TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
MAY 4, 1998
In accordance with the warrant of the Selectmen, the Annual Town Meeting was held in the Auditorium of the East Longmeadow High School on Monday, May 4, 1998. Town Moderator, Richard Brown called the meeting to order at 7:10 P.M. there being more than a quorum present.
The meeting opened with a prayer offered by the Town Moderator who also led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Lawrence Levine rose to recognize Stephen Manning for his dedicated service to the Town for eighteen years as a selectman. Most recently, Steve was Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. The assembly gave Steve a standing ovation in appreciation for his outstanding service.
Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Lawrence Levine also recognized Sergeant Robert Feathler who recently retired after thirty-three years of service in the East Longmeadow Police Department. Sergeant Feathler was presented with a Sergeant’s Retirement Badge, a framed Proclamation from the Board of Selectmen and the assembly greeted him with a standing ovation.
ARTICLE 1
Annual Town Election
The Annual Town Election was held on Tuesday, April 14, 1998.
ARTICLE 2
Reports of Officers and Committees
The Town Report will be available later in the year.
ARTICLE 3
Operating Budget
The Operating Budget as recommended by the Appropriations Committee was voted as shown in the amended warrant.
Passed Unanimously.
ARTICLE 4
Payment of Previous Years Bills
No motion made.
Annual
Town Meeting TOWN OF EAST
LONGMEADOW May 4, 1998
ARTICLE 5
Capital Budget
Voted to raise and appropriate the following sums from taxation:
SELECTMEN
M.I.S. – Upgrade MUNIS to NT Platform $32,000
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Cruisers 52,890
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Thermal Imaging System No action
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Replace 1989 GMC Pickup with plow 40,000
Replace 1986 Dump Truck with stake body 50,000
PARKS, RECREATION & SCHOOL FIELD MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Install Sprinkler Systems on all Town Fields No action
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
School Bus Payment (15 buses) – Installment #3 129,719
Birchland Park - Telephone Intercom system No action
Mapleshade - New Boiler System 80,000
- New Compressor System 5,000
- Replace Cafeteria Floor No action
- Replace Classroom Outer Doors No action
High School - Replace Gym Bleachers 82,500
- Renovate 13 Science Rooms (Phase I) 60,000
- Carpet & Paint Auditorium & Offices No action
Meadowbrook - Purchase 4 Modular Classrooms 42,000
Mountain View - Repair Front Entrance Canopy No action
- Retile Floors (Phase II) No action
- Replace Ceilings (Phase II) No action
- Retiling Classroom Floors (Phase II) No action
Purchase New Dump Truck No action
Purchase New (Mid-size) Lawn Mower No action
Annual Town
Meeting TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW May 4, 1998
Article 5 cont.
Voted to raise and appropriate the following sums from the Water Fund.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Low Pressure Water System Improvements $150,000
Hanward Hill Water Mains 90,000
Chestnut Street Pumping Station Improvements 45,000
Voted to raise and appropriate the following sum from the Stabilization Fund:
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
New Fuel Tanks for the Service Building 225,000
Voted to raise and appropriate the following sums to be provided for by borrowing under the provisions of Chapter 44 of the General Laws:
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Hampden Road Water Mains 700,000
SCADA Systems for Pumping Stations 150,000
Upgrade Denslow Road Pumping Station 400,000
Passed Unanimously.
ARTICLE 6
Center Hill School Building
Voted to appropriate the sum of $3,000 from the General Fund and Rentals to preserve and maintain a historic one-room school building at Center Hill Park as a meeting house for Townspeople and civic organizations, said sum to be expended under the jurisdiction of the East Longmeadow Cultural Affairs Council.
Passed Unanimously.
ARTICLE 7
Veratti Family Conservation Area
Voted to name the land off Porter Road and Pleasant Street, the Veratti Family Conservation Area or take any action in relation thereto.
Passed Unanimously.
Annual Town
Meeting TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW May 4, 1998
ARTICLE 8
Craven Family Conservation Area
Voted to name the land off Parker Street, the Craven Family Conservation Area or take any action in relation thereto.
Passed Unanimously.
ARTICLE 9
Acquisition of Open Space
Voted to appropriate the amount of $4,000 in the Conservation Commission Land Acquisition Account for the purpose of acquiring open space or take any action in relation thereto.
Passed by Majority Vote.
ARTICLE 10
Board of Assessors – Multi-year Revaluation Contract
Voted to appropriate a sum of $56,100 to enable the Board of Assessors to fund the second year of a Multi-year Revaluation Contract.
