Approved 4/20/04  

 

TOWN OF HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS

 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN/BOARD OF HEALTH

 

 

 

April 6, 2004                                                                                                    625 Main Street

7:00 pm                                                                                                            Town House

 

Attending: Duane Mosier, James Smith.  Mark Barba absent.

Guests: Doug Farmer, Wilbraham-Hampden Times

 

  1. Verizon hearing for pole locations on Mountain Road – Hearing opened at 7:30 pm.  Andrew Hugnagel, Manager of Right of Way presented a plan to place 8 new poles on Mountain Road to service six new homes being developed.  Skip Gunn, Debbie Skinner, Melissa Skinner were here in support of installation.  James Smith made motion to accept plan as presented.  Second by Duane Mosier.  VOTE: James Smith yes, Duane Mosier yes.

 

  1. John Matthews – Dog Issue: John Matthews asked for an appointment to discuss a dog attack on his property on 2/26/04.  While walking on his property, dogs came out from woods and attacked his dog. Animal Control never sent a report to Mr. Matthews.  Took dog to vet for treatment and brought him home.  Another attack occurred on the following Friday by 3 dogs and dog had to be brought back to vet.  Mr. Matthews lodged complaint at Police Department and discovered that dogs had caused problems previously.  Mr. Matthews did speak with Nick Dominic (from Animal Control), who cited the dogs involved and issued a fine. Question of what the role is of animal control officer. 

 

  1. Business Proposal – Proposal by partners looking at opening the former Annie’s restaurant site.  They are also looking to purchase the entire parcel.  With previous liquor license application, abutters were concerned about noise but that never became an issue.  Partners will proceed with the application process; get application to us so we may schedule a hearing with abutters. 

 

Mark Barba arrived for the meeting at 8:00 pm.

 

  1. Jason Roath – Part Time Dispatcher – The Board interviewed Jason for the dispatcher position.  He works as a full time AMR employee as an EMT where he has a four year employment history. He has done some dispatching in the past.  He also has computer skills.  Customer service skills required in past job as a security officer at Phoenix Mutual in Enfield.  Student at HCC studying criminal justice. Probationary dispatcher for one year.  Motion made by Mark Barba to move forward with hiring Jason Roath, as a part time dispatcher for a probationary period until June 30, 2004 pending successful completion of training. Second by James Smith.  VOTE: Duane Mosier yes, James Smith yes, Mark Barba yes.

 

           6.  Meeting Minutes – James Smith moved to accept minutes of March 16, 2004 as      

            corrected.  Second by Duane Mosier.  VOTE: James Smith yes, Duane Mosier yes.

 

Roundtable:

 

Warrant Questions – Review of revised warrant articles with costs associated for those articles. Vote on changes to wording of ballot questions. Move to approve the amended warrant as presented on April 6, 2004. Second by Mark Barba.  VOTE: Mark Barba yes, Duane Mosier yes, James Smith yes.

Move to approve Proposition question for the override as amended on April 6, 2004.  Second by Mark Barba.  VOTE: Mark Barba yes, James Smith yes, Duane Mosier yes.

 

Veteran’s Services Meeting: Currently scheduled for April 14, 2004.  Designate Pam Courtney as representative.  Send letter to Bob Mathison stating same.

 

Grade Recommendation: Don Collins and Mark Barba discussed a grade recommendation from the Personnel Committee and the Tabor Consultants for the Secretary for the Board of Health.  Also working on job description in time for greensheets.

 

Special Town Meeting: Special Town meeting not required during Town Meeting as there were no new warrant articles to review. 

 

School committee meeting presentation for Falcons on 4/13.

 

Discussion of water operator’s designation as town employee.  Town Accountant disagrees, but the Board wishes to continue the designation as a W2 employee.

 

Motion made by Mark Barba to go into Executive Session at 9:30 pm to discuss Hampden Wilbraham Regional School District negotiations, highway superintendent contract negotiations, highway workers contract and IBPO labor council, not to return to Open Session. 

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

 

 

 

Pamela B. Courtney

Administrative Assistant

 

/pbc