Council votes 10-1 against state housing mandates
Agawam City Council voted 10-1 to oppose state bill provisions allowing duplexes and religious-land multifamily housing by right.
Select Board · Meeting of September 21, 2026
Agawam City Council voted 10-1 to oppose state bill provisions allowing duplexes and religious-land multifamily housing by right. Councilor Thomas Hendrickson cast the lone dissent, saying the state is "rightfully taking steps to resolve" a housing shortage; Councilor Bitsis, who chaired the committee that advanced the measure, said "we cannot say, OK, no resolution, we'll stay with our hands crossed and do nothing." Agawam Housing Authority Executive Director Maureen Kayer told councilors her elderly housing waitlist totals 24,554 people against five open units. The council also approved three grants worth $4,671.89, $82,981 and roughly $121,400 by unanimous 11-0 votes, and gave final approval, 11-0, to graduated e-bike fines of $50, $100 and $300 with impoundment of up to 15 days.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,245 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of September 21, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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