Passed by Majority Vote.
ARTICLE 11
Sanitary Sewer – Forbes Hill Road
Voted to raise and appropriate a sum of $80,000 to construct a sanitary sewer along with appurtenances in Forbes Hill Road from Somers Road westerly 1,000 feet as petitioned by Henry J. Feeney and others, and to meet said appropriation the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, be authorized to borrow this sum, therefor, under Chapter 44, Section 7 of the General Laws.
Standing Vote: Yes 200, No 73. Passed by 2/3 Majority Vote.
ARTICLE 12
Permanent Easement – Bicycle Trail
Voted to accept from Hasbro-Milton Bradley Corp. a permanent easement along land formerly known as the railroad right-of-way, from Denslow Road to Industrial Drive. This easement will include permission to install an underground sewer main and a bicycle trail. Further that the Selectmen may acquire these parcels, or modifications of these parcels, or other required parcels through all legal means. This includes donations, purchase, or eminent domain. Parcels are as written in Town Warrant.
Passed Unanimously.
Annual Town
Meeting TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW May 4, 1998
ARTICLE 13
Acquisition of Land – bicycle Trail
Voted to raise and appropriate $94,500 from the General Fund and $10,500 from the new “Bike Path Account” for the purchase or taking by eminent domain by the Board of Selectmen, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire said land by purchase or eminent domain under provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 79, in fee simple, the parcel of land known as the Railroad Corridor from Industrial Drive to a point near the High School property for use as a bike trail and installation of underground sewers and any other municipal purposes. Further that the Selectmen may acquire these parcels, or modifications of these parcels, or other required parcels through all legal means. This includes donations, purchase or eminent domain.
Beginning at a point on the northerly side of Industrial Drive said point marking the southwest corner of the parcel herein described. Thence northerly along the westerly side a curve having a radius of 11,492.28’ and an arc distance of 298.71’, to a point. Thence N 17º 29’ 55” E a distance of 2,969.77’ to the southeasterly corner of property of the East Longmeadow High School. Thence, turning S 72º 30’ 05” E a distance of 66’ to a point on the easterly side of the parcel. Thence, S 17º 29’ 55” W a distance of 2,969.77’ to a point. Thence, running along a curve to the left having a radius 11,459.28’ and an arc distance of 269.89’ to a point marking the intersection of Industrial Drive. Thence, along a line of the northerly side of Industrial Drive running S 81º 01’ 41” W a distance of 72.60’ to the point of beginning.
Meaning and intending to convey the railroad right-of-way from Station 396+33.61 at Industrial Drive northerly to Station 363+79.54 as shown on plan dated June 30, 1915 by The New York New Haven and Hartford R.R. Co. This is not a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Grantor in Massachusetts.
Containing approximately 214,315 square feet or 4.92 acres.
Passed
Unanimously.
ARTICLE 14
Acquisition of Land – Bicycle Trail
Voted to raise and appropriate $72,900 from the General Fund and $8,100 from the new “Bike Path Account” for the purchase or taking by eminent domain by the Board of Selectmen, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire said land by purchase or eminent domain under provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 79, in fee simple, the parcel of land known as the Railroad Corridor from a point near the High School property to Maple Street. Further that the Selectmen may acquire these parcels, or modifications of these parcels, or other required parcels through all legal means. This includes donations, purchase, or eminent domain. Parcels are as written in the Town Warrant.
Passed Unanimously.
Annual Town
Meeting TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW May 4, 1998
ARTICLE 15
Department of Public Works – Highway
Construction
Voted to appropriate $461,748 to be provided for by taxation for highway construction and/or reconstruction or maintenance purposes which is to be reimbursed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Said money to be expended under the jurisdiction of the Board of Public Works.
Passed Unanimously.
ARTICLE 16
Department of Public Works – Air Compressor and Equipment
Voted to transfer $29,500 from account #0330-100-202A-202-200-01-421-5110-093 Highway Streets Administration Personnel to the following account: #2132-100-232R-232-200-01-429-5856-429 DPW Air Compressor & Equipment for the purchase of an air compressor and installation of replacement fencing and equipment at the Center Field Athletic Facility. Said money to be expended under the jurisdiction of the Board of Public Works, working with the Appropriations Committee.
Passed Unanimously.
ARTICLE 17
Revolving Fund – Local Cable Access
Voted to authorize the Town of East Longmeadow, acting through its Board of Selectmen, to re-establish a “Local Cable Access Revolving Fund” for Fiscal Year 1999, as printed in the Town Meeting Warrant.
