TOWN OF HAMDPEN,
MASSACHUSETTS
BOARD OF
SELECTMEN/HEALTH MINUTES
September 9, 2003 Town
House
7:00 pm 625 Main Street
Roll call: The meeting was called to order at 7:03 pm
Present were: Duane E. Mosier, James D. Smith, Mark R. Barba and Guests
NEW BUSINESS:
Austin McKeon presented a proposal relative to cell tower money to be used by the Town Conservation fund. (See attached letter of Austin McKeon.) Duane asked if selectmen agreed to go forward with this proposal, would Austin agree to help bring it forward? Austin agreed. Jim’s concern was in earmarking funds for specific purpose. Mark thought conceptually it held merit, but it could need further discussion
Proposal by Austin McKeon, be used for town.
Jim S. would like to check revenue stream and speak with Advisory Board and bring forth to town once revenue stream is established.
Duane – suggested leaving dollar amount out of discussion and talk of plan only. Determined that Duane would call Austin McKeon to discuss.
Jim Smith suggested vote to state a portion of new growth be earmarked for capital planning funds.
7:30 Cell Tower RFP bids were received unopened; they included the required 5 sets, were received on a timely basis and the money submittals were in a separate envelope.
A) Tower Venture II, Inc.
B) AT&T
Jim Smith made a motion to accept the two bids and forward to Town Counsel for review and evaluation. Seconded by Mark Barba. Vote – Duane Mosier yes, Mark Barba yes, Jim Smith yes.
OLD BUSINESS:
Minutes of September 4, 2003 for approval.
Motion made by Jim Smith to accept as corrected. Vote – Jim Smith yes, Duane Mosier, yes, Mark Barba abstained from vote as he was absent from meeting.
Executive Session Minutes of September 4, 2003
Motion made by Jim Smith to accept as presented. Jim Smith yes, Duane Mosier yes. Mark Barba abstained from vote, as he was absent from meeting.
Minutes of August 26, 2003
Motion was made by Jim Smith to accept as corrected. Jim Smith yes, Duane Mosier yes, Mark Barba yes.
ADD: “James Smith notified Board that Karen Desmarais gave verbal resignation earlier in the day.”
Executive Session Minutes of August 26, 2003 are outstanding and will be carried forward.
Mark Barba presented a proposal for mandatory monitoring of groundwater testing at the Transfer Station by Mike Framarin for $4,240. A motion was made by Jim Smith to accept, seconded by Duane Mosier. Vote, Jim Smith yes, Duane Mosier yes, Mark Barba yes.
Duane Mosier brought forth a pamphlet for Down’s syndrome walk to be held in Agawam this year. The group would like to host the event in other communities and were inquiring as to how to obtain permission and authority to do so in this town. Jim Smith questioned endorsing any specific event, which Mark Barba agreed with. The Board of Selectmen cannot support or endorse any group going forward to the Board. (Letter to be drafted and sent to group from board of Selectmen. “We appreciate the pursuit of this noble cause.”)
Cruiser bids were opened and reviewed with the following results:
1) William Doucette Auto Sales - $4,703.00
2) A&Silver Auto Sales - $4,338.00
3) Jersey One Auto Sales, Inc. $ 3,866.00
4) East Springfield Auto Sales - $2,201.00
1) 8:00 pm hearing of Howlett Hill Road Maintenance Abandonment 250 feet from Stafford Road.
Dana Pixley provided the history of the road. Stafford, CT has already held hearings to abandon Howlett Road. Monson, MA has done likewise and owns approximately 800 feet between MA/CT line. There was discussion of the liability of private parties performing maintenance on public road. The budget and other possibilities were discussed as to a reason to abandon, if so voted by the Board of Selectmen. Another method is to abandon the land (road) and have ownership revert to the landowners. Liability question again raised, if road is not abandoned.
John D. Flynn suggested we stay consistent with former abandonments in town. Also suggested that road can be “re-accepted” at later date.
Fred Markham, property owner was concerned about how will be liable after road is abandoned.
Craig Sweitzer from the Monson Planning Board stated that MPB would discuss issue on September 16th at their next meeting.
John Morrell, Monson Highway Survey, also speaking on behalf of Board of Selectmen in Monson, says other abandoned road in town (Monson are posted at each end, essentially stating Proceed at Own Risk. Monson is concerned about winter maintenance.
Dana Pixley stated road may be posted only – Board of Selectmen cannot physically block/barricade entrance.
NOTE: send minutes to Board of Selectmen, Monson, MA 01057 as requested by Craig Sweitzer.
Mr. Markham has been property owner for 53 years and is conference about his right to develop property if road maintained is abandoned.
John D. Flynn stated he would speak with State contact, Don Schmidt.
Also present were Bob and Cindy Saga, property owners on Howlett Hill, who asked if Peter Hatch (fire Chief)) had been notified of this issue. How do firefighters feel about the proposed abandonment of maintenance?
Jim Smith wonders if rudimentary maintenance might be done, can we abandon, but maintain for emergency use.
Dana reiterated that if a proposal were brought to Planning Board six months ago or today the same road improvements would be required by the Board before approval would be granted.
Jim Smith suggested we seek counsel specific to “if we do abandon for maintenance, can we maintain for occasion, minimal maintenance to allow access for emergency vehicles.” Also mentioned that we seek input from fire Chief, Peter Hatch and Mark Barba volunteered to speak with him. Him Smith made motion to stop debate and continue hearing to October 7th at 8:00 pm. At that time the questions asked would be answered and a vote could be taken. Motion was seconded by Mark Barba. Vote - Jim Smith yes, Mark Barba yes, Duane Mosier, yes.
Hearing continued at 9:15 pm
Mark Barba asked about continuing every other week meeting schedule. Meeting schedule was set up through 11/7 (after Special Town Meeting). Board needs to inform the public of the schedule dates.
Reviewed and discussed articles on the warrant.
Advisory committee meeting was attended by Jim Smith in Mark Barba’s absence. Jim smith offered the following comments: draft of warrant received no major comments from the board. Cash flow from former year - $140,000 in new growth. Cliff Bombard was present meeting. Assessor’s number was 112 k versus 140 k.
Kathy Pessolano – school’s request for $33,000 – not town’s obligation, rather a commitment between the Town and the school committee.
Motion was made by Jim Smith to call and notify by mail, William Doucette’s Auto sales to award bid for cruiser. State that they must take possession within 10 days and must pay with certified check or cash for $4,703.00. Mark Barba seconded motion. Vote – Jim Smith yes, Mark Barba yes, Duane Mosier, yes. Notify chief to have vehicle ready for pick up.
Duane reviewed the retainer proposal requested by the Board of Selectmen from Dave Martel, Esq., (Town’s counsel) which also included a request for a proposed hourly rate increase from $135 hr. to $150. It was mutually agreed that the Town would continue with an hourly rate and that the rate of increase would go into effect January 1, 2004.
Duane attended Personnel meeting September 8th to discuss a number of items with the Personnel Board, such as trainee, use of temporary help, hiring an Administrative Assistant.
10:20 pm – Jim Smith made motion to adjourn meeting and go into Executive Session without returning to open session. Seconded by Mark Barba. Vote – Jim Smith yes, Mark Barba yes, Duane Mosier yes.