Approved 01/04/05

TOWN OF HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS

BOARD OF SELECTMEN/BOARD OF HEALTH

MINUTES

November 16, 2004                                                                                         625 Main Street

7:00 pm                                                                                                            Town House

Present: Mark R. Barba, Duane E. Mosier, James D. Smith

Guests: Richard Jones, Doug Farmer, Wilbraham/Hampden Times

Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.

7:00 pm                        Walk-Ins

                                    Dick Jones came in to discuss three issues.  Permits for handicap parking and their availability through the Town.  The State allows a 90-day permit, which is renewable for another 90 days.  Town follows registry requirements.  The Board needs to have placard printed for use in Town.  Beth has a copy of the placard.  Permits costs $5.00, we could use form that Registry has from the Registry website.  Beth Perkins to do further research and a public announcement will be made when the process is up and running.

The issue of appointing an alternate to the Board of Appeals to replace Dick Jones was discussed, as he will now be a regular member of the Board, rather than an alternate.  Name to be provided by Dick Patullo.

Signage issues – 3 signs on the corner of Commercial Drive, house for sale signs off of the sale property are an issue as are the signs in front of Hampden Hardware, Curves, Grog Shoppe, which are all illegal.   

Mark Barba made motion to go into Executive Session at 7:30 pm with return to Open Session to hear charges against a public officer.  Said officer, through his counsel, has waived the right to a 48-hour notice, the right to be present and the right to an open session. The Board to also discuss bi-weekly pay and IBPO negotiations. Second by Duane Mosier.  VOTE: Mark Barba yes, Duane Mosier yes, James Smith yes.

8:00 pm                        Becky Moriarty, Beth Perkins – Flu Clinic Update, Additional                                                      Vaccines Available – 96 vaccines were delivered on 11/15. Becky and Beth to contact those people on the wait list.  Those 75 and above are first on the list, then those under 75 but with a chronic illness are eligible.  They must provide a physician’s note verifying their illness before receiving a vaccine.

8:30 pm                        (1)  Lorri McCool, Beth Perkins – Various Board of Health items

• Wastewater Planning and DEP – public water supplies are listed at the DEP and need monthly water monitoring – particular work such as septic repair, etc, is prohibited in some of these areas – Lorri wonders whether the town would pay for a public water supply?
• Tight Tank Requirements – Lorri and James Smith to write letter to DEP regarding what is required from State.  Is it uniformly enforced across the State?  This needs to be answered before we require Hampden businesses to comply.
• MHOA conference expenses – Lorri would like Hampden to pay for her attendance this year through Board of Health revolving account, as other towns have borne the cost in the past.
• Anti-Smoking Violation – complaint about smoking at the Hampden House.  They (Hampden House) were notified of the complaint.

Items for Discussion:

Easement issue on Bennett Road: Mark spoke with Dana Pixley and they will do a site ride and perhaps meet with the property owners.

(2) Minutes of 11/2/04 – Motion to accept minutes with corrections noted by Duane Mosier, second by Mark Barba.  VOTE: All in favor and so voted.

(3) Annual Meeting with all departments - December 2, 2004 7:00 pm, Selectmen will meet first as a Board, will then meet with departments.

Question asked by potential buyer of property adjacent to Highway Garage.  They are interested in having a business for light excavation, as a home occupation.  The Board discussed and agreed that the discussion must be with Zoning and/or Planning, not the Board. 

Tree Lighting – December 5 – 6:30 pm

Hearing for 11/17 will have a moderator (Dick Patullo) to moderate the meeting to keep everyone on track.  Notification sent to Mike Gerrard regarding hearing, etc.

Motion by Mark Barba to go into Executive Session to continue discussion about IBPO, bi-weekly pay, and charges against a public officer at 9:35 pm without return to Open Session.  Second by Duane Mosier.  VOTE: Mark Barba yes, Duane Mosier yes, James Smith yes.

Respectfully submitted:

Pamela B. Courtney, Administrative Assistant