Approved 6/1/04

 

 TOWN OF HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS

 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN/BOARD OF HEALTH

 

 

May 18, 2004                                                                                                 Town House

7:00 pm                                                                                                           625 Main Street

 

 

Present: Mark Barba, Duane Mosier, James Smith

Mark Barba brought the meeting to order at 7:05. 

 

      7:00 pm            Walk – Ins

 

1.      7:15 pm      Jeff Barrows: Cub Scout leader accompanied scouts to our meeting to see the process of a Selectmen’s meeting. 

 

2.      7:30 pm      The Scantic Grille, 546 Main Street:  Mike Ford, Ed Kennedy, Shawn Kearney.  Attorney Tim Reilly was also in attendance.  The public hearing for an alcohol license was held for the new owners of The Scantic Grille.  Mike Asselin, was also in attendance and will be the manager of the restaurant and pub.  The partners are in the process of purchasing the plaza and opening the Scantic Grille.  Mike Asselin has background with Pub 99, and Applebee’s.  Nancy and Elliott Philips, Mitch and Mary Drozdowski were abutters in attendance.  Time frame for opening is mid June.  Anticipating hours of operation of 11:00 am to 10 pm closing.  A concern of the abutters is the cleanliness of the plaza.  Shawn Kearney has personal relationship with Chief Mellis and suggests that there will be an open door policy.  James Smith concern is that the pub could become a major draw factor, changing the character of the business.  Mike Asselin is committed to having a family style restaurant.  Ed Loiko, resident spoke in favor of the proposal.  Motion made by James Smith to close hearing after having received all comments and concerns.  Second by Duane Mosier.  VOTE: James Smith yes, Duane Mosier yes, Mark Barba yes.  A motion was made by James Smith to grant a liquor license to The Scantic Grille with hours of operation being 11:00 am to 2:00 am, Monday through Saturday and 12:00 noon to 2:00 am on Sundays.    Second by Duane Mosier.  VOTE: James Smith yes, Duane Mosier yes, Mark Barba yes.

 

3.      8:00 pm      John Matthews, with Attorney Jim McEwen: Dog issue. Nick Dominic and Rob Larocque from Animal Control.  John Matthews started by giving a history of what has transpired with dogs owned by the Lees of Bennett Road.   These dogs were impounded 2/1.  Officer responded to scene for first incident.  Monday the 23rd was when Lee’s dogs came onto Matthews’s property.  On 2/26, Mrs. Crane called again for problems with the Lee dogs and her chickens.  The next day the dogs attacked J. Matthews' dogs again and he paid $1800 bill for intensive care for the dog.  He feels as if the system failed him.  Violations failed to handle the problem.  John Matthews asked for copy of report on 4/29, but did not get report from Rob Larocque.  Wanted Animal Control to come to his house and check on the dog.  The vet states that these attacks will only get worse if allowed to continue.  The MSPCA is also concerned that no one called to check on the dog.  Communication seems to be the issue at hand.  A few incidents have occurred, minimal communication is a major source of annoyance to J. Matthews.  A question was asked of Nick as to control of these dogs and he stated that Animal Control has received no calls.  Calls can come from Police Dept. or from residents both.  J. Matthews feels that an incident report should be taken with Dr. Cooke, (J. Matthew’s dogs veterinarian) to hear history of events and wants a report also of the Lee’s loose dog on 2/1. Mark Barba has asked for a file to be established by Animal Control officers, as record keeping is certainly an issue.  The Board will be in touch with John Matthews regarding the outcome.  Look to close the loop on this within two weeks.  Send letter to Mr. Matthews regarding his appointment with us and that we are looking to finish this up within 2 weeks. 

 

4.      8:30 pm      Mike Doyle, et al, Scantic Meadows abutters: Elizabeth Cronin, Frank and Phyllis Kerstetter, Tom Sohre, Harvey Smith, Michael Doyle, abutters to Ed Speight development of Scantic Meadows, which proposes a 24-lot development. A member of the group stated that Mr. Speight agreed to allow Mr. Garner on his property and Garner would go on site, but not until he is paid.  According to Mr. Doyle, stormwater drainage design appears to be flawed, with the potential of causing problems down the line both for the residents of the development as well as abutters.  Looking for long-term overview, first by Selectmen, then filtered down to other departments.  They are concerned that we are not going to fund an independent consultant to do the review necessary for this development so there are not problems later.  James Smith suggesting that the group go to Planning and Zoning and Conservation Commission, and us if necessary, to gather a large group to discuss the residents concerns.  The suggestion was made to have one board member attend a meeting with the abutters and publicized in advance so all abutters would be notified.  Abutters posed the question of who is responsible for Stormwater design? That issue is addressed during the planning stage by the Planning Board and re-review by Conservation Commission.  The Board will facilitate a meeting between Conservation Commission, Planning Board and Board of Selectmen regarding proposal.  Mike Doyle to be the contact.  The Conservation Commission was notified that they conform to the requirements of 30B.  Issues were discussed regarding Conservation Commission’s hiring of a consultant and need to conform to 30B procurement procedures.  Duane Mosier to provide follow-up letter regarding same.

