BOARD OF SELECTMEN/BOARD OF HEALTH
January 4, 2005 Town House
7:00 pm 625 Main Street
Present: Mark Barba, Duane Mosier, James Smith
Guests: John D. Flynn, Jane Budynkiewicz, Charlie Dolben, Bob Majkut
Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm
7:00 pm Walk-Ins
7:15 pm Planning Board: Board members came before the Board to discuss the joint appointment of an Associate member. The associate member may only act if they are inpaneled at a special permit hearing. The Planning Board interviewed three candidates and found Anthony Bongiorni to be the most qualified.
A motion was made by John D. Flynn to appoint Anthony Bongiorni to the position of Associate Member of the Planning Board to serve at the behest of the Chair for special permit applications only for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2005. Second by James Smith. VOTE: All Planning Board members present in favor and so voted and Board of Selectmen in favor and so voted.
7:30 pm Town Inspectors: The town inspectors were invited in to discuss scheduling of inspections and expectations of residents. Present were Mark Feeney, Building Inspector, Lorri McCool, Health Inspector and Mike Ford, Plumbing Inspector. Mark Barba opened the discussion regarding alternates for the inspectors’ positions and the need for a response time within 2 business days. All inspectors presently have alternates on staff to help with inspections. Inspections should occur within a one-week turnaround time. This office will investigate the phone system so all inspectors have separate mailboxes. Should they go on vacation, let the Board know that they are out of Town. Homeowner needs to be informed that they need to submit plans for a Title 5 review for bedroom additions or change of footprint prior to building permit being issued. If owners do not have existing plans of septic systems, they must come before the Board of Health for Title 5 review.
7:45 pm 1. Board of Health updates: Lorri McCool came in to discuss the Hampden County Health Coalition – Emergency Management. Lorri requests that Beth Perkins be allowed to attend meetings with Lorri on a monthly basis. The Board concurs with this.
Springfield Materials Recycling Facility Municipal Agreement (MRF) contract: This will allow the Town to generate revenues from our recyclable material. Material will be hauled by BFI as it has been in the past, but will now end up at the MRF facility in Springfield and we will be paid for the material, as we are currently paid for newspaper. Motion made by Duane Mosier that the Board sign the MRF contract contingent upon Town Counsel approval. Second by James Smith. VOTE: All in favor and so voted.
Flu clinic to be handled by Nurses Moriarty and Hatch on January 6, 2005.
2. Review of Minutes –
Minutes from 11/16/04 were reviewed. Motion by Duane Mosier to approve as presented the minutes of 11/16/04. Second by James Smith. VOTE: All in favor and so voted.
Minutes from 11/29/04 were reviewed. Motion by Duane Mosier to approve as presented. Second by James Smith. Mark Barba abstained from vote, as he was not present for the meeting. VOTE: All in favor and so voted.
Minutes from 12/2/04 were reviewed. Motion by Duane Mosier to approve as presented. Second by James Smith. VOTE: All in favor and so voted.
Minutes from 12/15/04 were reviewed. No meeting was held at this time, as there was no quorum present.
Minutes from 12/15/04 evening meeting were reviewed. Motion by Duane Mosier to approve as presented. Second by Mark Barba. James Smith was out of town and not present for the meeting. VOTE: Mark Barba yes, Duane Mosier yes. James Smith abstained from vote.
3. Snow and Ice Account – Request from Dana Pixley, Highway Superintendent regarding the snow and ice account. Duane Mosier made a motion that the Board authorize the Superintendent of Highways to continue to operate snow and ice account beyond the appropriated levels for fiscal year 05. Second by James Smith. VOTE: All in favor and so voted.
4. Dog Bite Incident – Information was presented on a dog bite to a child on December 12th. This is the second time this dog has bitten a child. Mark Barba spoke with Nick Dominick, our dog officer for details. The dog was quarantined. The Board will review with Town Counsel as to the steps to take to schedule a hearing with the owner to hear the owner’s plan on restraining the animal. Nick Dominick has asked that the owners notify him as to how they wish to proceed.
Schedule hearing for our next meeting date.
Contact owner to give status report.
Mark Barba will contact victim’s father to notify him of a hearing on 1/18, after checking on date with dog officer.
5. Historical Commission appointment recommendation – The Commission brought forward the name of Sally Bryce as a replacement to the commission for Noreen Couture’s departure. The Board wants more information on selection process.
6. Tabor salary information – James Smith to review numbers prior to distribution to department heads.
Christmas tree at Town Hall: The Board received a letter from Dana Pixley, Tree Warden regarding cutting the tree down and replacing it with a smaller tree. The existing tree is difficult to decorate, costly and becoming more and more cumbersome to manage. The Board discussed the need for prior public notification of the removal. This office to check with Dana to determine if there is any historical significance to the tree. If not, he may proceed with removal.
Employment applications forms were reviewed and one addition will be made for consistency with federal laws.
The Board reviewed changes to employee handbook, which need to be voted on.
A motion was made by James Smith to approve the mail and telephone use policy and health insurance for retirees’ policy as presented and recommended by the Personnel committee effective January 4, 2005. Second by Duane Mosier. VOTE: All in favor and so voted.
All Conservation Commission members attended the training session provided by DEP. Next session to be scheduled for 1/12/05.
Motion by Duane Mosier to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing executive session minutes from 12/21/04 without return to open session. Second by Mark Barba. VOTE: Duane Mosier yes, James Smith yes, Mark Barba yes.
Motion to adjourn meeting by Duane Mosier at 10:25 pm. Seconded by Mark Barba. VOTE: Duane Mosier yes, Mark Barba yes, James Smith yes.
Respectfully submitted:
Pamela B. Courtney
Administrative Assistant