July 20, 2004 Town House

7:00 pm 625 Main Street

Present: Duane Mosier, Mark Barba, James Smith

Guests: Doug Farmer, Wilbraham/Hampden Times

Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.

7:00 pm Walk-Ins

Chief, Doug Mellis came in with a candidate for the dispatcher position, Philip J. Lord. He is already trained as a dispatcher, retired captain. Already 911 certified, needs to be made familiar with our system. Mr. Lord has lived in town for 11 years and knows the roads. Motion by James Smith to appoint Philip Lord as part time dispatcher for 60 days subject to successful completion of training. Second by Duane Mosier. VOTE: Duane Mosier yes, Mark Barba yes, James Smith yes.
Ed Harris came in to discuss the interior painting of Academy Hall for the Historical Society. Work to consist of sanding, then painting with two coats. Cost between $500-700 plus the cost of woodwork for hanging paintings. Funding through the Historical Society and monies donated. They have already received $300 in donations.

7:30 pm Presentation of Adopt-A-Plot award by Fred Oakley to Cemetery Commission.

Mr. Oakley awarded the Adopt-A-Plot participants with a plaque in recognition of their outstanding work cleaning and preserving gravestones in Old Cemetery.

8:00 pm Vincent Mandolini – 17 Fernwood Drive: Mr. Mandolini came before the Board again to discuss the storm drain issue that he views as a problem at the rear of his home. He does not feel satisfied with the explanation that there is little to be done at the site, without a significant amount of money being spent. There is water on site that does not drain. We will contact Dana Pixley to come in for next meeting to meet with Mr. Mandolini. Next meeting is August 3^rd.

8:15 pm Tina Albano: Sign for Memorial Park: Tina brought in sign sketch for Memorial Park, to be donated by the Rauschers. We will contact Dana Pixley to request the Highway Department install sign.

Members of Conservation Commission: A group of residents as well as a few members of the Conservation Commission arrived to speak about the appointment made by the Selectmen of Phil Grant as a member of the Conservation Commission. There was discussion about the Grants having an enforcement order issued against them that is still active. The Board was under the impression that the Grants had stopped all work on the property as a result of the enforcement order issued.

The Commission is in favor of Joe Savoie being appointed as a full member rather than as an Associate Member. Joe has attended a number of workshops to be better educated. They were also here to lobby the Board keeping Sheila Thompson on as a member. Her appointment was up this year. Sheila has gone to workshops, and has been on for six years. They view her as a valuable member of the commission, who did a lot of the necessary paperwork.

Judy Duncan, a resident of town is concerned with how the town handles proposed developments.

Mike Gerrard inquiring about Bonnie Geramini and Sheila Thompson and the fact that they both were up for appointment.

James Smith stated that the Commission is out of balance and resident asked for clarification.

James Smith stated that the commission has been overly aggressive; the enforcement of the commission has been overdone, and has confrontational approach.

James Smith suggested that Town uses a personal approach first, versus confrontational approach.

Mike Gerrard feels that the commission has done the work as needed.

Mark Barba added that a different approach would be achieved by adding Phil Grant to the commission.

Bonnie Geramini asked again why Sheila has not been reappointed to the commission.

James Smith M responded that 5-7 members are allowed.

Bonnie Geramini asked why they are appointed with 5 people instead of 7.

James Smith wants a board that is responsive to the community and non-confrontational.

Resident asked, “Is there not room on the Board for all interested parties?”

Bonnie Geramini asked that the Board reconsider the appointment of Phil Grant and not Joe Savoie and not reappointing Sheila Thompson.

Mark Barba is not inclined to reconsider the appointment as it stands.

Bonnie Geramini commented that Sheila Thompson and Joe Savoie are both motivated and committed to working on the commission.

James Smith told Mike Gerrard that his requests for information are frivolous and we need to get back to the work at hand.

Bonnie Geramini questioned the procurement issue and stated that the consultant was doing the job for under $5,000.

Duane Mosier answered the 30B issue and how it could have been handled rather than how it was handled. The board had no chance to communicate with the commission, as they were always confronted with an obstacle.

Sheila Thompson spoke as a taxpayer and as a voter and as a resident and said she finds the board unreceptive to the general public.

Judy Duncan asked what master plan exists for the Town?

1. Scantic Grille permit process: Lorri McCool brought forward a request that the new restaurant be allowed to open prior to septic work being completed. They could be granted a conditional approval. Duane Mosier supported this request. Mark Barba is not in favor of allowing doors to open before the septic work has been completed. James Smith not in favor either. When ownership changes, then the use must comply. Mark Feeney, Building Inspector came in to discuss the conditional approval with the Selectmen. James Smith to get in touch with Lorri McCool to find out when a meeting will occur on site to determine the scope of work required.

2. Traffic study letter to PVPC: Request a cost estimate for two traffic counts to be conducted by Pioneer Valley Planning Commission that would not be a part of the two we get for free by being members of the Commission. We would like to have Wilbraham Road, Allen Street and East Longmeadow Road studied as well as Main Street and Somers Road.

3. Community Preservation Committee recommendation letter: They have advised that Connie Witt is being added to the committee.

4. Minutes of June 15 and June 28 – Motion by James Smith to approve minutes of June 15, 2004. Second by Duane Mosier. VOTE: Unanimous. Motion made by James Smith to approve minutes of June 28, 2004. Second by Mark Barba. VOTE: Mark Barba yes, James Smith yes. Duane Mosier abstained from vote as he was not here for the meeting.

5. Response to Conservation Commission letter: The commission requested that the appointments be reconsidered by the Board. James Smith is not in favor of reconsidering the appointments of Phil Grant, Joe Savoie and not re-appointing Sheila. Duane Mosier believes that the current make up of the commission is in the best interest of the community. Noted adversarial nature of the commission. Noted by comments of a resident that chairman is “out there” at times. Need letter to respond to Commission.

Schedule meeting with Board, Beth Perkins and Pam Courtney for general staff meeting.

What are we being asked to do and how does that coincide with our job descriptions?

Air conditioner for Police Station: Motion made by James Smith to have Chief Mellis purchase air conditioner for station, not to exceed $500.00, get 3 quotes to replace one unit. Second by Mark Barba. VOTE: Mark Barba yes, Duane Mosier yes, James Smith yes.

Pioneer Valley Planning Commission: Motion made by Duane Mosier to participate in moving approval for PVPC Regional Housing Plan forward. Second by Mark Barba. VOTE: Mark Barba yes, Duane Mosier yes. James Smith voted no as he finds it difficult to support a plan for which the town has no money or authority.

Mark Feeney’s appointment as Building Inspector: He has documentation that was requested on a State level. We will get Mark’s documents and his appointment will be granted.

Seeing no other business, Mark Barba moved to adjourn meeting at 10:15 pm. Second by James Smith. VOTE: All in favor and so voted.

Respectfully submitted:

Pamela B. Courtney

Administrative Assistant