APPROVED

 

 

 

 

TOWN OF HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS

BOARD OF SELECTMEN/HEALTH

MINUTES

August 26,2003

 

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.

 

 

Old Business:

 

 

1.                  Minutes from August 12, 2003 for approval

6. Change last paragraph to read” Motion made by Jim Smith to deny the installation of an additional library sign at the corner of Somers Rd and Main St. Seconded by Mark Barba, all in favor and so voted.

9. Add the issues to be discussed with the IBPO are not mediation issues but impact bargaining ones.

13. Last sentence …” having the tank replaced.”

 Motion to approve the minutes as corrected By Mark Barba and seconded By Jim Smith, all in favor and so voted

 

New Business:

 

1.      Jim Smith made a motion to accept the verbal resignation earlier that day of Karen Desmarais. Administrative Assistant. Seconded by Mark Barba, all in favor and so voted. It was agreed to send Karen a letter stating she would also be getting two weeks separation pay and accrued benefits.

 

 

 

 

 

Appointments

 

 

7:00 –Kathy Pessalano, Advisory Committee chair, came before the board to give them some updates. The DOR had certified the town’s free cash at $ 136,091.00. The board stated their position that “core services” should be looked at first if there is any money to go back to the departments that have been cut. Kathy also expressed some concern on how much money should be allocated to the reserve fund. The Advisory Board’s next meeting is September 8th. Discussion was also had on working together to develop the warrant articles in a timely fashion for the October 27 Special Fall Town meeting.

 

7:30  Mike Gerrard –Conservation Commission Chairman. Mike asked the board for direction on finding out the grievance letter/procedures for our ADA policy and the ADA Coordinator. This documentation is needed to update our open space plan. He was directed to contact the Council On Aging, Becky Muldrew who is the ADA Coordinator and to see if they could help with the form and process.

 

On a separate matter Mike asked the Board to clarify with Gale Candaras’s office what the Town’s position will be on the acceptance and responsibility of the Lantern Lane parcel. The board will act as the facilitator to see the acquisition go through but the responsibility of the land itself will be in the Conservation Commision.

 

Jim Smith made a motion to give Duane Mosier the authority to represent the Board of Selectmen in any of the legal matters regarding Lantern Lane. Seconded By Mark Barba, all in favor and so voted.

 

Members of the NAMYL LLC, neighborhood fund raising group Ted & Nancy Zebert & Carolynn Duggan were also in attendance. They were following up to ensure the application was completed and to assist with any information that may have been needed.

 

Lastly Mike also brought forward additional pictures and a Police report regarding the continued illegal dumping on a parcel owned by the Morton family at the end of South Rd. The Board of Health will be sending out an additional letter to the landowner requiring them to comply with the cease and desist order, or face legal action and or fines.

 

8:00 John D. Flynn- John came by to ask the Board if they could go out and hire a clerical assistant to help Judy Jackson and the Planning Board. The job description probably exists and John should work with the Personnel Committee on the process of hiring, paying and the training of a new clerk. Duane Mosier will contact the Personnel Committee to request their assistance for the Planning Board Chairman.

 

Citizens have come forward willing to be on the Storm Water committee. It was discussed that a board of 4 citizens at large along with 5 members from the various boards. A maximum of 9 members would be a good number for this committee.

 

 

 

New Business:

 

5. Duane presented a beginning/draft outline of the articles that will be on the October 27th fall town meeting

 

6. School Grounds: Jim Smith made a motion to accept the regional school districts proposal to take over the maintenance of the school grounds for the remainder of the fiscal year, with a pro-rated payment for the services Hampden has provided to date. Seconded by Mark Barba, all in favor and so voted.

 

7. Jim Smith made a motion to accept the Highway Superintendent’s letter dated 8/19/03 stating they will start to mow the side, sloped sections of the landfill. Along with the letter from this board dated 8/26/03 outlining some additional precautions. Seconded by Mark Barba. All in favor and so voted.

 

8. The Board had requested information comparing the legal services hourly or on a retainer. After reviewing the proposal from the Town Counsel to work on a retainer basis versus the straight hourly rate, as is current practice, it was agreed that the Town would continue to use Town counsel on an hourly basis.

 

9. Mark Barba made a motion to appoint Jim Smith as acting Board of Health Chairman while he is out of town from 8/31/03 to 9/8/03.Seconded by Jim Smith all in favor and so voted.

 

10. Motion was made by Mark Barba to go into executive session for the purpose of discussion of contract negotiations with the Highway Dept. without the return to open session. Seconded by Jim Smith. Roll call vote: Mark-yes, Jim-Yes, and Duane-yes.

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 10:15 pm

 

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

Mark Barba