TOWN OF HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS
BOARD OF SELECTMEN/BOARD OF HEALTH
MINUTES
December 21, 2004 625 Main Street
7:00 pm Town House
Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm by Mark Barba.
Present: Mark Barba, Duane Mosier, James Smith
Guests: Rick Fadus, Linda Colucci, Beverly Gerrard, Mike Gerrard, Sheila Thompson, Charles Thompson
Walk-Ins – Linda Colucci raised the question of why Phil Grant was appointed to Conservation Commission. Mark responded that P. Grant had come forward with an interest and desire to be appointed. Ms. Colucci asked, even with enforcement order outstanding from the Conservation Commission, he was appointed? Is enforcement order still in effect? Mark noted that DEP will do a compliance inspection at South Road, property owned by Grants. Mark also noted that a training class was held today, and another has been scheduled for 12/29 or 12/30. In discussion about the DEP inspection, the question was asked by Mike Gerrard as to who was contacted at DEP. The response from the Board was that the Director, Mike Gorski was contacted. Mike Gerrard’s response was that there may be a possible conflict, as he has been appointed by the Board as a volunteer fireman. Bev Gerrard mentioned Grant’s failure to comply with town regulations. The response from the Board was that a cease and desist order was issued, and the Grants did no further work on the property.
Mark stated that training is available from DEP and he would expect that all members of the newly appointed Commission would take advantage of that training.
Mike Gerrard made a comment about Phil Grant’s appointment to the Commission suggesting that a vote was never taken by the Board and therefore P. Grant was not properly appointed. The minutes from the meeting (June 28, 2004) at which the vote was taken were produced and show that Phil Grant was appointed to the Commission with his appointment expiring in 2007.
Rick Fadus: Scout Leader arrived with five Boy Scouts who were here to observe a Selectmen’s meeting. They were given a copy of the Annual Report and stayed to observe the meeting.
Gary Shepard and Paul Anziano from Pioneer Valley Transit Authority arrived to give an update since the last Regional Selectmen’s meeting was cancelled. Gary said PVTA would be level funded again and raised the issue that money is going to Boston (MBTA) but is not coming in locally. He mentioned that monies were going to fund the Big Dig, but that will end in 2006. Ridership is stable, but fuel and insurance costs have risen. We have seen four years of level funding. We will receive a letter from Gary regarding the need to push for increases in revenues generated by fees. Doreen Fadus is the representative from Hampden. He will request that Doreen come before the Board for a further update sometime in January. Our usage has been steady for the last two years.
Police Interview with new candidate: Chief Mellis introduced Reserve Officer Brett Purchas to the Board. Brett has applied to become a full time member of the force. Also present were Sgt. Henry and Patrolman Trombley. Officer Trombley spoke with neighbors who gave Brett high marks as a neighbor. Brett came on as reserve on January 6, 1999, attended Holyoke Community College, and is a graduate of the Police Academy. He wants to continue his education for a Masters degree. His work has been mainly working third shift as a reserve. He has enjoyed people in Town as well as those within the Department. His experience has been a great one working in Town; and he was sponsored by the Board of Selectmen for Academy training. James remarked that this is a good result of the reserve program in town, someone wanting to pursue full time work. Brett has great experience with computer, technically well suited for the job. Brett and new hire Michael Hawk will attend classes as necessary.
Letter presented by Chief confirming a conversation he had with Todd Ely, President of the IBPO that will allow Brett to come on board conditionally, pending a positive psychological exam.
Sgt. Henry praised his character as well as his credibility factor. Officer Trombley praised those same qualities.
Chief Mellis stated that Brett has come up through the ranks, gone to the academy and has experience already in Town.
Motion made by James Smith, “I move that the Town hire Brett Purchas as an entry-level patrolman. Such appointment shall be contingent upon his passing a physical and psychiatric test prior to starting. The first 12 months of service shall be a probationary period.” Second by Duane Mosier. VOTE: All in favor and so voted.