 

5.      9:00 pm      Cliff Bombard and Tracy Sicbaldi: Items for discussion: 3 unions have issue with bi-weekly payment.  Tracy to give notice to employees regarding bi-weekly payroll, they will be given 30 days notice.  Still cannot be implemented because of union concerns.  Other items discussed:  1.) Outstanding Costco bill with interest and penalties, which the board has no authority to pay.  2.) IRS demand notice dated 5/8/04 referencing ongoing demand since 1997.  3.) Boston Mutual Life Insurance cancellation notice due to non-payment.   4.) Cash receipts from departments to the treasurer had all been located and given to proper departments.  5.) Regional school district payment due prior to the election had to be delayed until the new treasurer could obtain bonding and signature approval.  Tracy is pursuing bonding.  6.) Cliff to contact Tom Scanlon who does our audit and have him do the audit for both incoming and outgoing treasurers.  Selectmen discussed audit quote from Melnonson Heath and Co. but due to expense, decided to pursue with current auditor.  7.) Treasurer is pursuing signatures to allow her to sign checks.  Accountant provided an excel spreadsheet for account balances.  8.) The Board discussed enterprise accounts with the accountant and the treasurer provided a package of information on those accounts and the Board is possibly considering this for transfer station.   

 

6.      Catch Basin Cleaning: Letter from Dana Pixley regarding failed basin and cleaning required.  Board to direct Dana to do repair, document what he has done, and to use his discretion to do the work where he sees the need.

 

7.      Hollow Road in Wilbraham: The Town of Wilbraham has closed their end of this road and resident, David Proulx, 44 Hollow Road, called about illegal dumping and people partying on closed road.  Notify Chief Mellis about dumping and have him keep an eye on the area.  Dana Pixley asked to investigate the clean up – he did and stated that it is on private property.

 

8.      Transfer Requests: Motion by Duane Mosier to move $5500 from 53.1 public grounds to 54.5 street sweeping. The request was forwarded to the Advisory Board.  Second by Mark Barba.    VOTE: Duane Mosier yes, Mark Barba yes, James Smith yes. 

 

9.      Court of Honor for Eagle Scouts: Duane will participate in ceremony on May 21; 7:00 pm at Town Hall and Mark Barba will participate on June 18, 7:30 pm at TWB.  Respond to Scouts who will be where for ceremony.

 

10.  Pioneer Valley Fuel Oil Bid: Move by Duane Mosier to have Dana Pixley act as agent for the Fixed Price Futures Program for the Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative to purchase fuel and to use his judgment when he deems appropriate.  Second by James Smith.  VOTE: Mark Barba yes, Duane Mosier yes, James Smith yes.

 

11.  Pioneer Valley Planning Commission: Hampden Open Space and Recreation Plan – Motion made by James Smith to accept the updated Hamdpen Open Space Recreation Plan as submitted by PVPC.  Second by Duane Mosier. VOTE: Mark Barba yes, Duane Mosier yes, James Smith yes.

 

12.  Xerox renewal of maintenance/rental agreement:  $273.39 monthly, okay to proceed with agreement.

 

13.  Minutes of 5/4/04: Motion made by James Smith to approve minutes of 5/4/04 as revised.  Second by Duane Mosier.  VOTE: James Smith yes, Duane Mosier yes, Mark Barba yes.  Motion made by Duane Mosier to approve Executive Session minutes of 5/4/04 as presented. VOTE: James Smith yes, Duane Mosier yes, Mark Barba yes. 

 

Roundtable:

Ø     Assessments for Dr. Gagliarducci need to be completed and sent back.

Ø     Homeland Security Grant through the Board of Health in the amount of  $2,000 to be spent by June 30, 2004. Jim to review options this weekend to enable a decision to be made by our June 1, meeting.

Ø     Vent work in Police Station to be completed within the next two weeks.

Ø     Outer door into Melville Room in process of being replaced.

Ø     Mark to do evaluation for Beth within next few weeks.  Start at step 1.

 

Motion made by James Smith to go into Executive Session to discuss Highway Superintendent’s contract, bi-weekly payroll affecting three unions and the Highway contract without return to Open Session.  Second by Duane Mosier.  VOTE: James Smith yes, Duane Mosier yes, Mark Barba yes.

 

Respectfully submitted: 

 

 

 

Pamela B. Courtney, Administrative Assistant