APPROVED 2/11/03

 

 

 

TOWN OF HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS

BOARD OF SELECTMEN/HEALTH

MINUTES

February 4, 2003

 

Town House

7:00 P.M

 

625 Main Street

Roll Call:

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.  Board of Selectmen James D. Smith, Duane Mosier, and Mark Barba were in attendance.

 

 

Old Business:

 

1.               Minutes from January 28, 2003 for approval

Pg 2 Section 8: add trimming

Pg 3 Section 9: add highway and Police Chief

Duane Mosier made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected.  Mark Barba seconded, James Smith abstained as he was not present for the entire meeting of 1/28.  Duane – yes Mark –yes.

 

2.               Minutes from January 28, 2003 and January 21, 2003 executive session for approval

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appointments:

 

3.               School Budget

Paul Gagliarducci met with the Selectmen to discuss the school budget for the upcoming fiscal year.  Paul stated that at this time Chapter 70 funds have not been cut. Transportation is an area where cuts have been made and the towns within the regional school system (Hampden and Wilbraham) will have to make up the deficit.  Paul has been working with the staff from both of the town’s schools and will be developing several ways to cut costs.  James Smith stated that the Selectmen will be meeting with the State’s Representatives on Thursday evening at the Regional Selectmen’s meeting and they would bring these budget issues before them.

 

4.               Warrant Articles

The Board met with several Board Chairman to discuss ways to get the warrant articles to the Selectmen by the deadline date.   John Flynn stated that the CPC (Community Preservation Committee) needs to submit an article for town meeting regarding what they intend to do with the funds collected.  John will get the article language to the Board by 1/21.  Duane Mosier moved to accept the warrant articles that were submitted after the deadline and include them on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, also include a CPC article to be submitted by 1/21.  Mark Barba seconded.  All in favor and so voted.

 

5.               125th Anniversary

Members of the Historical Society met with the Board to discuss plans for the upcoming 125th anniversary.  Several key members of the society was unable to meet therefore a meeting has been rescheduled for 2/25/03.

 

6.               Green Meadow School Building

Rick Moriarty and John Flynn met with the Board to discuss the building project and an anticipated variance set back needing a zoning variance up to 5 ft.  James Smith moved to authorize Duane Mosier to execute the variance issue on behalf of the Board.  Mark Barba seconded.  Duane Mosier abstained.  James – yes Mark –yes.

 

7.               Town Accountant

Cliff Bombard met with the Board to discuss the approx reduction of 56,000 in local aid.  Cliff stated that motor vehicle excise tax is running ahead of last year’s figures therefore creating additional money within the general fund.  But, he also stated that using the additional money from the excise revenues for general expenses would cause the free cash account to suffer. 

 

8.               Chief Mellis

The Board met with Chief Mellis to discuss several issues.  The Board reviewed the proposed Police Budget and advised the Chief on what areas needed clarification before final submission to the Advisory Committee.  Chief Mellis will look into the Sunday entertainment license and bring forth any new information he has.  The Board discussed several outstanding meetings that they would like to schedule in the near future. 

 

New Business:

 

9.               Agenda for Regional Selectmen’s meeting

The Board reviewed the agenda for the meeting scheduled for 2/6/03 and discussed some additions they would like included in the agenda.

 

Executive Session:

 

Duane Mosier moved to enter into executive session to discuss the Chief’s contract with a return to open session.  Roll call Duane – yes, James – yes, Mark – yes.

 

Duane Mosier moved, seconded by Mark Barba to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was adopted unanimously (3-0).  The meeting adjourned at 11:10 P.M.

 

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

 

 

________________________

Karen Desmarais

Administrative Assistant