AGAWAM — The Agawam City Council meeting on Dec. 15 served as the final one for councilors Gerald Smith, Peter Smus and Maria Valego, who were beaten in their races in the 2025 election.
Council President Rosemary Sandlin began with a presentation for the three councilors and gave each a clock, inscribed with “in thanks and recognition of your dedicated service to the people of Agawam.” She called Smith to the stand first.
“Councilor Smith has been my timekeeper, he’s been a rock,” Sandlin said. “He’s been a valuable asset to the town of Agawam, and he will be missed.”
Sandlin then recognized Smus with the clock. She said “Peter has been at every meeting that I know. Peter has been an admirable, working councilor and somebody that I admire. It has been a privilege to work with you.” She thanked him on behalf of the council for the “many hours he spent at every subcommittee meeting and every town meeting.”
Valego received her clock last and, Sandlin said she hopes this isn’t Valego’s final run for office.
“Maria, it’s been a pleasure to get to know you,” Sandlin said. “It’s been a pleasure to serve with you as the other woman on this committee, and I wanted to say it’s been a short term, but you were well loved and well liked.”
Sandlin then allowed each councilor to say a few words before the meeting ended.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the past six years serving as a city councilor,” Smith said. “I will miss the meetings, but when the weather gets really bad out like tonight, I think I prefer staying home.”
Smith said that during his six years, the council worked well together and reflected on the accomplishments during that time, such as the new police station and the soon to be finished Agawam High School, which he said he believes will be the “finest high school in the state of Massachusetts, if not in all of New England.” He said he was honored to work with everyone, some during the entire six years, and that he will miss it.
“I just wanted to thank everybody out there who supported me, helped me through this first term here,” Smus said. “Hopefully I’m gonna try to come back in the future.”
Valego spoke last and said it was a pleasure and honor to work with the council.
“I had a lot to learn in the last two years and how actually the council works for the residents of Agawam,” Valego said. “It was very amazing to see how things come together as a council and a body and how we benefit our city.”
Before adjourning the meeting, Sandlin reflected on the time with each member and referred to Smith as her idol.
“We have done a great deal to accomplish this last two years and you were a part of it,” Sandlin said.
