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Date: 10/19/2022
HAMPDEN – At an Oct. 17 joint meeting of the Board of Selectmen and the Advisory Board to discuss the Special Town Meeting warrant, Board of Selectmen member Donald Davenport voiced displeasure at the receipt of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests the town has received pertaining to wide-ranging 2020 general election documentation.
He said, “right-wing extremists” are being organized and encouraged by Michael J. Lindell, the CEO of My Pillow and a conservative media figure, whom Davenport called “that cuckoo pillow guy.”
In a subsequent email to Reminder Publishing, Davenport stated, “I appreciate the public’s right to seek information about their government and how it operates but these requests coming in at this time from out of state, conspiracy theorists, election deniers and followers of [former President Donald Trump] acolytes, such as the pillow guy, are nothing more than an attempt to burden election officials, discourage and intimidate election workers and cause disruption and distraction from the important work of ensuring efficient, open, fair elections. It is yet another attempt to destabilize democracy by right wing extremists bent on undermining the Constitution for their own selfish interests.”
He continued, “In my view, organized mass requests like these at this time is similar to denial-of-service attacks [otherwise known as DoS] on election offices. It is trying to create chaos and confusion which has the potential of leading to mistakes.”
Town Clerk Eva Wiseman told Reminder Publishing via email that the town has received multiple FOIA requests pertaining to the 2020 election. She stated, “We really aren’t obligated to retain records beyond the state requirements. We’re also not required to wait for possible future requests.”
Dog issue
On July 25, the Board of Selectmen conducted a dog hearing regarding an 8-month-old mastiff owned by Lindsay Bibeau of Raymond Drive. Two neighbors had complained that the dog had escaped and acted aggressively upon entering their respective properties.
At the time, Bibeau told the board that she was repairing a chain-link fence through which the dog had escaped. While Animal Control Officer Shelley Sears had verified the repairs were completed, the dog escaped again.
Sears said neighbor Lorena Severino, who had complained previously, sent Sears two Ring doorbell videos on Oct. 15 of the dog on her property and said she was fearful because her children were home. Sears reported that Bibeau acknowledged her children had allowed the dog to go out the front door instead of into the fenced back yard.
At the previous dog hearing, Board of Selectmen Chair John Flynn had told Bibeau that if the dog were to continue to leave her property unattended, “we’re looking at a more nuclear option.”
Considering the new incident, Davenport said Bibeau should come before the board again. Flynn added that it was a large dog and understandable that neighbors would be fearful. Bibeau is expected before the board to address the issue on Nov. 1.
Hartsprings Foundation
Residents Claudia Kapinos and Joan Shea brought Laurie Dimock of Hartsprings Foundation to speak with the board about an ongoing fundraiser for the Senior Center.
Hartsprings Foundation is a fundraising arm of Big Brothers, Big Sisters that collects clothing and textiles, linens, shoes, accessories, toys, house goods and other small items. Dimock said the only things they will not take are large appliances and furniture.
The organization collects donations by truck, but also provides areas with donation drop boxes. That is where the Senior Center comes in, Kapinos explained. Hartsprings would deposit a roughly 6-foot square donation box to a predetermined location at the Senior Center. People can drop off donations, which must fit in the bin. Once full, Hartsprings will empty the bin, which can hold up to 200 pounds, and pay the center 10 cents per pound. Those donations are then sold to the thrift store Savers, and the proceeds go to local Big Brothers Big Sisters.
In the memorandum of agreement Hartsprings and the Council on Aging would sign, Hartsprings would pick up the bin whenever the Senior Center calls. Hartsprings will also clear trash or snow that accumulates around the bins, and reduce its payment to 7 cents per pound for the following pickup. Money would be paid to the center on a fiscal quarterly basis.
Flynn asked about dumping and vandalism. Davenport also expressed concern, saying, “People are so disrespectful. They leave everything around.”
Shea said Council of Aging Director Rebecca Moriarty chose a location at the Senior Center under a parking lot light and clearly visible from Allen Street. Dimock noted that its proximity to the police station and position at a building that is used daily should limit dumping or graffiti. She noted that a bin that was placed at the transfer station years ago was damaged by a snowplow, but the Senior Center placement made it less likely that the bin would likewise be damaged.
When asked, Dimock assured Flynn that the bin can be at the center for whatever period is deemed appropriate. “We could try a three-month trial. If it’s been positive, we can just leave it there,” she said.
Dimock also pointed out that, as of Nov. 1, Massachusetts will no longer allow clothing and textiles to be included in household trash. This makes the timing of the bin advantageous. The location would be added to a list of local drop boxes on the foundation’s brochure, website, social media and a mailer, sent at no cost to town residents.
After Moriarty said she was in favor of the fundraiser, the board approved the Hartsprings bin.
Other topics
Town Administrator Bob Markel updated the board with the status of a shared conservation agent. He explained that Monson had pulled out of the agreement and Longmeadow had shifted gears toward hiring a position to take on tree warden and conservation agent duties. On the other hand, he said, Ludlow had expressed interest in splitting a conservation agent.
Resident Jim Smith was appointed to the Ambulance Advisory Committee. He called the committee members “capable” and said he could add to the group. “I’m not afraid to ask direct questions and I expect direct answers,” he said.
Markel said he will be receiving demonstrations of software designed to make municipal websites compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.