Police Budget update: Reviewed status of budget.
Scantic Grille Liquor License (renewal issue): The Scantic Grille owners were looking for a pro-rated cost for their liquor license renewal, since they got their license so late in the year. They wanted the Board to consider the matter of pro-rating the cost of the license. The issue was discussed and the Board agreed not to prorate licenses. Motion made by Duane Mosier to continue the practice of the Board not prorating annual license fees of any kind. Second by J. Smith. VOTE: All in favor and so voted.
Minutes of 11/23, 11/23 Executive Session, 11/27, 12/10 reviewed.
A motion was made by Duane Mosier to approve the minutes of 11/23/04 with corrections. Second by Mark Barba. VOTE: All in favor and so voted.
A motion was made by Mark Barba to approve the Executive Session minutes of 11/23/04. Second by Duane Mosier. VOTE: All in favor and so voted.
A motion was made by Mark Barba to accept the minutes of 12/10/04. Second by Duane Mosier. VOTE: All in favor and so voted.
Building Use Policy for Senior Center: COA Director Becky Moriarty was in to discuss the need for a building use policy for the Senior Center. The existing grant from the State was for five years. In November of 2004 we entered 4th year. After 5th year, the Building no longer has to fulfill grant requirements, one of which is that 50% of the people participating in programs must be senior citizens. The library used the center recently and gave a donation, which covered janitorial expenses incurred for being open during normal off hours. The financial responsibility is borne by the center and financial constraints mandate that the director must deny some requests. The Board requested that Becky supply information regarding what might be allowed in the building, and those which could not be serviced in the building and how a 3-hour use would impact the building? How would building use be granted? Perhaps a two-part scenario is needed; use before the grant obligation expires, and after it expires.
Under age 60 appointee to COA Board: Director, Becky Moriarty came before the Board to discuss a new appointment needed for the COA Board. Four candidates were interviewed for the position by the Board of Directors and John D. Flynn was felt to be the strongest candidate for the position. James Smith said that Flynn would be an asset to the Board, as he currently is to the Planning Board.
Motion was made by Duane Mosier to appoint JD Flynn to COA to fill vacancy under 60 for the unexpired term of Linda Gaudette. Second by James Smith. All in favor and so voted.
Labor Counsel request: A request came in from Stan Weinberg, our labor counsel that his fee be increased to $150.00 an hour. The Board agrees that at the beginning of the calendar year, his fees may increase to $150.00 from the current rate of $135.00.
Town Inspections – Building, Electrical and Plumbing: The Board would like to invite the Town inspectors in to discuss the Board’s expectations, accessibility, the returning of phone calls. Duane Mosier to get copies of goals provided to inspectors. Schedule them for the 4th of January.
Town Hall generator failed in November 20th and a new starter was installed on 12/13. Switch must be engaged manually, rather than switching automatically. Duane Mosier investigated generators from other buildings, one housed at Sr. Center, one at Fire Station. We need one for the primary needs of the police station, not necessarily for the needs of the entire Town Hall. When power goes down, generator needs to go on automatically. Determine life expectancy of what is currently in place. Recommended that we have a mobile unit for future needs. FEMA grant available, Sgt. Jeff Farnsworth looking into this.
Analyze what we have here, what is the cost associated with getting it up and running?
Duane to schedule test of generator currently in place and what cost is associated with getting switch to operate automatically.
Beth to do press release for additional flu shots which are now available and would be available for residents 50 or older. It was agreed that they would be given on a first come, first serve basis.
Duane Mosier made a motion requesting that we appoint Kathy Pessolano to the Capital Planning Committee as an at large member. Second by James Smith. VOTE: All in favor and so voted.
Motion to go into Executive Session at 10:00 pm to discuss IBPO negotiations without return to Open Session by Duane Mosier. Second by Mark Barba. VOTE: Duane Mosier yes, James Smith yes, Mark Barba yes.
Respectfully submitted:
Pamela B. Courtney
Administrative Assistant
/pbc