APPROVED 5/13/03

 

 

 

TOWN OF HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS

BOARD OF SELECTMEN/HEALTH

MINUTES

May 6, 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.

1.               613 Main Street

Mr. Willard Flynn approached the Board to discuss the property at 613 Main Street and his viewpoint on the purchase.  Mr. Flynn feels that obtaining the house and property would be beneficial as the property abuts the Town House, Fire Station and Town Garage.  He felt that addressing it as an override expense may have been the reason why it was defeated at Town Meeting.  Mr. Flynn stated that if there was any possible way to purchase the property at the asking price and not affix any additional monies for improvements at this time he feels there may be more interest from the residents.  The Board stated that they would approach the homeowner and ask for an extended time to explore other options.  The Board will also contact the original committee that dealt with exploring possibilities for the property for their input. 

 

2.               Chairman Board of Health

James Smith moved to appoint Mark Barba as Chairman of the Board of Health for the upcoming year.  Duane Mosier seconded.  Mark Barba abstained from the vote. James – yes, Duane – yes.

 

3.               Chairman Board of Selectmen

Mark Barba moved to appoint Duane Mosier as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for the upcoming year.  James Smith seconded.  Duane Mosier abstained from the vote.  James –yes. Mark – yes.

 

4.               Liaisons

The Board decided to continue their current liaisons with the various committees until July 1, 2003.

 

5.               Bennett Road

A resident on Bennett Road was asked to come before the Board of Selectmen last meeting to address the signing of an easement for work to be completed on Bennett Road. 

At that meeting the resident had brought to the attention of the Board that his mail service was being held due to the fact that the drainage ditch area by his mailbox was unsafe and the post office had refused mail delivery.  He stated that according to the post office his only option was purchasing a P.O. Box.  He asked if Town could repair the road area in front of his home allowing mail service to be restarted.  Upon researching the problem it was determined that the reason mail service was halted was because the resident’s mailbox was in disrepair.  The postmaster stated that there was not a problem with the road conditions.  The postmaster forwarded a leaflet to the homeowner stating this fact.  At this time the resident has subsequently stated that he is no longer willing to sign an easement as was previously promised.

 

Old Business:

 

6.               Minutes from April 15, 2003 for approval

Pg 1 Section 2, 3, 4:  add yes votes.

 

Pg 2 Section 5: add asking to attend the next meeting.

 

Pg 2 Section 6: delete first part of paragraph.  Add yes votes

 

Pg2 Section 10: add letter of support signed by Board supporting MA Dept of Food and Agriculture to purse.

 

Pg 3 Section 11: add lease, add as required for bonding, add requested by Superintendents office.

 

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

 

7.               Minutes from April 15, 2003 for approval

Pg 1: add Jay O’Brien with concern of wash out area in front of mailbox etc.

 

Pg 1 Section 3: add FY 04 cost containment

 

Pg 2 Section 5: add no meeting

 

Pg 2 Section 7: add are available and a copy will be sent to the Assessors Office.

 

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

 

8.               Minutes from April 22, 2003 executive session for approval

Pg 1 add Twice

 

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

 

9.               Minutes from April 26, 2003 for approval

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

 

10.            Minutes from April 26, 2003 executive session for approval

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

 

11.            Minutes from April 28, 2003 for approval

Pg 2 Section 3: Add the Board agreed to leave the Board of Selectmen meeting open until completion of the Annual Town Meeting.  There being no further business at the conclusion of the Annual Town Meeting Mark Barba moved to adjourn the meeting.

 

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

 

Appointments:

 

12.            Personnel Policy Committee

The Board met with members of the Personnel Policy Committee, Dick Ayers, Tom Argenio, and Bill Gouzounis to discuss implementation and phasing in of the changes to the new sick time and longevity policies. 

The Committee stated that the new sick time policy could have two options for phasing in 1.  A total buy out of the sick time (50 days at ½ time) and start with a clean slate of sick time. Or, 2.  No cash pay out of accumulated days until retirement or resignation. Start a second accounting of sick time for employees with the new policy in effect 7/1/03. (Keep 2 separate sick time banks)

The options for phasing out longevity include 1. Eliminate longevity. 2. Incorporate into the present salary structure. 3.  Phase out over a 3-year period.  The Committee recommends freezing the longevity for current employees who receive it and incorporate it into their base salary.  Any new or current employee who does not presently receive longevity is not eligible.

The Board tentatively scheduled an informal presentation for 6/10 for all employees.  The new policy will go into effect 7/1/03.  Jim Smith will draft a letter stating that the union contract language supercedes the language contained in the employee policy manual.

 

13.            Adopt a Road

Members of the Boy Scouts, Fire Dept, Historical Society, and VFW attended the meeting to discuss adopt a road and the Memorial Day parade and Hot Dog Social.  Art Booth has obtained a guest speaker, a fly over and the Highlanders as well as units from Westover.  The various groups have decided on May 17 and 24 to clean the roads in anticipation of Memorial Day.  Small trash bags and gloves and vests will be distributed by the Selectmen’s office.

 

14.            Historical Society

Linda Kravitz brought to the attention of the Board that Academy Hall has bats in the attic area again.  She will contact an exterminator for an estimate on removal.  Linda also noted that the paint on Academy Hall porch is peeling and she would like to purchase paint and have several members repaint the areas. The Board supported both items.

 

15.            Fire Department

Peter Hatch informed the board that the Hampden Country Club has conformed to all the laws for granting the license to have the underground storage tanks installed. 

 

The Forest Fire budget is $460.00 overdrawn at this time.  Peter was informed that he would need to fill out a transfer from reserve account form for any additional spending from that line item.

 

16.            Chairman

Duane Mosier will be away May 8-18.  In his absence Duane Mosier moved to nominate James Smith as Acting Chairman for that time.  Mark Barba seconded.  James Smith abstained.  Mark – yes Duane – yes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Business: 

 

17.            HWRSD School Committee letter

A letter was received from the Superintendent of Schools regarding the timing of new school committee members taking office.  The committee is proposing that all newly elected school committee members elected during the spring election take office on July 1 in order to complete the fiscal year.  The Board will draft a response to the Superintendent supporting the idea of outgoing members remain in a volunteer capacity if needed and the newly elected member have full authority as of their election.

 

18.             Follow up list

The Board reviewed the follow up list and made some changes and additions.

 

19.            Special Town Election

James Smith moved to change the time of the special town election to 8:30 am – 6:30 on Sat 5/17 with those hours being consistent with the Wilbraham town election.  Mark Barba seconded.  All in favor and so voted.

 

20.            Dog Posting

The Board signed a copy of an annual posting that allows the Board of Selectmen to destroy dogs running at large.

 

21.            North Road Eminent Domain

The Board signed the copy of the Notice of Taking and it was returned to David Martel who will in turn send it to the land owner.

 

22.            Retirement

The Board received a letter from Chief Mellis and Verna Caney stating that she intends to retire as Dispatcher with the Hampden Police Department effective July 17,2003.  I letter will be sent to Verna acknowledging her service.

 

Mark Barba moved, seconded by James Smith to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was adopted unanimously (3-0).  The meeting adjourned at 10:20 P.M.

 

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

 

________________________

Karen Desmarais

Administrative Assistant