Approved 03/01/05

TOWN OF HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS

BOARD OF SELECTMEN/BOARD OF HEALTH

February 15, 2005                                                                 625 Main Street

7:00 pm                                                                                  Town House

Present: Mark Barba, Duane Mosier, James Smith

Guest: Doug Farmer, Wilbraham-Hampden Times

Meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm by Mark Barba. 

7:00 pm           Walk-Ins

Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan: The Board received a letter from PVPC regarding participation of Town in grant application for regional pre-disaster mitigation plan.  We need to determine possible cost to Town before proceeding.

Motion made by James Smith to authorize the Chairman to authorize a letter of intent contingent upon the dollar commitment being less than $500/year.  Second by Duane Mosier. VOTE: All in favor and so voted.

Special Municipal Employees: After a request from Mike Ford, Plumbing Inspector and manager of a business holding a liquor license, the Board of Selectmen appointed Mike as a Special Municipal Employee.  The Board will now file Mike Ford’s appointment as a Special Employee Plumbing Inspector with the State Ethics Commission and copy Town Counsel.  Also have Personnel Committee take a look at this letter and get their opinion on counsel’s suggestion.

Generator Quote: No action required because the current generator has been fixed.  Duane to arrange to install a relay switch to prevent air conditioner from coming on whenever generator is running.

Gas Line Inspection letter:  The Board received a letter from resident Robert Butler regarding the gas line inspection at his residence.  The Board will respond with a letter stating the expectations of our inspectors regarding goals and response times.  The Board does expect a 484-hour return to telephone calls and a one week response on inspections (include set of minutes which addressed the situation).

Scantic Meadows Development:  The Board received a letter from abutter Harvey Smith, regarding proposed development known as Scantic Meadows.  He has concerns about drainage system and how it will be maintained once constructed.  He stated in his letter that existing funding is only 25% of what is actually needed to clean existing catch basins in Town. This information is incorrect as stated.  The proposed system for Scantic Meadows does require cleaning and Duane Mosier has passed along these same concerns to the Planning Board which is where the responsibility lies.  The time for voters to voice an opinion regarding the road and system is at Town Meeting when the Town votes to accept or not, the road as constructed.  The Board will send a letter of response to Harvey Smith, stating that we defer decisions on this development to the Planning Board since they have a technical review done by consultants hired to review all proposals.

Warrant Articles: The Board reviewed draft articles again for final preparation.  More information is needed for Revolving Funds.

Police Resignation: The Board received a letter of resignation from Michael Hawk, a recent appointee.  The Chief will post for a replacement immediately.  Send copy of letter to Town Clerk and Town Treasurer stating the Board acknowledges this resignation. 

Red Cross Shelters: The Board received a letter from Chief Mellis, Emergency Manager Director listing locations and capacities in town that are designated as emergency shelters as part of a homeland security grant:

Thornton Burgess                                1500

Green Meadows                                  1000

Town Hall                                             400

Mary Lyon Nursing Home                      50

Minutes of 2/1/05 were reviewed: A motion was made to approve by James Smith, second by Duane Mosier.  VOTE: All in favor and so voted.  Executive Session Minutes of 2/1/05 were reviewed.  Motion made by James Smith to accept as presented.  Second by Duane Mosier.  Abstained from vote: Mark Barba.

Lantern Lane property: The board was concerned about the potential pending transfer of the Lantern Lane property to the town of Wilbraham under a settlement grant sponsored by Gale Candaras.  The concern was that if Wilbraham owned the land that, even under a conservation restriction, they would be able to use the land for something that would be possibly detrimental to the town of Hampden; such possibilities including the construction of town wells or communications towers.

Duane Mosier reviewed the history. There had been the possibility of a state grant for Hampden to own the land and a fund raiser was held some time ago by Hampden town residents for the purpose of obtaining an appraisal.  At the October 2003 Special Town Meeting, Hampden votes to accept the land if the grant was approved.  The grant, unfortunately was not funded.

Some time last year Gale Candaras obtained a line item on the State budget to allow the state to pay for a judgment against Wilbraham from the abutters and the developer, Lyman Woods.  This was approved by the legislature and signed by the Governor and Hampden Selectmen learned about this through the media.

Several attempts to contact Gale Candaras to discuss this and its impact on Hampden were unsuccessful.  The Hampden Board tried to get on the agenda at the Wilbraham Selectmen’s meeting on February 14^th, February 21st, and February 28, 2005 but was told there was no time available on the agenda.

After discussion the Board decided to invite Wilbraham Select Board to our next meeting to discuss the issue.  

HWRSD Budget

Duane attended presentation by Dr. Gagliarducci regarding Hampden Wilbraham Regional School District budget and Minnechaug’s renovation.

10:10 pm Motion made by Mark Barba to go into Executive Session to discuss IBPO contract negotiations and the issue of discussing law enforcement issues without the 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