APPROVED 3/4/03

 

 

 

TOWN OF HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS

BOARD OF SELECTMEN/HEALTH

MINUTES

February 25, 2003

 

Town House

6:00 P.M

 

625 Main Street

Roll Call:

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.  Board of Selectmen   James D. Smith, and Duane Mosier were in attendance.

 

Appointment

 

1.               Department Heads and elected Officials

The Board met with department heads and elected officials to discuss the shortfall for the  FY 03 budget and asked each department to voluntarily reduce this years spending budget by 1% to ease the shortfall.  A spending commitment reduction sheets was distributed for each department to fill in and sign.

 

2.               Historical Society

The Board met at Academy Hall with 2 members of the Historical Society to discuss Academy Hall and the building usage.  The Board is in the process of writing a building usage policy. 

The Board also discussed the upcoming 125th Town of Hampden Anniversary with the Historical Society members.  The date is set for March 28th several concerns were discussed and reviewed.

 

Executive Session

 

James Smith moved to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing impact bargaining with the Police Union with a return to open session.  Mark Barba Seconded.  Duane Mosier had already excused himself to attend a previously planned Board of Appeals meeting.  Roll call vote: James Smith – yes Mark Barba – yes.

 

3.               Police Reserve Officer

The Board met with Chief Mellis and Sgt Farnsworth who introduced Steven Hill as a Reserve Officer candidate.  Mr. Hill previously worked as a Springfield Police Officer until a recent lay-off.  Mr. Hill also worked as a reserve officer in Hampden prior to his appointment with the S.P.D.  Mark Barba moved to appoint Steven Hill as a Probationary Reserve Officer for 6 months, James Smith seconded.  Duane Mosier abstained, as he was not present during the interview process.  Mark – yes James – yes. 

 

4.                Chief Mellis

The Board reviewed the Police Department Budget with Chief Mellis as the Chief will be meeting with the Advisory Committee next week.

 

Old Business:

 

5.         Minutes from February 18, 2003 for approval

Pg 2 Section 7: change letter to later

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

 

5.               Follow up list

The Board reviewed the follow- up list and deleted several items that have been completed.  Other items will be put on the agenda in the upcoming weeks for finalization.

 

6.               Warrant Articles

Duane Mosier moved to approve the draft of the warrant articles for publication on the Town Report.  Approval of the final draft for posting for the Annual Town Meeting to be held on 4/28/03 will be done as soon as the articles receive final approval from Town Counsel.

 

New Business:

 

7.               Personnel Committee

Duane Mosier moved to created a five member Personnel Committee as outlined in the Personnel Policy Handbook as revised/accepted in January 2003.  The members are as follows: Ron Kidd – 1 year, Donald Collins – 2 years, William Gouzounis – 2 years, Richard Ayers – 3 years, Thomas Argenio – 3 years.  Mark Barba seconded.  All in favor and so voted.

 

8.                Insurance Committee

James Smith moved to create a three-person committee to be charged with the responsibilities to review, make recommendation and provides direction to the Selectmen to oversee the Town of Hampden has the appropriate insurance coverage.  Mark Barba seconded.  All in favor and so voted.

 

Duane Mosier moved, seconded by Mark Barba 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