Charest resigns as Selectman, police and fire departments deal with staffing issues

June 12, 2019 | Sarah Heinonen
sarah@thereminder.com

HAMPDEN – The June 10 Hampden Select Board meeting began with an unexpected announcement. Selectman Flynn told those assembled that longtime Selectman Norman Charest had resigned from his seat, effective immediately. Charest was not immediately available for comment.

The Select Board will choose whether to hold a special town meeting to fill the seat, vacated only three weeks after the annual town election. Town Clerk Eva Wiseman said that the Board would likely do this as having a two-member Select Board could lead to problems if they do not agree on an issue. It would take about two months at a minimum to arrange a special election.

Police Chief Jeff Farnsworth addressed the Board to discuss staffing. He said the department, which is currently down by two officers, has an auxiliary program for this situation. Farnsworth asked the Board to approve the promotion of two auxiliary officers to reserve officer status. Farnsworth said that he would like to promote Officer Jeffrey Wojcik, who was previously a reserve officer, and Officer Todd Schneider.

“He’s proved himself,” said Farnworth of Schneider.

Selectman Donald Davenport asked Farnsworth if the auxiliary officers had the same training as reserve officers.

“If they’re going to wear a uniform, they’re going to be trained,” Farnsworth said. The Select Board approved the promotions.

In other police business, Farnsworth said the department is going to be close to going over the budget with five weeks left to the 2019 Fiscal Year. Town Accountant Cliff Bombard reviewed the police department accounts and said that the department’s overall budget should absorb any cost overruns.

“I’m trying to be as fiscally conservative as possible,” Farnsworth told the Board.

Flynn instructed the chief to review the adequacy of LED streetlights, similar to those in Wilbraham, for possible implementation next year.

Ambulance service for the town was briefly discussed. Town Administrator Mary McNally said that American Medical Response and the town had “orally represented terms,” for a contract but there had been nothing in writing.

“If it’s not in writing it doesn’t exist,” said Davenport.

Deputy Fire Chief Ed Poulin answered several questions from the Selectmen regarding him potentially become fire chief. The current chief, Mike Gorski, is retiring and Deputy Chief Dave Markham is stepping down though he has yet to submit his resignation.

Flynn expressed confidence in Poulin qualifications but said he has concerns that Poulin’s other job may interfere. Poulin said that he would promote one of the captains in the department to deputy chief and training officer, two roles that Poulin currently occupies. Poulin would rely on the new deputy chief to schedule and oversee the day crew.

McNally said that she was impressed with the respect that the other firefighters have for Poulin and the ideas that he has previously expressed for the future of the department.

A resident took exception to a comment by McNally that some of the younger firefighters would not have the training and experience to be Chief. The resident said that many of the firefighters who are under 30 years old have more recent training and have gone through the academy.

The fire department administrative clerk, Jane Budynkiewicz, will also be vacating her position as of July 1. The Board postponed a decision until their next meeting on June 17.

Mark Langone of the highway department requested the approval of just under $600,000 for road work in the upcoming season. He said that Wilbraham Road has been on the list of needed projects for several years. It needs reconstruction and a new berm, the strip of land that runs alongside a street, from Raymond Drive to Allen Street.

“Wilbraham Road is way overdue,” Langone said.

Also on the list of projects was North Road, which Langone described as being “in dire need of reconstruction and drainage.” The section of North Road proposed for repair began at Mountain Road and stretched 2,800 ft. Langone laid out the first phase of construction which would include about 20 new catch basins.

A small drainage project on Greenleaf Drive would eliminate the current situation in which two catch basins do not self-leach and flooding often results. Finally, Langone said that Echo Valley would be a “good candidate for a mill-and-pave.” The Board approved the list of projects.

Flynn suggested the highway department conduct an inventory of the roadways in town to determine priorities and timelines for future work and asked Langone to come back with a couple more small projects that could be done if more money were available.

Langone updated the Board on the procurement of a truck, which would be purchased through a state bidding process. Langone said they may see the truck by winter of this year. Langone also said there is a good chance that the project to expand the highway building can begin in mid-to-late fall. The project likely includes moving the existing oil tank to a new location.

Langone announced that there would be a public information session with Tighe & Bond at the Town Hall on June 20.

In the Town Administrator’s report, McNally said that the town was out of compliance with a state law that requires each town to appoint two or more “fence viewers,” an official who determines the correct party when there is a dispute between neighbors over on which person’s land a fence is located.

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