliance with Agawam Public Schools Policy AB-1 on district traditions passed 10-1, with Councilor Christine Rickmon voting present, saying "I don't think this has anything to do with the City Council." The council also voted 11-0 to table a proposed municipal affordable housing trust fund sponsored by Councilor Rosemary Sandlin and Mayor Johnson, with Councilor Thomas D. Hendrickson requesting a workshop before any future vote.

Mayor Johnson's quarterly update included word that Springfield Water and Sewer has raised Agawam's wholesale costs "north of 40%" over four years and that police staffing has dropped further after academy losses and retirements.

In the full story:

• Friends of the Agawam Senior Center Recognition
• Citizen Speak Time
• Approval of Minutes
• Mayor's Quarterly Community Update
• TR-2026-63: Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund
• TR-2026-64: Chapter 90 Funding Formula Resolution
• TR-2026-65: Compliance With Agawam Public Schools Policy AB-1
• New Business
• Council Procedure and Closing Announcements
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,779 words

Source: the City Council meeting of October 19, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.