APPROVED 4/8/03

 

 

 

TOWN OF HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS

BOARD OF SELECTMEN/HEALTH

MINUTES

March 25, 2003

 

Town House

6:30 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.

 

 

Appointments:

 

1.               Audubon Society

The Massachusetts Audubon Society had contacted the Board of Selectmen last month by letter asking for the Board’s input into finding a partner to share the facility at Laughing Brook.  At present the Audubon Society shares its space with Holyoke Community College, that partnership will end 7/1/03.  The Society invited the Board to view the premises this evening and see if the Board had any ideas for a group or business that could share the space and help defray the total cost of the building.  The Board felt that there may be several options for the facility and will discuss at the next meeting.

 

2.               Subcommittee

Ellen Bump volunteered to form a committee to evaluate the feasibility of purchasing the property that the Board had been notified was going on the market.  The property abuts the west side of the town house and make recommendations for its use.  Ellen brought forward 4 additional members who have agreed to serve on this committee.  Duane Mosier moved to appoint the five-member sub-committee to evaluate the property and bring forward their recommendations at the Special Town Meeting in April.  Mark Barba seconded.  All in favor and so voted.

 

 

 

 

3.               Park and Recreation

At the invitation of the Board of Selectmen, Jay Fenlason and Chris McDonald met with the Board to discuss an unannounced site meeting that was convened at Memorial Park Pond on March 24th.  A private individual and a single member of the Parks and Recreation Commission had apparently organized this meeting on short notice and the Board of Selectmen was concerned about the lack of notification to the Selectmen given the Selectmen’s direct involvement in DEP issues concerning operating the pond.  Jay stated that the meeting was conducted by people that had volunteered to serve on a sub-committee to find ways in which to open the pond without violating a DEP order to keep chlorine out of the adjacent brook.  Chris stated, however, that the Parks and Recreation Commission had not taken a formal vote to either form the sub-committee or give the sub-committee specific directions.

 

The Board of Selectmen expressed their concern that the individuals who organized the meeting had invited the Superintendent of Highways, the Town’s consulting engineer, other community members, and the press; yet had failed to give notice of the meeting to the Board.  The Board’s concern was based on two issues.  First, the Board of Selectmen/Health has been the primary contact with the DEP and with the Town’s legal counsel regarding the chlorine issue.  This issue has been subject to a Consent Order from the DEP with a fine to the Town.  In order to protect the financial and legal interests of the Town the Board of Selectmen feels that they need to be directly involved in the development and implementation of any plans to re-open the pond.  The second concern was the short-notice invitation to the Superintendent of Highways by a private individual without a prior request for services from the Board of Selectmen.

 

After a brief discussion it was decided that since only one member of the Parks and Recreation Commission was present Jim Smith would draft a letter to Jay Fenlason outlining the concerns of the Board.  This letter would be presented at the March 27th Parks and Recreation meeting.  Jim Smith agreed to meet with the Parks and Recreation Commission at their regular meeting on April 10th to discuss concerns directly with the Commission.

 

4.               Insurance Committee

Rick Green stated that he was interested in serving on the committee.  A subsequent committee will be set up for 4/8/03.

 

5.               School Town Budget

Rick Green, Mike Gerrard, Bonnie Howell, Carol Fitzgerald, and Chris Shield met with the Board to discuss the upcoming budget and the impact it would have upon the town and the schools.  The Board explained to the group what direction the town was taking in easing the financial burden.  The Board has asked all departments to level fund their budget for the upcoming year as well as supply them with a secondary budget that shows a 5% reduction. The Board is also considering a 2 ½ override if they feel it is necessary to balance the budget. 

6.               Police Union

James Smith moved to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing Police Contracts with the IBPO and it’s representatives with a return to open session.  Duane Mosier seconded.  Roll call vote Jim – yes, Duane – yes Mark - yes.

     

Old Business:

 

7.               Minutes from March 18, 2003 for approval

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

 

8.               Minutes from March 18, 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.

 

9.               Minutes from March 19, 2003 for approval

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

 

10.            Follow up

The Board reviewed the follow up list and made some date changes as well as some additions.  The Board intends to review this list on a weekly basis.

 

11.            Dispatcher

The Board will review the copy of the Dispatcher contract that includes the recent changes sent by Atty. Weinberg and will discuss it at the 4/1/03 meeting.

 

12.            Warrant Articles

Mark Barba brought forward the information he obtained from the Advisory Committee Meeting held on Monday.  The Selectmen’s office will supply the Advisory Committee with dollar amounts each warrant article that calls for one.

 

Discussion on stabilization fund and the possibility of an article to help facilitate the transfers of money from such fund.  Duane will speak to David Martel for assistance.

 

Duane Mosier moved to approve the warrant as presented with a possible addition of one article to facilitate the transfer of money from Stabilization Fund for non-specific expenditures pending recommendation of wording of such article to be prepared by Town Council, David Martel.  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 11:20 P.M.

 

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

 

 

________________________

Karen Desmarais

Administrative Assistant