APPROVED 9/24/2002

 

 

 

TOWN OF HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS

BOARD OF SELECTMEN/HEALTH

MINUTES

September 17, 2002

 

Town House

7:00 P.M

 

625 Main Street

Roll Call:

The meeting was called to order at 7:09 p.m.  Board of Selectmen James D. Smith, Duane Mosier, and Mark Barba were in attendance.

 

 

Old Business:

 

1.               Minutes from September 3, 2002 for approval

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

2.               Minutes from September 10, 2002 for approval

Pg 2 Section 5 add tree belt or road to each address

                        change to work was done on several sites

                        change “importance” to “need”

Pg 2 Section 6 add Board was advised by DEP

Pg 3 Section 8 change “for” to “to”

Duane Mosier moved to accept the minutes as corrected.  Mark Barba seconded.  James Smith abstained as he was out of town for the meeting.  Vote – Duane – yes Mark – yes.

Appointments

3.               Police Union

Atty. Mike Salvon, Atty. Chris Brown, Chief Adams, Officer Todd Ely attended the Board of Selectmen meeting to discuss a grievance issue.  The Police Union has filed a grievance that pertains to a shift not being filled by an officer.  The Chief made a decision to leave the shift vacant on 8/14.  The decision had no negative impact upon the Town as the Chief was working that day and filled in as the officer in charge. Earlier discussions between the Board of Selectmen and the Chief made it clear that due to budget constraints there may be times when a shift would not be filled and the Chief would fill in.  Labor Counsel states although there is no language in the contract that states there must be a shift minimum he feels that the spirit of the negotiations alluded to such an agreement.  The Board stated they had entered into negotiations with an equal give and take from both sides and during the process of negotiations there was no reference to a guaranteed staffing arrangement. The Board also stated that they are obligated to work within the budget and run the department safely and effectively.

Labor Counsel asked the Board to defer any decision until the next meeting on 9/24.  The Board agreed.

4.               Mr. Dorn

The Board apprised Mr. Dorn as to the status of his neighbor’s septic system and presented him with a timetable from the Board of Health which lists what has been done since he presented to issue to the Board. In addition, the Board will supply Mr. Dorn with Mr. Riddle’s credentials and the minutes from July 24 Board of Selectmen meeting which he attended.

5.               Chris MacDonald

Chris met with the Board to ask if the Board could supply him with a copy of the Recreation Director’s job description.  The Board stated that during the last updating process all job descriptions were revised and copies were provided to all departments however a second copy would be forwarded to him.  In addition, he was looking to the Board for guidelines regarding updating the Park and Recreation Constitution and direction in locating such information.  The Board supplied him with some relevant material.

6.               John Flynn and Robin Warner

Discussion regarding Ridgeline and Hillside involvement on lot #6 Scantic Road.  At this time the landowner has complied with the hay bales and double staked fencing on the property to avoid any further erosion.  The Ridgeline and Hillside Committee will be meeting with the landowner to discuss several outstanding issues prior to his building on the property.

7.               Mr. Schnara

Mr. Schnara and several of his neighbors approached the Board to ask for some help in understanding the proposed well in the Town of Wilbraham.  The abutters questioned the impact that this will have on their shallow wells in the future.  The Board will contact the DEP and ask if a meeting can be held at the Town House with members of DEP and interested residents to the proposed well area to discuss issues and answer any questions the residents may have.  

8.               Chief Adams

The Board met with Chief Adams regarding employee evaluations and to discuss the date and time that has been set to review this issue with labor counsel.  The meeting is set for 9/23 at 9AM.

New Business:

9.               Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles

The Board reviewed the articles that were submitted by Town Departments slated to be on the Special Town Meeting Warrant.  A list of the warrant articles will be draw up and the Board will review them at the next meeting.

10.            Kibbe Property 61A Release

Mark Barba stated that the Board has 120 days to respond to the request and the Board has tabled discussion until an upcoming meeting.

11.             Regional Selectmen’s Meeting

Duane attended and reported that the PVTA ridership has increased 21% for Hampden which will result in a future increase in Hampden’s assessment.  The Regional Boards are still looking into the Storm Water Phase II but has not committed to any plan at this time.  The next meeting is scheduled for 11/14 in Ludlow.

12.            Hazardous Waste

Duane Mosier represented the Town at the Hazardous Waste Day and reported that Hampden had 50 participants.

13.            Personnel Review

The Personnel Review Committee submitted copies of the policy and employment guidelines handbook for the Board’s review.  The Board will discuss the handbooks at the meeting on 9/24.

14.            Fire Department

The Board spoke with Peter Hatch regarding the used cars that were delivered to the Transfer Station that were to be used for training purposes i.e. jaws of life training.  The Board requested that if the cars were going to be used for training purposes at the Transfer Station the Board first be notified and secondly they asked if the cars could be parked on the blacktop area to eliminate and fluids from the vehicles going directly into the ground.  At this time Peter Hatch stated that the Fire Department parking lot would be used as the training area due to the fact that it would be easier to tow the vehicles away after training is completed.

15.            COA

The Board inquired as to the job posting for Carolyn’s position.  At this time the job posting has been submitted to area publications.  The Board will wait for the COA Board to review the applications and submit a maximum of  three candidates for the Selectmen’s final review.

16.            Cupola

The Board reviewed the letter from Dana Pixley regarding the repair work to the cupola.  At this time the Board has decided to table discussion due to the fact of budget constraints. 

17.            Town House Roof

The Board will request quotes for repair work to the flat portion of the Town House roof.

18.            Framarin landfill well monitoring proposal

The Board is in receipt of the landfill well monitoring proposal from Michael Framarin, Water Operator for the Town of Hampden.  Duane Mosier moved to accept the proposal submitted by Michael Framarin for the October 2002 environmental monitoring program totaling $4,420.00.  Mark Barba seconded.  All in favor and so voted.

Other Business:

Mark Barba spoke to Bart Gilley regarding using some high school students taking credit courses in computer studies to supply some computer support needs to the Town Offices. 

 

Duane Mosier stated that a department head meeting was scheduled for 9/19.  He would not be able to attend.

 

James  Smith stated that he has spoken to DEP and at this time he is working toward removal of the silt fencing at Mill Pond as the Town has received a letter from DEP stating the matter is closed.

 

Jim had received a call regarding a weight limit on the South Road Bridge.  The state re-certified the bridge status from an original non- rated bridge limit to a rating with lower limits.  The Board will investigate this issue further.

 

Jim had received a call from a resident requesting information regarding the ownership of a right of way that abuts Colonial Village and Memorial Park.  The resident states that all- terrain vehicles have been using this area.  The Board will look into the land ownership.           

 

Mark Barba moved, seconded by Duane Mosier to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was adopted unanimously (3-0).  The meeting adjourned at 11:00 P.M.

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

Karen Desmarais

Administrative Assistant