September 23, 2003 Town House

7:00 P.M. 625 Main Street

Present: Duane Mosier, Jim Smith, Mark Barba

Meeting was called to order at 7:04 pm – guest Patty Ehlers, 22 Wehr Rd. Hampden.

Ms. Ehlers requested Town plans for proposed sidewalks should money become available. She is willing to do the application for grant. She had a meeting with the Planning Board who suggested that the Town might have plans for sidewalks, as part of a master plan. The Board of Selectmen noted that there has been prior discussion about a subdivision developer being required to install sidewalks in another area of Town as a requirement for subdivision plan approval by the Planning Board. Board of Selectmen will look for plans. Patty Ehlers to check with Planning Board, as well as Judy Jackson for her recollection of any such sidewalk plans existing.

Old Business:

1. Minutes from 09/15/03 approved.

2. Minutes from 09/09/03 approved. Mark Barba moved to accept minutes as corrected, Jim smith seconded. Vote unanimous.

3. Minutes from 08/26/03 deferred for exec session approval on 10/7.

4. Resignations- received and accepted, and forwarded to Town Clerk – Kelly O’Shea, secretary for Board of Health, Jim Morris from Park and Recreation Department.

5. 7:30 interview for dispatcher (Erin Moynahan) – Jim Smith emphasized that she is the first contact with townspeople. She will serve in floating position. Erin has an Assoc. Degree in Fire science. This is a part time job. Motion made by Mark Barba, seconded by Jim Smith to appoint Erin Moynahan subject to successful completion of required training and probation of one year appointed until June 30, 2004. Vote: Mark Barba yes, Jim Smith, yes, Duane Mosier yes.

6. 8:00 Assessors – Diane Hildreth from Board of Assessors appeared before the board with notice of an Information Guideline Release re: supplemental tax assessment. This assessment would provide for a supplemental tax assessment on new construction based on occupancy permits. It is now mandatory at state level unless town provides written rejection. Assessors request that we reject this amendment now. The rejection must be renewed through Board of Selectmen vote. Motion made by Jim Smith to proceed as recommended by the Board of Assessors to reject General 59, section 2D on new construction – second by Mark. Barba. Vote: Jim Smith yes, Duane Mosier yes, Mark Barba yes. GIVE NOTICE OF REJECTION TO EVA TO complete and sign with approved minutes. Get copy of minutes to assessor’s office with notice of rejection. Tax classification hearing scheduled for October 7^th.

7. Cell tower review / update to be awarded October 7.

8. Approve request from Bay State Gas to perform work at 5 Country Club Drive – Motion made by Mark Barba to approve application for Baystate Gas to perform work, seconded by Jim Smith. Vote: Jim Smith yes, Duane Mosier yes, Mark Barba yes. Motion made by Jim Smith to give Pam Courtney, Administrative Assistant, authority to permit Baystate Gas to perform work requested, with Dana Pixley’s, (Highway Superintendent) review only if necessary. Would bring application to Board of Selectmen if need be. Mark Barba, seconded. Vote: Jim Smith yes, Mark Barba yes, Duane Mosier yes.

9. Review new Warrant items –-Insurance premium increase. Mutual aid agreement and the , shared health agreement were discussed at the Regional Meeting. Planning Board has two Articles. Warrant is closed on 10/1/03. Request Advisory Board attend October 7 meeting to review Warrant. Vote to approve warrant on the 7.

10. Appointment’s for Storm Water Phase II Committee – Dean Perham from Conservation Committee, Mrs. Fiedler from School, Joe Kruzel from Planning Board, Mark Barba from Selectmen, Dana Pixley. Meeting scheduled for 10/1 at 7:00 pm. Five-year plan.

11. Transfer of funds for tree removal - Dana will work with Advisory Board and contractor for funding. Transfer of funds request forwarded to Advisory Board.

12. Park and Rec Commission revolving account – Board of Selectmen received letter from Park and Rec clarifying use of the funds and fees collected for use of grounds and facilities to be credited to P&R accounts, as outlined in the letter.

13. COA request for additional money at Special Town Meeting – Duane spoke with Becky already. “The financial conditions do not look favorable. Review and vote on this and other requests that have come before board at our meeting on October 7^th.

14. Memo from Advisory Board re: SPECIAL TOWN MEETING reviewed.

Minutes from Meetings on 9/13, continued to 9/15/ to be approved – will hold off on approval until 9/30 meeting.

Miscellenous:

Jim – Add to agenda the issue of town house custodial work. Minor repair work, extra custodial work to be done. Communicate to town hall employees that all requests should come through this office, as we occasionally need extra custodial services. Notify Larry Moriarty (custodian) that he should come to Pam Courtney (Administrative Assistant) with requests from others. Schedule Larry to attend a meeting.

Mark – Regional hazardous waste drive was successful – recap and follow up meeting with numbers in October.

Dumping situation on South Road, property owner, Russ Morton. Mark Barba from Board of Health conducted inspection with Mike Gerard, (Conservation Commission) appeared that some material was removed, clean up was not adequate, material still needs to be removed. Follow up letter has gone out to Russ Morton (return receipt) to complete clean up.

Duane - Regional Selectmen’s meeting – Dial-A-Ride phone number is 566-2157 with Humes Transit. Make sure it is published in the Scribe.

Scantic Valley Regional Heath Trust – follow up on insurance choices, due October 1, 2003.

Interviews – when to schedule? Personnel committee involved? Use job descriptions as a source. Get letters of acknowledgement out to all applicants.

Motion to appoint Pam Courtney as voting member to Scantic Valley Regional Health. Motion made by Jim Smith, seconded by Mark. Vote: Jim Smith yes, Duane Mosier yes, Mark Barba yes.

IBPO health insurance

Performance evaluation – need response from chief on specific questions asked of him.

Letter to Chris Browne regarding contract clarity and his not having responded for so much time. Meeting on 9/4 made commitment to get contract edits to us by 9/12 so we could review at 9/23. We have not received or heard from you as to the nature of the delay. We expect to receive the edited contract without further delay. cc: to chief and union.

Meet with Chief to determine if he has what he needs to now implement performance evaluations -

evaluation for himself

implementation of other’s evaluations

chief to follow through on contract issue and the lack of response from them (Chris Browne)

uniforms

traffic issues

mutual aid agreement – emergency management

Respectfully submitted:

Pamela Courtney

Administrative Assistant