APPROVED 2/4/03
TOWN OF HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS
BOARD OF SELECTMEN/HEALTH
MINUTES
January 28, 2003			Town House
7:00 P.M			625 Main Street
Roll Call:	The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Board of Selectmen Duane Mosier, and Mark Barba were in attendance. James Smith arrived after a scheduled meeting with the School Department.

Old Business:

1. Minutes from January 21, 2003 for approval

Pg 2 Section 5: add gray water

Pg 3 Section 11: add date

Pg 3 Section 13 delete to and interested

Duane Mosier made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected. Mark Barba seconded, James Smith had not arrived yet from the school department meeting and therefore did not vote. Duane – yes Mark – yes.

2. Grant Application

The Board reviewed the information received for a Heritage Grant Application that was submitted by Wilbraham to hire a consultant to survey the records of the two towns (Hampden and Wilbraham) with special emphasis placed on materials that document the 115 shared years, 1763-1878. The Hampden Historical Commission has sent a letter of support for this endeavor.

3. Follow up

The Board reviewed the follow-up sheet and will evaluate it on a monthly basis.

4. Town House Usage Policy

The Board will review the Policy at an upcoming meeting. A request had been made by the HLP to hold a concert as a fundraiser at the Town House. Mark Barba stated that upon further investigation should the Hampden Cultural Council co-sponsor the event with the Hampden Land Project the event could be held in the Town Hall. Mark will contact Deena Balogh to determine if the Cultural Council will be a co-sponsor.

Appointments:

5. Town Accountant

The Board met with Cliff Bombard, Town Accountant to discuss Revolving accounts and the best manner to bring them before town meeting within a warrant article. Also Cliff spoke on the projected revenue for the upcoming fiscal year and the anticipated cuts in local aid. A follow up meeting is scheduled for 2/25 at 7:30pm.

6. Park and Recreation/Planning Board

Several members of the Boards met with the Selectmen to discuss the proposed office space within the Town House. Duane Mosier then moved to delay the implementation of a planned office move scheduled for 2/13 that was discussed at the 1/21 Selectmen’s meeting to allow for additional input and planning of logistics. Mark Barba seconded. All in favor and so voted.

New Business:

7. Warrant Articles

The Board reviewed the submitted articles for the Annual Town Meeting and determined that several had arrived after the deadline date. The Board will ask those Board’s Chairman to attend the next meeting to discuss the articles.

8. Highway Department

A letter was received from a resident who expressed his concern over a damaged mailbox that had been broken during a recent winter plowing and had subsequently been replaced by the highway department. The Board will send a letter to the resident apprising him of the town’s policy for replacing damaged mailboxes during winter plowing.

The Board reviewed a letter from the Cemetery Commission to the Highway Department and a response letter from Dana Pixley to the Commission regarding tree trimming and removal at the town cemetery.

Other Business:

The Board will invite David Martel to an upcoming meeting to discuss several outstanding issues as well as some new questions.

9. Executive Session:

Duane Mosier moved to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing Dispatcher, Highway, and Police Chief contracts without a return to open session. Mark Barba seconded.

Roll call vote: James Smith – yes, Duane Mosier – yes, Mark Barba – yes.

Duane Mosier moved, seconded by Mark Barba to adjourn the meeting. The motion was adopted unanimously (3-0). The meeting adjourned at 9:55 P.M.

Respectfully submitted:

________________________

Karen Desmarais

Administrative Assistant