APPROVED 7/29/02
TOWN OF HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS
BOARD OF SELECTMEN/HEALTH
MINUTES
July 15, 2002			Town House
7:00 P.M			625 Main Street
Roll Call:	The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. Board of Selectmen James D. Smith, Duane Mosier, and Mark Barba were in attendance.

Old Business:

1. Minutes from July 1, 2002 for approval

Pg 2 Section 8: add “dual status as a reserve officer and dispatcher resulting in overtime pay”

Duane Mosier made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected. Mark Barba seconded, all in favor and so voted.

2. Sidewalk issue

Jim Smith will draft a letter to the resident who requested information regarding safety issues on sidewalks and crosswalks.

3. Plumbing Fees

An email was received from a resident regarding permit fees for plumbing and electrical hookups. A copy of the email will be forwarded to the Building, Plumbing and Electrical inspectors asking for their comments prior the next meeting. A letter will be sent to the resident stating what follow up measures are in place.

4. Bay State Gas Permit

A permit was requested to open the road on Main Street to install a new gas service. Dana Pixley stated that there is a policy in place stating that if a road has been repaved less than 5 years the Town has the option to not allowing the road to be opened. In addition, the Town also has the power to impose higher standards regarding the road repairs following the completed work. Dana will research the amount of years it has been since the road has been repaved on Main Street and report back to the Board before granting the permit to Baystate Gas.

5. Personnel Policy

The members of the personnel policy committee met with the Board upon completion of their meeting. At this time they are working on revising the personnel policy handbook

Appointments:

6. Hampden Country Club

Representatives of the Hampden Country Club Joanne Fazio and Phil Dirico were in attendance along with Peter Hatch representing the Hampden Fire Department and Theresa Bechard, Carmella Craig, and Daniel Moleen land abutters to Hampden Country Club. The Country Club is applying for a license to store gasoline and diesel fuel in three separate 300 gallon above ground tanks housed next to the clubhouse and maintenance building. The Fire Chief requested that these tanks have an additional enclosure surrounding them to meet a 110% containment to prevent a discharge of fuel or diesel into the ground or ground water should a leak occur. The Hampden Country Club said that they would comply with the request. Duane Mosier moved to approve the application for the storage tanks containing gasoline and diesel fuel at the Hampden Country Club contingent upon the final written approval of Peter Hatch, Fire Chief. Mark Barba seconded. All in favor and so voted.

7. Kyle Pixley

Kyle approached the Board with a request to construct a handicap accessible unloading area at the Town House for his Eagle Scout project. The Board felt that this project was a very worthwhile one and gave their unanimous approval. Duane Mosier made a motion to accept the plans as presented by Kyle Pixley to construct a handicap accessible ramp area at the Town House for an Eagle Scout project. Mark Barba seconded. All in favor and so voted.

8. Dana Pixley

Dana updated the Board on the status of a tree that had been removed in Glendale Road area that was found to be diseased and posed a hazard to road traffic.

9. Storm Water II

Dana reported on a DEP and EPA conference that he had attended regarding the Storm Water Phase II and reviewed new regulations with the Board.

10. New Reserve Officer Candidate

The Board met with Chief Adams and Josh Dufresne who is applying for the position of part-time dispatcher/reserve officer. At present he is employed full time as a campus police offer at Mt Holyoke College. He has completed the Agawam Police Academy and the Mass Special Police Academy. Duane Mosier moved to appoint Josh Dufresne as a part time dispatcher/reserve officer for a 1-year probationary period. Mark Barba seconded. All in favor and so voted.

11. Chief Adams

Chief Adams reviewed several items with the Board. The Chief asked on the status of the letter he has sent to the Board regarding the inability of the animal inspector to hold animals after capture. Jim Smith stated that he would be contacting Shelly Sears. The Chief announced that 2 reserve officers have submitted their resignations. Review of a recent accident involving a cruiser and protocol for proper notification. Reviewed status of policy procedure and performance evaluation for staff.

12. Reserve Officer

Reviewed status of appointment of reserve officer with Personnel Policy Committee and Chief Adams. After discussion members of the Personnel Policy Committee felt that there their could not foresee any problems with overtime for a dual status employee and the decision was an administrative one that could be subject to review or change and termination without prior notification. Mark Barba moved to accept the proposed policy written by James Smith for compensation for persons working in the capacity of Reserve Officer that are normally employed by the Town in another capacity, and await future amendments to the policy from Chief Adams. James Smith seconded. Duane Mosier abstained. Vote – Jim – yes, Mark –yes.

New Business:

13. VFW one-day license request

Mark Barba brought several items to the attention of Board members regarding licensing of the facility by the ABCC. The Board at this time decided to grant permission to the VFW to hold an event on July 19. A conference will be held 8/8 and representatives from Hampden will be attending to inquire as to the issuance of one-day liquor licenses.

14. Dog Complaint

Jim Smith stated that the report received from the police department is an ongoing complaint and he was bringing that information to the Board’s attention.

15. Possible under vote

Information needs to be obtained from the Town Clerk’s office regarding to possibility of adding a under ride vote to the state or national election this fall.

16. Selectmen Communication

A resident had approached the Board with suggestions on how to further improve communication between the Selectmen’s office and the townspeople. The Board will follow-up at a future meeting.

17. Beaver Permit Fee

Duane Mosier made a motion to adopt a $25.00 fee for a beaver-trapping permit. Mark Barba seconded. All in favor and so voted.

18. COA

The Board was in receipt of a memo from the COA Director that addressed budget items for FY02. A copy of the memo will be forwarded to the Advisory Committee.

19. Risograph Maintenance Agreement

The maintenance agreement is up for renewal in August. Information on the lease agreement will be pursued before signing the new contract.

20. Stop sign at Sessions and Baldwin Street

A resident had approached the Board requesting the Town install a new stop sign at the intersection of Sessions and Baldwin. The Board will ask Dana Pixley for his input and the steps involved to issue such signage.

21. Lyman Woods letter

A letter was received from David Martel regarding Lyman Wood’s property. The Board will check with Mr. Martel at the next meeting as to the purpose of the letter.

Other Business:

Mark Barba reported on the status of The Whittaker property. The DEP has contacted WMECO to inspect the site. Duane Mosier will follow-up with DEP and the landowner.

Duane Mosier updated the Board on the Transfer Station and the DEP orders. The Board is awaiting word from DEP for a site inspection.

James Smith commented on the status of River Park Drive and the perc test. The Board will contact the Health Director as to the status of the septic system and future plans for repairs.

Duane Mosier moved, seconded by Mark Barba to adjourn the meeting. The motion was adopted unanimously (3-0). The meeting adjourned at 11:30 P.M.

Respectfully submitted:

Karen Desmarais

Administrative Assistant