11/18/03
TOWN OF HAMPDEN,
MASSACHUSETTS
MINUTES
7:00 pm 625 Main Street
Present: Duane Mosier, James Smith, Mark Barba
Guests: David Martin, Reminder Publications, Doug Farmer, Wilbraham/Hampden Times
Meeting called to order at 7:05 pm
1. Police – Review notes on a police policy relative to the Detainee Policy. Changes requested by The Board were as follows: P. 4 – should read Hampden Police Department. Page 2, last sentence – “shall not start until”. Chief Mellis to check on language. Motion made by Jim Smith to accept the detainee processing policy with the provision that the chief obtain the proper wording at the end of page 2, page 4 spell out Hampden Police Department, page 7, correct the formatting error, page 10, change Chairmen to Chairman. VOTE: Mark Barba yes, Jim Smith yes, Duane Mosier yes.
2. Chief Mellis – Financial review of balance sheet for salaries. Request made by Jim Smith that some changes be made in the format of the spreadsheets. The balance sheet summary is currently $4,822.94 over budget for the year. It was expressed that the Board wants the budget balanced by the end of the calendar year.
3. Property owner/Engineer Harvey Smith – 7:15 gas pipelines. Mr. Smith is an abutter to the proposed development of a sub-division plan on Somers Road before the Planning Board that involves houses being built in close proximity to an existing pipeline. Mr. Smith presented data showing a “danger zone” within approximately 600 feet of the pipeline and wanted the Board to prohibit the building of houses in this zone. The Board told Mr. Smith that they have no authority to exceed the zoning by-laws. Mr. Smith can pursue by-law changes by working with Planning Board to draft change and have it presented for a vote at a future Town Meeting. The Board suggested that Mr. Smith contact state Senator Brian Lees or Representative Mary Rogeness to see if they can assist at the State Level. A new by-law would not affect this project.
4. Cable Committee 8:00. Committee contacted Bob Spano, Government Relations for Charter 508-853-1515 x72857 who is responsible for prototype contract and comparative pricing. There has been no response to date from Charter. One committee member to investigate entering into a Regional contract as a possible way to reduce monthly costs. Question raised as to where the difference lies in pricing between Charter and Comcast. There does exist the ability to lengthen the term of the contract as a means to negotiation.
The Committee to explore the issue further and meet with us soon. The Board is looking for additional members. Next meeting to be Feb 3, 2004, (1st Tuesday) 8:00 pm. Letter of resignation dated November 4, 2003 from Ray Jarvis. Duane made motion to accept resignation of Ray Jarvis. Second by Mark Barba. VOTE: Mark Barba yes, Duane Mosier yes, Jim Smith yes.
5. Bi-weekly selectmen’s meeting. The Board wants to set meeting schedule for every other Tuesday. There was discussion about the reasonableness of this and whether all topics can be handled with such schedule. It was determined that additional meetings would be called in the event of pressing matters. Motion was made by Mark Barba to continue bi-weekly meetings. Second by Jim Smith. Pam Courtney to get press release out to reflect meetings will be held on first and third Tuesday of every month. VOTE: Mark Barba yes, Duane Mosier yes, Jim Smith yes.
6. The Board received a letter from Tom and Carol Smith of 755 Main Street regarding a problem with beavers affecting their property. There concerns were for health and safety issues and how to go forward with the handling of same. They were concerned about the lack of action by the Audubon Society. Audubon must bring permit forward to trap beavers. The problem is being handled by Conservation Commission but the Board requested that Pam Courtney call Tom Smith to see if issue has been resolved.
7. Dana Pixley, Highway Superintendent has as part of his goals for the year, an ongoing program to check and maintain boundary markers for town property. Should problems exist, he is to repair such markers or replace as need be. Dana submitted a list of boundary markers and Duane Mosier requested that copies be sent to abutting towns as required by law.
8. Motion made by Jim Smith to accept minutes of 10/20, 10/21, 10/27, 10/27as corrected. Each set of minutes was voted on separately and is reflected by the vote below.
VOTE: Mark Barba yes, Duane Mosier yes, Jim Smith yes.
9. Appointed/Elected meeting preparation – (scheduled for the 18th).
10. Administrative Assistant, Pamela Courtney appointment. The Board reviewed her appointment made 60 days ago. There was discussion as to when and how to perform review in the future. It was determined that the Chair would conduct review in private and do so on an annual basis, rather than a full Board review which would constitute an open meeting. Jim Smith moved to extend the appointment until the June 30, 2004. Second by Mark Barba. VOTE: Duane Mosier yes, Jim Smith yes, Mark Barba yes.
11. Highway Negotiations – The Board received letter from Stan Weinberg, (our labor attorney) of Collins and Weinberg. The Board shall send a letter back to attorney to inform highway department that we are in receipt of their letter rejecting our proposal.
Miscellaneous:
Schedule tree lighting December 7th 6:30 pm. To be announced at meeting on 11/18.
Chief – Police Department received reimbursement from Bureau of justice Assistance for their bulletproof vests program. The amount transferred was $3,856.50.
Transfer station hours – Tom Balser, Transfer Station attendant suggests that a later open date of 8:00 am be considered based on his observation of the current operations. After discussion it was determined that we should proceed with Tom Balser’s recommendation for the change.
Motion made by Jim Smith to change hours of Transfer Station on Saturdays from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm to 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Second by Mark Barba. Vote: Jim Smith, yes, Mark Barba yes, Duane Mosier yes.
Lantern Lane – The Board
received a copy of a letter to Mike Gerrard from the Office of Environmental
Affairs regarding the Lantern Lane property acquisition project. The letter states that at this point in time
any grant will be calculated based on Hampden’s reimbursement rate of 66% of
the total project cost of $300,000.
This will continue to be monitored by the Hampden Land Project group.
NOTE: Doug Farmer called to mention that sign entering town on Wilbraham Road has been damaged and is in need of repair.
Jim Smith made motion to enter into Executive Session for purpose of discussing negotiations of highway department at 10:20 without returning to open session. VOTE: Mark Barba yes, Duane Mosier yes, Jim Smith yes.
Respectfully submitted:
Pamela Courtney – Administrative Assistant