APPROVED 2/25/03

 

 

 

TOWN OF HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS

BOARD OF SELECTMEN/HEALTH

MINUTES

February 18, 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 James D. Smith, Duane Mosier, and Mark Barba were in attendance.

 

Old Business:

 

1.               Minutes from February 11, 2003 for approval

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

 

2.               Minutes from February 11, 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.

 

3.               Minutes from February 15, 2003 for approval

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

 

4.               Office Space

The Board met on 2/15 to discuss the anticipated office move and Mark Barba’s proposed memo dated 2/18/03 stating what the move would entail.  Duane Mosier moved to approve the town house office move with final decision on the Treasurer and Town Accountant being made after discussion with the Treasurer.  James Smith seconded.  All in favor and so voted.

 

 

Appointments:

 

5.               David Martel

 David Martel met with the Board to discuss several issues that he has been working of for the Town.  The first item for discussion was the Water District and needing to be recorded at the Registry Deeds.  David will have the recording done this week.  The second issue is the establishment of increasing fees (i.e. burial fees and dog licenses).  The Town needs to adopt Chapter 40 Section 22F at Town meeting to allow the Board of Selectmen to set and increase fees for Burial permits.  In order to increase dog license fees the town would be required to either opt out of County program as part of the fee goes to the county or special legislation would need to be passed to set the fee if the Town opted to remain within the county’s program.  Another issue that was brought up was the recording of streets that were accepted by the Town.  According to David Martel the deeds have been drawn up and all the necessary paperwork has been sent to individual council.  David also submitted a letter regarding firefighter liability and how the volunteer firefighters would be covered.  Town meeting warrant was discussed and David will review the updated warrant and comment to the office on any changes and corrections.

 

6.               Mary Rogeness

Mary Rogeness met with the Board to present to the Town a check in the amount of $600.00.  Last month all state legislators were granted a raise in salary and Mary decided to donate her increase to the communities she serves.  She stated that she hoped it would ease in the budgeting process for the Towns. 

 

7.               Reduction in local aid

The Board discussed methods in which to make up the reduction on local state aid.  A memo will be distributed to all Department Heads requesting each department commit to a 1% reduction on spending for the remainder of FY-03.  In addition, the Board will hold a Special Town Meeting to transfer monies from the Stabilization Fund to balance the budget.  An open forum will be held on 2/25 at 6pm to discuss this and other actions the town wishes to pursue.

Duane Mosier moved to hold a Special Town Meeting on 3/24/03 at 7:00 PM at Thornton Burgess School with warrant articles to be determined at a later date.  Mark Barba seconded.  All in favor and so voted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Business

 

Mark Barba would like to have the Fire Chief Peter Hatch in to discuss some of the policies at the Fire Department for the Personnel Policy Handbook.

 

James Smith reviewed some outstanding issues regarding sandwich signs, and setting up a meeting with the Police Chief and 2 Sergeants to determine the Goals and Objectives.  Jim will draft a letter to Brian Lees regarding Storm water Phase II and obtaining a waiver permitting the Town to slow down the process or eliminate several elements of the required mandates.

 

 

 

Duane Mosier moved, seconded by Mark Barba to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was adopted unanimously (3-0).  The meeting adjourned at 10:00 P.M.

 

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

 

 

________________________

Karen Desmarais

Administrative Assistant               

 

 

 

 


 

 

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