Approved 2/15/05
TOWN OF HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS
BOARD OF SELECTMEN/BOARD OF HEALTH
MINUTES
February 1, 2005 625 Main Street
7:00 pm Town House
Meeting called to order at 7:10 pm
Present: Mark Barba, Duane Mosier, James Smith
Chief Doug Mellis, Jeff Farnsworth, Martha Farnsworth, William Albano and Jason Roath
Guests: Doug Farmer, Wilbraham-Hampden Times, Tom Ouellette, The Hampden & Wilbraham Reminder
7:00 Walk-Ins
7:15 Mike Ford – Scantic Grille liquor license: Mike Ford called to reschedule his appointment for a later date to discuss the liquor license at Scantic Grille.
7:30 pm 1) Reserve Police Interviews: Chief Mellis and Sgt. Farnsworth came in to introduce two candidates for the reserve police positions needed to replace two departing officers. The number of reserves will be at 13 with new hires. Seven shifts are available per week for reserves, with 8 hour shifts, rather than the 4 hour shifts last year. The Department tries to maintain 16 hours per month for the reserves. The training process administered by Officer Mike Cooney and Sgt. Joe Henry will teach them different procedures and upon completion they will be monitored as they work the shifts unsupervised. Both candidates have the required training for the position.
Jason Roath: Jason is currently a dispatcher in Town and an EMT for AMR. He attends Holyoke Community College, studies law enforcement, and has enjoyed his work as a dispatcher since last April. He has more availability during evening hours. Jason resides in East Longmeadow.
William Albano: Bill is a business owner which allows him more flexibility with his schedule. He is a military police officer in the Navy reserves and works for Longmeadow as a reserve, two shifts a month. Bill resides in Longmeadow.
James Smith wants to ensure the candidates make themselves accessible to the public. He also noted that Sgt. Farnsworth and Sgt. Henry have always brought forward good recruits.
The candidates should be trained within a month and will have a skill based review rather than an hour based.
Motion made by James Smith to appoint Bill Albano and Jason Roath to the position of reserve officers for a probationary period of six months, contingent upon the successful completion of training within 90 days. Second by Duane Mosier. VOTE: All in favor and so voted.
Green Meadows Garbage Disposal: The Board of Health received a letter of opinion from Health Agent, Lorri McCool in response to the letter received by the Board asking for permission to install a garbage disposal at Green Meadows. She does not feel the existing septic system can support the additional load of a disposal.
The Board will send a letter to D. LaCount, architect for the school project that Board of Health has received opinion from our BOH agent. In her written statement, Lorri McCool has advised against it. It is the decision of the BOH to follow her recommendations and to not allow the installation of a garbage disposal system. The Board will send a letter to the architect advising them of this. Attach L. McCool’s opinion letter to LaCount’s letter.
3) School Safety Initiative- Chief Mellis attended a Code Gray practice which would be utilized at TWB, and Green Meadows, to secure the schools in the event of a security crisis. Grant money was given to Police to train officers as resource officers in the classroom.
The Police Department’s current financial condition was reviewed with Chief Mellis. Vehicle maintenance is high due to old cruiser, training (5 officers need in-service training, firearms coming up in early March). Also discussed recent purchase of cruiser. Surplus cruiser was not auctioned off, but was traded in. Chief to check on the exact purchase price of the new cruiser and get back to the Board with an answer.
There was discussion about the current Red Cross shelters to be used in the event of an emergency. Chief Mellis to contact Red Cross to get list of current qualified buildings.
4) Minutes of January 18: The meeting minutes were reviewed and a motion was made by Duane Mosier to accept as presented. Second by James Smith. VOTE: Duane Mosier yes, James Smith yes, Mark Barba yes.
The first Executive Session minutes of January 18 were reviewed and a motion was made by James Smith to accept as presented. Second by Duane Mosier. VOTE: James Smith yes, Duane Mosier yes, Mark Barba yes.
The second Executive Session minutes of January 18 were reviewed and a motion was made by James Smith to accept as presented. Second by Duane Mosier. Mark Barba departed prior to the start of the Executive Session. VOTE: James Smith yes, Duane Mosier yes.
Board Of Health Updates: Beth Perkins compiled various items as an update for the Board. The topics included a need for bid specs for the operation of the transfer station, the Municipal Recycling contract and a request for a bottle drive at the transfer station by a town resident as a fund raiser for a MRHS team. The Board agreed to allow the bottle drive for the month of February as long as the group is responsible for all clean up involved.
Capital Planning meeting: An ad hoc committee is being formed to review the needs of TW Burgess School. A group will compile information to bring forward to the Board. The Board supports the process to bring information to the BOS and to Advisory.
8:00 pm hearing: A hearing had been scheduled for a vicious dog. The dog has been euthanized and therefore there is no need for the hearing.
Regional Selectmen’s Meeting: Hampden will host the next Regional meeting, now scheduled for 3/24 at 7:00 pm at the Senior Center. This office to reserve space with Director, Becky Moriarty. Brian Lees and Mary Rogeness have both confirmed their attendance at the meeting. Information to go out to other communities, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Wilbraham and Ludlow.
Executive Session: Motion to go into Executive Session at 8:25 pm by James Smith without return to Open Session. Second by Duane Mosier. VOTE: James Smith yes, Duane Mosier yes.
Mark Barba departed meeting at 8:25 pm.
Respectfully submitted:
Pamela B. Courtney
Administrative Assistant
/pbc