Town of Groton
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
March 4, 2008
In Attendance: David Leone (Chair), Michael Brogna, Richard O’Connor, Pamela Hamel (Administrative Assistant)
Audience Members Present
Dave called the meeting to order at 6:00pm, and asked for a moment of silence in honor of Eben Beever.
Dave read a list of upcoming appointments, announcements and the selectmen’s meeting minutes of 02-26-08 to the audience.
Dave said that Marie Ross would be unable to meet with them that evening due to the weather conditions. However, if anyone had any questions on the proposed school budget, Marie had left her home phone number for the board to give to anyone who would like to speak with her.
Dave made a motion to accept the minutes as written, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Daniel Plumer had some questions and comments about his report of cut that was signed last week. Mr. Plumer has some discrepancies with the logger’s assessment of the amount of wood cut. He also did not realize that he was responsible to file the report and thus it was 9 months late. Because of this, he was assessed a doomage fee as well. Mr. Plumer asked the board if there was any leeway with the doomage fee. The Board told him that they were following state regulations. They suggested that he be in touch with Jesse Bushaw, the state timber tax appraiser, to ascertain what avenues were available to him.
Dave explained that the Board had met with the tax collector, Joyce Tolman, to go over the town and unknown property abatements. Joyce was able to explain why these properties were needing abatements.
Dave made a motion to sign the town and unknown property abatements, Rich 2nd all in favor, so voted.
Dave made a motion to set up a work session with the GRC committee for Monday, March 10 at 5:30pm at the Town House. The GRC has requested this meeting in order to fully explain what they would like to do with the funds they are requesting on this year’s warrant.
Mike made a motion to send the Kennedy Report of Cut to Jesse Bushaw, the state timber tax appraiser, as there appears to be some discrepancies, Rich 2nd, all in favor, so voted.
Mike announced that the Selectmen’s meetings will be changing from 6:00 to 7:00pm beginning April 8.
Mike wanted to set up a work session with the road agent and Tony Albert, who is in charge of the state roads in this area, to discuss the current road conditions. Tony will not be able to make the meeting so Mike asked the other Board members if it would be okay with them if he called Tony to get his imput, and report Tony’s comments to them. Both Rich and Dave agreed. A work session was set up with the road agent for Thursday, March 6 at 6:30 pm. Mike will be speaking with Tony before that time.
Questions and comments were taken from the audience.
Opening up the parking area at the Town House before the elections was discussed. The Board said that if the parking area hasn’t already been opened by the work session, it will be one of the topics of discussion. Pam mentioned that the road agent had planned to do it the Thursday before town meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 6:42pm
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela Hamel
Administrative Assistant