Passed Unanimously.
ARTICLE 18
Voted to authorize the Town of East Longmeadow, acting through its Board of Selectmen, to re-establish a “Center School Park Revolving Fund”, for Fiscal Year 1999, as printed in the Town Meeting Warrant.
Passed Unanimously.
ARTICLE 19
Revolving Fund – Solid Waste Disposal
Voted to authorize the Town of East Longmeadow, acting through its Board of Selectmen/Board of Health, to re-establish a “Solid Waste Revolving Fund” for Fiscal Year 1999, as printed in the Town Meeting Warrant.
Passed Unanimously.
Annual Town
Meeting TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW May 4, 1998
ARTICLE 20
Street Taking – Baldwin Street
Voted to authorize the Board of Selectmen by virtue of Chapter 79 of the General Laws to take in fee simple for highway purposes the following street as recommended by the Planning Board.
Baldwin Street – a strip of land fifty (50) feet in width commencing from the previously accepted portion and running northerly to the southerly side of Glendale Road a distance of approximately 150 feet, as shown on a plan recorded with the Hampden County Registry of Deeds Book of Plans Y, Pages 78 and 79. Or take any action in relation thereto.
Passed Unanimously.
ARTICLE 21
Street Taking – Deer Park Drive
Voted to authorize the Board of Selectmen, under provisions of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 79, to take in fee simple as a Town way a portion of the following street as recommended by the Planning Board:
Deer Park Drive – a strip of land sixty (60) feet in width running westerly and northwesterly from the westerly side of Shaker Road to it terminus. A distance of approximately 1,213 feet. Said strip of land is located approximately 795 feet northerly of the Connecticut State line as shown on a plan recorded in the Hampden County Registry of Deeds, Book of Plans 266, Page 97 and pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 22
Contract for Disposal of Solid Waste
Voted to authorize the Board of Selectmen to assent to the assignment and the amendment of the existing contract for the disposal of solid waste generated in the Town with the owner of the solid waste disposal and resource recovery facility in the Town of Agawam, or enter into a new or different contract(s) for the disposal of solid waste and to amend the same from time to time which contract(s) shall be entered into under and pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40D, Section 12(g) and which contract, shall take such form, contain such terms and be for such a term as the Board of Selectmen may approve; and authorize the Board of Selectmen to take any other action relative thereto.
Passed Unanimously.
Annual Town
Meeting TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW May 4, 1998
ARTICLE 23
Intermunicipal Agreement – Town of
Longmeadow
Voted to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into an intermunicipal agreement with the Town of Longmeadow for ownership, storage, and/or use of fire prevention equipment, and the use of fire personnel.
Passed Unanimously.
ARTICLE 24
Intermunicipal Agreement – Springfield
Water and Sewer Commission
Voted to authorize the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Public Works to enter into an Intermunicipal Agreement with the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission and the City of Springfield in order to provide sewer service to the Flower Street subdivision, as set forth in proposed agreement.
Passed
by Majority Vote.
ARTICLE 25
Acceptance of Chapter 40, Section 57 of the Massachusetts General Laws
Voted to accept the provisions of Chapter 40, Section 57 of the Massachusetts General Laws as printed in the Town Meeting Warrant.
Passed
by Majority Vote.
ARTICLE 26
General By-Law Amendment – Delinquent Taxpayers
Voted to amend the General By-Laws of the Town pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 40, Section 57 of the Massachusetts General Laws by adding a new section as printed in the Town Meeting Warrant
Passed
by Majority Vote.
ARTICLE 27
Signs for Craven Family Conservation Area
and Veratti Family Conservation Area
No motion made.
No motion made.
Annual Town
Meeting TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW May 4, 1998
No motion made.
Voted to appropriate the sum of $150,000 from available funds now in the Treasury of the Town to the Stabilization Fund for the purpose of setting aside funds for future capital expenditures.
Passed Unanimously.
No motion made.
MOTION TO ADJOURN
Annual Town Meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM, the business of the Warrant having been completed.
CERTIFICATE OF QUORUM
This is to certify that a quorum of more than 150 voters were present at the Annual Town Meeting held on May 4, 1998.
Voter attendance was recorded as follows:
Precinct 1 74
Precinct 2 75
Precinct 3 101
Precinct 4 62
312
A True Record: Attest:
J. Donald Plourde, Town Clerk