APPROVED 8/12/03

 

 

 

TOWN OF HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS

BOARD OF SELECTMEN/HEALTH

MINUTES

July 29, 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 Duane Mosier, James D. Smith and Mark Barba were in attendance.

 

Other present: Michael and Genia Lynch, Beth Burger, John D. Flynn, Mike Gerrard, Carolyn Dugan, Theodore Zebert, Sharleen Thayer, and Kathy Hutchison.

 

Old Business:

 

1.                  Minutes from July 1, 2003 for approval

Pg 2 Section 6: change agent to Service Officer

Pg 2 Section 8: add Content Inventory

Pg 3 Section 9: add Building Inspector/Zoning Officer

                         add to the sentence beginning with “since” and ending with “arrival”

Pg 4 Section 13: add to be more aggressive

Pg 5 Section 20: add Temporary policy cont FY 04, will be attached, FY 04 only

 

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

 

2.                  Minutes from July 1, 2003 executive session for approval

Pg 1: change willing to unwilling; delete the

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

 

 

 

3.                  Minutes from July 3, 2003 for approval

Pg 1: add Jim Smith and seconded by Duane Mosier

Jim Smith made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected.  Duane Mosier seconded.  Mark Barba abstained as he was out of town on 7/3/03.  Jim – yes Duane – yes.

 

4.                  Minutes from July 17, 2003 for approval

Pg 2 Section 6: add of Health

Mark Barba made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected.  Jim Smith seconded.  Duane Mosier abstained as he was out of town on 7/17/03.  Jim – yes Mark – yes.

 

5.                  Comprehensive Permit

A copy of the Comprehensive permit was sent to John D. Flynn, Planning Board Chairman for the Planning Board’s review. 

 

6.                  Press Release budget impact

The Board reviewed the changes made to the press release regarding the various town department’s impact on the budget cuts for this fiscal year. It will be submitted to the Hampden Wilbraham Times, Reminder, and Republican for publication.

 

Appointments

 

7.                  Hampden Public Library

The Board met with Ellen Bump, Beth Burger, and Kathy Hutchison to discuss putting up a sign on front of the Town House for the Library.  Ellen stated that many residents and people coming from out of town do not realize the library is located in the Town House.  The Board considered the concept and will review the matter and determine if other departments would want a similar sign, they will discuss it at a later date and get back to Ellen.

 

On another matter Ellen discussed the cleaning schedule with the Board and what impact it would have on the library.  On the days the custodian is not in the building Ellen is concerned about the accumulated trash in the baskets and who will be responsible for emptying it.  Also, she would like a definition of “high traffic” areas that will be vacuumed and whether or not all or part of the library is included in that definition.  Another area concern is the restrooms in the building and the amount of cleaning they will receive.  Ellen mentioned that the custodian had been in the process of replacing the bulbs and ballasts of the lights in the library.  At this point the job is partially completed (1/3) and she has supplied the Board with a schedule of what lights have been replaced.  Ellen has asked the Board for some direction as to how the job can be completed.

 

The Board stated that this is a transition of duties in progress due to budget cuts. The Board is looking into outsourcing some major cleaning jobs such as waxing floors, window cleaning etc. 

 

The Library Trustees brought up the issue of longevity.  The Library trustees had sent a letter to the board asking them to consider one of the library employees be able to receive longevity as the employee is 2 months shy of receiving it.  The trustees have asked why this is not possible.  The Board’s position was they cannot make an exception for one employee, as there are several others that may then want a similar exception.

 

8.                  Lantern Lane

Several residents of Lantern Lane as well as John D. Flynn, Chairman of the Planning Board and Mike Gerrard, Chairman of Conservation Commission discussed with the Board Lantern Lane and the proposed land trust acquisition for open space.  Representative Candaras’s office is working towards obtaining a grant for the purchase of the property.  One item that is need is $3,250 for Hampden’s portion of the appraisal since 2 appraisals are needed.  The Board suggested that the residents organize a group of neighbors to solicit funds from the neighborhood and research what needs to be accomplished as this is not a town sponsored action.

