Approved 1/20/04

TOWN OF HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS

BOARD OF SELECTMEN/BOARD OF HEALTH

December 16, 2003 625 Main Street

7:00 pm Town House

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Mark Barba.

Present: Mark Barba, James Smith. Duane Mosier out of Town.

Guest: Doug Farmer – Wilbraham/Hampden Times

APPOINTMENTS:

7:15 pm Timothy Lord – Interview for Reserve Dispatcher. His training would consist of our In House system training. Motion made by Jim Smith to install Timothy Lord as a reserve dispatcher contingent upon successful completion of training until June 30, 2004. Second by Mark Barba. Vote: Jim Smith yes, Mark Barba yes.

7:30 pm Chief Mellis –

Ø Performance Evaluations Criteria – Chief gave format to Board. He is to make some modifications to allow officers to rate themselves, areas of explanations as to performance, etc.

Ø ATV use – Tony Tranghese – Environmental Officer. The Chief stated that there is MGL but it does not speak directly to ATV private property use. Chief suggested sign posting – public notification. Chief to contact Tony Tranghese (perhaps for 1/20) to have him attend meeting with Selectmen. Resident on Chapin Road also has problem with ATVs. Chief suggests we do a direct mail to those who are registered owners of ATVs and snowmobiles.

Ø Budget – as of 12/11, $2,995.70, still in the red, but making a dramatic turn. Chief to get budget report to Board at first meeting of the month.

Ø Traffic Study – Chief to check with traffic engineer for possible schedule for traffic counts at Main and Somers and Somers and Wilbraham Road.

Ø Key to Melville Room – Chief to determine its whereabouts.

Ø $28,500 community policing grant money received. The Chief wants to schedule time in Melville Room to invite citizens in for community police education.

Ø “Are you Okay Program?” The Chief made the Board aware of a new program that allows those who choose to enroll in the service, a daily call, which is computer generated that checks on status of those enrolled. If the call is not answered, then a car would be dispatched to check on the status of the individual. Lock box availability would also be required in the event intervention is necessary.

8:00 pm Donald Dorn – Water issue. Mr. Dorn came before the Board to discuss a water condition in his back yard, which creates flooding. He has been before the Conservation Commission before and Pam Courtney will contact Mike Gerrard (Conservation Chairman) and ask that he discuss the issue with Mr. Dorn directly. Also ask that M. Gerrard get back to the Board with the status.

1. Review minutes of 12/2 – Move to accept minutes as corrected by Mark Barba, second by Jim Smith. Vote: Mark Barba yes, Jim Smith yes. Corrections are: Sherry Himmelstein appointment, add, “Sherry suggested that” MA Audubon may even consider gifting the building to Friends of Laughing Brook…

Jim McDarby and Willard Flynn, add “and that a bylaw might be created” such as is the case for hunting purposes.

Donna Vicalvi – add, Jim Smith “and Mark Barba”.

Emergency Preparedness, add, “This is for a consortium of Board of Health departments to seek grants for emergency preparedness purposes”.

Fran Netherwood, change possible “meeting”, not appointment.

2. Department of Revenue Letter re: Landfill Revolving Funds: We are in receipt of a letter from the DOR regarding the establishment of an account for landfill. Pam Courtney to request that Cliff attend our next meeting on January 6, 2004 to discuss the account.

3. Highway Department: Snow and Ice Account: In response to Dana Pixley’s (Highway Superintendent) letter requesting approval to run the Snow and Ice Account in the red, Jim Smith moves that the Highway Superintendent run the account in the red for snow and ice removal for the rest of the year. Second by Mark Barba. Vote: Jim Smith yes, Mark Barba yes. Discussion of increasing the funding for this account next year to avoid this scenario so early in the season.

4. Obstructed Outfall: 84 Colony Drive – The Board received a letter from Dana Pixley, Highway Superintendent regarding an issue with a property owner’s need to open a drainage outfall. The Board suggests that Dana contact the property owner’s attorney as directed by the property owner.

5. Snowplowing and Repair of Private Ways – The Board received a letter from Dana Pixley regarding costs for plowing and repairing private ways. It was suggested by the Board that before any future work is done on private ways that Dana first give an estimate to that person requesting the work. At that point, the decision to proceed with the requested work, for the agreed sum, would be handled by those requesting the work.

6. Conservation Commission – The Board received a letter from Mike Gerrard requesting our Town Counsel’s representation at a meeting scheduled for January 12, 2004 with property owner, Russ Morton and his attorney. Motion made by Jim Smith to allow legal counsel for a period of up to four hours of time for Conservation Commission meeting. Second by Mark Barba. Vote: Jim Smith yes, Mark Barba yes. Pam Courtney to ensure all pertinent information is received by Dave Martel (Town Counsel) prior to meeting.

7. Budget Worksheets – The Board has received budget worksheets distributed by Kathy Pessolano for all departments to start working on. Jim Smith will contact Tabor for salary comparisons as measured in Western Massachusetts Regional employment rates. It was also suggested that any department that needs help in refining their budgets should schedule time with Kathy Pessolano through Pam Courtney.

8. Sunday Liquor Sales – The Board received a letter from the State regarding the possibility of a town granting the right to store owner’s to sell liquor on Sundays year round. This issue needs further review before any action may be taken. Pam Courtney to speak with stores to determine their interest in this possibility.

9. Longevity Resolution – The Board wishes to have a full Board present before making a decision.

Jim Smith made a motion at 8:55 pm to go into Executive Session without returning to Open Session to discuss highway negotiations, IBPO and teacher’s union. Mark Barba second. Vote: Jim Smith yes, Mark Barba yes.

Respectfully submitted:

Pamela B. Courtney

Administrative Assistant