APPROVED

                                  

 

 

                                September 9, 2003

 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN/HEALTH

MINUTES

August 12, 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.

 

Appointments:

 

1.                  Dispatcher Interviews

Sgt. Joseph Henry introduced Kayse Rosati and Amy West, Dispatcher candidates to the Board.  Amy West is a criminal justice major and will complete her 911 and CPR training this month.  Kayse Rosati has a hotel management background and is looking for a career change.

James Smith moved to appoint Amy West and Kayse Rosati as probationary part time dispatchers for a period of 1 year upon successful completion of all required trainings.  Mark Barba seconded.  All in favor and so voted.

 

2.                  Comprehensive Permits

Dick Patullo met with the Board of discuss the documentation he had previously given to the Board that outlines the possibility of a developer shortcutting the planning board process by applying to the ZBA for a comprehensive permit for subsidized housing.  The documents suggest possible ZBA regulations to permit the Board to handle such applications.  Dick Patullo has requested permission to have the documentation forwarded to Town Counsel for his review regarding any suggested regulations to adequately protect the town and any procedures that would need to be followed for the adoption of such regulations.  The Board agreed to forward the documentation to town Council for his review. 

 

3.                  Cable Advisory Committee

The Board met with 3 members of the Cable Advisory Committee, Ray Jarvis, David Lalond, and Phil Grant.  The Committee had met previous to meeting with the Board and stated that they had reviewed other community’s cable contracts and found that the majority were 5 and 10-year contracts.  The following are some of the areas the committee is currently working on: 

 

 

4.                  Conservation Commission/ Lantern Lane

The Board met with Mike Gerrard, Conservation Commission Chairman, Nancy and Theodore Zebert, and Carolyn Dugan residents in the Lantern Lane area, and Mark Mason Council for Lyman Woods.  The Board was brought up to date on what has been completed so far in the process of obtaining the funds for the appraisal work and research for the grant.  The group inquired whether the town could share in the closing cost.  The Board stated that they are committed to supporting the project but their policy is not to commit funds for private projects.  Mike Gerrard stated that Gale Candaras’ office would need a letter of support from the Selectmen on this project.  A letter was send 2 years ago, a copy of the letter will be sent to Rep Candaras and Rep. Rogeness’ office. 

 

Mike Gerrard updated the Board on the South Road property and the continued illegal dumping.  Mike stated that the area has not been cleaned up.  Mark Barba stated he spoke with the property owner and will follow up with the owner later in the week. 

 

 Old Business:

 

5.                  Minutes from July 29, 2003 for approval

Pg 2 Section 7 change agreed with to considered, add with similar sign

Pg 3 Section 7 add then want a similar exception

Pg 3 Section 9 add at that time

Pg 4 Section 13 add agree to grant authority to Administrative Assistant; after consulting with Highway Superintendent

 

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

 

 

6.                  Library Sign

The Board reviewed the request by the library to place a Hampden Library sign in front of the town house.  As there were no other departments wishing to add to the signage and the library has agreed to adhere to the sign/zoning bylaws the board agreed to allow the sign.  Mark Barba moved to agree to the signage for the Hampden library as presented at the last meeting.  James Smith seconded. Duane Mosier abstained.  Vote mark – yes Jim – yes.

 

The second motion for adding to the already existing sign at the corner of Somers Rd and Main St was made by Mark Barba and seconded by Jim Smith. The motion was denied as the intersection is busy and any additional signage would be a distraction.  All voted no.

 

7.                  Snowplowing and repairs to private ways

A warrant article will be placed on the Special Town Meeting address this issue.

 

8.                  Howlett Hill

A public hearing is scheduled for September 9 at 8pm in the Town House.  Registered letter to abutters and a public notice was sent.

 

9.                  IBPO Letter

A letter was received from the IBPO council.  The IBPO and its representatives wish to bring forward 4 issues for discussion with the Board and a mediator.  The Board will follow up with a reply. These are not meditation issues but bargaining issues. IBPO council and a meeting date will be scheduled.

 

10.              Cell Tower

A Request for Proposal was sent to the Central Register advertising the bidding for a proposed cell tower.  Bid opening is scheduled for Sept 9 at 7:30 at the Town House.

 

New Business:

 

11.              COA letter

A letter was received from Becky Muldrew, Executive Director of the COA requesting clarification of longevity benefits for an employee.  Mark Barba will draft a letter to Becky explaining the new longevity policy and how it will affect the employees at the COA.

 

 

 

 

12.              Letter from Board of Selectmen Leicester, MA

The Board reviewed the letter from the Board of Selectmen of Leister requesting a return letter that supports the initiate that would require the timely completion of the budget by the three branches of State government.  A letter will be sent this week.

 

Other Business:

 

13.              Mark Barba

Mark Barba reviewed the status of the septic repair work on River Park.  Mark also reviewed the current status of the transfer station and the sale of the stickers.  Mark will be at the transfer Station on Saturday 8/17 to sell sticker to any resident who has not received on yet.  Mark stated that one of the fire truck tanks is leaking and will not hold water.  The department is in the process of getting estimates for replacement of the tank.

 

14.              Jim Smith

Jim received a call from Mr. Wiencek, Veterans’ Grave Officer he stated he is planning on retiring and will assist in finding a replacement for the position.

 

15.              Duane Mosier

Duane reviewed the status of the mowing of the transfer station. Duane will ask Dana Pixley for a letter stating what amount of mowing can be safely done at the Transfer Station with town equipment.

 

16.              VFW Turkey Shoot

A request to hold the annual Sunday turkey shoot at the VFW from September 14- November 23.  Mark Barba moved to authorize the V.F.W. to hold their annual Turkey Shoot Sundays 1pm-5pm from 9/14-11/23 contingent upon the continued noise abatement procedure they followed last year.  James Smith seconded.  All in favor and so voted.  A letter to that effect will accompany the permit.

 

Mark Barba moved, seconded by James Smith to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was adopted unanimously (3-0).  The meeting adjourned at 10:15 P.M.

 

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

 

 

________________________

Karen Desmarais

Administrative Assistant