 

9.                  Mr. Richard Jones

Mr. Jones approached the Board to further discuss the issue on Commercial Drive and his question on a potential zoning violation.  In the past meeting the Board met with Mark Feeney, Building Inspector/Zoning Officer.  At that time Mark Feeney stated that he feels there is no violation at the site.  Mr. Jones stated that there are several means available to bring a business before the Zoning Board of Appeals, either the Building Inspector or the Board of Selectmen can order the business to go before the Board of Appeals, or a private citizen can petition the Board of Appeals to look into the situation. 

The Board will take Mr. Jones comments under advisement and give it some further thought.  Jim Smith will contact Dick Jones on July 30 to let him know the Board will answer his question within a reasonable period of time.

 

10.              Timothy Lord

The Board reviewed the application of Timothy Lord potential part time Dispatcher and is scheduled to meet with him on August 12.

 

New Business:

 

11.              SVRHT changes to benefits

The Board reviewed the draft letters from the Scantic Valley Regional Health District regarding the changes that were recently made to increase co-pays in order to lower the monthly premiums.  

This letter will be sent to all Unions advising them of the change that will occur on Nov 1 after an open enrollment period. 

 

12.              MIIA Loss Control Credit Program

A letter was received from MIIA (town’s insurance provider) advising the town that the participation in the 2003 MIIA Loss Control Credit Program has gained a credit of $2,603.10 towards its FY04 insurance premium.

 

13.              Bay State Gas

A letter was received from bay State Gas asking permission to open the tree belt areas on the following streets for repair work:

126 Allen Street  - Work order # 5224708

358 Allen Street  - Work order # 5224710

53 East Longmeadow Road  - Work order # 5224725

111 East Longmeadow Road  - Work order # 5224727

21 River Park Drive  - Work order # 5224778

45 River Park Drive  - Work order # 5224791

137 Mill Road  - Work order # 5224750

157 Mill Road  - Work order # 5224757

28 Stony Hill Road  - Work order # 5224796

29 Oak Knoll Drive  - Work order # 5224766

24 Fernwood Drive  - Work order # 5224740

26 Carmody Road  - Work order # 5224717

19 Echo Valley Drive  - Work order # 5224737

25 Maple Grove Road  - Work order # 5224742

23 Valley View Drive  - Work order # 5225379

15 Old Coach Circle  - (no work order listed on fax)

 

James Smith made a motion to approve the Bay State Gas corrosion repair work. Mark Barba seconded.  All in favor and so voted. 

 

The Board agreed to grant the authority to the Administrative Assistant to approve any Bay State Gas repair work after consulting with the Highway Superintendent in the future after consulting Discussion on the need for such a vote by the Board for Bay State Gas work.  Provided there is no problem with a newer road or any other issues the Administrative Assistant will send the letter approving any Bay State Gas repair work in the future.

 

14.              PVTA Designee

James Smith moved to appoint Becky Muldrew, Executive Director of the COA to take the place of Doreen Fadus, PVTA Representative at the next meeting on August 6, 2003.  Mark Barba seconded.  All in favor and so voted.

 

15.              Emergency Preparedness Meeting

 

Mark Barba attended the recent Emergency Preparedness meeting with Chief Mellis in West Springfield.  Mark felt this was a very informative meeting and brought forward the information to the Board.

16.              Special Town Meeting

The Board discussed the need for a Special Fall Town Meeting.  It was determined that one is needed and a tentative date of October 27 was set.  Town Moderator and Town Clerk will be notified.

 

Mark Barba moved, seconded by James Smith to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was adopted unanimously (3-0).  The meeting adjourned at 10:50 P.M.

 

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

 

 

________________________

Karen Desmarais

Administrative Assistant