APPROVED 5/20/03
TOWN OF HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS
BOARD OF SELECTMEN/HEALTH
MINUTES
May 13, 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 and Mark Barba were in attendance. Duane Mosier was out of town.

Old Business:

1. Minutes from May 6, 2003 for approval

Pg 1 Section 1: change from 619 to 613

Pg 2 Section 4: add their current

Pg 3 Section 12: add names of members, add new

Pg 4 Section 17: add if needed, add as of their election

Mark Barba made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected. Jim Smith seconded, Vote- Jim – yes, Mark – yes.

Appointments:

2. Echo Valley residents

Last year the Board met with Mr. and Mrs. Burian of Echo Valley Drive regarding the drainage culvert behind the homes and the blockage in the culvert area which has caused the water to overflow onto the properties downstream. The Board invited the residents to the meeting discuss the options to remedy the situation. Dana Pixley attended the meeting to discuss what corrective actions could be taken. Dana explained that he would excavate a 50 ft section of the open ditch to restore an adequate area for the flow of high water after a storm. This material would be placed along the open ditch and not removed from the site. The site would be accessed on the side of the Burian property and work would start in the late summer to lessen any lawn damage. A permission waiver would be sought from the property owners, Mr. and Mrs. Burian to hold the town harmless of any damage to the lawn area. The Burian’s agreed to write a waiver and send it to the Selectmen’s office.

3. Bennett Road

Dana Pixley stated that he has obtained a signed easement from a resident on Bennett Road allowing him to commence with work on a section of the road.

4. Lawn Maintenance

Dana informed the Board that he is in the process of obtaining bids for a new lawnmower and will be trading in the oldest mower for the newer model. He also stated that in the past the Hampden Housing Authority has donated their used tractor after they have purchased a new model. A letter will be sent to the Housing Authority asking them to keep the highway department in mind should they once again be purchasing a new tractor and would like to donate the old model.

5. Highway bid

John’s Trucking has withdrawn their bid for recycled base materials. The Board asked Dana to ask John’s Trucking to send a letter stating they are rejecting the Town’s offer. Once the letter is received the Board will award the new bid.

6. Catch Basin Cleaning

Dana has sent a letter to the Board apprising them of the regulations the town must adhere to regarding the solid waste/catch basin material. According to the DEP Catch Basin material is categorized as a solid waste material and is required to be disposed of at a DEP approved landfill. Dana has received one price quote of a company that will accept the material and has asked the Board to advise him as to the course of action they would like him to proceed with.

7. Cable Advisory Committee

The Board met with 3 members of the cable advisory committee to discuss what steps the committee has made in the process of the reviewing the materials for renewal of the cable contract. The Committee will meet with the Department of Telecommunications and Energy to hold a seminar that will include the Selectmen, Committee members and any other interested parties.

Jim Smith moved to appoint Gregory DeAngelo and David Lalond as additional members of the Cable Advisory Committee, Mark Barba seconded. Vote Jim – yes, Mark – yes.

8. Pizza establishment

The Board met with Frank Capaccio to discuss his plans for the opening of a pizza shop on Main Street. Mr. Capaccio has already brought his plans forward to the Planning Board and to the Building inspector and both have given him approval to move forward . The Board stated that at this time he can proceed with his plans and once the establishment is approaching an opening date he would bring the plans to the Health Agent for signing off and a subsequent site visit would be scheduled prior to opening.

New Business:

9. Bay State Gas

A request was sent to the Selectmen asking permission to open the road for work to be done by Bay State Gas. At this time the Board noted that last fall the Board had asked Bay State Gas to repair two areas on Main Street where work had been done and the final repairs were less adequate. The Board will draft a letter to Bay State Gas stated that no further work will be granted until these repairs are completed.

10. Riverpark Drive

Jim Smith stated that he has received a letter from the Conservation Commission regarding the allegation of a wetland violation. Jim will speak to the Chairman of the Conservation Commission for any follow-up information.

11. Department Meeting

The Board has received letters regarding the monthly department meetings. Several departments have requested an occasional nighttime meeting. The Board will send a letter stating that these meetings are designed to coordinate work between the various employees who are in the building on a daily basis. Should there be an occasion to include other departments an evening meeting will then be set up.

12. Family Medical Leave

The Board received an application from an employee requesting an absence using the Family and Medical Leave Act. The Board reviewed the submitted paperwork and accepted the application. A question regarding what type of paid time (sick time) could be used would be investigated by the office.

13. Dare Graduation

A letter inviting the Board members to the upcoming Dare graduation was received. Mark Barba will attend, Jim Smith and Duane Mosier will advise according to their schedules.

Mark Barba moved, seconded by James Smith to adjourn the meeting. The motion was adopted unanimously (2-0). The meeting adjourned at 9:15 P.M.

Respectfully submitted:

________________________

Karen Desmarais

Administrative Assistant