HAMPDEN – Three months after a hearing regarding a dog that had escaped its fenced-in yard, the owners were once again in front of the Hampden Board of Selectmen on Nov. 7.

Animal Control Officer Shelley Sears informed the Board of Selectmen that a neighbor had once again complained about a dog owner who had been the subject of a previous complaint. Neighbor Lorena Severino sent Sears two clips from her doorbell camera on Oct. 15 showing a then-10-month-old mastiff owned by Lyndsay Bibeau, on Servino’s property.

Bibeau appeared before the board accompanied by an unnamed person who said the posts of a chain link fence at the rear of the yard, which was owned by Great Horse, were set too far apart and the dog chased a squirrel under the fence. He said the dog came back into the yard after about five minutes. Since then, he stated that he had reinforced the fence with rebar to avoid a similar incident in the future. Bibeau added that the dog had finished a six-week obedience course and was now wearing a behavior correction collar.

Board of Selectmen member Craig Rivest suggested requiring the dog be on a leash when in the yard.
Board Chair John Flynn told the couple that it is the responsibility of the owners to secure their pets. Bibeau’s companion said he checks the fence weekly to make sure it is secure and that the dog is not allowed outside without adult supervision. Despite this, Sears said this is the third time the dog has escaped since July.

Select Board member Donald Davenport confirmed with Sears that there had been no bites. Bibeau’s companion claimed that Severino was afraid of dogs and that is why she complained to Sears.
“The neighbors just want to live in peace and go in their backyard,” Sears said.

Flynn told the couple, “We don’t want to come back every month.” He said a roaming dog can be dangerous to the animal, too, because of traffic. Flynn said that while they couple was “trying,” if there was another report of the dog off Bibeau’s property unattended, “It’s not going to end well.”
Sears will follow up to confirm the fence repair and the behavioral collar.

Emergency Management Plan

Fire Chief Ed Poulin and Police Chief Scott Trombly presented the board with a draft of the new Emergency Management Plan. Trombly called it a living document that will have to be reviewed and updated every five years. The newest version is expected to be completed by June 2023.

Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Local Coordinator Scott Flebotte explained that once the Emergency Management Plan was completed, the next step would be to create a Continuity of Operations Plan, which identifies the order of succession in government and where the government would meet in a crisis, among other topics.

While these plans are not required by the state, Flebotte said he suspects their inclusion will have an impact on what grant funding is available to towns.

“This is your document,” Flebotte assured the board, adding that anything can be changed to better suit Hampden.

Garden Club

The Garden Club made several requests to the Board of Selectmen, including asking for a key to Academy Hall. Garden Club Historian Connie Witt said that in the past the Garden Club, which meets and hosts programs at the town-owned building, would have to request the Police Department open the building. However, the Police Department’s key has since been misplaced.

The group also requested a key to the garage at Academy Hall, where it would like to store the tables for its annual plant sale as well as miscellaneous equipment that is currently stored at various members’ houses. Flynn wanted to check with the Historical Commission, which uses most of the garage for its town-owned belongings.

Witt asked to hang the two state legislature-issued commemorations for the organization’s 90th anniversary on the wall in the main hall.

“Not very historical,” Flynn said, pointing out they were only a couple of months old, but Davenport said they were historical in the sense that they are state recognitions. Instead, Flynn suggested displaying them on an easel during meetings and programs.

The front door key was approved, but Town Administrator Bob Markel will discuss the garage key and wall space with the Historical Commission to make sure there are no concerns.

Land acquisition

Minnechaug Land Trust President Sherry Himmelstein and Vice President Jennifer Bagge told the board that the trust had approached and reached an agreement with a Walnut Street landowner about acquiring 14 acres of land for $59,000. Himmelstein said there were “ample funds” in the Community Preservation Committee accounts for the land, which would need to be approved at Annual Town Meeting in the spring.

While the landowner said the parcel is buildable, Himmelstein explained that there is not enough frontage on the Walnut Street cul-de-sac to allow for access without an easement from a neighbor. Further, Bagge said, a portion of the property is marshland with 200 feet of Scantic River frontage and the grade was too steep for easy building.

Generally speaking, the landowner signs an agreement with the trust, which then signs it over to the town. Himmelstein said she had spoken with town counsel about the possibility of the town purchasing the property directly ahead of the Town Meeting.

Flynn and Rivest both shared that they were “uncomfortable putting the town on the hook” before a formal vote at Town Meeting.

On the issue of stump grinding on town-owned land near a trailhead, Himmelstein said it was a potential liability as the thin stumps could “impale” someone if they fell. The trust will seek town reimbursement at the Annual Town Meeting.

Sidewalk

Markel brought up the topic of sidewalk construction on Somers Road, from the Centennial Commons apartments to the Senior Center on Allen Street. Markel reminded the board that the Department of Recreation had given the town $25,000 for a design study, which consulting firm Tighe & Bond completed for $21,000. The firm estimated the project would cost approximately $341,000.

“Is it something the town is interested in?” Flynn asked, noting that seniors have not expressed much enthusiasm for the project. Davenport suggested a survey to gauge interest, but Rivest wanted to move with more urgency on the sidewalk, concerned that money from the Gaming Commission, dedicated to projects that mitigate MGM Springfield casino impact, would be gone before a survey was completed.

It was decided Markel would acquire estimates and request the funding. He said the town can “not take” the money if it is decided that the project is not in the town’s interest.

Other topics

Flynn asked residents to volunteer for the Hampden-Wilbraham Planning Committee, the next step in fulfilling the district’s strategic plan.

“We need more people to participate. No more sitting on the sidelines and bark about things but not step up,” Flynn said.

Markel planned to attend a webinar on Nov. 8, about the AudioEye program, which would make the town’s website accessible to those with disabilities. He will bring his recommendation on whether to adopt the software back to the board.