TOWN OF HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS
BOARD OF SELECTMEN/HEALTH
Town Hall, 625 Main Street, Hampden, MA 01036
March 9, 2004
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.
Present: Duane E. Mosier, Mark R. Barba, Doug Farmer (Wilbraham/Hampden Times), Russell Morton
James D. Smith, attending the Regional School District’s Budget Hearing (rejoined the meeting at 7:50pm)
7:00 – 7:45: Interviews for the Board of Health Agent
Position
Selectmen Duane Mosier and Mark Barba interviewed the candidates for this position. They were Lori McCool and Edward Jablonski.
7:50:
James Smith arrived from School Budget Hearing. Duane Mosier moved to offer the Board of Health agent position to Lorri McCool, effective immediately. Mark seconded. VOTE: Duane: yes. Mark: yes. James Smith abstained since he was not present during the interviews.
The Selectmen reviewed the minutes for the March 1st meeting and March 1st Executive Session. Minor corrections were made and James Smith moved to approve them as corrected. Mark seconded. All were in favor and so it was voted.
8:00 pm: Dialogue
with Conservation Commission:
Present from the Commission were: Mike Gerrard, Sheila Thompson, Bonnie Geromini, Richard Gouvan, Joe Savoie
From hereon, “Board” refers to the Board of Selectmen and “Commission” refers to the Conservation Commission.
The Board of Selectmen invited the Conservation Commission to this meeting to conduct a dialogue between the two Boards. The Board stated that this dialogue is occurring as a public forum, because its attempt to try to have Mark Barba reach out to the Commission’s chairman, Mike Gerrard, for an initial one on one meeting, failed.
The Board stated that for many years, they never received complaints regarding the Commission. But for the past several months, they have received numerous complaints about how the Commission handles its affairs. The Board stated that it would not go into specifics, nor get into technical guidelines. They said that there is a perception problem which stems from the Commission’s “approach” in handling situations and suggested that they use the least amount of intimidation and confrontation and use more compassion in handling their various affairs, especially for first-time offenders. The Board also stressed that the Commission needs to understand that it is accountable to the Board of Selectmen, which appoints it.
The Commission expressed their preference to meet with the Board as an entire group whenever there is a problem to be discussed, and not to be approached singly.
Mike Gerrard voiced the Commission’s frustration with the Board of Selectmen and its administration, i.e., not getting timely response and attention on its past requests and inquiries, letters and emails.
The Board asked that the Commission be considerate of the fact that the office of the Selectmen is inundated with critical projects at the moment, i.e. the Town Report and the Annual Budget, and handles a great volume of correspondence, written, phone, and email, and has fairly new staff. However, with regards to timely posting of a correction of its minutes of 12/02/03 on the Town’s website, the Board of Selectmen agreed to make sure that this happens as soon as possible.
At the same time, the Board requested that all minutes of the meetings of the Conservation Commission be posted on the website, including, but not limited to those of 1/20/04, 2/09/04, 02/24/04 and 03/08/04.
The Commission expressed their frustration regarding repeat violators, and feeling “burned out” by the same offenders. They stated that the only people the Board hears from are those who the Commission has enforcement issues on. They stated that the Commission has received many calls of appreciation and gratitude, but the Board never heard about them. They said that they are only trying to protect the environment and water supply sources. These people who are complaining right now will in the future be thankful for the Commission’s efforts.
The Board stated that it realizes and understands the difficulty of their position in that no one wants to see them on their property. With regards to conservation of natural resources, they stated that the Board shares common goals. Their only hope is that the enforcement approach is done in a manner that is least intimidating and confrontational. It continued to say that it realizes that there are repeat offenders that should be reigned in. But the concern is when the Commission takes on the abrupt and authoritative stance with first-time offenders.
Russell Morton stated that he wanted to make sure that the Commission knows that he was not one of the people who complained to the Board of Selectmen. His statement was supported by all three Selectmen.
Duane Mosier had to leave the meeting to go to the School Committee meeting, and transferred the chair to Mark Barba.
Sheila Thompson suggested that the Board hold an open meeting with all the other Boards on a regular basis, like they used to do before, so everyone can be informed with what is going on with the other Boards and get updated on what’s coming up with each one. James Smith said that this faded away because there were no problems.
Mike Gerrard suggested that they should attend each other’s meetings so there can be more of information sharing. Both parties welcomed this idea. The Board made a commitment to attend the Commission’s May 18 meeting at 7:00 pm.
Regarding recently incurred legal fees for property at 12 Genevieve Road; the Board had agreed to pay up to four hours of our attorney’s time. Beyond that, the Commission will have to pay from its own budget.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:25 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Beth Perkins
Secretary – Board of Health/Selectmen