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| By Jennifer Sawyer Correspondent HAMPDEN The July 12 Planning Board meeting held at the Hampden Town Hall served its purpose of creating a public dialogue surrounding a variety of issues. Board chair Charlie Dolben, vice chair Joe Kruzel, and board members Laurie Niles and Neil Flynn were in attendance as the committee commenced its bi-weekly conference of open discussion. Board Clerk Jane Budynkiewicz kept the minutes for the meeting. The Board began with opinions surrounding Tall Pines Residential Development. Tall Pines caters specifically to the over 55 community. A proposal was signed to alleviate the problem of getting wells for the development. The board also briefly discussed the Scantic Meadows development. The development, currently dealing with high ground water, has faced a few issues. Dolben expressed particular concern with the speed of construction, claiming that the process was "proceeding at a snail's pace." Following the signing of the dialogue surrounding Scantic Meadows, board member Neil Flynn was nominated by the committee to be a representative on the Hampden Community Preservation Committee. The Community Preservation Committee, or CPC, "helps communities preserve open space and historic sites, and create affordable housing and recreational facilities," according to the Act's website www.communitypreservation.org. Local resident Michael Greenwood participated in the meeting as part of the process for receiving a handyman's contractor license. Greenwood would become a weatherization contractor, specializing in blown-in insulation, the installation of windows and doors and other small household tasks. The board approved his request, but Chairman Dolben cautioned him against significant expansion, as his current business plan follows the specific regulations of home occupational work. Planning board meetings are open to the public and held at the town hall at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. Hampden Town Hall is located on 625 Main Street. |